Skip to main content

Full text of "History of Tennessee, from the earliest time to the present; together with an historical and a biographical sketch of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford and Marshall counties;"

See other formats 


REYNOLDS  HISTORICAL 
GENEALOGY  COLLECTION 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/historyoftenness02good 


o 


/ 


HISTORY 


OF 

c 


From  the  Earliest  Time  to  the  Present;  Together  with  an  Historical  anb 
a Biographical  Sketch  of  Maury,  Williamson,  Rutherford, 
Wilson,  Bedford  and  Marshall  Counties;  Besides  a 
Valuable  Fund  of  Notes,  Reminiscences, 

Observations,  Etc.,  Etc. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


Nashville: 

THE  GOODSPEED  PUBLISHING  CO. 
18SC. 


' 

. ,• 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


G17 


Georgia  Battalion,  composed  of  Fortieth,  Forty-First  and  Forty-third 
Georgia  (consolidated),  Lieut.-CoL  W.  H.  Dunnall;  Forty-second 
Georgia,  composed  of  ten  companies  of  Forty-second  Georgia,  ten  com- 
panies of  Thirty-sixth  Georgia,  two  companies  of  Fifty-sixth  Georgia 
and  one  company  of  Thirty -fourth  and  Thirty-sixth  Georgia,  Lieut. -Col. 
L.  P.  Thomas.  Pettus’  Brigade:  Nineteenth  Alabama,  Lieut. -Col.  E.  S. 
Gulley;  Twentieth  Alabama,  Lieut.-Col.  J.  K.  Elliott  (belonged  to  Thir- 
tieth Alabama);  Twenty -third  Alabama,  Maj.  J.  T.  Hester;  Fifty-fourth 
Virginia  Battalion,  Lieut.-Col.  C.  H.  Lynch. 

Stewart’s  Artillery  Corps. 

K.  B.  Bhett’s  Battalion;  Anderson’s  Battery,  Capt.  R.  W.  (?)  Ander- 
son; Brook’s  Battery  (probably  Terrel  Artillery)  ; Le  Gardeurs’  Battery, 
Capt.  G.  Le  Gardeur;  Parker’s  Battery,  Capt.  Ed  L.  Parker;  Stuart’s 
Battery,  Capt.  H.  M.  Stuart;  Wheaton’s  Battery,  Capt.  J.  F.  Wheaton. 
Lee’s  Corps:  Kanapaux’s  Battery,  Capt.  J.  T.  Kanapaux. 


1620304 

CHAPTER  XVII.* 

Tennessee  Literature— A Catalogue  of  the  Leading  Literary  Men  and 
Women  of  the  State,  with  the  Titles  of  their  Productions,  and  with 
Analytical  Reviews  of  Styles,  Methods  and  General  Merits;  to- 
gether with  a Comprehensive  Presentation  of  the  Origin,  Success 
and  Variation  of  the  State  Press. 

npHE  activities  of  the  pioneer  intellect  at  the  period  of  the  earliest 
JL  settlement  of  Tennessee  were  engrossed  in  what  was  of  more  im- 
mediate importance  than  the  writing  of  history.  Prior  thereto  a glimpse 
of  the  people  and  of  the  physical  geography  of  the  mountainous  section 
of  the  State  may  be  had  in  a rare  and  valuable  old  book  published  in 
London  in  1775,  “Adair’s  History  of  the  American  Indians.”  Adair,  as 
an  Indian  trader,  was  among  the  Cherokees  of  East  Tennessee  a long 
time  before  the  French  and  Indian  War,  when  the  fierce  and  haughty 
Cherokee  warriors  ruled  the  land  “untrammeled  and  alone.”  A map 
accompanying  the  volume  calls  the  Tennessee  River  the  Tanase.  The 
men  of  action — the  heroes  who  planted  the  white  race  in  this  hot-bed  of 
aboriginal  hostility,  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  and  the  earlier 
part  of  the  nineteenth  century,  were  too  much  engrossed  by  the  sword 
"to  find  much  time  for  the  pen. 

The  list  of  Tennessee  authors  found  in  works  devoted  to  that  subject 

♦Prepared  for  this  work  by  •*  Mary  Faith  Floyd”  of  KuoxviUe. 


■ 


' " it 


618 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


is  not  so  large  as  that  of  other  Southern  States.  It  has  been  said,  “The 
fame  of  a great  man  needs  time  to  give  it  perspective.”  This  is  essen- 
tially true  of  authors,  and  it  remains  for  the  future  biographer,  after 
time  has  done  its  work  in  giving  due  perspective  to  the  great  minds  of 
our  State,  to  do  justice  to  the  merits  and  works  of  Tennessee’s  eminent 
literary  laborers.  Among  writers  historians  may  well  be  mentioned 
first.  Judge  John  Haywood  is  earliest  on  the  list.  The,  son  of  a farmer 
of  Halifax  County,  N.  C.,  he  had  no  opportunity  for  collegiate  education,, 
but  learned  some  Latin  and  Greek  and  studied  law.  beginning  with  the 
study  of  “Reynolds’  Reports,”  thence  advancing  from  particulars  to  gen- 
eral principles.  He  became  attorney-general  of  North  Carolina  in  1791, 
and  soon  afterward  judge  of  the  superior  court  of  law  and  equity.  In 
1800  he  returned  to  legal  practice.  Judge  Haywood  removed  to  Tennes- 
see in  1S07,  and  located  seven  miles  south  of  Nashville.  He  was  fond 
of  applause;  became  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Tennessee  in  1816. 
Mr.  Hiram  Barry  (the  oldest  printer  in  the  State),  who  was  personally 
acquainted  with  Judge  Haywood,  says,  “He  was  of  low  stature  and  very  cor- 
pulent.” He  wrote  a very  difficult  hand  to  read,  and  Mr.  Barry  who  set 
the  type  in  the  printing  of  “Haywood’s  History,”  was  the  only  printer  who 
could  decipher  it.  Judge  Haywood  was  author  of  “Natural  and  Abo- 
riginal History  of  Tennessee,”  “History  of  Tennessee  from  1770  to  1795,” 
“The  Evidences  of  Christianity.”  “ Haywood’s  History”  is  written  in 
narrative  stvle  without  rhetorical  ornament,  and  it  is  not  alwavs  as  clear 
as  the  relation  of  historic  events  ought  to  be.  It  contains  a mass  of  val- 
uable materials  relative  to  early  .events  and  it  is  now  a rare  book.  The 
mistake  is  made  of  locating  Fort  Loudon  on  the  north  side  of  the  Little 
Tennessee.  It  was  situated  on  the  south  side  of  that  stream.* 

Dr.  J.  G.  M.  Ramsey  was  of  Scotch  descent.  His  father  was  a gal- 
lant  soldier  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  fighting  under  Gen.  Washington 
at  Valley  Forge,  Trenton  and  Princeton.  Dr.  Ramsey  wras  born  in  Knox 
County,  six  miles  east  of  Knoxville,  in  1797,  and  died  in  that  place  in 
1884,  in  his  eighty-eighth  year.  He  lies  buried  at  Mecklenburg,  four 
miles  east  of  Knoxville,  at  the  confluence  of  the  Tennessee  and  French 
Broad  Rivers.  He  read'  medicine  under  Dr.  J osepli  Strong,  was  gradu- 
ated in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and  was  a practitioner  most  of 
his  life.  In  the  late  war,  being  an  ardent  secessionist,  he  was  compelled 
to  leave  the  State  during  Federal  occupation  in  1863-65.  He  went  to 
North  Carolina  and  remained  there  some  years.  In  1853  he  brought  out 
his  “Annals  of  Tennessee,”  a valuable  compend  of  history  up  to  the  close 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  He  had  the  manuscripts  of  the  second  volume 


•See  Aboriginal  map  accompanying  this  volume. 


- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


619 


ready  for  the  printer,  but  tho  family  residence,  while  he  was  in  exile, 
was  burnt,  and  with  it  the  manuscripts  and  many  valuable  papers.  Dr. 
Ramsey  ranks  high  as  an  author.  He  was  a polished  and  fluent  writer, 
and  possessed  a large  fund  of  information  on  all  subjects.  “Annals  of 
Tennessee”  is  a store-house  of  knowledge  to  the  future  historian.  It 
evinces  much  research  and  is  very  accurate  and  reliable.  He  was  also- 
the  author  of  many  elegant  addresses,  essays  and  poems.  For  some 
years  he  was  president  of  the  Historical  Society  of  Tennessee. 

A.  Waldo  Putnam  published  in  Nashville,  in  1859,  Putnam’s  “His- 
tory of  Middle  Tennessee,  or  Life  and  Times  of  Gen.  James  Robertson.” 
It  appears  from  the  title  page  that  Mr.  Putnam  was  president  of  the 
Tennessee  Historical  Society.  He  was  born  in  Belfast,  Ohio,  in  1799, 
and  was  graduated  at  the  University  of  Ohio.  He  wrote  the  sketch  of 
Gen.  John  Sevier  in  “Wheeler's  History  of  North  Carolina,”  and  a volume 
entitled  “Life  and  Times  of  John  Sevier.”  Mr.  Putnam  married  a de- 
scendant of  Gen.  Sevier.  The  preface  to  “ History  of  Middle  Tennes- 
see ” is  pleasing  and  somewhat  fanciful.  The  work  is  a comprehensive 
account  of  the  settlement  of  the  Cumberland  Valley,  and  abounds  in  the 
incidents  and  dangers  that  follow  life  in  the  wilderness.  In  addition  to 
the  historical  works  mentioned  is  Clayton’s  “ History  of  Davidson  Coun- 
ty, Tennessee,”  an  important  and  valuable  work,  giving  much  detailed 
and  statistical  information. 

“ Military  Annals  of  Tennessee  ” is  the  title  of  an  octavo  volume  con- 
taining 882  pages  of  closely  printed  matter,  recently  issued  under  the 
supervision  of  Dr.  J.  Berrien  Lindsley.  The  first  thirty  pages  are  de- 
voted to  a brief  sketch  of  the  war  in  Tennessee,  by  J.  M.  Keating,  of 
Memphis.  This  is  followed  by  a sketch  of  the  Army  of  Tennessee,  by 
Alexander  P.  Stewart,  of  Oxford,  Miss.  The  remainder  of  the  work  is 
given  to  histories  of  the  various  Confederate  regiments,  written  by  some 
member  familiar  with  their  movements.  The  book  is  magnificently  il- 
lustrated with  portraits  of  many  leading  Confederates  of  Tennessee. 

As  early  as  1831  Eastin  Morris  brought  out  “Tennessee  Gazetteer, 
or  Topographical  Dictionary  ” of  the  State  of  Tennessee.  It  is  a valu- 
able compendium  of  the  history  of  the  State,  from  earliest  times  to  1834, 
including  the  constitution  of  Tennessee  framed  by  the  convention  of 
1834.  A second  edition  of  this  book  was  published  in  Nashville,  ac- 
companied by  ample  foot  notes. 

Paschall  is  the  author  of  “ Old  Times,  or  Tennessee  History,”  a work 
for  schools.  Knowing  the  love  children  have  for  “ story-reading,”  Pas- 
chall has  arranged  historic  facts  in  a most  agreeable  form.  Each  chap- 
ter, as  far  as  possible,  has  a beginning  and  ending,  and  by  this  means 


* 


620 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


each  fragment  of  history  becomes  a unit  and  fastens  firmly  in  the  mind 
of  the  juvenile  reader.  Mr.  Paschall  was  an  old  school-teacher,  and  his 
excellent  little  book  is  the  result  of  long  experience  in  the  best  methods 
of  enlisting  interest  in  young  people  for  grave  study.  Another  book 
much  valued  is  “Life  as  it  is,  or  Matters  and  Things  in  General,*’  pub- 
lished in  Knoxville  in  1811,  by  J.  W.  M.  Brazeale.  This  book  has  many 
historic  facts  and  comments  on  the  customs  of  the  early  settlers  of  Ten- 
nessee. There  is  a good  article  on  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  and 
an  account  of  the  “Harps,”  two  noted  murderers  who,  without  being 
robbers,  went  about  the  county  committing  atrocious  murders,  appar- 
ently as  a pleasure.  No  doubt,  De  Quincy-like,  they  considered  murder 
“one  of  the  fine  arts.”  Brazeale  was  a native  of  Koane  Comity,  and 
practiced  law  in  Athens,  Tenn. 

Mr.  Wilkins  Tanneliill  is  the  author  of  “History  of  Literature,”  “Man- 
ual of  Freemasonry”  and  several  other  works  of  ability.  He  was  a dis- 
tinguished light  in  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  said  to  have  been  a forci- 
ble and  fluent  writer.  Clark's  “Miscellany  of  Prose  and  Poetry”  is  some- 
thing in  the  line  of  English  literature. 

“ Jack  Robinson”  is  the  author  of  “ The  Savage,”  a book  of  pungent 
essays,  criticising  the  life  and  usages  of  the  civilized  man,  in  contrast 
with  those  of  the  aboriginal  savage.  It  purports  to  be  written  by  “ Pio- 
mingo,  a chief  of  the  Muscogulgee  nation,”  published  in  Knoxville  in 
1833.  The  author  was  a Tennesseean,  born  probably  in  Carter  County, 
where  he  committed  a homicide  early  in  life;  whence  his  after  life  was 
poisoned  by  remorse.  He  is  said  to  have  lived  a veritable  hermit’s  life, 
in  which  existence  these  essays  were  written.  Robinson  is  accredited 
with  the  authorship  of  a forcible  poem  in  the  same  solemn  vein  as  Gray’s 
Elegy,  but  any  certain  facts  of  his  career  seem  lost. 

Prior  to  1801  Willie  Blount's  “ Catechetical  Exposition  of  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  State  of  Tennessee"  was  published.  This  is  a work  for 
the  use  of  schools  written  in  conversational  style.  Abijah  Fowler  of 
Washington  County,  in  1838,  brought  out  “Fowler’s  Arithmetic,”  a text- 
book of  much  popularity  in  this  region  at  that  period.  “ Biblical  Nom- 
enclature or  Vocabulary *of  the  Principal  Part  of  the  Proper  Names  Con- 
tained in  the  Bible,  with  their  Signification,  together  with  Scriptural 
Tables  of- Money,  Weights  and  Measures,  to  which  is  added  President 
Washington’s  Valedictory  Address,  Intended  for  the  Use  of  Schools;  by 
John  Wilkinson.  Heiskell  .A  Brown,  printers,  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  1820.” 
The  book  is  recommended  as  one  “of  ability,  judgment  and  care,”  and 
persons  are  urged  to  patronize  it,  by  Isaac  Anderson,  John  McCamp- 
bell,  Robert  Hardin.  August,  1819. 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE.  621 

•r  Clerical  writers  are  numerous.  One  of  the  most  fluent  and  prolific  is 
Rev.  David  Rice  McAnally,  D.  D.,  of  the  Methodist  Church,  South;  a 
native  of  Grainger  County,  born  in  1810,  and  for  some  years  a resident 
of  Knoxville.  He  was  president  of  the  East  Tennessee  Female  Institute 
in  Knoxville  for  eight  years.  He  removed  to  St.  Louis  in  1851,  where 
he  still  edits  the  St.  Louis  Christian  Advocate.  He  is  a man  of  exten- 
sive reading  and  great  charity  of  mind ; is  remarkable  for  clearness  and 
vigor  of  style,  and  is  perfectly  fearless  in  advocating  his  convictions  of 
right.  He  does  not  mince  matters,  but  calls  tilings  by  their  right  names 
and  is  bold  in  denouncing  vice,  while  he  is  liberal  and  kind  to  all.  His 
works  are  “ Martha  Laurens  Ramsey,”  a biography  of  a lady  of  South 
Carolina;  “ Life  and  Times  of  Rev.  William  Patton;”  “Life  and  Times 
of  Rev.  Samuel  Patton,  D.  D. “A  Hymn  Book;”  “ A Sunday-school 
Manual;”  “Annals  of  the  Holston  Conference.” 

Rev.  J.  B.  McFerrin,  D.  D.,  the  head  of  the  Methodist  Publishing 
House  at  Nashville,  is  the  author  of  a learned  and  important  work,  “His- 
torv  of  Methodism  in  Tennessee.”  published  at  Nashville  in  1872  in 
three  volumes.  He  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  June  15,  1807 ; 
entered  the  ministry  at  eighteen  and  has  filled  many  prominent  positions 
in  the  Methodist  Church  ever  since.  His  name  is  identified  with  the 
history  of  the  church,  and  he  has  shared  in  its  “ deliberative  assemblies, 
and  pursued  his  life-work  with  a concentration  of  purpose  seldom 
equaled ” He  ranks  as  a man  of  the  rarest  courage  which  is  stimulated 
and  increased  when  surrounded  by  difficulties,  and  he  is  never  found 
wanting  in  any  emergency.  As  an  orator  he  possessed  wit,  humor,  pa- 
thos, and  his  sermons  “ engage  attention,  command  confidence  and 
awaken  conscience.” 

Among  early  clerical  writers  was  Rev.  Abel  Pearson,  author  of  .“  An 
Analysis  of  the  Principles  of  Divine  Government,”  in  a series  of  con- 
versations, and  also  “ Conversations  on  Some  Other  Interesting  Subjects, 
Particularly  Relating  to  Same  Principals,  Between  A.  P.  and  N.  P. ; and 
a Dissertation  on  the  Prophecies  in  Reference  to  the  Rise  and  Fall  of 
the  Beast;  The  Cleansing  of  the  Sanctuary;  The  Beginning  and  Dura- 
tion of  the  Millennium,  and  the  Little  Season;  together  with  a Calcula- 
tion Shewing  the  Exact  Time  of  the  Death  of  Christ;  and,  also,  Calcu- 
lations Shewing  the  Precise  Time  of  the  Rise  and  Fall  of  the  Beast  and 
the  Beginning  of  the  Millennium,  etc. ; by  Abel  Pearson,  Minister  of  the 
Gospel,  Athens,  Tenn.,  1838.”  The  whole  title  of  the. book  is  given  as  a 
specimen  of  prolixity. 

Rev.  David  Nelson,  a man  of  fine  attainments,  published  “ The  Cause 
and  Cure  of  Infidelity.”  He  married  in  Tennessee  and  resided  in  the 

39 


. 


622 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


State  many  years.  Rev.  Robert  A.  Young,  D.  D.,  a native  of  Knox 
County,-  is  the  author  of  a book  called  “Reply  to  Ariel,”  written  in 
answer  to  “Ariel,”  by  J.  B.  Payne,  and  of  “Personages.”  Dr.  Young  re- 
sides in  Nashville,  and  is  a prominent  divine  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  South.  “ Brief  Biographical  Sketches  of  Some  of  the  Early 
Ministers  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,”  is  the  production  of 
Rev.  Richard  Baird,  published  in  Nashville  in  1867.  Rev.  W.  T.  Helms, 
an  Episcopal  clergyman,  a native  of  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  wrote  a poem  of 
twelve  books,  entitled  “ Moses  Resisted.”  Two  poems,  “ Smith  and* 
Pocahontas,”  “ Centennial  Poem,”  are  the_  work  of  Rev.  Joseph  H. 
Martin,  D.  D. ; Dr.  Martin  is  a native  of  Dandridge,  is  a man  of  fine  cult- 
ivation, and  has  written  many  popular  hymns.  Rev.  Robert  Mack,  in 
1834,  published  “Kyle  Stuart,  with  other  Poems,”  a remarkable  book; 
and  “ The  Moriad,”  another  poem.  Bishop  H.  N.  McTyeire  is  the  author 
of  a little  work  called  “Duties  of  Christian  Masters,”  published  in  Nash- 
ville in  1859,  and  “ History  of  Methodism”  and  “ A Catechism  of  Church 
Government.”  He  has  been  a constant  writer  for  the  press  and  was  at 
one  time  editor  of  the  St.  Louis  Christian  Advocate.  R.  H.  Rivers,  D. 
D.,  wrote  two  valuable  text  books,  “ Mental  Philosophy”  and  “ Moral 
Philosophy.”  Father  Ryan,  author  of  the  inimitable  wail  “ The  Con- 
quered Banner,”  was  for  a long  time  a resident  of  Knoxville,  and  Ten- 
nesseeans feel  proud  of  his  genius,  although  he  is  not  a native  of  the 
State. 

' Rev.  William  G.  Brownlow,  governor  of  Tennessee,  wrote  quite  a 
number  of  books.  His  first  publication  was  “ Helps  to  the  Study  of 
Presbyterianism;”  1834.  It  is  theological  and  controversial,  and  con- 
tains an  autobiographical  sketch.  In  1844  he  published  “ Life  of 
Heriry  Clay  and  Political  Register.”  This  was  followed  by  “The  Great 
Iron  Wheel  Examined.”  In  1858  appeared  “ Debate  between  W.  G, 
Brownlow  and  Rev.  A.  Pryne,”  and  in  1862  .“Parson  Brownlow' s Own 
Book,”  an  account  of  his  maltreatment  by  the  hated  secessionists.  Mr. 
Brownlow  led  a life  of  incessant  activity  as  editor,  politician  and 
preacher.  “He  was,”  says  a critic,  “extreme  in  all  things.”  In  pri- 
vate life  he  was  kind,  charitable  and  helpful ; was  successively  governor 
of  Tennessee  and  Senator  of  the  United  States. 

Rev.  Frederick  A.  Ross,  D.  D.,  a resident  of  this  State  for  many 
years,  was  the  author  of  “Slavery  Ordained  by  God,”  published  in  1857. 
Dr.  Ross  was  a most  accomplished  scholar  and  a man  of  genius.  He 
lived  to  a very  great  age  and  was  an  eminent  divine. 

Medical  writers  were  Dr.  Isaac  Wright,  author  of  “ Wright’s  Family 
Medicine,  or  System  of  Domestic  Practice,”  and  Dr.  John  C.  Gunn, 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


623 


author  of  “ Gunn’s  Domestic  Medicine,”  published  in  Knoxville  in  1830. 
The  essays  on  the  passions  in  this  book  were  written  by  a remarkable 
man  named  Charles  Cassedy.  Cassedy  was  said  to  be  the  “ Milford 
Bard”  in  “Field’s  Scrap  Book.”  Dr.  Thomas  A.  Anderson  wrote  the 
“ Practical  Monitor,  for  the  Preservation  of  Health  and  the  Prevention 
of  Disease.”  He  considered  blood-letting  a cure  for  all  diseases.  He 
was  a native  of  East  Tennessee,  and  was  a man  of  learning. 

Authors  of  -works  on  geology  are  J ames  M.  Salford,  A.  M. , author  of 
“ Geology  of  Tennessee,”  published  by  the  State  at  Nashville  in  1869. 
This  work  -was  received  by  scientists  and  the  general  public  with  great 
favor.  Dr.  Salford  and  J.  B.  Killebrew,  brought  out  a “ School  Geology 
of  Tennessee,”  chiefly  compiled  from  the  foregoing.  J.  B.  Killebrew 
published  in  Nashville  a valuable  volume  entitled  “ Besources  of  Ten- 
nessee.” William  G.  McAdoo  is  author  of  an  “ Elementary  Geology  of 
Tennessee,”  a briefer  and  simpler  work  than  the  preceding,  adapted  to 
less  advanced  pupils. 

Hon.  T.  A.  B.  Nelson  is  author  of  “ East  Tennessee,”  and  “ Seces- 
sion,” and  another  very  vigorous  poem,  a satire  in  the  Hudibrastic  style, 
an  account  of  the  canvass  of  the  Legislature  for  the  office  of  United 
States  Senator,  entitled  “ King  Caucus.”  Mr.  Nelson  was  a man  of  large 
talent,  enriched  by  varied  cultivation.  He  held  many  important  offices,, 
and  was  on  the  defense  in  the  impeachment  trial  of  President  Johnson 
in  1868.  He  was  a native  of  Boane  County,  born  in  1812,  and  died  of 
cholera  in  1872  being  then  a judge  of  the  supreme  court. 

“Life  of  Capt.  William  B.  Allen,”  was  from  the  pen  of  Hon.  A.  O. 

P.  Nicholson,  a very  able  jurist.  A contemporary  says,  “His  writings 

are  characterized  by  a style  so  lucid,  and  argumentation  so  logical  as  to 

entitle  him  to  rank  among  the  masters  of  model  English.”  “ A Ten- 
ts o 

nesseean  Abroad”  is  the  work  of  Maj.  Bandall  W.  McGavock,  in  1856. 
He  was  a gallant  soldier  and  fell  on  the  Confederate  side.  “ The 
World’s  Wonder,”  a Masonic  exposition,  was  the  work  of  Johnson  and 
Henderson.  Capt.  James  Williams  was  author  of  “Old  Line  Whig  Let- 
ters,” -which  appeared  in  the  Nashville  Union , in  1846.  Tennessee 
claims  as  one  of  her  sons  the  distinguished  author,  Matthew  Fontaine 
Maury.  Commodore  Maury’s  works  and  labors  in  the  cause  of  science 
are  so  well  known  they  need  not  be  mentioned  here. 

The  famous  hunter  and  humorist,  Col.  David  Crockett,  is  credited 
with  the  authorship  of  several  works:  “Exploits  in  Texas,”  “Tour 

Down  East,”  “Autobiography,”  “Sketches  and  Eccentricities”  and 
“Song  Book.”  It  is  strange  that  this  self-made  and  eccentric  celeb- 
rity,  who  never  had  but  two  months1  instruction  in  reading  and  writing, 


624 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


should  have  produced  by  the  native  force  of  intellect  so  many  readable 
books.  Doubtless  the  notoriety  he  acquired  by  his  singular  manner, 
and  his  odd  turns  of  expression  aided  in  the  success  of  his  productions. 

Hon.  Joseph  C.  Guild  was  the  author  of  u01d  Times  in  Tennessee.” 
The  works  of  J.  R.  Graves  are  “The  Desire  of  all  Nations,”  “The  Watch- 
man’s Reply,”  “The  Trilemma,”  “The  First  Baptist  Church  in  Ameri- 
ca,” “The  Little  Iron  Wheel,”  “The  Bible  Doctrine  of  the  Middle 
Life,”  “The  Great  Iron  Wheel,”  “Exposition  of  Modern  Spiritualism,” 
“The  New  Hymn  and  Tune  Book,”  “The  Little  Seraph,”  “Old  Land- 
markism;  What  it  is.”  Mr.  Graves  is  a native  of  Chester,  Vi,  born 
April  10,  1S20.  His  father  died  when  the  child  was  three  weeks  old. 
He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  made  principal  of  Keysville 
(Ohio)  Academy  when  nineteen;  came  to  Nashville  in  1845,  where  he 
taught  school,  had  charge  of  a church  and  became  the  editor  of  The 
Tennessee  Baptisf , and  still  continues  in  that  position. 

“Woodville”  is  a novel  of  East  Tennessee  life,  published  in  Knox- 


dany  of  the  characters  arc  supposed  to  have  been  taken  from  real 
life,  and  some  of  the  scenes  are  laid  at  Moiltvale  Springs.  Mr.  Todd,  a 
theological  student  at  Maryville  many  years  ago,  is  said  to  be  the  author. 
Abram  Caruthers  wrote  a text -book  entitled  “History  of  a Lawsuit.” 
Dr.  P.  O.  Fitzgerald  is  the  author  of  “Life  of  Dr.  T.  O.  Summers,” 
“Glimpses  of  Truth”  and  “Centenary  Cameos.”  He  is  a native  of  North 
Carolina. 

Rev.  W.  P.  Harrison,  editor  of  the  a Southern  Methodist  Review,  has 
published  “Theophilus  Walton,”  a reply  to  “Theodosia  Ernest,”  1858; 
‘“Lights  and  Shadows  of  Fifty  Years,”  published  under  the  nom  dc 
'plume  Henry  Hartwell,  in  1883.  (This  is  a book  of  short  sketches  from 
real  life.)  “ The  Living  Christ,”  1884;  “The  High  Churchman  Dis- 
armed,” in  1S86.  Mr.  Harrison  has  been  connected  with  the  Methodist 
Publishing  House  since  1882,  and  in  that  time  has  edited  over  100  books. 

“ Biographical  Sketches  ” of  Tennessee  Baptists,  by  Rev.  Joseph  H. 
Borirn,  was  published  in  1830.  It  is  a- very  flattering  account  of  Baptist 
ministers,  both  past  and  present,  who  have  labored  in  Tennessee,  and  is 
written  in  the  form  of  sketches.  Dr.  A.  H.  Bedford  wrote  “History  of 
Methodism  in  Kentucky,”  “Western  Cavaliers,”  “Fred  Brennam,”  “Rus- 
sell Morton,”  “A  Preachers  Wife.”  The  last  three  are  religious  novels. 

Rev.  Philip  Lindsley,  D.  D.,  was  born  in  New  Jersey,  in  1730;  be- 
came a preacher  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  rose  to  such  eminence 
that,  in  1834,  lie  was  chosen  unanimously  moderator  of  the  General  As- 
sembly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United  States,  then  holding  its 
sessions  at  Philadelphia.  He  occupied  distinguished  positions,  many  of 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


625 


; them  thrust  upon  him  without  solicitation.  In  1825  ho  was  inaugurated 
president  of  Dickenson  College,  Nashville,  Tenn.  The  name  of  this  in- 
stitution was  changed  the  next  year  to  the  University  of  Nashville.  He 
was  among  the  very  foremost  men  of  his  day  in  the  work  of  higher  ed- 
ucation. He  was  much  esteemed  by  the  public  as  a man  of  great  genius, 
and  his  work  in  the  educational  department  was  nobly  executed  and  pro- 
ductive of  beneficial  results.  His  publications  were  chiefly  in  the  form 
. of  addresses  on  education.  They  were  published  in  three  large  volumes, 

• with  a memoir,  by  Le  Roy  J.  Halsey,  D.  D. 

Samuel  D.  Baldwin  is  the  author  of  “Armageddon,  or  the  Overthrow 

• of  Romanism  and  Monarchy,”  and  “Life  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Norton.” 
Thomas  0.  Summers,  D.  D.,  editor  of  Nashville  Christian  Advocate , 

. is  author  of  a number  of  works:  “Baptism,”  “Golden  Censer,”  “Holi- 
ness,” “Refutation  of  Payne,”  “Seasons,  Months  and  Days,”  “Sunday- 
school  Teacher,”  “Sunday-school  Speaker,”  “Talks  Pleasant  and  Profit- 
. able,”  “Scripture  Catechism.” 

AY.  M.  Baskerville,  professor  of  English  language  and  literature  in 
Vanderbilt  University,  published  first  a piece  of  Anglo-Saxon  prose  for 
, his  doctor’s  degree  at  the  University  of  Leipsic.  This  was  followed  by 
an  “Anglo-Saxon  Poem”  in  1885.  Mr.  Baskerville  then  brought  out  a 
joint  work  with  Prof.  James  A.  Harrison,  an  “Anglo-Saxon  Dictionary,” 

. also  published  in  1S85.  Mr.  Baskerville  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 

. Tenn.,  April  1,  1850.  After  attending  several  prominent  institutions 
. of  learning  in  the  United  States  he  went  to  the  University  of  Leipsic, 
where  he  received  the  degree  of  Ph.  D. 

“Early  Times  in  Middle  Tennessee,”  by  John  Carr,  was  published  in 
1857.  The  preface  is  written  by  Dr.  J.  B.  McFerrin.  The  book  con- 
tains a series  of  sketches  on  the  history  of  Middle  Tennessee,  which  were 
. first  published  in  the  Nashville  Christian  Advocate.  Much  of  the  book 
is  given  to  early  religious  history,  and  it  contains  biographies  of  pioneer 
preachers  and  one  of  the  author. 

“Life  and  Times  of  Elder  Reuben  Ross,”  an  interesting  and  well 
written  book,  by  James  Ross,  with  an  introduction  and  notes  by  J.  M. 
Pendleton,  was  published  1882.  Elder  Ross  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
in  1776.  He  came  to  Tennessee  in  1807,  after  having  been  ordained  to 
the  ministry,  and  for  fifty  years  was  a noted  preacher.  The  history  of 
his  life  covers  one  of  the  most  important  periods  in  the  religious  history 
of  the  State. 

J.  H.  Brunner,  D.  D.,  president  of  Hiwassee  College,  has  published 
“Sunday  Evening  Talks”  and  “The  Union  of  the  Churches.”  The  Rev. 
O.  P.  Fitzgerald,  editor  of  the  Nashville  Christian  Advocate , is  the 


;G26 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


author  of  “California  Sketches,”  two  volumes ; “Christian  Growth”  and 
“The  Class  Meeting.”  “The  Sunday-school  and  its  Methods”  is  a vol- 
ume published  at  Nashville,  1883,  by  Rev.  James  A.  Lyons,  a native  of 
Knoxville,  Tenn.,  a minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 
George  W.  Harris,  author  of  “Sut  Lovingood’s  Tarns,”  a humorous  book, 
was  born  in  Knoxville,  Tenn.  His  book  had  a wide  popularity,  especially 
among  young  readers. 

Legal  writers  are  Hon.  William  F.  Cooper,  author  of  “Cooper's  Chan- 
cery Reports,”  reported  and  edited  by  himself;  Wesley  J.  Hicks,  author 
of  “Hicks’  Manual;”  William  C.  Kain,  author  of  ‘-Tennessee  Justice  and 
Legal  Adviser,”  and  Henry  S.  Foote,  author  of  “Foote's  Bench  and  Bar 
of  the  Southwest.” 

“A  Review  of  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  or  an  Essay  on  Slavery,”  is  the 
work  of  A.  Woodward,  M.  D.,  published  in  Cincinnati  in  1853.  Dr. 
Woodward  lived  in  Knoxville  for  many  years  where  he  practiced  his 
profession,  and  has  left  a large  family.  His  little  book  is  very  credit- 
able, and  the  views  on  Southern  customs  and  the  estimate  of  character 
are  just  and  impartial.  “Old  Times  in  West  Tennessee,”  published  in 
Memphis,  1873,  and  copyrighted  by  Joseph  S.  Williams  in  the  same 
year,  is  a book  by  “A  Descendant  of  One  of  the  First  Settlers.” 

The  most  prominent  of  the  female  authors  of  Tennessee  is  Miss  Mary 
N.  Murfree,  whose  pseudonym  is  Charles  Egbert  Craddock.  Miss  Mur- 
free  is  a native  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.  Loss  of  property  induced  her 
father,  who  is  a prominent  lawyer,  to  live  on  the  old  Dickenson  planta- 
tion. It  was  the  isolated  life  there  that  led  the  young  girl  to  reflection 
and  introspection,  and  developed  her  keen  observation  of  nature’s  mvs- 
teries,  which  plumed  her  pen  for  its  exquisite  descriptions  of  scenery. 
Miss  Murfree  touches  the  very  core  of  nature  and  reveals  all  her  hidden 
lore,  presenting  it  to  the  reader  in  gorgeous  coloring.  Many  visits  to 
the  mountains  of  East  Tennessee  made  her  familiar  with  the  customs 
and  dialect  of  the  mountaineers.  This  practical  knowledge,  added  to  the 
wealth  of  imagination  she  possesses,  formed  the  conjunction  necessarv 
. to  perfect  the  genius.  All  the  prominent  journals  of  the  country  accord 
the  very  highest  praise  to  Miss  Murfree.  She  is  said  to  be  the  “most 
powerful  and  original  of  the  ‘southern  school’  of  romanticists.”  Says 
the  Boston  Traveller:  “Here  is  the  positive,  brilliant,  glowing  o-enius 
that  has  cut  its  own  channel  and  made  its  own  place.”  Her  productions 
are  “In  the  Tennessee  Mountains,”  “Down  the  Ravine,”  “The  Prophet 
of  the  Great  Smoky  Mountains”  and  many  other  contributions  to  period- 
icals; also  “Where  the  Battle  was  Fought.”  The  publication  of  her  first 
work  entitled  her,  justly,  to  the  front  rank  among  novelists,  and  her  merit 


• HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


627 


is  acknowledged  by  all  lovers  of  the  beautiful,  who  look  on  her  produc- 
tions as  a new  voice  of  delight  in  the  world  of  fiction. 

Mrs.  L.  Virginia  French  was  by  birth  a Virginian.  At  an  early  age 
she  was  sent  by  her  father  to  her  maternal  grandmother  in  Washington, 
Penn.,  where  she  was  educated.  In  1S48,  having  finished  her  education, 
she  became  a teacher  in  Memphis.  Her  maiden  nom  de  plume  was  U 
Inconnue . She  published,  in  1856,  ‘‘Wind  Whispers,”  a book  of  fugi- 
tive poems;  “Legends  of  the  South,”  in  verse;  “Iztalilxo,  the  Lady  of 
Tala,”  a tragedy  in  five  acts,  the  scene  laid  in  Mexico;  “My  Poses,”  a 
novel  of  Southern  life  in  1S72.  In  1879,  “Darlingtonia,”  a novel,  ran 
as  a serial  in  the  Detroit  Free  Press.  She  occupied  the  position  of  ed- 
itor to  many  prominent  literary  journals  of  the  South.  She  is  best 
known  as  a poet.  Her  verse  is  full  of  tone  and  imagination,  and  her 
drama  has  been  compared  to  “Ion”  and  “The  Lady  of  Lyons.”  She 
led  a life  of  excessive  literary  activity  and  usefulness.  She  died  at  Me- 
Minnville,  March  31,  1881.  Since  her  death  her  sister,  Mrs.  Lide  Meri- 
weather, also  an  authoress,  has  published  a volume  of  poems  entitled  “One 
or  Two,”  the  joint  work  of  these  gifted  sisters.  Mrs.  Meriweather  re- 
sided in  Memphis  for  many  years,  and  at  that  time  published  two  books, 
“Soundings”  and  “Souls  for  Sale.”  “Soundings,”  a prose  work,  was 
written  with  the  noble  endeavor  to  elevate  and  restore  to  honest  effort 
those  Avho,  by  one  false  step,  are  tossed  by  custom  into  the  bitter  gulf  of 
degradation,  without  one  hope  of  repentance  or  of  restoration  to  a more 
upright  career,  to  which  some  might  attain  if  the  hand-grasp  of  pitying 
women  was  held  out  to  them.  Mrs.  Meriweather  is  also  a poet  of  ability. 
■“October”  is  a handsome  specimen  of  suggestive  style. 

Mrs.  Annie  Chambers  Ketchum  was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  removed 
to  Memphis  after  her  marriage.  While  there,  she  became  the  editor  of 
the  Polos,  a literary  magazine.  In  1856  she  brought  out  a novel,  “Kelly 
Dracken”  which  was  favorably  received ; “ Pilla  Motto,”  a romance  writ- 
ten for  the  Loios  in  I860:  “Lotos  Flowers,”  a volume  of  miscellaneous 
poems.  “Benny,”  a Christmas  ballad  which  appeared  in  the  Home 
Journal , attracted  much  attention.  Besides  literary  ability  and  rare  no- 
bility of  nature,  Mrs.”  Ketchum  is  gifted  with  beauty,  fine  conversational 
powers  and  a voice  of  great  compass  and  sweetness.  Her  teacher,  Prof. 
Wright  Merrick,  says:  “In  the  classics,  in  the  sciences,  she  is  equally  at 
home;  in  modern  languages,  music  and  drawing  she  excels  as  well.  I 
have  never  known  her  peer.”  She  has  traveled  in  Europe  recently,  and 
is  still  actively,  engaged  in  literary  work. 

Mrs.  Adelia  C.  Graves,  nee  Spencer,  wife  of  Z.  C.  Graves,  president 
at  that  time  of  Kingsville  Academy,  and  founder  of  Mary  Sharpe  Col- 


* 


028 


HISTOKY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


lege,  Winchester,  Tenn.,  is  an  authoress.  She  was  for  some  time  pro- 
fessor of  Latin  and  belles-lettres  and  afterward  matron  and  professor 
of  rhetoric  in  the  Winchester  College.  She  has  written  many  fugitive 
poems  and  two  prose  tales,  “Ruined  Lives,”  published  in  the  South- 
ern Repository,  Memphis,  and  a drama,  “Jephtha’s  Daughter.”  She  had 
also  a work  on  “Woman;  her  Education,  Aims,  Sphere,  Influence  and 
Destiny.” 

Mrs.  Mary  E.  Pope,  Memphis,  for  some  time  principal  of  a flourish- 
ing school  for  young  ladies,  is  the  authoress  of  fugitive  poems ; one  entitled 
“The  Gift  of  Song.”  Martha  W.  Brown,  who  wrote  under  the  pseudonym 
of  Estelle,  resided  in  Memphis.  She  contributed  numerous  poems  to 
The  Southern  Literary  Messenger ; “Thou  Art  Growing  Old,  Mother,” 

, is  said  to  be  the  very  essence  of  the  poetry  of  the  heart. 

Mrs.  Amanda  Bright  was  born  in  Alabama  and  removed  early  in  life 
to  Fayetteville,  Tenn.  Her  eldest  son  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Seven 
Pines.  Soon  thereafter  her  second  and  only  remaining  child  died.  In 
her  great  sorrow  she  wrote  a book,  hoping  to  realize  a sufficient  sum 
to  erect  a monument  to  her  sons’-  memory.  “The.  Three  Bernices,  or 
Ansermo  of  the  Crag”  was  the  outcome  of  this  design,  published  in  1869. 
Mrs.  Bright  has  vivid  imagination,  richness  and  exuberance  of  style, 
and  she  paints  nature  with  the  rare  and  delicate  touches  of  a true 
artist.  She  wrote  other  stories,  “The  Prince  of  Seir”  among  them. 

Miss  Annie  E.  Law,  long  a resident  of  Tennessee,  is  of  English  birth 
and  now  lives  in  California.  She  is  a woman  of  great  force  of  will,  strong 
intellect  and  unflinching  courage.  She  gave  valuable  aid  in  the  war  to 
the  Confederates,  to  whose  cause  she  was  a devoted  adherent.  She  was 
tried  as  a spy  at  Knoxville  in  the  war.  She  is  authoress  of  many  poems, 
one  of  the  best  being  “Memories.”  Miss  Law  is  also  a learned  eoncholo- 
gist,  and  has  made  many  valuable  contributions  to  that  science. 

In  1867  Miss  Zoda  G.  Smith  published  from  the  Southern  Method- 
ist Publishing  House  at  Nashville,  under  the  nom  cle  plume  of  “Elloie.” 
a small  volume  of  poems.  Her  verse  is  said  to  contain  nothing  morbid 
or  insipid,  but  to  elevate  the  heart,  broken  by  earthly  trials,  into  the 
purer  atmosphere  and  brighter  skies  of  heaven.  Mrs.  Bettie  Meriwether, 
a great  apostle  of  temperance,  wrote  a fine  novel  of  much  power,  entitled 
“The  Master  of  Bedleaf,”  which  was  favorably  received.  She  is  a resi- 
dent of  Memphis.  “A  Memoir  of  Hugh  Lawson  White,”  judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Tennessee,  and  United  States  Senator,  with  selections 
Horn  his  speeches  and  correspondence,  was  published  in.  1856,  by  his 
granddaughter,  Miss  Nancy  X.  Scott  Mrs.  Emma  M.  Blake,  nee  Hut- 
ledge,  native  of  Nashville,  and  was  educated  there.  She  married  Mr- 


f 629 


. HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

Daniel  Blake,  an  Englishman,  a resident  of  Charleston,  S.  C.  A vol- 
ume of  her  poems  was  printed  by  her  friends  after  her  death,  as  a 
memorial  of  her,  entitled  “Reliquiae.”  Mrs.  W.  G.  McAdoo  is  the 
author  of  two  novels,  “The  Nereid”  and  “Eagle-Bend,”  the  scenes  laid 
in  East  Tennessee,  and  a number  of  serial  stories.  Mrs.  Annie  S.  Gil- 
. christ,  of  Nashville,  is  authoress  of  two  novels  of  considerable  merit, 
“Rosehurst”  and  “Harcourt,”  both  published  in  Nashville. 

Mrs.  Jane  Tandy  Chinn  Cross  was  a native  of  Kentucky,  but  pub- 
lished her  books  in  Nashville.  She  was  twice  married,  and  died  in  1ST0. 
While  on  a European  tour,  she  corresponded  with  The  Nashville  Christian 
Advocate.  She  began  writing  for  publication  in  1851.  Wrote  a book 
of  four  volumes  for  children,  and  “Duncan  Adair,  or  Captured  in  Escap- 
ing” and  “Azile,  A Story,”  Nashville,  1868.  “Azile”  is  a very  interesting 
story,  the  scene  of  the  first  part  laid  in  Dresden,  and  changing  to  the 
-Southern  States  at  the  outbreak  of  the  war.  Her  style  is  polished, 
sprightly  and  lucid.  Her  portraiture  of  life  in  the  South  is  graphic,'  and 
there  are  some  fine  art  touches  on  German  customs  and  amusements. 
Mrs.  Whitson,  resident  of  Murfreesboro,  lias  published  general  biograph- 
ical works.  The  most  important  is  a book  of  sketches  of  the  last  Gen- 
eral Assembly,  which  contains  very  flattering  accounts  of  its  members. 

i 

JOURNALISM.*  _ 

The  first  paper  brought  out  in  Tennessee  was  The  Knoxville  Gazette , 
which  was  published  at  Rogersville,  November  5,  1791,  by  Mr.  George 
-Roulstone.  The  Gazette  was  a three-column  paper  of  no  great  merit, 
and  of  little  interest  to  the  general  reader ; yet  as  the  pioneer  paper  of 
the  new  region,  it  created  quite  an  excitement  among  the  rough  settlers. 
•It  is  supposed  that  Indian  troubles  prevented  Mr.  Roulstone  from  estab- 
lishing his  paper  at  once  in  Knoxville.  Although  this  town  was  laid  out 
in  1792,  many  people  regarded  it  as  a myth,  and  the  editor  of  The 
Gazette  may  have  shared  this  belief.  He,  however,  removed  his  paper  after 
the -issuance  of  a few  numbers  at  Rogersville,  and  continued  to  publish  it 
in  Knoxville  until  his  death,  in  1801.  Roulstone  was  printer  to  the  Ter- 
ritorial and  State  Legislatures,  and  published  Willie  Blount’s  “Catachet- 
ical  Exposition  of  the  Constitution  of  the  State  of  Tennessee.”  He  "was 
public  printer  at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  his  wife  was  elected  two  suc- 
cessive terms  to  fill  his  place.  She  was  Miss  Gilliam,  of  Nashville,  and 
lias  left  many  descendants  in  Middle  Tennessee. 

Knoxville's  second  paper  wras  The  Knoxville  Register , a weekly  issue 
founded  by  G.  Roulstone  in  1798.  The  Register  was  in  existence  about 

of  the  fact  contained  in  the  above  sketch  on  the  subject  of  journalism  was  kindly  furnished  by 
Col,  Moses  White. 


. 


- 


# 


€30 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Two  years  -when  its  editors  G.  Roulstone  and  John  Bivington  Farrington, 
published  another  paper  called  The  Genius  of  Liberty,  a small  paper  not 
so  large  as  either  of  the  former,  and  by  no  means  so  sprightly  in  tone. 
This  made  Knoxville  the  mistress  of  three  weeklies,  a fine  exhibition  for 
a little  frontier  town  in  its  babyhood.  In  1S04  George  Wilson  edited  a 
paper  known  as  Wilson's  Gazeite , a much  larger  paper  than  its  prede- 
cessors. It  had  five  columns  and  ruled  lines  while  the  earlier  issues  had 
three  columns  and  no  lines.  This  paper  continued  until  ISIS  when  Wil- 
son removed  to  Nashville  and  published  The  Nashville  Gazette,  a paper 
devoted  to  “Old  Hickory’s”  service. 

The  Knoxville  Register,  “the  one  that  became  an  institution  of  Knox- 
ville,” was  established  by  F.  S.  Heiskill  and  Hu.  Brown  in  August, 
1816.  Maj.  Heiskill  came  to  Knoxville,  in  1814,  where  he  served  “as 
journeyman  printer  on  Wilson's  Gazette,  then  the  only  paper  published 
in  East  Tennessee.”  He  was  a man  of  limited  opportunities  but  strong 
native  capacities  and  managed  the  political  department  of  The  Register 

narith  much  abilitv.  Hu.  Brown  was  an  accomnlished  scholar  and  fluent 
* ±. 

writer,  and  he  conducted  the  miscellaneous  and  literary  parts  of  the  paper 
with  skill  and  success.  In  the  bitter  party  strife  which  rent  the  country 
in  the  presidential  campaign  of  Gen.  Jackson  and  John  Q.  Adams  The 
Register  entered  with  vigor  and  enthusiasm,  and  bore  a prominent  part 
in  that  political  storm.  It  also  supported  Judge  Hugh  L.  White  for 
President  in  1836.  Between  1836  and  1839  The  Register  changed 
owners  and  editors  several  times,  as  well  as  names.  Its  existence  con- 
tinued, with  many  vicissitudes,  until  after  1863,  when  it  succumbed  to 
the  exigencies  of  the  war.  Up  to  1859  The  Register  had  been  a Whig 
paper.  In  that  year  it  became  a strong  Democratic  sheet. 

Another  paper,  The  Enquirer,  began  in  Knoxville  in  1823.  Like  other 
journals  of  this  region  it  went  through  many  changes  of  owners  and 
editors.  At  one  time  Mr.  Hiram  Barry  was  its  owner  and  publisher  with 
J.  J.  Meredith  as  editor.  Mr.  Barry  is  a resident  of  Knoxville  and  the 
oldest  printer  in  the  State,  he  having  come  to  that  place  in  1816.  He  is 
still  an  active  citizen  who  can  tell  many  interesting  incidents  of  early 
affairs  in  Tennessee.  As  Knoxville  grew  other  papers  had  their  rise. 
The  Hon.  John  B.  Nelson,  a distinguished  lawyer,  issued  two  papers. 
The  Republican  in  1831  and  Uncle  Sam  in  1834.  The  Post  was  first 
brought  out  in  Knoxville,  in  1841,  by  Capt.  James  Williams.  It  was 
afterward  removed  to  Athens  and  still  continues  there  as  The  Athens 
Post,  edited  by  Mr.  Samuel  P.  Ivins.  The  Argus  appeared  in  1838.  It 
was  changed  to  Standard  in  1844,  and  continued,  with  some  changes,  to 
1855. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


631 


The  Plebeian  began  as  a Democratic  weekly  in  1850,  and  in  1851  was 
known  as  The  Daily  Morning  Plebeian.  This  was  the  first  daily  ever 
published  in  Knoxville.  Other  minor  papers  flourished  from  1853  to 
1S57 ; and  in  1858  Mr.  John  Mitchel,  the  Irish  patriot,  and  Mr.  IV.  G. 
Swan,  of  Knoxville,  established  an  ultra  pro-slavery  paper  called  The 
v Southern  Citizen.  Mr.  Mitchel  was  a man  of  liberal  education,  polite 
address  and  keen  wit,  added  to  much  boldness  and  independence  of  char- 
acter. Says  a critic,  “ The  Southern  Citizen  was  conducted  with  ability, 
-arrogance  and  intolerance  seldom  equaled.” 

The  war  journals  of  Knoxville  were  The  East  Tennesseean , published 
"by  the  Hon.  John  Baxter,  as  principal,  in  February,  1862,  and  The 
Southern  Chronicle.  The  East  Tennesseean  was  devoted  to  the  support 
-of  the  Confederate  States  in  their  war  for  independence.  It  had  but  one 
issue.  The  Southern  Chronicle  fell  in  1863,  on  Federal  occupation, 
llogersville,  in  1816, had  a newspaper  called  The  Pogersville  Gazette , and  in 
1850,  The  Pogersville  Times  was  a lively  and  enterprising  journal.  Other 
towns  in  East  Tennessee  were  not  behind  in  publishing  papers.  Green- 
ville had,  in  1822,  an  eight-paged  paper  entitled  The  American  Economist 
and  Weekly  Political  Recorder , followed  by  The  Miscellany  and  The 
Grceneville  Spy,  which  continued  until  the  war. 

The  first  paper  ever  published  southwest  of  Knoxville,  was  The  Val- 
ley Farmer , in  Washington,  Bhea  County.  This  was  removed  subse- 
quently to  Athens,  under  the  name  of  Athens  Gazette.  In  1833  J.  W. 
M.  Brazeale,  the  author  of  “Life  as  it  is,”  edited  The  Tennessee  Journal 
at  this  place.  As  early  as  1838,  New  Market  had  a paper;  and  in  1832, 
Jonesboro  issued  a Whig  paper,  called  The  Washington  Republican  and 
Farmers'’  Journal, edited  by  J udge  Emerson,  of  the  supreme  court,  and  The 
Sentinel  by  Dr.  Thomas  Anderson,  author  of  a medical  work  on  diseases 
peculiar  to  East  Tennessee.  W.  G.  Brownlow  edited  his  well  known 
Whig  at  that  time  in  Jonesboro,  and  between  the  two  papers  a political 
and  personal  feud  raged  with  unabated  fury  for  a long  period. 

Chattanooga,  then  known  as  Boss’s  Landing,  had  a paper  called  The 
Hamilton  Gazette  as  early  as  1838.  The  name  was  changed  afterward 
to  The  Chattanooga  Gazette.  This  paper  passed  through  some  vicissitudes 
until  1864,  when  it  became  a daily  issue.  Elizabethton  Republican  and 
Manufacturers ’ Advocate  was  the  first  paper  published  in  Elizabethton. 
This  was  succeeded  by  Brouidoid  s Tennessee  Whig , begun  at  this  place 
in  1839.  The  Whig  was  bold,  intense,  incisive,  and  continued  one  year, 
when  it  was  removed  to  Jonesboro,  and  subsequently  to  Knoxville.  In 
1819  Brownloid s Knoxville  Whig  sent  out  its  first  issue  and  continued 
until  suspended  October  16,  1861,  and  revived  Nevember  11,  1863.  In 


.632 


.HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


; 1869  Brownlow  dissolved  connection  with  this  paper  and  resumed  editor- 

• ship  in  1S75,  at  which  time  the  paper  bore  the  new  name  of  Daily  Chron- 
icle and  Weekly  Whig  and  Chronicle.  The  motto  of  the  Whig,  “Cry 
.aloud  and  spare  not,”  gave  full  insight  into  the  spirit  of  the  paper.  The 

Whig  bore,  at  one  time,  the  title  Independent  Journal , and  Brownlow' $ 
Knoxville  Whig  and  Rebel  Ventilator.  No  paper  ever  had  a wider  circu- 
lation. It  is  said  to  have  had  a circulation  of  10,000  in  1855.  The  Knox- 
ville Chronicle  was  established  in  1870,  by  Mr.  William  Buie,  the  pres- 
ent able  editor  of  The  Journal.  Cleveland,  Maryville,  Madisonville, 
Kingston  and  Jasper  had  weekly  papers  from  an  early  date.  Besides 
: these  there  were  two  literary  journals  published  in  the  University  of 
. Tennessee,  and  a temperance  organ  existed  for  a' short  while  in  1851,  in 
Knoxville,  published  by  Mr.  Joe  Lewis  and  J.  A.  Bayl. 

Two  pax>ers  deserve  mention — The  Railroad  Advocate  of  Bogersville? 
.in  1831,  devoted  to  collecting  all  available  information  about  the  re- 
sources of  this  favored  region,  so  as  to  arouse  the  people  to  the  need  of 
an  outlet  for  the  immense  agricultural  and  mineral  wealth  of  the  State. 
Since  then  the  riches  have  been  developed  beyond  all  expectation.  The 
other  was  a veritable  abolition  paper,  called  The  Genius  of  Universal 
Emancipation.  This  was  published  at  Greeneville-  in  1821  by  Benjamin 
Lundy,  a native  of  New  Jersey,  of  Quaker  parentage,  and  showed  that  at 
the  South  existed  the  spark  of  what  afterward  proved  to  be  one  of  the 
fiercest  fires  of  fanaticism  that  ever  swept  over  a nation.  The  paper 
advocated  emancipation,  and  proposed  several  curious  plans  for  effecting 
the  liberation  of  slaves.  A few  religious  papers  finish  the  list  of  papers 
in  East  Tennessee. 

Journalism  began  in  Nashville  in  1797,  when  a paper  was  published 
called  The  Tennessee  Gazette  and  Mero  District  Advertiser , by  a Ken- 
tucky printer  named  Henkle.  In  a year  this  paper  was  sold  and  the 
. name  changed  to  The  Clarion.  An  issue  of  the  date  of  1801  is  preserved 
by  the  State  Historical  Society.  Its  ragged  condition  shows  its  age. 
“It  is  a folio  sheet,  with  pages  10x14  inches,  and  four  columns  to  the 
page,  printed  in  pica  type.”  The  Clarion  was  enlarged  under  the  name 
of  Clarion  and  Tennessee  Gazette,  and  other  changes  of  heading  until 
' December,  1821,  when  it  resumed  the  name  of  The  Clarion.  “ The 
. price  of  subscription  varied  from  $2  to  $3  in  advance,  or  $3  to  $4.  paya- 
able  after  six  months.”  In  1824  The  Clarion  was  discontinued,  and  its 
, owners,  Abram  P.  Maury  and  Carey  A.  Harris,  brought  out  The  Nash- 

• ville  Republican.  Bradford,  the  long-time  printer  of  The  Clarion , issued 
from  that  office,  in  1808,  Bradford’s  Tennessee  Almanac.  The  Impar- 

: lial  Review  and  Cumberland  Repository  appeared  in  the  latter  part  of 


* 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


633' 


1805.  A number  is  in  preservation  bearing  date  February  1,  1S06,  in  . 
which  is  announced  the  death  of  Charles  Dickenson,  who  fell  in  a duel 
fought  with  Gen.  Jackson.  The  Museum , begun  by  Mr.  G.  Bradford, 
was  a literary  monthly,  published  in  1809,  and  existed  for  six  months. 
It  contained  much  valuable  political  and  historical  information,  and  was  . 
circulated  at  the  low  price  of  82  per  year. 

Rev.  David  Lowry  published  the  first  Cumberland  Presbyterian  organ 
in  the  United  States.  It  bore  the  name  of  The  Religious  and  Literary 
Intelligencer.  It  was  a weekly  brought  out  in  1830  and  existed  nearly 
two  years.  Following  this  was  The  Nashville  Herald , in  1831,  owned  by 
Mr.  IV.  Tannehill.  This  paper  was  of  brief  continuance.  Next  came  a 
weekly  literary  paper  in  1833  of  quarto  form,  named  The  Kaleidoscope . 
Its  tone  was  lofty  and  its  influence  elevating,  but  unfortunately  its  dura- 
tion was  short.  The  Commercial  Transcript , a small  commercial  sheet, 
■came  out  in  1835;  and  after  two  years  it  became  The  Banner  and  Whig. 
An  “Association  of  Gentlemen  ” published  in  the  years  1835-36  a 
Presbyterian  paper  named  The  American  Presbyterian , which  was  not 
sustained.  The  Cumberland  Magazine , a quarterly,  was  edited  by  the 
Rev.  J ames  Smith.  This  man  was  a Scotch  Presbyterian,  and  wrote  a 
history  in  defense  of  that  church;  a very  able  work.  The  Revivalist,  a 
weekly,  began  in  1837,  and  changed  to  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian , 
but  only  a few  numbers  were  issued.  Tennessee  Baptist  of  the  First- 
Baptist  Church  in  Nashville,  a monthly,  existed  from  1835  to  1837,  when 
it  changed  owners  and  became  a semi-monthly.  The  Old  Baptist  Ban- 
ner, 1838,  was  published  by  the  Rev.  Washington  Lowe.  It  was  a 
monthly  paper.  The  Christian  Review , a monthly  magazine,  was  the 
Campbellite  organ,  published  between  the  years  1811—16.  In  1810 
The  Tennessee  State  Agriculturist  began  and  continued  to  1816.  A 
valuable  law  journal,  called  The  Southwestern  Law  Journal  and  Reporter, 
was  published  in  1811  and  edited  by  William  Cameron  and  John  T.  S. 
Fall.  E.  Z.  C.  Judson  and  A.  H.  Kidd  edited,  in  1841,  The  Southwest- 
ern Literary  Journal  and  Monthly  Review.  The  Baptist,  second  paper 
of  that  name,  a weekly,  was  published  by  C.  Iv.  Winston,  J.  H.  Shep- 
herd and  J.  H.  Marshall  January,  1811-17.  The  Daily  Orthopolitan 
was  edited  by  Mr.  Wilkins  Tannehill.  This  was  a daily  which  began  in 
1815  and  continued  one  year.  The  Christian  Record , under  the  dominion 
of  the  Presbyterian  Synod,  began  in  1816  and  continued  under  changes 
until  1850,  when  it  was  removed  to  Kentucky. 

A monthly,  called  The  Naturalist,  was  issued  in  1816  for  one  year, 
and  was  devoted  to  education  and  literature.  The  Quarterly  Review  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  began  in  1816,  in  Louisville,  . 


634 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Ky.  In  1S51  it  was  removed  to  Richmond,  Ya.,  and  to  Nashville  in 
1858.  Dr.  T.  0.  Summers  was  the  able  editor  of  this  periodical.  The 
Tennessee  Farmer  and  Horticulturist  a monthly,  was  edited  by  Charles 
Foster,  in  1846.  A temperance  paper,  The  Tennessee  Organ , was  estab- 
lished in  1847,  by  Rev,  John  P.  Campbell.  After  passing  through  sev- 
eral hands  it  was  disposed  of  to  Dr.  R.  Thompson,  and  Gen.  William  G. 
Brien,  an  eloquent  speaker  and  scholar  of  much  ability,  who  conducted 
it  until  it  was  discontinued  in  1854.  The  Southern  Ladies’  Companion,, 
a Methodist  monthly,  was  successfully  managed,  and  had  a large  circula- 
tion. It  was  edited  by  Mr.  Heukle  and  Dr.  J.  B.  McFerrin.  The  Ten- 
nessee Baptist,  edited  by  Rev.  Dr.  Howell,  and  The  Portfolio,  a Free- 
mason monthly,  edited  by  Mr.  W.  Tannehill  in  1847,  were  ably  conducted. 
The  Christian  Magazine,  edited  in  1S48  by  Rev.  Jesse  B.  Ferguson  and 
J.  K.  Howard,  and  The  Western  Boatman,  by  Anson  Nelson,  The  Even- 
ing Beporter  in  1849-50,  and  The  Nashville  Times  in  1S49,  were  other 
publications  of  that  period.  The  Naturalist,  The  Southern  Agricultur- 
ist. The  Nashville  Journal  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  and  The  Southwest- 
ern Monthly,  went  through  brief  life  in  Nashville  in  1849-52.  The 
Ladies’  Pearl,  a monthly,  was  edited  between  1852-56  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Lang- 
don  and  J.  C.  Provine,  and  afterward  by  Mrs.  Langdon.  The  Nashville 
Evening  News  existed  in  1851-53.  The  Southern  Medical  Journal  of 
Medical  and  Physical  Sciences,  a bi-monthly  was  published  1853-57. 
The  Banner  of  Peace,  a Cumberland  Presbyterian  paper,  continued  from 
1840  to  the  recent  war.  The  Parlor  Visitor,  in  1854,  a Baptist  organ, 
edited  by  Dr.  W.  P.  Jones;  The  Gospel  Advocate,  a weekly  in  the  same 
year,  edited  by  Elder  Tolbert  Fanning  and  Prof.  William  Lipscomb, 
and  The  Southern  Baptist  Review  in  1855,  were  well  conducted  papers. 
The  Home  Circle , Rev.  L.  D.  Houston,  editor,  and  The  Sunday-School 
Visitor,  with  Dr.  T.  O.  Summers,  editor,  were  other  religious  issues  of 
1855.  Two  agricultural  papers,  The  Farmer'’ s Banner  and  The  Agri- 
culturist and  Commercial  Journal  appeared  in  1855  and  lasted  a short 
time.  The  Fountain  was  a sprightly  temperance  paper  in  1855,  and  The 
Tennessee  Farmer  and  Mechanic  lasted  about  one  year. 

The  Nashville  Daily  News  began  in  1857,  and  discontinued  in  1860. 
The  Baptist  Family  Visitor,  and  Harper’s  Theatrical  Bulletin  issued  a 
few  numbers  in  1857.  The  Legislative  Union  and  American  was  said  to 
be  an  important  State  organ  between  1857  and  1859.  The  Daily  Chris- 
tian Advocate,  a Methodist  paper,  and  The  Christian  Unionist , another 
religious  paper,  existed  a short  while.  Other  papers,  many  of  them  re- 
ligious, were  The  Southern  Magazine  of  Temperance,  Young’s  Spirit  of 
the  South  and  Central.  American,  The  Nashville  Monthly  Record  of 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


635 


Medical  and  Physical  Sciences , Southern  Homestead , whose  literary  de- 
partment was  edited  by  Mrs.  L.  Virginia  French,  and  The  Baptist  Stand- 
ard came  out  between  1858  and  I860.  The  Temperance  Monthly , edited 
by  Mrs.  Emelie  C.  S.  Chilton,  a poet  of  high  order,  and  The  Daily  Even- 
ing Bulletin  were  papers  of  1859.  The  Opposition  was  a campaign 
paper  in  the  struggle  for  governor  between  Col.  John  Netherland  and 
Gov.  Isham  G.  Harris.  The  National  Path  finder  was  edited  by  T.  F. 
H ughes,  Esq.,  in  I860.  The  Nashville  Christian  Advocate  began  in 
1S34.  It  was  edited  successively  by  many  prominent  divines.  The 
Louisville  (Ky. ) Christian  Advocate  was  merged  in  this  paper  in  1S51. 
In  1S58  Hev.  Dr.  McFerrin,  who  had  been  editor,  resigned,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Pev.  H.  N.  McTyeire.  Dr.  McFerrin  was  appointed  agent  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Publishing  House  at  that  time.  The  Nashville 
True  Whig  began  in  1815,  and  was  succeeded  in  1856  by  The  Nashville 
Patriot 

The  Nashville  Gazette , the  second  paper  of  that  name,  was  published 
in  1819  by  Mr.  George  Wilson,  the  same  who  had  conducted  Wilsorts- 
Knoxville  Gazette  in  1804.  The  Nashville  Whig,  established  by  Moses- 
and  Joseph  Norvell,  began  in  1812  and  continued  to  1816.  The  Nash- 
ville Banner,  a weekly,  existed  between  1S22  and  1826.  It  was  then 
united  with  The  Whig,  under  the  name  of  Nashville  Banner  and  Whig , a 
semi-weeklv.  It  was  not  until  1831  that  Nashville  had  a daily  paper. 
This  was  The  National  Banner  and  Nashville  Advertiser.  This  contin- 
ued until  1834,  when  it  was  found  that  daily  papers  did  not  pay  in  Nash- 
ville, and  it  became  a tri -weekly.  The  Nashville  Republican  grew  out 
of  the  materials  of  the  old  Clarion  and  Tennessee  Gazette  in  1824 
After  some  changes  it  became  a daily  issue  in  1837. 

The  Republican  Banner  was  begun  in  1S37,  enlarged  in  1839,  and  in 
1842  Gen.  F.  K.  Zollicoffer,  who  had  learned  the  printer’s  trade  in  Mr. 
F.  S.  Heiskelhs  office  at  Knoxville,  assumed  the  editorship.  Gen.  Zolli- 
coffer earned  a reputation  as  an  able  political  writer,  and  kept  up  The 
Banner  to  the  highest  standard  of  newspaper  excellence.  The  Banner 
had  many  editors  who  were  men  of  distinguished  merit  and  position. 
The  Nashville  Gazette,  'third  paper  of  that  name,  was  in  existence  from. 
1844  to  1862.  About  this  time  The  Republican  Banner  was  established, 
and  continued  to  1853,  when  it  was  united  with  The  A merican  under  the 
title  of  Nashville  Union  and  American.  In  1848  was  established  The 
Daily  Centre-State  American  and  Nashville  Weekly  American.  The 
Nashville  Union  and  American  began  in  1853,  and  grew  out  of  the  con- 
soliclation  of  The  Union  and  The  American.  The  Union  had  been  ed- 
ited by  Col.  J.  G.  Harris,  who  wras  an  editorial  pupil  of  George  D.  Pren- 


•636 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


lice.  Col.  Harris  liad  earned  distinction  as  a political  writer,  and  was  an 
adherent  of  Gen.  Andrew  Jackson.  Mr.  John  Miller  McKee  was  com- 
mercial and  city  editor  of  The  Union  and  American  in  1S5S,  and  in  1860 
Mr.  John  C.  Burch  became  associate  editor.  Mr.  Leon  Trousdale  was 
also  one  of  the  editors  of  this  paper.  The  Nashville  Union  and  American 
was  suspended  on  the  evacuation  of  Nashville  by  the  Confederates  in 
1862. 

Nashville,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Rebellion,  was  considered  the  pub- 
lishing center  of  the  South,  having  more  periodicals  than  any  other  city 
of  her  size.  She  had  no  less  than  nineteen  journals  and  nine  large  pub- 
lishing houses.  At  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson,  in  1862,  the  general 
panic  induced  every  man  to  seek  his  own  safety.  Printing  offices  were 
abandoned  by  members  of  the  press,  their  public  position  rendering 
them  peculiarly  obnoxious^to  the  enemy.  Many  printers  were  without 
employment,  and  in  the  absence  of  better  occupation  engaged  in  what 
proved  a lucrative  business,  that  of  selling  newspapers.  There  were 
several  war  publications.  The  first  marie  its  appearance  in  February, 
1862,  under  the  name  of  The  Nashville  Times.  This  suspended  after 
the  issue  of  the  thirteenth  number.  Six  numbers  of  the  Evening  Bulle- 
tin followed.  The  Nashville  Daily  Union  began  in  1862  and  had  a 
short  existence.  Other  papers  were  The  Nashville  Dispatch , April, 
1862.  The  Constitution , with  George  Baber  as  editor,  appeared  in  July, 
1862,  and  The  Nashville  Daily  Press  began  in  May,  1863.  It  con- 
tinued, with  frequent  change  of  editors,  to  May,  I860,  when  it  was  united 
with  the  Times  and  Union.  Mr.  S.  C.  Mercer  edited  in  1861  The  Nash- 
ville Times  and  True  Union.  It  was  afterward  merged  with  the  Press , 
and  bore  the  title  of  Nashville  Daily  Press  and  Times.  A paper  named 
The  Nashville  Daily  Journal  existed  for  a short  time  in  1863.  Mr.  L. 
C.  Houk  was  editor. 

After  the  war  the  publication  of  The  Union  and  Amei'ican,  as  a daily, 
tri-weekly  and  weekly,  continued  to  the  latter  part  of  1866,  when  it  be- 
came, by  consolidation  with  The  Dispatch , The  Union  and  Dispatch.  In 
1868  the  paper  was  combined  with  The  Daily  Gazette,  and  resumed  the 
name  of  Union  and  American.  In  1875  The  Union  and  American  was 
consolidated  with  The  Republican  Banner , and  became  The  American , a 
daily,  semi -weekly  and  weekly  issue.  The  Tennessee  Staats-Zeitung 
is  a German  paper,  and  is  said  to  be  the  only  daily  paper  of  that  kind 
outside  of  New  Orleans.  Mr.  John  Ruhm  edited  the  paper  in  1866, 
wdien  it  was  first  issued.  He  has  since  become  a prominent  lawyer  in 
Nashville.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Publishing  House  lias  quite  a 
number  of  journalistic  publications,  and  does  a large  book  business. 


. 


6$  H 


mu  photo  ar  mss,  kohiuh  i ghrs.mshyilu 


Andrew  Johnson 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


637 


! 

The  colored  people  of  Nashville  are  represented  by  some  creditable  news- 
papers, showing  much  enlightenment  and  progress  on  their  part.  Be- 
sides journalistic  and  periodical  influence,  Nashville  is  prominent  for 
. almanacs.  This  useful  form  of  literature  was  begun  in  1807,  when 
Bradford's  Tennessee  Almanac  appeared.  The  Cumberland  Almanac 
for  1827  followed,  and  has  had  a regular  publication  since. 

The  first  published  Memphis  paper  was  The  Memphis  Advocate  and 
Western  District  intelligencer , the  first  issue  appearing  January  18, 
1827.  It  was  a weekly  publication  by  Parron  & Phoebus.  The  Times 
was  established  soon  after,  and  later  the  two  were  consolidated  and  en- 
titled The  Times  and  Advocate.  P.  G.  Gaines  and  Mr.  Murray  found- 
ed The  Memphis  Gazette  in  1831,  and  it  continued  until  1837  or  1838.  F. 
S.  Lathan,  publisher  of  The  Randolph  Recorder , established  in  1836  a 
weekly  paper  known  as  The  Memphis  Enquirer , with  Mr.  J.  H.  McMahon, 
editor.  The  paper  continued  with  many  changes  of  owners  and  editors 
until  1850,  when  it  united  with  The  Eagle,  and  was  published  as  The  Eagle 
and  Enquirer  for  ten  years.  The  Eagle  was  established  by  T.  S.  La- 
tham in  January,  1812.  Dr.  Solon  Borland  began  the  publication  of  The 
Western  World  and  Memphis  Banner  of  the  Constitution,  a weekly,  in 
1839.  The  first  number  of  The  Memphis  Appeal , edited  by  Henry  Yan 
Pelt,  appeared  April  21,  1811.  It  has  changed  proprietors  several  times 
since  his  death,  and  is  still  published  as  a daily  and  weekly.  Memphis 
Monitor , which  was  founded  bv  John  C.  Morrill  in  1816,  was  merged 
into  The  Appeal  soon  after.  Several  other  newspapers  of  a transitory  na- 
ture were  in  existence  between  1816  and  1860.  Among  these  were  The 
Whig  Commercial  and  Evening  Herald.  The  Memphis  Bulletin,  estab- 
lished in  1855,  was  published  until  1867,  when  it  was  merged  into  The  Av- 
alanche. The  latter  was  founded  by  M.  C.  Gallaway  in  1858,  and  with  the 
exception  of  three  years  during  the  war.  has  since  been  published  both 
as  a daily  and  as  a weekly.  There  were  several  papers  published  in  the 
war,  among  which  were  The  Public  Ledger , Argus  and  Commercial.  The 
last  two  were  united  in  1866  or  1867.  In  addition  io  newspapers  a num- 
ber of  periodicals  have  been  publislied.  The  following  is  a list  of  the 
publications  in  1881:  Dailies — Appeal,  Avalanche , Public  Ledger  and 
Scimeter.  Each  also  publishes  weekly  editions.  Weeklies  and  monthlies — 
Living  Way , Mississippi  Valley  Medical  Monthly,  Review,  Southern 
Post  Journal  (German),  Tennessee  Baptist  and  Watchman,  a colored 
! Baptist  paper. 

/ 

y 


40 


- 


038 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Religious  History— The  Relation  Between  Religion  and  the  Constitution: 
and  the  Laws— The  Gradual  Development  of  Ecclesiastical  Tolera- 
tion—The  Separation  of  Church  and  State— The  Earliest  Ministra- 
tions in  Tennessee — The  Methods  of  tile  Circuit  Riders,  and  the 
Phenomenal  Results— An  Analysis  of  tile  Causes  of  the  “J  erks”  and  the 
“Power”— A Summary  of  the  Creeds  of  the  Principal  Sectarian  Organ- 
izations—An  Account  of  the  Origin,  Growth  and  Success  of  the  Vari- 
ous Churches— Famous  Revivals  and  Illustrative  Anecdotes— The 
Importance  of  the  Establishment  of  Camp  Meetings— The  Controver- 
sies of  the  Churches  upon  tiie  Question  of  Slavery — The  Interest 
Taken  in  Sunday-school  Work— The  Religious  Status  of  the  Colored 
Race— Buildings,  Finances,  Publications,  Conventions,  etc. 

THE  progress  a people  has  made,  so  far  as  intelligence  and  tolerance 
of  opinion  are  concerned,  is  with  tolerable  accuracy  ascertainable 
by  a careful  study  of  their  constitution  and  laws.  When  the  people  of 
a State  adopt  an  original  or  an  amended  constitution,  that  constitution 
may  be  taken  as  an  expression  of  their  sentiments,  opinions  or  convic- 
tions as  to  what  is  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  community.  The  same 
remark  is  applicable  to  the  laws  passed  by  that  body  endowed  with  the 
power  of  enactment.  It  is  true  that  a constitution  may  be  adopted  by  a 
mere  majority  of  the  voters ; the  minority  may  be  more  or  less  earnestly 
opposed  to  it;  the  minority  may  be  in  fact  more  intelligent  than  the  ma- 
jority, may  gradually  come  to  be  the  majority  and  may  then  amend  the 
constitution  under  which  they  have  lived  in  such  manner  that  it  shall  con- 
form to  their  sentiments,  opinions  and  convictions.  This  new  constitu- 
tion in  the  particulars  in  which  it  has  been  amended  indicates  the  change 
in  the  opinions  of  the  people ; it  may  be  progression,  it  may  be  retrogres- 
sion, but  the  old  and  amended  constitutions  when  compared  serve  to  mark 
the  degrees  on  the  scale  of  progress.  Individuals  may  be,  and  sometimes 
are.  centuries  in  advance  of  their  contemporaries.  Lord  Bacon  who  died 
in  1020,  said:  “Divisions  in  religion  are  less  dangerous  than  violent 
measures  of  prevention.  The  wound  is  not  dangerous  unless  poisoned 
with  remedies.  Inquiry  is  not  to  be  feared.  Controversy  is  the  wind 
by  which  the  truth  is  winnowed/’ 

Where  the  mind  is  free  religion  never  has  dangerous  enemies. 
Atheism  is  the  mistake  of  the  metaphysician,  not  of  human  nature.  In- 
fidelity gains  the  victory  when  it  wrestles  with  hypocrisy  or  superstition, 
not  when  its  antagonist  is  reason.  When  an  eclesiastical  establishment 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


639 


requires  universal  conformity  some  consciences  must  necessarily  be 
wronged  and  oppressed.  In  such  cases,  if  the  wrong  be  successful,  the 
servitude  is  followed  by  consequences  analogous  to  those  which  ensue  on 
the  civil  enslavement  of  the  people.  The  mind  is  burdened  by  a sense 
of  injury;  the  judgment  is  confused,  and  in  its  zeal  to  throw  of  an  intol- 
lerable  tyranny,  passion  attempts  to  sweep  away  ’every  form  of  religion. 
Bigotry  commits  the  correlative  error  when  it  attempts  to  control  opion- 
ion  by  positive  statutes ; to  substitute  the  terrors  of  law  for  convincing 
argument.  It  is  a gigantic  crime  from  the  commission  of  which  in  the 
past  the  world  is  still  suffering,  to  enslave  the  human  mind  under  the 
earnest  desire  or  under  the  specious  pretext  of  protecting  religion.  Re- 
ligion of  itself,  pure  and  undefiled,  never  had  an  enemy.  It  lias  enemies 
only  when  coupled  with  bigotry,  superstition  and  intolerance,  and  then 
only  because  it  is  so  enveloped  in  these  as  to  be  indistinguishable  from 
them.  While  their  power  and  their  tryanny  have  for  centuries  been  em- 
ployed to  strengthen  and  defend  religion,  they  have  ever  been,  and  are 
to-day,  though  in  a far  less  degree  than  formerly,  the  worst  enemy  that 
religion  has.  The  history  of  the  world  conclusively  proves  that  positive 
enactments  against  irreligion,  or  prohibiting  the  denial  of  the  truths  of 
religion  as  they  are  conceived  to  be,  provoke  and  cause  the  very  evil 
they  were  designed  to  prevent.  For  to  deny  the  truths  of  the  proposi- 
tions or  dogmas  of  any  form  of  religion  is  a right  inherent  in  every  man,, 
for  the  exercise  of  which  he  is  responsible  to  none  but  to  himself  and  his 
Creator.  Besides  there  are  always  those  who  have  a desire  for  martyr- 
dom, being  unable  in  any  other  way  to  achieve  distinction,  and  because 
to  be  a martyr  evinces  courage  and  excites  sympathy,  and  there  are 
always  more  people  capable  of  extending  sympathy  to  the  persecuted  and 
oppressed  than  there  are  of  those  capable  of  rendering  an  accurate  judg- 
ment upon  the  question  for  which  the  martyr  chooses  to  be  impaled 

While  such  principles  as  these  seem  now  to  be  generally  admitted, 
yet  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  constitutions  of  most  of  the  ori^i- 
nal  thirteen  States,  the  most  intelligent  of  the  people,  law-makers,  min- 
isters and  others,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  Pilgrims  abandoned 
England  and  sought  the  unknown  and  inhospitable  shores  of  America 
for  the  sole  purpose  of  finding  an  asylum  in  which  they  could  themselves 
exercise  and  enjoy  the  sweets  of  religious  freedom,  and  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  the  Catholic  colony  of  Maryland  under  Lord  Baltimore,  had 
found  it  expedient  to  extend  to  Protestants  the  religious  liberty  which 
they  claimed  for  themselves,  entertained  and  succeeded  in  having  en- 
grafted into  most  of  those  constitutions  provisions  embodying  and  enforc- 
ing sentiments  similar  to  those  expressed  by  the  rugged  and  uncorn- 


640 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


promising  Dudley,  who  was  not  softened  even  by  old  age,  and  many 
others  of  the  leading  religious  thinkers  of  colonial  times.  Said  Dudley: 
“God  forbid  our  love  of  truth  should  thus  grow  cold — that  we  should  tol- 
erate error.  I die  no  libertine.*' 

“Let  men  of  God,  in  courts  and  churches  watch, 

All  such  as  toleration  hatch. 

Lest  that  ill  egg  bring  forth  a cockatrice, 
f To  poison  all  with  heresy  and  vice; 

If  men  be  left  and  otherwise  combine. 

My  epitaph’s  “I  died  no  libertine.” 

Cotton  affirmed  that  it  is'  “better  to  tolerate  hypocrites  and  tares,  than 
thorns  and  briers thus  recognizing  the  great  principle  that  hypocrisy 
is  one  of  the  grave  evils  of  intolerance.  Ward's  opinion  was  that  “poly- 
piety is  the  greatest  impiety  in  the  world.  To  say  that  man  ought  to 
have  liberty  of  conscience  is  impious  ignorance.”  Norton  said:  “Relig- 
ion admits  of  no  eccentric  motions.” 

In  consonance  with  these  sentiments  and  the  spirit  which  they  indi- 
cate, Massachusetts  adopted  a.  constitution  under  which  a particular  form 
of  worship  was  made  a part  of  the  civil  establishment,  and  irreligion  was 
jmnished  as  a civil  offense.  Treason  against  the  civil  government  was 
treason  against  Christ,  and  reciprocally  blasphemy  was  the  highest 
offense  in  the  catalogue  of  crimes.  To  deny  that  any  book  of  the  Old  or 
New  Testament  was  the  infallible  word  of  God  was  punishable  by  fine  or 
by  whipping,  and  in  case  of  obstinacy  by  exile  or  by  death.  Absence 
from  the  “ministry  of  the  Word”  was  punished  by  a fine.  “The  State 
was  the  model  of  Christ’s  kingdom  on  earth.”  Gradually  the  spirit  of 
the  established  religion  smothered  nearly  every  form  of  independence 
and  liberty.  The  creation  of  a national,  uncompromising  church  led  the 
Congregationalists  of  Massachusetts  to  the  indulgence  of  passions  which, 
exercised  upon  them  by  their  English  persecutors,  had  driven  them 
across  the  sea,  and  thus  w~as  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury  justified  by 
the  men  he  had  wronged.  Massachusetts,  after  a vain  attempt  to  silence 
the  Quakers,  made  a vain  attempt  to  banish  them.  She  was  as  strongly 
set  against  what  appeared  to  her  as  ruinous  heresy  as  a healthy  city  is 
against  the  plague.  The  second  general  court  of  Massachusetts,  which 
met  May  18,  1631,  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  adoption  of  the  theo- 
cratic basis  on  which  for  fifty  years  the  government  of  the  State  con- 
tinued to  rest.  No  man  was  thereafter  recognized  as  a citizen  and  a 
voter  who  was  not  a member  of  some  one  of  the  colonial  churches,  and 
in  order  to  obtain  admission  to  one  of  them  it  was  necessary  to  make  an 
orthodox  confession  of  faith,  live  conformably  to  Puritan  decorum,  and 
add  to  this  a satisfactory  religious  experience,  of  which  the  substantial 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


641 


part  was  an  internal  assurance  of  a change  of  heart  and  a lively  sense  of 
justification  as  one  of  God’s  elect.*  In  1649  it  was  deemed  necessary  to 
support  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  theocracy  by  civil  penalties. 
“Albeit  faith  is  not  wrought  by  the  sword,  but  by  the  Word,  nevertheless 
seeing  that  blasphemy  of  the  true  God  can  not  be  excused  by  any  ignor- 
ance or  infirmity  of  human  nature,  no  person  in  this  jurisdiction,  whether 
Christian  or  pagan,  shall  wittingly  or  willingly  presume  to  blaspheme 
His  holy  name,  either  by  willfully  and  obstinately  denying  the  true  God. 
or  His  creation  and  government  of  the  world,  or  shall  curse  God,  or  re- 
proach the  holy  religion  of  God,  as  if  it  were  but  an  ingenious  device  to 
keep  ignorant  men  in  awe,  nor  shall  utter  any  other  eminent  kind  of 
blasphemy  of  like  nature  or  degree  under  penalty  of  death.” 

Such  was  the  nature  of  the  relation  in  Massachusetts  between  Church 
and  State.  Every  person  wras  taxed  for  the  support  of  the  church  in  the 
same  manner  as  he  was  to  support  the  government,  but  was  permitted  to 
say  to  which  individual  church  his  money  should  be  paid.  And  such 
lav/s  disgraced  the  pages  of  the  statutes  of  that  State  to  a later  date  than 
were  those  of  any  other  State  similarly  disfigured.  On  April  1,  1834, 
a bill  w*as  enacted  into  a lavr  containing  the  following  provisions: 


No  person  shall  hereafter  become  or  be  made  a member  of  any  parish  or  religious 
society  so  as  to  be  liable  to  be  taxed  therein  for  the  support  of  public  worship,  or  for  other 
parish  charges  without  his  express  consent  for  that  purpose  first  had  and  obtained. 

No  citizen  shall  be  assessed  or  liable  to  pay  any  tax  for  the  support  of  public  worship 
or  parish  charges  to  any  parish  or  religious  society  whatever  other  than  that  of  which  he 
is  a member. 


In  1649  sixteen  acts  ■were  forwarded  to  Maryland  to  which  the  gov- 
ernor vras  to  obtain  the  assent  of  the  Assembly.  One  of  these  w'as  en- 
titled “An  Act  of  Toleration.”  The  first  four  sections  of  this  celebrated 
act  comprised  but  little  of  the  tolerant  spirit,  as  may  be  seen  by  a peru- 
sal of  their  provisions:  “All  vTlio  shall  blaspheme  God,  that  is,  curse 
Him,  or  who  shall  deny  our  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  to  be  the  Son  of  God, 
or  shall  deny  the  Holy  Trinity,  the  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  or  the 
Godhead  of  any  of  the  said  three  persons  of  the  Trinity,  or  the  unity  of 
the  Godhead,  or  shall  use  or  utter  any  reproachful  speeches  against  the 
Holy  Trinity,  shall  suffer  deatli  with  forfeiture  of  lands  and  goods.” 
Strange  as  it  may  seem,  this  death  penalty  for  this  offense  darkened  the 
statutes  of  Maryland  for  200  years.  No  one  was  permitted  under  the 
law  to  utter  any  reproachful  words  or  speeches  concerning  the  Virgin 
Mary  or  the  holy  apostles  or  evangelists  without  suffering  the  penalty  of 
a fine,  and  banishment  for  the  third  offense.  No  one  w*as  permitted  to 
reproachfully  call  any  one  “heretic,  schismatic,  idolator,  Puritan,  Pres- 


♦llildreth. 


642 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


byterian,”  etc.,  without  being  compelled  to  submit  to  suitable  punish- 
ment. “Liberty  of  conscience”  was,  however,  provided  for  in  the  follow- 
ing words:  “That  the  enforcing  the  conscience  in  matters  of  religion 
hath  frequently  fallen  out  to  be  of  dangerous  consequences  in  those 
commonwealths  where  it  hath  been  practiced,  and  therefore  for  the  more 
quiet  and  peaceful  government  of  the  province,  and  the  better  to  preserve 
mutual  love  and  unity,  no  person  professing  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ 
shall  be  molested  or  discountenanced  on  account  of  his  religion,  nor  in- 
terrupted  in  the  free  exercise  thereof.”  It  is  clear,  however,  from  a study  of 
the  history  of  the  colony  of  Maryland  that  whatever  liberty  of  conscience 
was  here  provided  for  to  those  who  “believed  the  religion  of  Jesus 
Christ”  was  adopted  for  the  sake  of  policy,  for  the  reason  that  an  exclus- 
ively Eoman  Catholic  colony  would  not  have  been  for  a moment  tolerated 
by  the  mother  country,  then  under  the  domination  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. 

The  same  idea  is  embodied  in  the  Declaration  of  Rights  prefixed  to 
the  constitution  of  1776  in  the  following  language:  “All  persons  pro- 
fessing the  Christian  religion,  are  equally  entitled  to  protection  in  their 
religious  liberty,”  and  while  this  declaration  expressed  the  opinion  that 
“no  person  ought  to  be  compelled  to  frequent  or  maintain  or  contribute, 
unless  on  contract  to  maintain  any  particular  place  of  worship,  or  partic- 
ular ministry,  yet,”  it  said,  “ the  Legislature  may  in  their  discretion  lay 
a general  and  equal  tax  for  the  support  of  the  Christian  religion.”  Later 
this  was  all  changed  and  liberty  of  conscience  granted  in  the  follow- 
ing words:  “ That,  as  it  is  the  duty  of  every  man  to  worship  God  in  such 
manner  as  he  thinks  most  acceptable  to  Him,  all  persons  are  equally  en- 
titled to  protection  in  their  religious  liberty.” 

Chapter  III  of  the  laws  of  Virginia  passed  in  1661,  provided  that 
“ no  minister  be  admitted  to  officiate  in  this  country  but  such  as  shall 
produce  to  the  Governour  a testimonial,  that  he  hath  received  his  ordi- 
nation from  some  bishop  in  England,  and  shall  then  subscribe  to  be 
conformable  to  the  orders  and  constitutions  of  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land,” etc.  Chapter  V provided  that  the  liturgy  of  the  Church  of 
England  should  be  read  every  Sunday,  and  no  minister  nor  reader 
was  permitted  to  teach  any  other  catechism  that  that  by  the  canons 
appointed  and  inserted  in  the  book  of  common  prayer,  that  no  min- 
ister should  expound  any  other  than  that,  to  the  end  “ that  our  fun- 
damentals at  least  be  well  laid,”  and  that  no  reader  upon  presumption 
of  his  own  abilities  should  attempt  to  expound  that  or  any  other  cate- 
chism or  the  Scriptures.  Chapter  VI,  of  the  laws  of  1705,  provided  for 
the  punishment  of  “atheism,  deism  or  infidelity”  as  follows:  “If  any 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


643 


person  or  persons  brought  up  in  the  Christian  religion  shall  by  writing, 
printing,  teaching  or  advisedly  speaking,  deny  the  being  of  a God,  or 
the  Holy  Trinity,  or  shall  deny  the  Christian  religion  to  be  true,  or  the 
Holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  to  be  of  divine  author- 
ity, and  shall  be  thereof  legally  convicted  upon  indictment  or  information 
in  a general  court  of  this,  Her  Majesty’s  colony  and  dominion,  such  per- 
son or  persons  for  this  offense  shall  be  incapable  or  disabled  in  law  to 
all  intents  and  purposes  whatever  to  hold  and  enjoy  any  office  or  employ- 
ment, ecclesiastical,  civil  or  military,  or  any  part  of  them  or  any  profit  or 
advantage  to  them  appertaining  or  any  of  them.”  For  the  second  of- 
fense “ he,  she  or  they  shall  from  thenceforth  be  disabled  to  sue,  prose- 
cute, plead  or  use  any  action  or  information  in  any  court  of  law  or  equity, 
or  to  be  guardian  to  any  child,  or  to  be  executor  or  administrator  of  any 
person,  or  capable  of  any  deed  or  gift  or  legacy,  or  to  bear  any  office, 
•civil  or  military,  within  this,  Her  Majesty’s  colony  or  dominion,  and  shall 
also  suffer  from  the  time  of  such  conviction  three  years’  imprisonment 
■without  bail  or  mainprise.” 

A remarkable  change  in  the  attitude  of  Christianity  toward  infidelity 
occurred  between  this  time  and  the  adoption  of  the  constitution  of  1776. 
•Section  16  of  the  Bill  of  Bights  prefixed  to  this  constitution  reads  as 
follows:  “That  religion,  or  the  duty  which  we  owe  to  our  Creator,  and 
the  manner  of  discharging  it,  can  be  directed  only  by  reason  and  convic- 
tion, not  by  force  or  violence ; and,  therefore,  all  men  are  entitled  to  the 
iree  exercise  of  religion,  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience ; and  that 
it  is  the  mutual  duty  of  all  to  practice  Christian  forbearance,  love  and 
•charity  toward  each  other.”  This  section  has  been  incorporated  into  all 
the  succeeding  constitutions  of  Virginia,  and  still  remains  the  embodi- 
ment of  the  sentiment  of  the  people  of  that  State  as  to  religious  tolera- 
tion. 

The  celebrated  “fundamental  constitutions  of  Carolina,”  drawn  up 
by  John  Locke,  author  of  the  “ Essay  on  the  Human  Understanding,” 
provides  in  Article  XCV  that  “No  man  shall  be  permitted  to  be  a free- 
man of  Carolina,  or  to  have  any  estate  or  habitation  within  it,  that  doth 
not  acknowledge  a Go’d,  and  that  God  is  publicly  and  solemnly  to  be  wor- 
shiped.” But  when  the  constitution  of  North  Carolina  came  to  be 
adopted  the  sentiment  of  the  people  with  reference  to  religious  liberty 
found  expression  in  the  following  language:  “That  all  men  have  a natu- 
ral and  unalienable  right  to  worship  Almighty  God  according  to  the  dic- 
tates of  their  own  consciences.”  But  “ That  no  person  who  shall  deny 
the  being  of  God,  or  the  truth  of  the  Protestant  religion,  or  the  Divine 
authority  either  of  the  Old  or  New  Testaments,  or  who  shall  hold  relig- 


- 

' 


\ 

644:  HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

ious  principles  incompatible  -with  the  freedom  and  safety  of  the  State,  shall 
be  capable  of  holding  any  office  or  place  of  trust  or  profit  in  the  civil 
department  of  this  Stated’ 

By  a careful  comparison  of  these  various  e.r cerpia  from  the  colonial 
and  State  constitutions  and  laws,  the  general  reader  will  have  but  little 
difficulty  in  forming  a tolerably  correct  conception  of  the  progress  made 
in  public  opinion  as  to  the  proper  attitude  to  be  assumed  toward  religion 
by  the  State,  during  the  century  or  two  previous  to  the  adoption  of  the 
first  constitution  of  Tennessee.  Neither  will  he  be  less  gratified  than 
surprised  to  find  that  very  little  of  the  spirit  of  intolerance  can  be  found 
crystalized  into  the  provisions  of  that  venerable  instrument.  And  his 
impartial  judgment  may  be  unable  to  conclude  that  it  would  have  been 
better  for  the  interests  of  the  State  if  what  little  of  intolerance  that  is 
included  had  been  omitted.  With  reference  to  the  religious  liberty  of 
the  individual,  Section  3 of  the  Declaration  of  Bights  is  sufficiently  ex- 
plicit: “ All  men  have  a natural  and  indefeasable  right  to  worship 

Almighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences ; that 
no  man  can  of  right  be  made  to  attend,  erect  or  support  any  place  of 
worship,  or  to  maintain  any  minister  against  his  consent;  that  no  human 
authority  can,  in  any  case  whatever,  control  or  interfere  with  the  rights 
of  conscience,  and  that  no  preference  shall  ever  be  given  by  law  to  any 
religious  establishment  or  mode  of  worship.”  This  provision,  as  well  as 
those  relating  to  religious  tests  to  office-holders,  is  in  all  the  constitu- 
tions that  have  been  adopted  in  Tennessee,  in  1796,  1834  and  in  1870, 
and  stands  as  an  admirable  safeguard  to  the  most  cherished,  if  not  the 
most  valuable,  of  all  kinds  of  freedom. 

The  little  intolerance  that  the  constitution  contains  applies  only  to 
office-holders,  and  is  in  the  following  words  in  the  Declaration  of  Bights: 
“Section  4.  That  no  religious  test  shall  ever  be  required  as  a qualifica- 
tion to  any  office  or  public  trust  under  this  State and  is  as  follows  in 
the  constitution:  “Article  IX,  Section  2.  No  person  who  denies  the  be- 
ing of  a God,  or  a future  state  of  rewards  and  punishments,  shall  hold 
any  office  in  the  civil  department  of  this  State.”  The  hypercritic  might 
discover  a slight  contradiction  in  these  two  provisions,  but  perhaps  the 
most  able  political  philosopher  would  fail  should  he  attempt  to  prove  that 
evil  has  resulted  to  the  body  politic  from  its  existence  in  the  fundamen- 
tal law  of  the  State. 

The  special  laws  of  North  Carolina  that  were  in  operation  in  this 
Territory  previous  to  the  operation  of  the  State  constitution  were  simply 
those  which  granted  some  special  privilege  to  certain  sects  afflicted  with 
conscientious  scruples  regarding  the  taking  of  an  oath,  as  the  United 


, -3 


. 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


645 


Brethren,  Mennonites,  Quakers,  Dunkers,  etc.  In  1784  the  Legislature 
of  North  Carolina  passed  an  act  by  which  the  Quakers  were  permitted 
to  “solemnly  declare  or  affirm."  instead  of  to  swear/’  and  the  same  act 
provided  that  “ it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  people  called  Quakers  to  wear 
their  hats  as  well  within  the  several  courts  of  judicature  in  this  State  as 
elsewhere,  unless  otherwise  ordered  by  the  court.”  Thus  it  will  be  seen 
that  under  the  constitution  and  laws  in  operation  both  before  and  after 
the  adoption  of  the  constitution,  all  the  various  opinions  concerning  re- 
ligion, those  unfavorable  as  well  as  favorable  toward  it  were  tolerated, 
and  it  will  be  seen  also  as  this  narrative  proceeds  that  all  kinds  of  opin- 
ions upon  religious  subjects  not  only  were  tolerated  but  found  a home 

in  this  State,  and  still  here  abide.  1620304 

It  is  generally  admitted,  perhaps  nowhere  seriously  denied,  that  war 
is  among  the  greatest  demoralizers  of  the  world,  and  the  early  settle- 
ment of  this  State  was  so  nearly  contemporaneous  with  the  war  of  the 
Revolution,  and  war  with  various  Indian  tribes  was  so  constantly  present 
with  the  early  settlers,  that  it  is  but  reasonable  to  expect  that  an  impar- 
tial inquiry  into  their  condition  must  find  that  many  of  them  were  frequent- 
ly in  anything  but  a religious  state  of  mind,  and  even  where  they  were  thus 
disposed,  religious  instruction  and  worship  were  neglected  from  the  neces- 
sity of  the  case,  and  even  forms  of  religion  imperfectly  maintained.  Tice 
and  immorality  have  always  followed  in  the  wake  of  armies,  as  also, 
though  to  a less  degree,  in  that  of  the  excitement  attendant  upon  political 
faction.  But  when  the  excitement  of  war  subsides  and  that  of  politics 
is  not  intense,  the  superabundant  energies  of  the  people  naturally  turn 
to  the  excitement  of  religious  discussion  and  debate.  "When  the  morals 
and  the  minds  of  a community  are  in  this  impressionable  condition  it 
may  be  truthfully  said  that  the  harvest  is  indeed  ready  for  the  sickle, 
but  in  this  early  time  the  reapers  were  few ; and  the  field  is  equally  in- 
viting to  the  circuit  rider,  missionary  or  preacher  who  labors  for  fame  as 
to  him  who  sincerely  and  earnestly  labors  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 
Happily,  however,  for  the  gratification  of  the  lover  of  his  State,  the 
preachers  of  the  latter  class  were  far  more  numerous  than  those  of  the 
former  in  those  early  times. 

One  of  the  first  to  arrive  within  the  limits  of  the  State  was  the  Rev. 
Charles  Cummings,  a Presbyterian  minister,  who  preached  regularly  to  a 
congregation  in  the  Holston  Yalley  not  far  from  Abingdon,  Ya.,  as  early 
as  1772.  It  was  the  custom  of  Mr.  Cummings  on  Sunday  morning  h> 
• dress  himself  neatly,  put  on  his  shot  pouch,  shoulder  his  rifle,  mount  his 
horse  and  ride  to  church,  where  he  would  meet  his  congregation,  each 
man  with  his  rifle  in  his  hand.  Entering  the  church  he  would  walk 


*646 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


gravely  through  tlio  crowd,  ascend  his  pulpit,  and  after  depositing  his 
rifle  in  one  corner  of  it,  so  as  to  he  ready  for  any  emergency,  commence 
the  solemn  services  of  the  day.  Indians  were  not  scarce  in  those  days, 
and  frontier  congregations  consisted  of  armed  men  surrounded  by  their 
families.  Also  in  the  eastern  part  of  the  State  in  1779  a Baptist  preacher 
named  Tidence  Lane  organized  a congregation,  a house  of  worship  was 
built  on  Buffalo  Bidge,  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Doak  was  preaching  about 
this  time  in  Washington  and  Sullivan  Counties.  When  the  little  army 
under  Campbell,  Shelby  and  Sevier,  was  preparing  to  march  to  King's 
Mountain,  a solemn  and  appropriate  prayer  for  Divine  protection  and 
guidance  was  offered  up  by  a clergyman  whose  name  does  not  seem  to 
have  been  preserved.  In  1783  the  Rev.  Jeremiah  Lambert  was  appointed 
to  the  Holston  Circuit,  and  at  the  end  of  his  year  reported  seventy-six 
members.  In  1784  Rev.  Henry  Willis  succeeded  Mr.  Lambert,  but, 
although  his  services  were  valuable  he  did  not  increase  the  membership. 
Li  1785  he  was  elder  in  the  district  embracing  Holston,  while  Richard 
Swift  and  Michael  Gilbert  were  on  the  circuit.  The  Presbyterians  also 
made  an  early  start  in  East  Tennessee.  Many  of  them  were  Seotch-Irish, 
and  though  doubtless  of  equal  piety  with  the  Methodist  brethren,  yet 
there  was  naturally  an  antagonism  between  the  two  sects  on  account  of 
the  incompatibility  of  the  doctrines  taught.  In  1788,  while  tumult  and 
discord  were  impending  between  North  Carolina  and  the  State  of  Frank- 
lin, the  opportune  arrival  of  the  venerable  Bishop  Asbury,  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church,  a man  of  quiet  dignity,  unpretending  simplicity 
and  exemplary  piety,  served  to  calm  and  soothe  the  excited  masses. 

A little  before  this  visit  of  Bishop  Asbury  in  East  Tennessee,  minis- 
iers  began  to  arrive  in  what  was  then  called  Western  Teimessee,  now 
Middle  Tennessee.  In  1786  Rev.  Benjamin  Ogden  was  the  first  Method- 
ist Episcopal  minister  to  arrive  on  the  Cumberland.  After  laboring 
one  year  he  reported  sixty  members,  four  of  them  colored  persons.  In 
1788  the  Revs.  Mr.  Combs  and  Barnabas  McHenry,  both  faithful  and  la- 
borious men,  came  to  the  settlement.  In  1789  the  Rev.  Francis  Pay- 
thress  was  presiding  elder,  and  Revs.  Thomas  Williamson  and  Joshua 
Hartley  had  charge  of  the  local  societies.  Besides  these  there  were  the 
Revs.  James  Haw,  Peter  Mussie,  Wilson  Lee  and  O' Cull.  In  1791  a 
church  was  organized  by  Elias  Fort  and  other  pioneer  Baptists,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Port  Royal,  known  in  history  as  the  “Red  River  Bap- 
tist Church.”  At  first,  for  want  of  a “meeting-house,”  meetings  were 
held  alternately  at  the  houses  of  different  members;  but  at  length  a rude 
meeting-house  was  erected  on  the  left  bank  of  Red  River,  from  which 
stream  the  church  received  its  name.  During  the  next  three  or  four 


»• 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


647 


years  there  arrived  in  the  Cumberland  settlements  the  Revs.  Stephen 
Brooks,  Henry  Burchett,  Jacob  Lurtin,  Aquilla  Suggs,  John  Ball,  Will- 
iam Burke,  Gwynn  and  Crane.  These  were  all  itinerant  preachers,  and  all 
labored  faithfully  to  warn  the  people  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 
They  were  all  Methodists,  some  of  them  coming  before  and  some  after 
the  Baptists  in  Robertson  and  Montgomery  Counties.  Samuel  Mason 
and  Samuel  Hollis,  the  first  local  preachers  that  were  brought  up  in  this 
•country,  commenced  preaching  in  1789  or  1790.  The  Rev.  Thomas  B. 
Craighead,  a Presbyterian  divine,  preached  to  a congregation  at  Spring 
Hill,  about  six  miles  east  of  Nashville,  and  the  Rev.  William  McGee, 
another  Presbyterian,  preached  at  Shiloh,  near  Gallatin,  in  Sumner 
County.  Between  1795  and  1800  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
represented  by  Rev.  John  Page,  Rev.  Thomas  Wilkinson,  Rev.  John  Mc- 
Gee and  Rev.  John  Cobler.  Besides  these  there  were  the  Revs.  James 
McGready,  Hodge  and  Rankin,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  the 
Revs.  William  McKendree,  John  Sail  and  Benjamin  Larkin,  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  Rev.  Barton  W.  Stone,  a Presbyte- 
rian, and,  like  Rev.  Mr.  McGready,  from  Kentucky,  was  also,  like  him, 
'quite  conspicuous  in  the  work  of  the  great  revival  which  commenced  in 
Southern  Kentucky  and  Northern  Tennessee,  in  1799.  Most  of  the 
preachers  above  mentioned  were  men  of  burning  zeal  and  of  a natural 
and  boisterous  eloquence;  and  hence  to  their  sensitive  and  sympathetic 
hearers  their  preaching  was  of  a novel  and  attractive  kind.  Their  fame 
extended  to  far  distant  neighborhoods,  and  drew  together,  whenever  a 
meeting  was  announced,  thousands  of  curious,  interested  and  earnest 
listeners.  In  1789  or  1790  the  Methodists  erected  a stone  meeting- 
house in  Nashville,  between  the  public  square  and  the  river.  In  1796 
an  act  of  Legislature  authorized  the  town  of  Nashville  to  deed  to  five 
persons  a lot  of  ground  extending  twenty  feet  in  all  directions  from  the 
building,  except  toward  the  river,  in  which  direction  it  extended  presum- 
ably to  the  river.  In  October,  1797.  an  act  was  passed  establishing  the 
“Stone  Meeting-House,”  and  reducing  the  size  of  the  lot  to  fifteen  feet, 
instead  of  twenty. 

It  Avas  not  long*  after  ministers  began  to  preach  in  this  western 
country  before  discussions  and  controversies  regarding  Christian  doc- 
trines began  to  claim  a large  share  of  their,  and  the  people's  attention. 
The  Presbyterians  and  Baptists,  in  those  days,  were  generally  very  rigid 
Calvinists,  while  the  Methodists  were  mostly  Arminians.  Calvinism  is 
succinctly  as  follows:  It  is  based  upon  the  idea  that  the  will  of  God  is 

supreme.  The  human  race,  corrupted  radically  in  the  fall  of  Adam,  has 
upon  it  the  guilt  and  impotence  of  original  sin;  its  redemption  can  only 


648 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


be  achieved  through  an  incarnation  and  propitiation;  of  this  redemption 
only  electing  grace  can  make  the  soul  a participant,  and  the  grace  once 
given  is  never  lost;  this  election  can  only  come  from  God,  and  it  only 
includes  a part  of  the  race,  the  rest  being  left  to  perdition ; election  and 
perdition  are  both  predestinate  in  the  Divine  plan;  that  plan  is  a decree 
eternal  and  unchangeable;  justification  is  by  faith  alone,  and  faith  is  the 
gift  of  God. 

Arminianism  may  be  briefly  set  forth  as  follows:  1.  God,  by  an 

eternal  and  immutable  decree,  before  the  foundation  of  the  world,  de- 
termined to  save  in  Christ,  through  Christ  and  for  Christ,  those  who 
should  believe  in  Christ.  2.  Christ  died  for  all,  but  no  one  will  enjoy 
remission  of  sin  except  the  believer.  3.  Man  must  be  born  again  and 
renewed  in  Christ  by  the  Holy  Spirit  4.  God’s  grace  is  the  beginning, 
increase  and  perfection  of  everything  good.  5.  Man  may  fall  from 
grace.  (?) 

For  several  years  previous  to  the  ushering  in  of  the  present  century, 
these  irreconcilable  opinions — which  after  all  in  both  systems  are  only 
opinions — clashed  upon  and  with  each  other.  Issues  were  joined;  animated 
debates  and  acrimonious  controversies  were  frequent,  upon  doctrinal 
points,  none  of  which  were  or  are  demonstrably  true.  For  this  reason  the 
animation  manifested  in  the  discussions,  the  earnestness  in  the  appeals, 
often  from  the  same  platform  or  pulpit,  to  the  unbeliever  to  accept  the 
truth,  by  preachers  who  contradicted  each  other  as  to  what  was  the  truth, 
and  the  fact  that  acrimony  was  so  often  present  in  the  controversy,  all 
tended  to  prove  that  demonstration  was  not  attainable ; for  where  the  truth 
of  a proposition  in  philosophy,  ethics,  political  economy  or  theology,  no 
less  than  in  physics  and  mathematics,  is  demonstrable,  even  though  it  be 
only  to  the  most  enlightened  reason,  controversy  with  reference  thereto 
must  necessarily  cease  ere  long,  and  the  bitterness  with  the  controversy. 

But  there  is  another  way  of  eliminating  bitterness  from  controversy 
besides  that  of  arriving  at  a demonstration,  and  that  is  to  eliminate  the 
controversy.  This  was  practically  exemplified  in  the  great  revival, 
which  took  place  in  the  opening  years  of  the  nineteenth  century,  the  cause, 
phenomena  and  results 'of  which  it  is  now  the  purpose  of  this  sketch  to 
trace.  This  great  revival  was  of  itself  a wonderful  phenomenon,  worthy 
the  most  careful  study  of  the  religious  philosopher.  It  was  the  natural 
result  of  a reaction  from  a very  low  ebb  of  religion  and  morality,  the 
lowest  ebb  they  have  reached  in  this  country.  The  war  of  the  Pievolu- 
tion  left  the  nation  impoverished  and  prostrate.  The  influence  of  the 
French  Devolution  and  of  French  infidelity  were  powerfully  felt  even 
among  the  more  intelligent  portions  of  the  American  people.  But  tha 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


649 


masses  soon  awakened  to  a sense  of  tlieir  condition,  and  flocked  in  great 
numbers  to  hear  the  gospel  preached  by  such  earnest,  powerful  and  el- 
oquent men  as  have  been  named  above.  No  building  then  erected  could 
accommodate  the  crowds  that  concentrated  from  all  parts  of  the  adjacent 
country,  to  distances  of  from  ten  to  twenty,  thirty  and  even  fifty  miles, 
hence  the  camp-meeting  became  a necessity  of  the  times. 

In  1799  a sacramental  meeting  was  held  in  the  old  Red  River  Bap- 
tist Church,  near  Port  Royal,  which,  considering  the  sparsely  settled  con- 
dition of  the  country,  was  quite  largely  attended.  Elders  McGreadv, 
Hodge  and  Rankin,  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Elder  John  McGee, 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  were  present.  After  a remarkably 
powerful  address  by  Elder  Hodge,  concerning  the  effect  of  which  upon 
the  congregation  writers  differ — some  saying  that  the  members  of  the 
congregation  remained  through  its  delivery  silent  and  quiet;  others,  that 
their  emotions  were  uncontrollable  and  that  they  gave  vent  to  them  in 
loud  cries — Elder  McGee  arose,  expressed  his  conviction  that  a greater 
than  he  was  preaching,  exhorted  the  people  to  let  the  Lord  God  Omnip- 
otent reign  in  their  hearts,  and  broke  into  the  following  song: 

“Come  Holy  Spirit,  Heavenly  Dove, 

With  all  thy  quickening  powers. 

Kindle  a flame  of  sacred  love 
In  these  cold  hearts  of  ours.” 

Having  sang  thus  far  two  aged  ladies,  Mrs.  Pacely  and  Mrs.  Clark, 
commenced  tremendously  vociferating  sentiments  of  praise  and  thanks- 
giving to  the  Most  High  for  His  grace  in  providing  redemption  for  a fal- 
len world.  For  some  time  the  preacher  attempted  to  continue  his  sing- 
ing, but  the  venerable  ladies  vociferated  louder  than  before;  others  of  the 
congregation  united  their  voices  with  theirs  in  praise;  the  minister  de- 
scending from  the  pulpit  passed  along  the  aisles  vehemently  shouting 
and  exhorting;  the  clamor  and  confusion  increased  tenfold;  screams  for 
mercy  were  mingled  with  shouts  of  joy;  a universal  and  powerful  agita- 
tion pervaded  the  multitude;  suddenly  individuals  began  to  fall  pros- 
trate to  the  floor  as  if  dead,  where  they  lay  for  some  time  unconscious  and 
unable  to  rise.  The  Presbyterian  elders  were  so  surprised  and  even 
astonished  at  this  confusion  in  the  house  of  the  Lord  that  they  made 
their  way  outside  and  quietly  queried  among  themselves  “what  is  to  be 
done  ?”  Elder  Hodge  concluded  that  nothing  could  be  done.  If  it  were 
the  work  of  Satan  it  could  not  last;  if  it  were  the  work  of  God  efforts  to 
control  or  check  the  confusion  would  be  vain.  He  thought  it  was  of 
God,  and  decided  to  join  in  ascribing  glory  to  God’s  name.  All  three 
therefore  re-entered  the  house  and  found  nearly  the  entire  congregation 
upon  the  floor.  Soon  two  or  more  at  a time  began  to  rise,  shouting 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


650 

praise  for  the  evidence  felt  for  sins  forgiven,  for  redeeming  grace  and  un- 
dying love.  The  excitement  was  so  intense  that  the  ministers  found 
their  strength  taxed  to  the  utmost  to  supply  the  demands  of  the  congre- 
gation. From  thirty  to  forty  professed  to  have  been  converted  that  day. 
Such  was  the  beginning  of  the  religious  movement  which  on  account  of 
the  strange  bodily  agitations  attending  upon,  it  was  looked  upon  as  the 
most  wonderful  event  of  the  times. 

The  next  meeting  was  held  on  the  following  Saturday  and  Sunday  at 
the  Beach  Meeting-house,  ten  miles  west  of  Gallatin,  Sumner  County, 
where  was  present  a vast  assembly  and  where  were  'witnessed  scenes  sim- 
ilar to  those  above  described.*  On  the  Sunday  following  this  meeting 
a most  wonderful  meeting  was  held  at  Muddy  River  Church,  a few  miles 
north  of  Russellville,  Ky.  To  this  meeting  the  people  came  in  in  all 
kinds  of  vehicles,  on  horseback  and  on  foot,  from  all  distances  up  to  100 
miles.  Long  before  the  hour  for  preaching  came  there  were  present 
three  times  as  many  as  the  house  could  seat,  and  still  they  came  singly, 
and  in  companies  of  tens,  fifties  and  hundreds.  A temporary  pulpit  was 
erected  in  the  woods,  and  seats  for  the  multitude  made  by  felling  large 
trees  and  laying  them  on  the  ground.  “Preaching  commenced,  and  soon 
the  presence  of  the  all-pervading  power  was  felt  throughout  the  vast  as- 
sembly. As  night  came  on  it  was  apparent  the  crowd  did  not  intend  to 
disperse.  * * * Some  took  wagons  and  hurried  to  bring 

in  straw  from  barns  and  treading-yards.  Some  fell  to  sewing  the  wagon 
sheets  together,  and  others  to  cutting  forks  and  poles  on  which  to  spread 
therm  Counterpanes,  coverlets  and  sheets  were  also  fastened  together 
to  make  tents  or  camps.  Others  were  dispatched  to  town  and  to  the 
nearest  houses  to  collect  bacon,  meal,  flour,  with  cooking  utensils  to  pre- 
pare food  for  the  multitude.  In  a few  hours  it  was  a sight  to  see  how 
much  was  gathered  together  for  the  encampment.  Fires  were  made, 
cooking  begun,  and  by  dark  candles  were  lighted  and  fixed  to  a hundred 
trees;  and  here  was  the  first  and  perhaps  the  most  beautiful  camp-ground 
the  world  has  ever  seen.,1'f- 

The  Rev.  Barton  AY.  Stone,  a Presbyterian  clergyman,  pastor  of  Cane 
Ridge  and  Concord  congregations  in  Bourbon  County,  Ky.,  hearing  of  the 
religious  excitement  in  the  southern  part  of  his  own  State  and  in  Northern 
Tennessee,  started  early  in  the  spring  of  1801  to  attend  one  of  the  camp- 
meetings  in  Logan  County,  Ky.  Afterward  he  wrote  a book  describing 
what  he  had  seen,  and  as  no  one  has  given  a more  minute  description  of 

♦ The  meeting  held  at  Red  River  Baptist  Church  is  said  to  have  been  held  in  1799,  and  this  at  the  Beach 
Meeting-house  in  If  this  be  correct  the  times  of  holding  these  two  meetings  are  pretty  accurately  deter- 

nrmied. 

fSioith’s  Legends  of  the  War  of  the  Revolution. 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


651 


the  bodily  agitations,  otherwise  known  as  “the  jerks”  or  “epidemic 
epilepsy,”  the  following  extracts  from  his  work  are  here  introduced: 

“On  arriving  I found  the  multitude  assembled  on  the  edge  of  a prai- 
rie, where  they  continued  encamped  many  successive  days  and  nights, 
during  all  which  time  worship  was  being  conducted  in  some  parts  of  the 
encampment.  The  scene  to  me  was  passing  strange.  It  baffles  description. 
Many,  very  many,  fell  down  as  men  slain  in  battle,  and  continued  for  hours 
together  in  a comparatively  breathless  and  motionless  state,  sometimes,  for 
a few  moments,  reviving  and  exhibiting  symptoms  of  life  by  a deep  groan 
or  piercing  shriek,  or  by  a prayer  for  mercy  most  fervently  uttered.  After 
lying  thus  for  hours  they  obtained  deliverance.  The  gloomy  cloud  that 
had  covered  their  faces  seemed  gradually  and  visibly  to  disappear,, 
and  hope  in  smiles  to  brighten  into  joy.  They  would  then  arise  shout- 
ing deliverance,  and  address  the  surrounding  multitude  in  language 
truly  eloquent  and  impressive.  With  astonishment  did  I hear  women 
and  children  declaring  the  wonderful  works  of  God  and  the  glorious 
mysteries  of  the  gospel.  Their  appeals  were  solemn,  heart-rending,  bold 
and  free.  Under  such  addresses  many  others  would  fall  down  in  the 
same  state  from  which  the  speakers  had  just  been  delivered. 

“Two  or  three  of  my  particular  acquaintances  from  a distance  were 
struck  down.  I sat  patiently  by  one  of  them  (whom  I knew  to  be  a care- 
less sinner)  for  hours,  and  observed  with  critical  attention  everthing  that 
passed  from  beginning  to  end.  I noticed  the  momentary  revivings  as 
from  death,  the  humble  confession,  the  fervent  prayer  and  ultimate  deliv- 
erance; then  the  solemn  thanks  and  praise  to  God,  the  affectionate 
exhortation  to  companions  and  to  the  people  around  to  repent  and  come  to 
Jesus.  I was  astonished  at  the  knowledge  of  tlie  gospel  truth  displayed 
in  these  exhortations.  The  effect  was  that  several  sank  down  into  the 
appearance  of  death.  After  attending  to  many  such  cases  my  conviction 
was  complete  that  it  was  a good  work,  nor  has  my  mind  wavered  since  on 
the  subject. 

“The  bodily  agitations  or  exercises  attending  the  excitement  * * 

* were  various  and  called  by  various  names,  as  the  falling  exer- 
cise, the  jerks,  the  dancing  exercise,  the  barking  exercise,  the  laughing 
and  singing  exercises,  and  so  on.  The  falling  exercise  was  very  common 
among  all  classes,  saints  and  sinners  of  every  age  and  grade  from  the 
philosopher  to  the  clown.  The  subject  of  this  exercise  would  generally, 
with  a piercing  scream,  fall  like  a log  on  the  floor  or  earth  and  appear  as 
dead.  The  jerks  cannot  be  so  easily  described.  Sometimes  the  subject 
of  the  jerks  would  be  affected  in  one  member  of  the  body  and  sometimes 
in  the  whole  system.  When  the  head  alone  was  affected  it  would  jerk 


652 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


backward  anil  forward,  or  from  side  to  side  so  quickly  that  the  features 
could  not  be  distinguished,  when  the  whole  person  was  affected.  I have 
seen  u person  stand  in  one  place  and  jerk  backward  and  forward  in  quick 
succession,  the  head  nearly  touching  the  floor  behind  and  before.  All 
classes,  saints  as  well  as  sinners,  the  strong  as  well  as  the  weak,  were 
thus  affected.  They  could  not  account  for  it,  but  some  have  told  me 
these  were  among  the  happiest  moments  of  their  lives. 

“The  dancing  exercise  generally  began  with  the  jerks  and  was  pecu- 
liar to  professors  of  religion.  The  subject  after  jerking  awhile  began  to 
dance  and  then  the  jerks  would  cease.  Such  dancing  was  indeed  heav- 
enly to  the  spectators.  There  was  nothing  in  it  like  levity*,  nor  calcu- 
lated to  excite  levity  in  the  beholder.  The  smile  of  heaven  shone  on  the 
countenance  of  the  subject  and  assimilated  to  angels  appeared  the  whole 
person.  The  barking  exercise,  as  opposers  contemptuously  called  it,  was 
nothing  but  the  jerks.  A person  afflicted  with  the  jerks,  especially  in  the 
bead,  would  often  make  a grunt  or  bark  from  the  suddenness  of  the  jerk. 
This  name  of  barking  seems  to  have  had  its  origin  from  an  old  Presby- 
terian preacher  of  East  Tennessee.  He  had  gone  into  the  woods  for  pri- 
vate devotion  and  was  seized  with  the  jerks.  Standing  near  a sapling  he 
caught  hold  of  it  to  prevent  his  falling,  and  as  his  head  jerked  back  he 
gave  a grunt,  or  a kind  of  noise  similar  to  a bark,  his  face  turned 
upward.  Some  wag  discovered  him  in  this  position  and  reported  that  he 
bad  found  the  old  preacher  barking  up  a tree. 

“The  laughing  exercise  was  frequent,  confined  solely  to  the  religious. 
It  was  a loud,  hearty  laughter  but  it  excited  laughter  in  none  that  saw  it. 
The  subject  appeared  rapturously  solemn,  and  his  laughter  excited  so- 
lemnity in  saints  and  sinners.  It  was  truly  indescribable.  The  running 
exercise  was  nothing  more  than  that  persons  feeling  something  of  these 
bodily  agitations,  through  fear,  attempted  to  run  away  and  thus  escape 
from  them ; but  it  commonly  happened  that  they  ran  not  far  before  the}* 
fell,  where  they  became  so  agitated  that  they  could  not  proceed  any  fur- 
ther. The  singing  exercise  is  more  unaccountable  than  anything  else  I 
ever  saw.  The  subject,  in  a very  happy  state  of  mind,  would  sing  most 
melodiously,  not  from  the  mouth  or  nose,  but  entirely  in  the  breast,  the 
sound  issuing  thence.  Such  noise  silenced  everything  and  attracted  the 
attention  of  all.  It  was  most  heavenly;  none  could  ever  be  tired  of 
bearing  it.” 

Elder  Stone  lias  been  described  as  a man  of  respectable  bearing,  of 
spotless  character  and  childlike  simplicity,  and  easily  attracted  to  the 
strange  and  marvelous.  The  above  extract  would  seem  amply  to  justify 
the  description,  and  also  that  his  judgment  was  somewhat  under  the  do-- 


f 

/ 


! 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


653 


minion  of  his  imagination.  Like  Elder  Hodge  lie  evidently  believed  that 
the  “jerks'’  were  the  work  of  God.  He  said  that  Dr.  J.  P.  Campbell  and 
himself  “concluded  it  to  be  something  beyond  anything  we  had  ever  known 
in  nature.”  Other  writers  besides  Elder  Stone  have  given  descriptions 
of  the  jerks.  The  celebrated  Peter  Cartwright  says : 

“Just  in  the  midst  of  our  controversies  on  the  subject  of  the  powerful 
-exercises  among  the  people  under  preaching,  a new  exercise  broke  out 
among  us,  called  the  jerks,  which  was  overwhelming  in  its  effects  upon 
the  people.  Xo  matter  whether  they  were  saints  or  sinners  they  would 
be  taken  under  a warm  song  or  sermon  and  seized  with  a convulsive  jerk- 
ing all  over,  which  they  could  not  by  any  possibility  avoid;  the  more  they 
resisted  the  more  they  jerked.  If  they  would  not  strive  against  it  and 
would  pray  in  good  earnest  the  jerking  would  usually  abate.  I have 
seen  more  than  500  persons  jerking  at  one  time  in  my  large  congrega- 
tions. Most  usually  persons  taken  with  the  jerks,  to  obtain  relief,  as 
they  said,  would  rise  up  and  dance.  Some  would  run  but  could  not  get 
away.  Some  would  resist;  on  such  the  jerks  were  very  severe.  To  see 
these  proud  young  gentlemen  and  young  ladies  dressed  in  silks,  jewelry 
and  prunella,  from  top  to  toe,  take  the  jerks,  would  often  excite  my  risi- 
bilities. The  first  jerk  or  so  you  would  see  their  fine  bonnets,  caps  and 
combs  fly,  and  so  sudden  would  be  the  jerking  of  the  head  that  their  long, 
loose  hair  would  crack  almost  as  loud  as  a wagoner’s  whip.” 

Besides  other  amusing  experiences  with  the  jerks,  Peter  Cartwright 
relates  an  account  of  a very  different  nature  of  a man  who  was  jerked  to 
death,  which  is  probably  the  only  case  on  record.  A company  of  drunk- 
en rowdies  attended  a camp-meeting  on  what  was  called  the  Kidge.  The 
jerks  were  very  prevalent.  The  leader  of  the  rowdies  was  a very  large, 
drinking  man,  who  cursed  the  jerks  and  all  religion.  Shortly  afterward 
he  himself  took  the  jerks  and  started  to  run,  but  jerked  so  powerfullv 
that  he  could  not  get  away.  Halting  among  some  saplings  he  took  a 

bottle  of  whisky  out  of  his  pocket  and  swore  he  would  drink  the 

jerks  to  death,  but  he  jerked  so  violently  he  could  not  get  the  bottle  to 
his  mouth.  At  length,  on  account  of  a sudden  jerk,  his  bottle  struck  a 
sapling,  was  broken  and  his  whisky  spilled  upon  the  ground.  A great 
crowd  gathered  around  him,  and  when  he  lost  his  whisky  he  became  very 
much  engaged  and  cursed  and  swore  very  profanely.  At  length  he  fetched 
a very  violent  jerk,  snapped  his  neck,  fell  and  soon  expired. 

Peter  Cartwright  looked  upon  the  jerks  as  a judgment  sent  from  God 
to  bring  sinners  to  repentance,  and  to  show  to  professors  of  religion  that 
God  could  work  “with  or  without  means,  and  over  and  above  means,  to 
the  glory  of  His  grace  and  the  salvation  of  the  world.”  Lorenzo  Dow 


41 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


fi54 


has  also  left  his  account  of  the  jerks.  He  preached  in  Knoxville,  Tenn.y 
in  1<S05,  when  about  150  of  his  congregation  were  affected  with  the  jerks. 
He  says:  “I  have  seen  all  denominations  of  religion  exercised  with 
the  jerks,  gentleman  and  lady,  black  and  white,  young  aiid  old  without 
exception.  I have  passed  a meeting-house  where  I observed  the  under- 
growth had  been  cut  for  camp-meeting,  and  from  fifty  to  a hundred  sap- 
lings were  left,  breast  high,  on  purpose  for  the  people  to  hold  on  by.  I 
observed  where  they  held  on  they  had  kicked  up  the  earth  as  a horse 
stamping  flies.  I believe  it  does  not  effect  those  naturalists  who  try  to 
get  it  to  philosophize  upon,  and  rarely  those  who  are  the  most  pious,  but 
the  lukewarm,  lazy  professor  and  the  wicked  are  subject  to  it.”  His 
opinion  was  that  the  jerking  was  “entirely  involuntary  and  not  to  be  ac- 
counted for  on  any  known  principle.” 

It  has  been  stated  above  that  the  first  manifestations  of  this  strange 

o 

phenomenon  were  witnessed  at  the  old  Red  River  Baptist  Church.  Some 
authorities,  however,  say  that  they  first  appeared  at  a sacramental  meeting 
in  East  Tennessee,  where  several  hundreds  of  both  sexes  were  seized  with 
this  strange  affection.  The  numbers  that  were  affected  at  different  sac- 
ramental and  camp-meetings  were  various.  At  Cabin  Creek,  May,  1801, 
so  many  fell  that  on  the  third  night,  to  prevent  their  being  trampled 
upon,  they  were  collected  together  and  laid  out  in  order,  in  two  squares  of 
the  meeting-house,  covering  the  floor  like  so  many  corpses.  At  Paint 
Creek,  200  fell,  at  Pleasant  Point,  300,  and  at  Cane  Ridge,  in  August, 
1801,  as  many  as  3,000  are  computed  to  have  fallen. 

This  great  revival  lasted  through  the  years  1800,  1801,  1802  and 
1803,  and  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  many  thousands  of  people,  though 
probably  no  very  accurate  estimate  of  the  number  was  ever  made.  Per- 
haps its  most  prominent  peculiarity  was  that  it  was  a spontaneous  out- 
burst of  religious  emotion  among  the  masses.  There  was  no  great  revival 
preacher  like  Wesley  or  Whitefield ; there  were  no  protracted  meetings, 
at  which  by  a long-continued  and  united  effort,  a revival  was  grad- 
ually brought  about;  but  the  camp-meetings  were  the  result  of  the  re- 
vival, which  in  an  unusual  manner  came  upon  both  preacher  and  people.. 
Another  characteristic  of  the  revival  was  this:  doctrinal  and  dogmatical 
discussions  were  dispensed  with.  Their  value  seems  to  have  been  for  the 
time  being  entirely  overlooked.  The  efforts  for  the  ministers  were  chiefly,, 
if  not  wholly  devoted  to  the  excitation  of  the  emotions,  to  impressing 
upon  the  minds  of  the  multitudes  the  great  religious  truth  of  the  impos- 
sibility of  escape  from  punishment  for  sin,  except  through  repentance 
and  the  acceptance  of  Christ  as  the  Savior  of  the  world;  hence,  the  peo- 
ple labored  under  a oowerful  conviction  of  the  necessity  of  reformation 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


655 


in  their  daily  lives,  which  is  always  of  infinitely  greater  importance  than 
the  doctrine  of  the  decrees.  The  doctrines  that  were  uttered  were  mainly 
those  of  Arminians  and  Pelagins  rather  than  those  of  Calvin ; doctrines 
which  appeal  more  directly  to  the  heart  and  the  common  intellect  than 
those  that  were  temporarily  neglected.  When  the  great  excitement  had 
died  away,  however,  the  discussion  of  doctrines  was  again  renewed,  to 
some  of  the  features  of  which  especially,  such  as  were  results  of  the  re- 
vival itself,  we  shall  refer  after  giving  an  explanation  of  the  probable 
cause  or  causes  of  the  jerks.  These  bodily  agitations,  which  within  the 
State  of  Tennessee  were,  strange  as  it  may  at  first  appear,  confined  almost 
exclusively  to  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians,  although  they  were  ex- 
perienced to  some  extent  by  the  Baptists.  But  to  the  Presbyterians  be- 
long the  credit  of  first  putting  a check  to  and  largely  diminishing  this 
wild  extravagance.  A minister  of  this  denomination  at  a great  camp- 
meeting at  Paris,  Ivy.,  in  1803,  arose,  and  in  the  strongest  language 
denounced  what  he  saw  as  extravagant  and  even  monstrous,  and  imme- 
diately afterward,  a part  of  the  people  under  his  leadership,  took  decided 
ground  against  the  jerks.  From  that  moment  the  wonderful  movement 
began  sensibly  to  decline. 

Many  good  people  of  those  times  together  with  the  leading  divines, 
as  has  been  seen  above,  unaccustomed  as  they  were  then  to  referring 
effects  to  natural  causes,  and  supposing  the  church,  as  compared  with  the 
rest  of  the  world,  to  be  under  the  special  care  of  Divine  Providence, 
considered  these  bodily  agitations  to  be  manifestations  of  Divine  power, 
looked  upon  them  as  miracles  attesting  the  truth  of  religion  as  those  on 
the  day  of  Pentecost.  Others  believed  them  to  be  the  result  of  the 
machinations  of  Satan,  and  designed  by  him  to  discredit  religion  gener- 
ally, and  camp-meetings  and  revivals  in  particular,  which  he  feared  would 
convert  the  world  and  destroy  his  power.  But  it  does  not  necessarily 
follow'  that  because  good  Christian  people  believed  them  to  be  the 
effect  of  Divine  power  that  they  really  were  so,  Although  generally 
supposed  then  to  be  so,  they  were  not  by  any  means  new  or  peculiar  to 
those  times.  Such  agitations  were  common  and  remarkably  violent  in 
the  days  of  Whitefield  and  the  Wesleys.  They  bear  a close  resemblance 
to  what  w?as  knowui  as  the  jumping  exercise  in  Wales,  described  by  Dr. 
Haygarth  in  his  treatise  on  “ The  Effect  of  the  Imagination  in  the  Cure 
of  Bodily  Diseases.”  Besides  these  instances  of  these  exercises  there 
w*ere  in  France  200  years  ago,  more  wronderful  manifestations  than  any 
recorded  as  having  been  witnessed  in  Tennessee.  A quaint  old  book 
written  in  1741  by  Itev.  Charles  Chauncey,  a noted  divine,  entitled  “A 
Wonderful  Narrative  and  Faithful  Account  of  the  French  Prophets,  their 


656 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Agitations,  Ecstacies  and  Inspirations,”  states  that  “ an  account  of  them 
would  be  almost  incredible  if  they  had  not  happened  in  view  of  all  France, 
and  been  known  all  over  Europe.  From  the  month  of  June,  1688,  to 
the  February  following,  there  arose  in  Dauphiny  and  then  in  Vivarias 
(an  ancient  distiict  in  France,  now  the  departments  of  Ardeche  and 
Haute -Eoire)  500  or  600  Protestants  of  both  sexes  who  gave  themselves 
out  as  prophets,  and  inspired  with  the  Holy  Ghost.  The  sect  soon 
became  numerous;  there  were  many  thousands  of  them.  They  had 
strange  fits,  and  these  fits  came  on  them  with  tremblings  and  faintings, 
as  in  a swoon,  which  made  them  stretch  out  their  arms  and  legs  and 
stagger  several  times  before  they  dropped  down.  They  remained  awhile 
in  trances,  and  uttered  all  that  came  into  their  mouths.  They  said  they 
saw  the  heavens  opened,  the  angels,  paradise  and  hell.  When  the  proph- 
ets had  for  awhile  been  under  agitation  of  body  they  began  to  prophesy, 
the  burden  of  their  prophecies  being  4 Amend  your  lives,  repent  ye,  for 
the  end  of  all  things  drawetli  nigh.’  Persons  of  good  understanding 
knew  not  what  to  think  of  it — to  hear  little  boys  and  young  girls  (of  the 
dregs  of  mankind  who  could  not  so  much  as  read)  quote  many  texts  of 
Holy  Scripture.  * * * The  child  was  thirteen  or  fourteen 

months  old,  and  kept  then  in  a cradle,  and  had  not  of  itself  spoken  a 
word,  nor  could  it  go  alone.  When  they  came  in  where  it  was  the  child 
spoke  distinctly  in  French,  with  a voice  small  like  a child  but  loud 
enough  to  be  well  heard  over  the  room.  There  were  numerous  children 
of  from  three,  four  and  five  years  old,  and  so  on  up  to  fiteen  and  sixteen, 
who  being  seized  with  agitations  and  ecstasies  delivered  long  exhorta- 
tions under  inspiration,”  etc. 

Further  on  this  book  pays  some  attention  to  the  Quakers:  “ They  had 
indeed,  the  names  of  Quakers  given  them  from  that  extraordinary  shak- 
ing or  quaking  as  though  they  were  in  fits  or  convulsions.  Then  the 
devil  roared  in  these  deceived  souls  in  a most  strange  and  dreadful  man- 
ner.  I wondered  how  it  was  possible  some  of  them  could  live.”  The 
Piev.  Hr,  Chauncey  in  order  to  set  at  naught  all  pretense  that  there 
was  any  genuine  inspiration  in  all  the  foregoing,  cites  many  instances  of 
the  sayings  and  doings  of  * Christ,  and  then  says:  “ These  be  some  of  the 
proofs  of  the  divine  mission  of  Jesus  Christ  and  His  apostles.  Compare 
the  strangest  and  most  unaccountable  instances  in  the  foregoing  letter 
with  the  miracles  recorded  in  the  gospel  and  they  sink  into  nothing. 
They  carry  with  them,  closely  examined,  the  plain  marks  of  enthusiasm, 
or  collusion,  or  Satanic  possession:” 

Reference  to  the  above  paragraphs  will  show  that  Dr.  Haygarth’s 
opinion  was  that  these  exercises  were  due  to  the  imagination,  and  that 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


657 


the  Rev.  Mr.  Chauncey  thought  they  were  due  to  enthusiasm,  collusion 
or  Satanic  possession.  The  enlightened  reason  of  the  present  day 
would  instantly  discard  the  idea  of  Satanic  possession,  and,  as  nothing 
but  deceptive  appearances  can  be  attributed  to  collusion,  it  follows  that 
only  enthusiasm  remains  as  a rational  explanation  for  the  genuine  agi- 
tations or  ecstasies,  that  is  supposing  Mr.  Chauncey  to  have  enumerated 
all  the  causes.  It  will  be  remembered,  too,  that  the  manifestations  in 
this  State  and  Kentucky  were  checked  and  diminished  by  the  opposition, 
first,  of  a Presbyterian  minister,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Lyle,  at  Walnut  Hill,  in 
September,  1S03,  and  then  by  the  united  opposition  of  others  who,  like 
him,  looked  upon  them  as  monstrously  extravagant.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
Blythe  cured  a lady  of  his  congregation  by  threatening  to  have  her  car- 
ried out  of  the  church  at  the  next  repetition  of  the  paroxysm,  and  the 
Doctor  himself  at  one  time  felt,  through  sympathy,  an  approaching 
paroxysm,  and  was  able  to  ward  it  off  only  by  continued  and  determined 
opposition.  This  was  the  means  used  by  the  Baptists  to  prevent  them, 
and  they  were  very  srenerallv  successful.  The  inference  would  therefore 
seem  to  be  that  under  powerful  emotional  preaching  calculated  to  arouse 
the  ecstacies  or  the  fears  of  the  congregation,  the  imaginations  of  some 
would  be  so  powerfully  wrought  up  that  the  nervous  system  was  very 
greatly  affected,  and  that  through  sympathy  others  less  imaginative 
would  experience  the  same  affliction,  which  the  will-power  could  success- 
fully resist,  except  where  the  individual  resisting  was  overcome  by  the 
combined  influence  of  the  mentality  of  numerous  other  people.  The 
phenomenon  was  nothing  more  than  religious  enthusiasm  carried  to  a 
very  great  excess.  It  was  in  all  probability  a nervous  disease,  having 
but  little  or  no  effect  upon  the  general  health.  Though  neither  proving 
nor  disproving  the  truth  of  religion,  all  such  extravagances  tend  to  the 
discredit  of  religion,  and  all  proper  means  should  be  employed  if  neces- 
sary to  prevent  or  discourage  such  folly  and  excess. 

It  should  be  mentioned  in  this  connection  that  those  who,  during  the 
progress  of  the  revival  opposed  the  “bodily  agitations”  as  extravagant 
and  tending  to  the  discredit  of  religion,  were  looked  upon  by  enthusiasts 
as  being  opposed  to’  the  revival,  hence  the  division  of  the  people  into 
“revivalists”  and  “anti-revivalists.”  These  distinctions,  however,  were 
but  of  temporary  duration,  terminating  when  the  revival  had  spent  its 
force.  Other  results  also  followed,  some  of  which  were  transient,  others 
permanent;  some  deplorable,  others  gratifying.  “At  this  unhappy  mo- 
ment, and  in  this  unsettled  state  of  things,  when  religious  feeling  ran 
high,  that  extravagant  and  (as  we  believe)  deluded  race — the  Shakers — 
made  their  appearance,  and  by  a sanctimonious  show  of  piety  and  zeal 


058 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


drew  off  several  valuable  Presbyterian  preachers  and  a number  of  un- 
wary members,  doubtless  to  the  great  injury  of  the  cause  of  rational 
Christianity.  ’ ’ * 

About  the  same  time  other  sects  sprang  up,  known  by  the  respect- 
ive names  of  “New  Lights”  or  “Stoneites,”  “Marsliallites,”  “Schismat- 
ics,” etc.  By  these  “heresies”  the  Synod  of  Kentucky  lost  eight  mem- 
bers: B.  W.  Stone,  John  Dunlavy,  Richard  McNamar,  Robert  Marshall. 
John  Thomson.  Huston,  Rankin  and  David  Purviance.  Marshall  and 
Thomson  after  a time  returned  to  the  Presbyterian  faith.  The  “Stone- 
ites” or  “New  Lights”  were  a body  formed  mainly  through  the  efforts  of 
Elder  Stone,  after  he  had  decided  to  abandon  Presbyterianism  altogether. 
This  new  body  was  called  by  its  adherents  the  “Christian  Church." 
while  by  outsiders  it  was  called  by  the  name  of  New  Lights.  They  held 
many  of  the  views  which  afterward  characterized  the  Campbell  reforma- 
tion, especially  the  famous  dogma  of  “baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins,” 
and  Elder  Stone  intimates  in  his  book  pretty  plainly  that  in  adopting  it 
the  “Disciples  of  Christ”  or  “Campbellites,”  as  the  followers  of  Alcxan 
der  Campbell  were  originally  called,  had  stolen  his  thunder.  When  the 
Campbell  reformation  reached  Kentucky  Elders  Stone  and  Purviance 
united  with  the  reformers,  and  thus  the  Southern  branch  of  the  old 
“Christian  Church”  finally  disappeared.  Since  then  the  name  of  Dis- 
ciples, or  Campbellites,  has  been  excliaged  for  the  old  name  of  the 
“Christian  Church.”  Elders  Dunlavy,  McNamar,  Huston  and  Rankin 
joined  the  Shakers. 

Another  but  more  remote  result  of  the  great  revival  was  the  expulsion 
from  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  a portion  of  the  membership  by  whom 
was  formed  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  necessities  of 
the  Presbyterians  at  that  time  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee  were  peculiar. 
In  1801  a few  Presbyterian  clergymen  formed  an  association  which  was 
named  the  Transylvania  Presbytery.  On  account  of  the  great  numbers 
added  to  the  ranks  of  Christians  by  the  revival  there  was  not  a suffici- 
ency of  educated  ministers  to  supply  the  demand.  This  presbytery  felt 
justified  in  ordaining  to  the  ministry  some  young  men  who  had  not  re- 
ceived a classical  education.  In  1802  the  Transylvania  Presbytery  was 
divided  into  two  sections,  one  of  which  was  named  the  Cumberland 
Presbytery,  and  which  included  the  Green  River  and  Cumberland  Coun- 
ties. In  1804  a remonstrance  signed  by  Revs.  Thomas  B.  Craighead, 
John  Bowman  and  Samuel  Donnel  was  sent  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky 
against  the  proceedings  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  in  several  par- 

Being 


ticulars,  amongst  other  things  in  licensing  uneducated  ministers. 


♦“Recollections  of  the  West,”  by  Rev.  T>ewis  Oarrett. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


659 


taken  completely  by  surprise,  and  thinking  the  citation  of  at  least  doubt- 
ful legality,  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  refused  to  appear  before  the 
synod  when  cited.  At  the  meeting  of  the  synod  in  October,  1805,  a 
commission  consisting  of  ten  ministers  and  six  elders  was  appointed  to 
investigate  the  entire  subject,  vesting  this  commission  with  full  synod- 
ical powers  to  confer  with  the  members  of  the  presbytery  and  to  adjudi- 
cate upon  their  Presbyterial  proceedings.  Notwithstanding  that  the 
Cumberland  Presbytery  considered  this  commission  vested  with  uncon- 
-stitutional  powers,  they  all,  except  two  ministers  and  one  elder,  appeared 
before  it  at  the  appointed  time  and  place.  There  were  present  ten  or- 
dained ministers,  four  licentiates  and  four  candidates.  The  commission 
after  censuring  the  Presbytery  for  having  received  Rev.  Mr.  Haw  into 
connection,  and  considering  irregular  licensures  and  ordinations,  deter- 
mined to  institute  an  examination  into  the  qualifications  of  the  young 
men  to  preach.  This  examination  the  young  men  resisted  on  the  ground 
that  the  Cumberland  Presbytery  was  competent  to  judge  of  the  faith  and 
abilities  of  its  candidates.  Tlie  result  of  this  refusal  was  that  the  com- 
mission adopted  a resolution  prohibiting  all  the  young  men  in  connection 
with  that  Presbytery,  ordained,  licensed  and  candidates,  from  preaching, 
■exhorting  or  administering  the  ordinances  until  they  should  submit  to 
the  requisite  examination.  The  revival  preachers,  however,  resolved  to 
continue  preaching  and  administering  the  ordinances,  and  encouraged 
the  young  men  to  continue  the  exercise  of  their  respective  functions. 
They  also  formed  a council,  consisting  of  the  majority  of  the  ministers 
and  elders  of  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  of  which  most  of  the  congre- 
gations in  the  Presbytery  approved.  In  October,  1806,  an  attempt  was 
made  at  reconciliation  with  the  synod,  but  the  synod  confirmed  the  action 
-of  the  commission  with  reference  to  the  re-examination  of  the  voung 
men,  and  at  the  same  time  dissolved  the  Cumberland  Presbytery,  attach- 
ing its  members  not  suspended  to  the  Transylvania  Presbytery.  The 
revival  ministers  determined  to  continue  their  work  in  the  form  of  a 
council,  until  their  case  could  go  before  the  General  Assembly,  which 
met  in  May,  1807.  At  this  meeting  of  the  Assembly  their  case  was  ably 
presented,  but  that  body  declined  to  judicially  decide  the  case.  The 
synod,  however,  upon  the  advice  of  the  Assembly,  revised  its  proceed- 
ings, but  was  unable  to  modify  them.  Finally  in  1809  the  General  As- 
sembly .decided  to  sustain  the  proceedings  of  the  synod.  Thus  the  Cum- 
berland Presbytery  was  .effectually  excluded  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  However,  another  attempt  at  reconciliation  with  the  synod  of 
Kentucky  was  made,  their  proposition  being  to  adopt  the  Confession  of 
Faith  except  fatality  only.  To  this  proposition  the  synod  could  not  accede. 


660 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


It  had  been  the  custom  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  North  Carolina 
to  ordain  men  to  the  ministry  who  adopted  the  Westminster  Confession 
of  Faith,  with  the  exception  of  the  idea  of  fatality  taught  therein,  and 
the  Transylvania  Presbytery  had  also  permitted  ministers  in  their  ordi- 
nation vows  to  make  the  same  exception  if  they  chose.  Most  of  the 
Presbvterian  ministers  who  had  lent  their  aid  in  the  promotion  of  the  re- 
vival were  men  of  this  class.  When,  therefore,  the  acceptance  in  full  of 
the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  was  required  of  them,  they  found  it 
impossible  to  yield  without  violating  their  convictions  as  honest  and  con- 
scientious men.  Thus  the  doctrine  of  fatality  became  an  impassable  bar- 
rier between  them  and  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Neither  could  they,  on 
account  of  differences  of  doctrine,  conscientiously  unite  with  any  other 
Christian  body.  Besides,  as  they  regarded  the  Presbyterian  as  the  most 
Scriptural  form  of  church  government  in  the  world,  they  determined  to 
form  a Presbytery  independent  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Accord- 
ingly, on  February  3,  1810,  the  Bev.  Finis  Ewing  and  Bev.  Samuel 
King1,  and  licentiate  Ephraim  McLean  proceeded  to  the  humble  log  resi- 
dence of  the  Bev.  Samuel  McAdoo,  in  Dickson  County,  Tenn.,  and  submit- 
ted to  him  the  proposed  plan  of  forming  a new  and  independent  Presby- 
tery. After  earnest  prayer  that  evening  until  midnight,  the  next  morn- 
ing he  decided  in  favor  of  the  proposal,  and  on  that  day,  February  4, 
1S10,  at  his  residence,  was  formed  the  first  Presbytery  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church.  Before  their  adjournment  Ephraim  McLean 
was  ordained. 

“The  next  meeting  of  the  new  Cumberland  Presbytery  was  held  in 
March,  1810.  At  this  session  it  included  four  ordained  ministers  ” (the 
four  above  named),  “five  licensed  preachers:  James  B.  Porter,  Hugh 
Kirkpatrick,  Bobert  Bell,  James  Farr  and  David  Foster,  and  eight  candi- 
dates: Thomas  Calhoun,  Bobert  Donnel,  Alexander  Chapman,  William 
Harris,  B.  McCorkle,  William  Bumpass,  David  McLinn  and  "William  Bar- 
net.  After  a few  months  they  were  joined  by  the  Bev.  William  McGee. 
These  men  were  the  fathers  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
They  adopted  as  their  standard  of  theology  the  Westminster  Confession 
of  Faith,  excepting  the  idea  of  fatality.”*  This  “idea  of  fatality”  was 
supplanted  by  the  following  particulars:  First,  that  there  are  no  eternal 

reprobates.  Second,  that  Christ  died  not  for  a part  only,  but  for  all 
mankind.  Third,  that  all  infants  dying  in  infancy  are  saved  through 
Christ  and  the  sanctification,  of  the  Spirit.  Fourth,  that  the  Spirit  of 
God  operates  on  the  world,  or  as  co-extensively  as  Christ  has  made  the 
atonement,  in  such  manner  as  to  leave  all  men  inexcusable.  With  these 

♦“Origin  and  Doctrines  of  tbe  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.” — Cbrisiacn. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


GO  1 


exceptions  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  adopted  the  Westminster  Con- 
fession of  Faith,  and  thus  was  established  in  Tennessee  anew  Christian 
denomination,  professing  a system  of  doctrine  midway  between  Calvin- 
ism and  Arminianism,  for  further  particulars  respecting  which  the  reader 
is  referred  to  sectarian  writings. 

After  encountering  and  overcoming  numerous  obstacles,  this  church 
was  in  a few  years  established  on  a firm  foundation.  At  the  fourth  meet- 
ing of  its  Presbytery,  in  October,  1811,  a vain  attempt  was  made  to  effect 
a reunion  with  the  Presbyterian  Church,  but  this  church,  though  then 
and  for  many  years  afterward  willing  to  unite  with  the  mother  church 
on  “proper  conditions,”  would,  rather  than  recede  from  its  position  and 
preach  the  doctrines  of  her  confession  of  faith,  prefer  to  maintain  a dis- 
tinct organization,  and  labor  on  according  to  the  best  light  given  them. 
Their  success  in  this  new  theological  field  was  from  the  first  very  great 
and  very  gratifying.  In  1813  the  original  Presbytery  was  divided  into 
three  Presbyteries,  and  in  October  of  that  year  the  members  of  these 
three  Presbyteries  met  at  Beech  Church,  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  and 
formed  the  Cumberland  Synod.  At  the  first  meeting  of  this  synod  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  a confession  of  faith,  discipline  and 
catechism  in  conformity  with  the  expressed  principles  of  the  church. 
This  committee,  which  consisted  of  the  Bevs.  Finis  Ewing,  William 
McGee,  Bobert  Donnell,  and  Thomas  Calhoun,  reported  the  result  of  their 
labors  to  the  synod  in  1811,  by  whom  their  confession  of  faith  was  adopted. 

The  numbers  of  Cumberland  Presbyterians  continued  steadily  and 
quite  rapidly  to  increase.  In  1820  they  had  numerous  churches  not  only 
in  Tennessee,  but  also  in  Kentucky,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Missouri,  Arkansas 
and  Alabama.  In  1822  they  had  forty-six  ordained  ministers,  and  in 
1826,  eighty.  A general  assembly  was  then  deemed  necessary  by  a por- 
tion of  the  clergy,  and  the  plan  of  a college  to  be  located  at  Princeton, 
Ky.,  was  adopted  In  1827  the  number  of  ordained  ministers  was  111. 
In  1828  the  synod  discussed  the  subject  of  forming  a general  assembly, 
and  to  carry  the  idea  into  effect,  divided  the  synod  into  four — those  of 
Missouri,  Green  Biver,  Franklin  and  Columbia.  The  first  general  as- 
sembly met  at  Princeton,  Ivy.,  in  1829.  To  illustrate  the  rapidity  of  the 
growth  of  this  church  in  membership  it  may  be  stated  that  in  1822 
there  were  2,718  conversions,  and  575  adult  baptisms;  in  1S2G,  3,305 
conversions  and  768  adult  baptisms;  in  1827,  1,006  conversions  and 
996  adult  baptisms.  In  1856  there  were  1,200  ministers  of  this  denomi- 
nation, and  130,000  members,  and  since  that  time  their  growth  has  been 
proportionally  rapid.  The  college  established  in  1828  at  Princeton,  Ky., 
was  named  Columbia  College. 


662 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Tlie  statistics  for  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  for  1S69  were 
as  follows:  General  Assembly,  1;  Synods,  24;  Presbyteries,  99;  minis- 
ters, 1,500;  communicants,  130,000;  universities,  Cumberland  at  Leba- 
non, Tenn.,  and  Lincoln,  at  Lincoln,  111. ; colleges  in  Tennessee,  male. 
Bethel,  at  McLemoresville ; female,  Cumberland  Female  College,  at 
McMinnville,  and  Donnell  Female  College  at  Winchester.  Since  this 
time  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  has  continued  to  grow  and 
prosper  in  this,  as  in  many  other  States,  as  the  following  statistics  will 
show:  In  1S75  there  were,  as  now,  fifteen  Presbyteries,  with  an  aggre- 
gate church  membership  of  22,566,  and  10,961  Sunday-school  scholars. 
In  1880  the  church  membership  was  29,186,  and  the  number  of  Sunday- 
school  scholars  11,031,  and  in  1885,  the  last  year  for  which  statistics  are 
obtainable,  there  were,  omitting  the  Presbytery  of  Nashville,  for  which 
there  was  no  report,  32,726  communicants,  13,447  Sunday-school  schol- 
ars, and  $543, 545  worth  of  church  property.  The  total  value  of  the 
church  property  belonging  to  this  denomination  in  the  United  States  was, 
in  the  same  year,  $2,319,006. 

As  may  be  readily  conjectured  the  Methodists  reaped  a bountiful  liar- 
west  from  the  great  revival.  It  will  be  remembered  that  the  Bev.  Fran- 
cis Paythress  was  presiding  elder  on  the  Cumberland  District.  In  1804 
Bev.  Lewis  Garrett  was  presiding  elder  in  this  district,  which  included 
Nashville  and  Bed  Liver  in  Tennessee,  besides  portions  of  Kentucky, 
Mississippi  and  Illinois.  He  traveled  the  entire  Cumberland  Valley, 
from  the  mouth  of  the  river  to  the  mountains,  through  the  cane  brakes  of 
Caney  Fork,  through  every  part  of  the  Green  Biver  country,  visiting 
settlements  and  finding  all  classes  much  alive  to  the  importance  of  re- 
ligion. The  Cumberland  District  was  then  composed  of  six  circuits  and 
two  missions,  with  about  eight  or  nine  traveling  preachers.  Mr.  Garrett 
was  the  successor  of  John  Page,  who  was  the  presiding  elder  on  this  cir- 
cuit when  it  was  formed  in  1802.  He  had  much  to  do  with  the  great  re- 
vival, and  had  to  assist  him  such  men  as  Thomas  Wilkerson,  Jesse 
Walker,  James  Gwynn,  James  Young  and  Tobias  Gibson. 

When  the  Western  Conference  was  organized  in  1800  it  included 
Tennessee,  Kentucky,  Ohio,  southwest  Virginia  and  the  Missisippi  Ter- 
ritory, all  of  the  western  country  then  occupied  by  the  Methodists.  To 
give  an  idea  of  the  growth  of  Methodism  in  that  early  day  the  number 
of  members  for  1796  and  1803  are  presented.  In  the  former  year  the 
whole  number  in  America  was  as  follows:  whites  48,128,  colored  12,170. 
This  was  twenty-two  years  after  the  introduction  of  Methodism  into  the 
country.  In  Tennessee  there  were  799  white  Methodists  and  77  colored. 
In  1802  the  numbers  were  whites  2,767,  colored,  180.  In  1803  the 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


663 


numbers  had  increased  to  3,560  whites  and  24S  colored.  These  numbers 
are,  however,  not  strictly  limited  to  State  lines.  The  conference  for  1S0T 
was  held  September  15,  1806,  at  Ebenezer,  in  East  Tennessee,  Bishop 
Asbury  present  and  presiding. 

It  was  during  the  progress  of  the  revival  that  Miles  Harper  was 
brought  to  trial  for  violating  the  terms  of  the  union  which  had  been  en- 
tered  into  by  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  regarding  the  rules  to 
govern  them  in  preaching.  One  article  of  the  union  was  that  contro- 
verted points  were  to  be  avoided,  and  another  was  that  they  were  not  to 
proselyte.  Harper,  who  was  on  Roaring  River  Circuit,  preached  right  on 
without  reference  to  the  complaints  of  his  Presbyterian  brethren.  The 
complaints  continuing  McKendree  appointed  a committee  and  put  Har- 
der on  his  trial.  His  complainants,  however,  failed  to  prove  the  charges, 
and  he  in  his  own  defense  satisfactorily  showed  that  they  were  them- 
selves guilty  of  the  very  charges  they  had  brought  against  him,  as  they 
had  been  preaching  the  doctrine  of  the  unconditional  and  final  persever- 
ance of  the  saints,  known  to  all  to  be  a controverted  point.  The  result 
was  that  Harper  was  acquitted,  with  which  all  were  satisfied.  However, 
when  McKendree  proposed  to  put  some  of  the  Presbyterians  on  trial  for 
preaching  as  above  they  objected,  and  he  pronounced  the  union  a mere 
farcical  thing.  After  this  the  union  was  of  short  duration. 

Conference  for  1808  met  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tennessee,  October  1,  1808, 
about  twelve  miles  from  Nashville  in  Williamson  County,  the  site  of  an 
early  camp-ground.  At  this  Conference  a regulation  was  made  concern- 
ing slavery,  which  was  that  no  member  of  society  or  preacher  should  buy 
or  sell  a slave  unjustly,  inhumanly,  or  covetously;  the  case  on  complaint 
to  be  examined,  for  a member,  by  the  quarterly  meeting,  and  for  a 
preacher,  by  appeal  to  an  annual  conference,  where  the  guilt  was  proved 
the  offender  to  be  expelled.  At  this  time  the  Western  Conference  con- 
tained 17,931  white  and  1,117  colored  members,  an  increase  of  3,051. 
In  1811  the  increase  in  the  Holston  District  was  1,279,  and  in  the  Cum- 
berland District  1,819.  In  May,  1812,  the  General  Conference  met  in 
New  York  and  separated  the  Western  Conference  into  two  conferences,  the 
Tennessee  and  Ohio.  ’At  that  time  there  were  in  this  country,  in  the 
United  States,  Territories  and  Canada,  184,567  members  and  6S8  travel- 
ing ministers.  Peter  Cartwright  in  his  autobiography  in  making  a com- 
parison showing  the  growth  of  the  church,  says:  “Lord  save  the  church 
from  desiring  to  have  pews,  choirs,  organs  or  instrumental  music,  and  a 
congregational  minister  like  other  heathen  churches  around  them.” 

The  Tennessee  Conference  embraced  the  Holston,  Nashville,  Cumber- 
land, Wabash,  Illinois  and  Mississippi  Districts,  the  southern  part  of 


664 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Kentucky  being  attached  to  the  Tennessee  Conference.  The  first  session 
of  this  conference  was  held  at  Fountain  Head,  Sumner  Co.,  Tenn..  No- 
vember 12,  1812.  Bishops  Asbury  and  McKendree  were  both  present. 
The  rules  by  which  the  Western  Conference  had  been  governed  were 
adopted  by  this  conference.  The  membership  as  reported  at  that  time 
was  as  follows:  Holston  District,  whites,  5,794;  colored,  541;  Cumber- 
land District,  whites,  4,365;  colored,  327;  Nashville,  whites,  5,131;  col- 
ored, 601.  A new  arrangement  of  circuits  was  made  this  year,  Cumber- 
land District  being  made  to  contain  Bed  Biver,  Fountain  Head,  Goose 
Creek  and  Boaring  Biver  Circuits,  while  Nashville  District  embraced 
Stone  Biver,  Lebanon  and  Caney  Fork.  Answer  to  prayer  was  doubtless 
more  fully  and  generally  believed  in  than  at  this  day.  Two  instances  il- 
lustrating this  fact  are  here  introduced.  The  first  is  of  the  Bev.  James 
Axley,  one  of  the  most  remarkable  of  the  pioneer  preachers  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  in  the  West.  It  is  related  in  the  language  of 
the  B£v.  Dr.  McAnally: 

“But  that  for  which  he  was,  in  my  judgment,  more  distinguished 
than  for  anything  else,  was  the  reverence,  fervency  and  prevalence  of  his 
prayer,  proceeding,  as  it  always  seemed  to  do,  from  a deep,  strong,  un- 
wavering confidence  in  God,  through  the  merits  of  the  Lord  J esus  Christ. 

* * * With  awe,  with  reverence  and  humility,  and  yet  with  great 

confidence,  did  he  approach  the  mercy  seat,  feeling  that  ‘Jesus  answers 
prayer.’  Infidelity  may  scoff,  skepticism  and  ‘philosophy,  so-called,’  may 
mark  it  as  a ‘strange  coincidence,’  but  the  fact  remains  to  be  attested  by 
hundreds  of  witnesses  still  living,  that  time  after  time  Axley  has  been 
known,  at  popular  meetings  in  times  of  severe  drought,  to  pray  publicly 
for  rain,  with  all  the  apparent  humility,  child-like  simplicity  and  Chris- 
tian confidence  with  which  he  would  have  prayed  for  the  conversion  of  a 
penitent;  and  rain  came!  So  often  did  this  occur  in  the  course  of  years 
that  it  became  common,  when  he  publicly  prayed  for  rain,  for  some  wicked 
man  to  say  ‘Come,  boys ; let’s  go  on ; we’ll  get  wet ; Axley’s  prayed  for  rain.’* 

In  this  I record  but  sober  facts ; and  even  at  the  risk  of  wearying 
the  reader  I must  mention  one  case,  known  to  several  persons  now  liv- 
ing, who  were  present  and  witnessed  it.  It  occurred  at  Muddy  Creek 
Camp  Ground,  in  Boane  County,  Tenn.,  twenty-four  or  five  miles  west 
or  southwest  of  Knoxville.  A drought  had  prevailed  over  that  region  of 
country  for  an  unusually  long  time,  and  the  prospects  were  becoming  * 
truly  alarming.  On  Sabbath  of  the  camp-meeting  Mr  Axley  entered  the 
pulpit.  Over  him  was  a cloudless  sky;  around  and  beneath  him  was  the 
parched  earth.  It  had  been  remarked  that  during  his  stay  on  the  ground 
previous  to  that  hour  he  had  been  rather  more  than  ordinarily  serious,. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


6G5 


thoughtful  and  taciturn,  as  though  something  weighed  heavily  upon  his 
mind.  On  his  entering  the  stand  his  friends  observed  that  his  counte- 
nance was  deeply  overshadowed  with  gloom.  He  sang  and  prayed.  In 
his  prayer  on  the  part  of  himself  and  the  people  he  made  general  confes- 
sion of  sin  and  consequent  unworthiness,  pleading  the  merits  of  a cruci- 
fied Redeemer,  and  implored  pardon  for  the  past  and  grace  for  the  future. 
Then,  among  other  petitions,  devoutly  and  fervently  he  asked  for  rain 
upon  the  parched  earth.  The  prayer  ended,  he  arose  from  his  knees, 
with  a gloom  still  upon  his  countenance  so  deeply  and  clearly  marked  as 
to  excite  the  sympathy  of  his  friends.  Instead  of  announcing  his  text 
and  proceeding  with  his  sermon,  as  was  expected,  lie  sang  a few  lines  and 
again  called  the  congregation  to  prayer.  This  time  his  entreaties  for 
rain  were  strikingly  and  touchingly  earnest  and  fervent,  and  the  pleas 
put  in  differed  from  those  of  his  first  prayer.  A second  time  he  arose 
from  his  knees.  Now  his  countenance  was  indicative  of  intense  mental 
suffering.  A third  time  he  sang,  and  a third  time  he  bowed  in  prayer. 
In  this  prayer  he  entreated  God,  for  the  sake  of  Christ,  and  in  mercy  to 
infants  and  unsinning  animals,  which  had  not  abused  His  goodness,  des- 
pised His  mercies,  blasphemed  His  holy  name,  desecrated  His  Sabbath, 
nor  violated  His  commandments,  to  send  rain  and  preserve  them  from 
the  horrors  of  famine  and  want.  This  prayer  ended,  he  arose,  with  a 
countenance  lighted  and  calm  as  a summer’s  eve.  He  then  announced 
his  text  and  preached  in  his  usual  manner,  without  the  most  distant  al- 
lusion to  the  unusual  manner  in  which  he  had  opened  the  services,  or  to 
the  feelings  that  had  prompted  him.  He  simply  went  forward  and  did 
as  I relate;  giving  no  reason  to  any.  But  ere  that  sermon  was  ended, 
the  darkened  horizon  and  distant  thunders  announced  the  coming  rain.” 
Another  case  of  answer  to  prayer  is  given  in  the  language  of  the  Rev. 
Leroy  H.  Cage:  “I  will  here  relate  a circumstance  that  took  place  at 
Edwards’  schoolliouse,  two  and  one-half  miles  northwest  from  where 
Gallatin  now  stands.  A circuit  preacher  named  Henry  Birchett  had  an 
appointment  at  that  place,  the  congregation  was  too  large  for  the  house, 
and  he  had  to  preach  in  the  grove.  The  preacher,  having  sung  and 
prayed,  took  his  text  and  began  to  preach ; a cloud  arose,  very  angry, 
with  thunder  and  lightning,  the  congregation  became  restless,  the 
preacher  stopped  and  said  to  the  congregation : ‘Be  still,  and  see  the  sal- 
vation of  God.’  Ho  dropped  upon  his  knees  and  prayed  that  he  might 
be  permitted  to  preach  that  sermon  to  that  congregation.  The  cloud  be- 
gan at  once  to  part,  and  a heavy  rain  fell  all  around  but  none  reached  the 
congregation.  My  father,  Thomas  Blackmore,  John  Carr  and  several 
others,  who  were  there,  report  that  the  preacher’s  countenance  shone  and 


666 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


seemed  to  be  more  than  human.  Ifc  was  further  told  me  that  on  his 
death  bed  there  were  shining  lights  around  him,  and  they  supposed  that- 
he  heard  unearthly  music.” 

It  was  about  this  time,  in  the  years  1S11  and  1S12,  that  the  religous 
emotions  and  fears  of  the  people  were  affected  and  awakened  in  a most 
remarkable  manner  by  the  earthquakes  and  other  phenomena  of  those 
years.  It  is  very  seldom  that  earthquakes  occur  over  a great  extent  of 
country  remote  from  volcanoes,  but  these  quakings  were  felt  over  an  ex- 
tent of  country  300  miles  long  and  of  considerable  width.  The  surface  of 
the  earth  not  only  trembled  and  shook  violently,  but  broke  open  in  fis- 
sures, from  which  mud  and  water  were  thrown  to  the  height  of  trees. 
The  comet  of  1811  was  of  tremendous  magnitude,  and  as  such  bodies 
were  then  considered  harbingers  of  impending  calamity,  great  consterna- 
tion was  produced  by  its  appearance.  The  aurora  borealis  was  also  that 
year  exceedingly  brilliant  and  beautiful,  and  many  thought  that  in  its 
rapid  movements,  the  march  of  armies  and  bloodshed  were  portended. 
Besides  all  these  things  there  was  a prospect  of  war  with  the  Indians  and 
with  Great  Britain.  All  these  impending  calamities  produced  in  many 
quarters  a deep-seated  and  terrible  feeling  of  fear  among  the  people,  who 
shook  and  trembled  more  than  did  the  earth  beneath  their  feet.  The 
uninformed  but  pious  mind  has  for  centuries  been  able  to  discover  at 
frequent  but  irregularly  occurring  intervals  signs  of  the  near  approach 
of  the  consummation  of  all  earthly  things.  W ars  and  rumors  of  wars,  false 
prophets,  and  the  “judgments  of  the  Almighty”  are  seldom  absent  from 
the  world,  which  is  for  this  reason  continually  coming  to  an  end.  And 
at  such  times  as  those  we  are  now  discussing,  uninformed  but  wicked 
people,  conscious  of  the  iniquity  of  their  lives  and  of  the  impurity  of 
their  motives,  flee  to  the  church,  the  only  refuge  for  them  in  the  world. 
In  the  presence  of  the  terrible  comet,  and  of  the  earthquakes  and  im- 
pending war,  men's  hearts  failed  them,  their  knees  smote  together  with 
fear,  and  they  implored  the  ministers  to  preach  and  pray.  The  experi- 
ence they  were  then  undergoing  was  altogether  new.  They  collected  to- 
gether in  groups,  terrorized  and  pitiful  crowds.  Similar  scenes  were 
witnessed  in  1833,  at- the  time  of  the  occurrence  of  the  great  meteoric 
showers,  or  “ falling  stars,”  which  produced  a most  profound  and  widely 
spread  sensation  upon  the  multitude.  Men  who  for  years  had  been  per- 
sonal enemies,  thinking  the  judgment  day  had  come,  made  haste  to  be 
reconciled  with  each  other,  not  waiting  even  for  the  dawn  of  day.  Many 
instances  are  related  by  writers,  who  were  eye-witnesses,  which,  when  the 
danger  was  over,  wrere  exceedingly  amusing,  ridiculous  or  absurd.  Only 
one  instance  of  this  kind  can  be  here  introduced. 


. 

. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


067 


Peter  Cartwright  was  in  Nashville  when  the  first  severe  shock  of 
earthquake  was  felt  He  saw  a negro  woman  start  to  the  spring  for 
water.  When  the  earth  began  to  tremble  and  the  chimneys  and  scaf- 
folding around  buildings  being  erected  began  to  fall,  she  raised  a shout 
saying:  “The  Lord  is  coming  in  the  clouds  of  heaven!  The  day  of  judg- 
ment! The  day  of  judgment!”  Hearing  this  her  two  young  mistresses 
were  dreadfully  frightened  and  came  running  out  of  the  house  begging 

f o o oo  o 

her  to  stop  and  pray  for  them.  But  she  replied:  “I  can  not  stop  to  pray 
for  you  now.  I told  you  how  it  would  be.  He  is  coming!  He  is  com- 
ing! I must  go  to  meet  him.  Farewell!  Hallelujah!  Glory  Hallelujah !” 
and  went  on  shouting  and  clapping  her  hands. 

Such  is  the  weakness  of  poor,  ignorant  human  nature.  When  judg- 
ment is  impending  and  apparently  immediate  and  unavoidable,  men  are 
fearfully  and  tremblingly  anxious  to  confess  their  own  sins  and  to  obtain 
pardon;  when  judgment  seems  indefinitely  remote  they  are  chiefly  con- 
cerned about  the  sins  of  others  and  in  denouncing  against  them  the  judg- 
ments of  the  Lord.  Erasmus  well  said:  “ Qucnn  religiosus  nos  afflict io 
fcicii /”*  When  history,  philosophy  and  the  natural  sciences,  the  natural 
antidotes  for  superstition,  shall  become  sufficiently  familiar  to  the  masses 
such  pitiable  exhibitions  of  human  weakness  will  disappear. 

The  action  of  this  conference  at  Liberty  Hill,  Tenn.,  in  1808,  has  al- 
ready been  referred  to.  Some  of  the  presiding  elders  and  circuit  preach- 
ers were  strongly  anti-slavery  in  their  sentiments,  and  consequently  were 
rigidly  anti-slavery  in  the  administration  of  discipline.  This  was  the 
case  with  the  Bev.  James  Axley  and  Enoch  Moore.  They  not  only  re- 
fused to  license  slave-holders  to  preach,  but  also  denied  them  the  privilege 
of  exhorting  or  leading  in  prayer-meeting.  They  even  went  so  far  as  to 
denounce  slave-holders  as  no  better  than  thieves  and  robbers.  The  course 
of  the  conference  in  that  early  day  is  illustrated  by  the  following  en- 
try: 

‘;Leven  Edney,  recommended  from  Nashville  Circuit  ; his  character  ex- 
amined and  approved,  Lewmer  Blackman  being  security  that  he  will 
set  his  slave  free  as  soon  as  practicable.”  It  was,  however,  seldom  found 
“practicable”  to  set  free  the  slave.  Notwithstanding  the  action  taken  by. 
the  Methodist  Church  in  its  adoption  of  rules  for  the  government  of 
slaves  and  slave-holders,  the  number  of  slaves  held  continued  to  increase. 
Generally  speaking  it  was  found  impracticable  to  free  the  slaves,  hence 
regulations  adopted  by  the  church,  aimed  at  the  institution,  had  but  little 
effect  otherwise  than  to  create  and  foster  a prejudice  against  the  church 
itself.  The  Tennessee  Conference  which  met  in  1812,  dealt  with  this  ques- 

♦How  religious  alttictiou  makes  us  ! 


; 


668 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


tion  with,  such  wisdom  as  they  possessed.  It  was  provided  that  every 
preacher  having  charge  of  a circuit  should,  upon  information  received, 
cite  any  member  buying  or  selling  a slave  to  appear  at  the  next  ensuing 
quarterly  conference,  which  should  proceed  to  determine  whether  such 
slave  had  been  bought  in  a case  of  justice  and  mercy,  and  if  this  were 
found  not  to  have  been  the  case,  the  person  buying  or  selling  such  slave 
should  be  expelled  from  the  church. 

At  the  conference  of  1815  this  rule  was  voted  to  be  unconstitutional 
and  a report  was  adopted  the  substance  of  which  was  that  the  conference 
sincerely  believed  that  slavery  was  a great  moral  evil,  but  as  the  laws  of 
the  country  did  not  admit  of  emancipation  without  the  special  act  of  the 
Legislature  in  some  places,  nor  permit  a slave  so  liberated  to  enjoy  his 
freedom,  tliey  could  not  adopt  any  rule  compelling  church  members  to 
liberate  their  slaves,  nor  could  they  devise  any  rule  sufficiently  specific 
to  meet  the  various  and  complex  cases  that  were  continually  arising.  But 
to  go  as  far  as  they  could  consistently  with  the  laws  and  the  nature  of 
things,  to  do  away  with  the  evil  and  “remove  the  curse  from  the  Church 
of  God,”  they  adopted  two  rules  on  the  subject,  the  first  being  that  if  any 
member  should  buy  or  sell  any  slave  or  slaves  to  make  gain,  or  should 
sell  any  slave  to  any  slave-dealer,  such  member  should  be  expelled  from 
the  church,  except  he  could  satisfactorily  show  that  it  was  done  to  keep 
or  place  different  members  of  the  same  family  together ; and  the  second 
was  that  no  person  should  be  eligible  to  the  office  of  deacon  in  the  church 
who  did  not  disapprove  of  slavery  and  express  a willingness  to  effect  a 
legal  emancipation  of  his  slaves  as  soon  as  it  was  practicable  for  him  to  do 
so.  At  the  conference  held  at  Franklin,  November  8, 1817,  this  question 
was  again  taken  up  for  discussion  with  the  result  of  the  adoption  of  a 
very  elaborate  report.  After  a “Whereas”  that  the  General  Conference  had 
authorized  each  annual  conference  to  formulate  its  own  rules  respecting 
slavery,  the  following  resolutions  (in  substance)  were  adopted: 

First — That  if  any  local  elder,  deacon  or  preacher  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  should  purchase  a slave,  the  Quarterly  Conference 
should  say  how  long  the  slave  should  serve  as  a remuneration  for  the 
purchase  money,  and  that  the  purchaser  should  enter  into  a written  obli- 
gation to  emancipate  such  slave  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  servitude, 
provided  that  emancipation  were  permissible  under  the  laws  of  the  State; 
but  that  if  the  laws  of  the  State  Should  continue  to  oppose  emancipation, 
then  the  next  Quarterly  Conference  held  atfer  the  expiration  of  the  term 
of  servitude,  should  determine  the  future  status  of  the  slave. 

Second — The  same  rule  applied  to  private  members  of  the  church, 
but  instead  of  the  Quarterly  Conference  their  cases  were  managed  by  a 


t 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


GOO 


committee  appointed  by  the  preacher  having  charge  of  their  respective 
circuits;  and  in  all  cases  relating  to  preachers,  deacons,  elders  or  private 
members,  the  children  of  slaves  purchased,  born  during  the  time  of 
"bondage  or  term  of  servitude,  were  to  be  manumitted  upon  arriving  at  the 
age  of  twenty-five,  provided  the  law  should  then  admit  of  emancipation; 
but  if  the  law  should  not  then  admit  of  emancipation,  the  cases  of  all 
children  born  of  purchased  slaves  were  to  be  submitted  to  the  Quarterly 
Conference  or  the  committee,  according  to  whether  the  owner  was  a 
preacher  or  private  member.  The  portion  of  this  rule  which  applied  to 
the  selling  of  slaves  by  a preacher  or  member  is  exceedingly  interesting 
and  curious.  This  provision  required  the  preacher  to  submit  his  case  to 
the  Quarterly  Conference  and  the  private  member  to  the  committee, 
which  Quarterly  Conference  or  committee,  as  the  case  might  be,  should 
determine  for  what  term  of  years  the  slave  should  be  sold,  and  required 
the  seller  of  the  slave  to  record  in  the  county  court  the  emancipation  of 
the  slave  at  the  expiration  of  the  said  term.  This  rule  was  to  be  en- 
forced from  and  after  January  1,  1818. 

Such  was  the  legislation  of  a body  of  ministers  with  reference  to  a 
subject  over  which  they  had  no  control,  provided  the  laws  themselves  did 
not  admit  of  emancipation,  which  they  themselves  assumed  to  be  the  fact. 
Hence  the  adoption  of  a proviso  which  in  every  case,  taking  things  as 
they  were,  either  nullified  the  rule  or  made  it  easy  for  a member  or  a 
minister  to  retain  his  slave ; for  whenever  he  determined  to  own  slaves  it 
was  easy  to  make  it  appear  that  it  was  in  accordance  with  justice  and 
mercy  to  retain  those  already  in  possession,  or  that  under  the  law  it  was 
impracticable  to  set  them  free.  Such  legislation  would  seem  to  be  suffi- 
ciently absurd,  but  it  is  amazing  that  an  intelligent  body  of  men  should 
gravely  attempt  to  compel  a preacher  or  member  to  emancipate  a slave  at 
the  expiration  of  a term  of  years  after  having  surrendered  ownership  and 
control  of  the  same.  The  only  theory  conceivable  which  can  relieve  .the 
conference  of  the  accomplishment  of  a solemn  mockery  is  the  supposition 
that  they,  having  confidence  in  the  justice  of  the  future,  must  have  be- 
lieved themselves  to  be  anticipating  civil  legislation — that  the  legal 
emancipation  of  the  slave 'was  an  event  the  immediate  future  must  pro- 
duce. However,  the  attitude  of  the  conference  on  this  subject  is  of  great 
historic  value,  bringing  out  into  clear  relief,  as  it  does,  the  strong  con- 
viction of  the  Methodist  body  of  Christians  that  slavery  was  a great 
moral  evil,  the  existence  of  which  was  deplorable,  and  to  be  opposed  by 
every  means  attached  to  which  there  was  any  hope  of  its  gradual  abolish- 
ment. At  the  conference  held  at  Nashville  October  1,  1819,  two  persons, 
Peter  Burum  and  Gilbert  1).  Taylor,  were  recommended  as  proper  to  be 

42 


G70 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


admitted  on  trial,  but  both  were  rejected  because  they  were  slave-holders,, 
and  a number  of  applicants  for  deacon’s  orders  were  similarly  rejected. 
These  rejections  elicited  the  following  protest: 

“Be  it  remembered  that  whereas  Tennessee  Annual  Conference,  held 
in  Nashville  October  1,  IS  19,  have  taken  a course  in  their  decisions  rel- 
ative to  the  admission  of  preachers  on  trial  in  the  traveling  connection, 
and  in  the  election  of  local  preachers  to  ordination  which  goes  to  fix  the 
principle  that  no  man,  even  in  those  States  where  the  law  does  not  admit 
of  emancipation,  shall  be  admitted  on  trial  or  ordained  to  the  office  of 
deacon  or  elder  if  it  is  understood  that  he  is  the  owner  of  a slave  or 
slaves.  That  this  course  is  taken  is  not  to  be  denied,  and  it  is  avowedly 
designed  to  fix  the  principle  already  mentioned.  Several  cases  might  be 
mentioned,  but  it  is  deemed  unnecessary  to  instance  any  except  the  case 
of  Dr.  Gilbert  D.  Taylor,  proposed  for  admission,  and  Dudley  Hargrove, 
recommended  for  ordination.  We  deprecate  the  course  taken  as  oppres- 
sively severe  in  itself  and  ruinous  in  its  consequences,  and  we  disapprove 
of  the  principle  as  contrary  to  and  in  violation  of  the  order  and  discipline 
of  our  church.  We,  therefore,  do  most  solemnly,  and  in  the  fear  of  God, 
as  members  of  this  conference,  enter  our  protest  against  the  proceedings 
of  the  conference  as  it  relates  to  the  above-mentioned  course  and  prin- 
ciple. Thomas  L.  Douglass,  Thomas  D.  Porter,  William  McMahon, 
Benjamin  Malone,  Lewis  Garrett,  Barnabas  McHenry,  William  Allgood, 
William  Stribling,  Ebenezer  Hearn,  Timothy  Carpenter,  Thomas  String- 
field,  Benjamin  Edge,  Joshua  Boucher,  William  Hartt,  John  Johnson, 
Henry  B.  Bascom.” 

This  protest  had  considerable  influence  upon  the  church  in  the  South.. 
It  was  taken  to  the  General  Conference  and  by  that  body  referred  to  the- 
committee  on  slavery,  but  nothing  definite  was  accomplished. 

At  the  conference  which  met  at  Columbia  in  1824  this  question  of 
slavery  came  up  again  in  the  form  of  an  address  from  the  “Moral  Relig- 
ious Manumission  Society  of  West  Tennessee,”  whereupon  the  follow- 
ing resolution  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  the  address  from  the  Moral  Religious  Manumission  Society  be  returned 
to  committee  accompanied  with  a note  stating  that  so  far  as  the  address  involves  the  sub- 
ject of  slavery  we  concur  in  the  sentiments  that  slavery  is  an  evil  to  be  deplored,  and 
that  it  should  be  counteracted  by  every  judicious  and  religious  exertion. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  Methodist  preachers  admitted  that  slav- 
ery was  a deplorable  evil,  and  should  be  counteracted  by  every  judicious 
and  religious  exertion.  “What  a misfortune,”  says  Rev.  J.  B,  McFerrin,* 
“that  this  sentiment  had  not  always  obtained!  treating  the  matter  in  a 
religious  manner,  and  not  intermeddling  with  it  as  a civil  question.” 


♦“History  of  Methodism  in  Tennessee,”  to  which  this  chapter  is  indebted. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


671 


In  1832  mission  work  among  the  slaves  was  for  the  first  time  ear- 
nestly undertaken.  South  Carolina  had  set  the  example  in  work  of  this 
nature,  and  it  was  not  long  before  there  were  scores  of  missionaries  in 
the  Southern  States  proclaiming  the  doctrines  of  Methodism  to  the  bond- 
man  as  well  as  to  the  free.  Among  the  blacks  there  were  many  genuine 
Christians  and  some  excellent  preachers.  The  decided  and  memorable 
impulse  given  to  missionary  work  among  the  slaves  was  the  result  of  a 
speech  by  Rev.  (subsequently  Bishop)  James  O.  Andrew,  which  “ car- 
ried by  storm  the  whole  assembly.”  So  successful  was  the  work  of  mis- 
sions among  the  blacks  that  in  1846  the  board  reported  29,430  colored 
members,  besides  the  communicants  in  the  regular  circuits  and  stations 
of  the  church,  while  the  general  minutes  give  the  total  number  of  col- 
ored members  in  the  same  years  as  124,961.  In  1861  the  board  reported 
69,794  probationers,  and  12,418  children  under  religious  instruction,  the 
general  minutes,  in  1860,  showing  171,857  members  and  35,909  proba- 
tioners. 

Without  pursuing  further  in  detail  the  action  of  the  church  on  the 
important  subject  of  slavery,  it  is  now  deemed  proper  to  present  a syn- 
opsis of  the  reasons  for  the  separation  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  into  two  portions — the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  While  there  may 
be  differences  of  opinion  with  regard  to  minor  points  of  controversy,  it 
can  be  positively  stated  that  had  there  been  no  slavery  there  would  have 
been  no  epoch  of  separation.  The  existence  of  this  institution,  the  nec- 
essary connection  with  it  of  church  members  and  its  perpetual  agitation 
in  the  quarterly,  annual  and  general  conferences,  because  of  the  perpet- 
ual and  increasing  agitation  of  the  question  outside  of  the  conferences, 
■was  finally  the  occasion  of  the  disruption  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  which  has  been  and  probably  ever  will  be  a potent  cause  of  re- 
gret to  thousands  of  Methodists  in  both  sections  of  the  country,  and 
probably  to  all  except  those  who  can  clearly  discern  the  hand  of  Provi- 
dence in  all  events,  and  who  are  settled  in  their  convictions  that  “ He 
doeth  all  things  well.”. 

The  General  Conference  met  in  New  York  May  1,  1844.  It  was  the 
most  memorable  conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  ever  held 
in  the  United  States.  The  first  question  of  importance  which  occupied 
its  attention  was  that  of  Francis  A.  Harding,  who  had  been  suspended  by 
the  Baltimore  Conference  from  the  ministerial  office  for  refusing  to  man- 
umit five  slaves  belonging  to  his  wife  at  the  time  of  his  marriage  to  her, 
and  which,  according  to  the  laws  of  Maryland,  still  remained  hers  after 
the  marriage.  The  action  of  the  Baltimore  Conference  in  suspending 


t 


672 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Mr.  Harding  is  sufficiently  set  forth  in  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lution : 

Whereas.  The  Baltimore  Conference  can  .not  and  will  not  tolerate  slavery  in  any  of 
its  members.  ******** 

Resolved , That  Brother  Harding  be  suspended  until  the  next  Annual  Conference  or 
until  he  assures  the  Episcopacy  that  he  has  taken  the  necessary  steps  to  secure  the  free- 
dom of  his  slaves. 

With  this  demand  Brother  Harding  failed  to  comply  because,  accord- 
ing to  his  plea,  of  his  inability  under  the  laws  of  the  State  to  do  so;  but 
lie  nevertheless  expressed  a willingness  to  emancipate  them  and  permit 
them  to  go  to  Africa  or  to  any  free  State  provided  they  were  willing  to 
accept  freedom  on  those  terms,  but  no  evidence  tends  to  show  that  any 
attempt  was  made  to  obtain  their  consent,  or  that  their  consent  was 
obtained,  and  thus  their  emancipation  was  impracticable,  for  they  could 
not  live  free  in  Maryland  without  violating  the  laws.  But  notwithstand- 
ing the  impracticability  of  emancipation  the  action  of  the  Baltimore  Con- 
ference in  the  case  of  Mr.  Harding  was,  on  appeal  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence, after  able  arguments  for  the  appellant  by  Dr.  W.  A.  Smith,  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  for  the  Baltimore  Conference  by  John  A.  Collins,  of  Baltimore, 
sustained  by  the  General  Conference  by  a refusal  to  reverse  it,  the  vote 
being  117  against  reversal  to  56  in  favor  of  it,  taken  on  the  11th  of  May. 

Another  and  still  more  important  case  came  before  the  conference  on 
May  22,  in  that  of  Bishop  J ames  0.  Andrew,  of  Georgia,  who  had,  against 
his  own  will,  become  connected  with  slavery.  Several  years  previous  to  the 
meeting  of  this  General  Conference  an  old  lady  had  bequeathed  to  him  a 
mulatto  "irl  in  trust  to  be  taken  care  of  until  she  should  arrive  at  the  a"e 

o © 

of  nineteen,  when,  if  her  consent  could  be  obtained,  she  should  be  set 
free  and  sent  to  Liberia;  but  in  case  she  should  refuse  to  go  to  Liberia 
he  should  keep  her  and  make  her  as  free  as  the  laws  of  Georgia  would 
permit.  When  the  time  came  she  refused  to  go  to  Liberia,  and  as 
emancipation  and  continued  residence  in  Georgia  afterward  was  imprac- 
ticable, Bishop  Andrew  remained  her  owner.  About  five  years  previous 
to  the  meeting  of  this  conference,  Bishop  Andrew’s  wife’s  mother  left  to 
her  a negro  boy,  and  Mrs.  Andrews  dying,  without  a will,  the  boy 
became  the  property  of  the  Bishop.  Besides  all  this,  Bishop  Andrew,  in 
January,  1844,  was  married  to  his  second  wife,  who  had  inherited  from 
her  former  husband’s  estate  some  slaves.  After  this  marriage  Bishop 
Andrew,  unwilling  to  retain  even  part  ownership  in  these  inherited 
slaves,  secured  them  to  his  wife  by  a deed  of  trust.  But  with  reference 
to  the  first  two  slaves  mentioned  the  Bishop  became  a slave-holder  by  the 
action  of  other  people.  The  General  Conference,  impelled  to  action  by 
the  growing  and  assertive  anti-slavery  sentiment  throughout  the  North- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


673 


ern  States  and  the  Northern  Conferences,  took  action  upon  Bishop 
Andrew's  case  by  passing  the  famous  Finley  Resolution,  which  was  as 
follows: 

Whereas.,  The  Discipline  of  our  Church  forbids  the  doing  of  anything  calculated  to 
destroy  our  itinerant  General  Superintendencj’;  and  whereas  Bishop  Andrew  has  become 
connected  with  slavery,  by  marriage  and  otherwise,  and  this  act  having  drawn  after  it 
circumstances  which,  in  the  estimation  of  this  General  Conference,  will  greatly  embarrass 
the  exercise  of  his  office  as  an  itinerant  General  Superintendent,  if  not,  in  some  places, 
entirely  prevent  it;  therefore 

Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this  General  Conference  that  he  desist  from  the  exer- 
cise of  his  office  so  long  as  this  impediment  remains. 

To  clearly  perceive  the  grounds  for  the  passing  of  this  resolution  it  is 
necessary  to  have  reference  to  the  discipline  then  governing  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Of  this  discipline  there  were  but  two  rules  having 
either  direct  or  indirect  bearing  upon  the  case,  the  first  being  as  follows : 
“ The  bishop  is  amenable  to  the  General  Conference,  who  have  power  to 
expel  him  for  improper  conduct  if  they  see  it  necessary;”  and  the  second 
being  what  has  been  called  the  Compromise  Law  of  1S16  on  the  subject 
of  slavery:  “We  declare  that  we  are  as  much  as  ever  convinced  of  the 

great  evil  of  slavery,  therefore  no  slave-holder  shall  be  eligible  to  any 
official  station  in  our  church  hereafter  where  the  laws  of  the  State  in 
which  he  lives  will  admit  of  emancipation  and  permit  the  liberated  slave 
to  enjoy  freedom.  When  any  traveling  preacher  becomes  an  owner  of  a 
slave  or  slaves  by  any  means,  he  shall  forfeit  his  ministerial  character  in 
our  church,  unless  he  execute,  if  it  be  practicable,  a legal  emancipation 
of  such  slaves  conformably  to  the  laws  of  the  State  in  which  he  lives.” 

The  above  is  all  that  is  contained  in  the  discipline  concerning  bish- 
ops and  slavery.  It  would  seem  clear  enough  that  the  Bishop  had  vio- 
lated no  rule  pf  discipline  if  it  were  true  that  under  the  laws  of  Georgia 
emancipated  slaves  could  not  enjoy  tlieir  freedom.  And  as  no  attempt 
was  made  by  any  one  on  behalf  of  the  conference  to  prove  that  emanci- 
pated slaves  could  enjoy  their  freedom  in  Georgia,  it  must  be  assumed 
even  if  it  were  not  the  fact  that  under  the  laws  of  his  State  it  was  im- 
practicable for  Bishop  Andrew  to  emancipate  his  slaves.  The  probabil- 
ity is  that  the  true  attitude  for  the  present  to  sustain  toward  the  confer- 
ence of  1841  is  one  of  sympathy  rather  than  of  censure,  even  by  those 
who  still  regret  the  division  in  the  church.  It  felt  impelled  and  even 
compelled  to  take  action  upon  this  question  that  should  satisfy  at  least 
a portion  of  the  conferences,  and  chose  to  satisfy  the  majority — the  anti- 
slavery  portion,  those  opposed  to  the  election  of  or  the  continuance  in 
office  or  in  orders  of  a slave-holding  bishop.  The  venerable  Dr.  Olin,  of 
the  NeAV  York  Conference,  probably  expressed  the  sense  of  the  confer- 
ence as  accurately  as  it  can  be  expressed  at  the  present  day  when  be 


■ 


674 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


said:  C*I  look  at  this  proposition*  not  as  a punishment  of  any  grade 
or  sold.  * * * I believe  that  what  is  proposed  by  this 

substitute  to  be  a constitutional  measure,  dishonorable  to  none,  unjust  to 
none.  As  such  I should  wish  it  to  go  forth  with  the  solemn  declaration 
of  this  General  Conference  that  we  do  not  design  it  as  a punishment  or  a 
censure;  that  it  is  in  our  apprehension  only  a prudential  and  expedient 
measure,  calculated  to  avert  the  great  evils  that  threaten  us.” 

Looking  at  the  question  now  from  our  present  vantage  ground  it  is 
evident  that  Dr.  Olin  could  clearly  discern  the  signs  of  the  times. 
Division  and  separation,  emanating  from  some  source,  it  was  impossible 
to  avoid.  The  grand  wave  of  anti-slavery  sentiment  had  obtained  im- 
pulse, and  was  irresistibly  increasing  in  both  volume  and  momentum. 
The  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  no  less  than 
the  discipline,  was,  like  every  other  obstacle  this  grand  wave  encountered, 
unable  long  to  resist.  The  conference  therefore,  having  to  choose  be- 
tween the  discipline  and  the  unity  of  the  great  body  of  the  church, 
chose  to  sacrifice  the  discipline.  Dr.  Olin  in  another  part  of  the  same 
speech  from  which  the  above  extract  is  taken,  with  reference  to  the  prob- 
able consequences  of  the  passage  of  the  Einley  Resolution,  said  : “ Tet 
allowing  our  worst  fears  all  to  be  realized,  the  South  will  have  this  ad- 
vantage over  us.  The  Southern  Conferences  are  likely  in  any  event  to 
harmonize  among  themselves — they  will  form  a compact  body.  In  our 
Northern  Conferences  this  will  be  impossible  in  the  present  state  of  things. 
They  cannot  bring  their  whole  people  to  act  together  on  one  common 
ground;  stations  and  circuits  will  be  so  weakened  and  broken  as  in  many 
instances  to  be  unable  to  sustain  their  ministry.  I speak  on  this  point 
in  accordance  with  the  convictions  of  my  own  judgment,  after  hav- 
ing traveled  3,000  miles  through  the  New  England  and  New  York  Confer- 
ences, that  if  some  action  is  - not  had  on  this  subject  calculated  to  hold 
out  hope — to  impart  a measure  of  satisfaction  to  the  people — there  will 
be  distractions  and  divisions  ruinous  to  souls  and  fatal  to  the  permanent 
interests  of  the  church.  * * * But,  sir,  I will  yet  trust 

that  we  may  put  far  off  this  evil  day.  If  we  can  pass  such  a measure  as 
will  shield  our  principles  from  infringement,  if  we  can  send  forth  such  a 
measure  as  will  neither  injure  nor  justly  offend  the  South,  and  as  shall 
neither  censure  nor  dishonor  Bishop  Andrew,  and  yet  shall  meet  the  press- 
ing wants  of  the  church,  and,  above  all,  if  Almighty  God  shall  be 
pleased  to  help  by  pouring  out  His  Spirit  upon  us,  we  may  yet  avoid  the 
rock  upon  which  we  now  seem  too  likely  to  split.” 

A brief  extract  from  an  unfulfilled  prophecy  by  the  Rev.  George  F. 


•The  Ficley  Resolution. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


675 


Pierce,  of  Georgia,  a young  and  exceedingly  enthusiastic  divine,  is  as  fol- 
lows: “ Set  off  the  South  and  what  is  the  consequence?  Do  you  get  rid 
of  embarrassment,  discord,  division,  strife?  No,  sir,  you  multiply  divis- 
ions. There  will  be  secessions  in  the  Northern  Conferences,  even  if 
Bishop  Andrew  is  deposed  or  resigns.  Prominent  men  will  abandon  your 
church.  I venture  to  predict  that  when  the  day  of  division  comes — 
and  come  I believe  it  will  from  the  present  aspect  of  the  case — that  in 
ten  years  from  this  day  and  perhaps  less,  there  will  not  be  one  shred  of 
the  distinctive  peculiarities  of  Methodism  left  within  the  conferences  that 
depart  from  us.  The  venerable  man  who  now  presides  over  the  Northern 
Conferences  may  live  out  his  time  as  a bishop,  but  he  will  never  have  a 
successor.  Episcopacy  will  be  given  up;  presiding-eldership  will  be 
given  up ; the  itinerancy  will  come  to  an  end,  and  Congregationalism  will 
be  the  order  of  the  day.” 

The  vote  on  the  Finley  resolution  was  taken  on  the  1st  of  June,  and 
resulted  in  its  adoption  by  the  vote  of  111  to  69.  Of  the  yeas  four  were 
from  the  Baltimore  Conference,  and  one  from  Texas — the  only  ones  from 
•a  conference  within  slave-holding  territory.  All  the  members  from  Ten- 
nessee Conferences  voted  against  the  resolution  as  follows : Ilolston  Con- 
ference— E.  F.  Sevier,  S.  Patton,  T.  Springfield ; Tennessee  Conference — 
B.  Paine,  J.  B.  McFerrin,  W.  L.  P.  Green,  T.  Maddin;  Memphis  Con- 
ference— G.  AY.  D.  Harris,  S.  S.  Moody,  William  McMahon,  T.  Joyner. 
An  attempt  to  declare  the  action  advisory  only  was  laid  on  the  table  by 
a vote  of  75  to  68.  On  the  same  day,  June  3,  a series  of  resolutions  pro- 
posing the  formation  of  two  General  Conferences  was  referred  to  a com- 
mittee, which  failed  to  agree,  and  on  the  5th,  the  following  “declaration 
of  the  Southern  members”  was  presented  by  Dr.  Longstreet: 

“ The  delegates  of  the  conference  in  the  slave-holding  States  take  leave 
io  declare  to  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
ihat  the  continued  agitation  on  the  subject  of  slavery  and  abolition  in  a 
portion  of  the  church,  the  frequent  action  on  that  subject  in  the  General 
Conference,  and  especially  the  extra-judicial  proceedings  against  Bishop 
Andrew,  which  resulted  on  Saturday  last  in  the  virtual  suspension  of  him 
from  his  office  as  superintendent,  must  produce  a state  of  things  in  the 
South  which  renders  a continuance  of  the  jurisdiction  of  the  General 
Conference  over  these  conferences  inconsistent  with  the  success  of  the 
ministry  in  the  slave-holding  States.” 

This  declaration  was  signed  by  all  the  members  of  the  Southern 
•Conferences,  and  by  J.  Stamper  from  the  Illinois  Conference,  and  ^vas 
then  referred  to  a select  committee  of  nine,  with  instructions  that  if  they 
could  not  devise  a plan  for  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the  difficulties  then 


- 


676 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


existing  in  the  church,  on  the  subject  of  slavery,  to  devise,  if  possible,  a 
constitutional  plan  for  a mutual  and  friendly  division  of  the  church.  On 
the  7th  of  June  this  committee  reported  a plan  of  separation,  which  after 
much  discussion  was  adopted — four  of  the  resolutions  by  an  average  vote 
of  141  to  11,  and  the  remaining  seven  and  the  preamble  without  a divis- 
ion. In  the  resolutions  provision  was  made  for  an  equitable  division  of 
the  book  concerns  in  New  York  and  Cincinnati  and  the  chartered  fund, 
and  all  the  property  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  meeting- 
houses, parsonages,  colleges,  schools,  conference  funds,  cemeteries,  etc., 
within  the  limits  of  the  Southern  organization  was  secured  to  the  South- 
ern  Church,  so  far  as  the  resolution  could  be  of  force. 

The  Southern  delegation  to  the  General  Conference  issued  a call  for  a 
convention  to  be  composed  of  delegates  from  the  several  annual  confer- 
ences within  the  slave-holding  States,  in  the  ratio  of  one  to  every  eleven 
members,  to  meet  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  May  1,  1845.  When  this  conven- 
tion met  Bishops  Soule  and  Andrew  presided,  and  after  full  deliberation 
it  declared  the  Southern  Conferences  a distinct  church,  under  the  name  of 
“The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.”  The  first  General  Confer- 
ence of  this  church  met  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  May  1,  1846.  It  was  com- 
posed of  eighty-five  delegates  from  sixteen  Southern  Conferences,  those 
from  Tennessee  being  as  follows:  Holston  Conference — Samuel  Patton, 
David  Fleming,  Timothy  Sullins,  Thomas  K.  Catlett,  Elbert  F.  Sevier. 
Tennessee  Conference — John  B.  McFerrin,  Robert  Paine,  Fountain  E. 
Fitts,  Alexander  L.  P.  Green,  John  W.  Hanner,  Edmund  W.  Sehon, 
Samuel  S.  Moody,  Frederick  G.  Ferguson,  Ambrose  F.  Driskill.  Mem- 
phis Conference — Moses  Brock,  George  W.  D.  Harris,  William  Mc- 
Mahon, William  M.  McFerrin,  Arthur  Davis,  John  T.  Baskerville.  By 
this  conference  Rev.  William  Capers,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  Robert  Paine, 
D.  D.,  were  elected  bishops.  At  the  time  of  the  separation  in  1845  there 
were  in  the  Southern  Church  about  450,000  communicants,  and  in  I860 
757,205.  During  the  civil  war  this  number  was  considerably  reduced. 
In  1875  there  were  37  annual  conferences  and  737,779  communicants, 
of  whom  4,335  were  Indians  and  2,085  colored,  and  346,750  Sunday- 
school  scholars. 

As  was  naturally  to  be  expected,  the  three  conferences  in  Tennessee 
adhered  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  In  1840  the  num- 
bers of  members  in  each  of  these  conferences  was  as  follows:  Holston 
Conference — White  members,  25,902;  colored  members,  2,420;  local 
preachers,  304.  Tennessee  Conference — White  members,  21,G75;  col- 
ored members,  4,405;  local  preachers,  298.  Memphis  Conference — 
White  members,  12,497 ; colored  members,  1,995;  local  preachers,  183. 


I 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


677 


The  traveling  preachers  in  each  conference  were  as  follows:  Holston,  70; 
Tennessee,  109;  Memphis,  69.  In  1845  the  Holston  Conference  reported 
95  traveling  and  327  local  preachers,  and  34,414  white,  4,083  colored, 
and  108  Indian  members.  Tennessee  Conference  reported  (in  1846)  153 
traveling  ministers,  33,219  white  and  8,036  colored  members,  and  Mem- 
phis Conference  reported  (in  1846)  101  traveling  and  310  local  preach- 
ers, and  23,111  white  and  6,003  colored  members. 

The  boundaries  of  the  Holston  Conference  were  fixed  by  the  General 
Conference  of  1874  so  as  to  include  “East  Tennessee  and  that  part  of 
Middle  Tennessee  now  embraced  in  the  Pikeville  District;  that  part  of 
Virginia  and  West  Virginia  which  is  now  embraced  in  the  Roger svi lie, 
Abingdon,  Jeffersonville  and  Wytheville  District  south  of  the  line  of  the 
Baltimore  Conference,  and  including  J acksonville ; the  line  between  the 
Baltimore  and  the  Holston  Conferences  running  straight  from  Jackson- 
ville,  in  Floyd  County,  to  Central  Depot  in  Montgomery  County,  so  as  to 
embrace  in  the  Holston  Conference  the  territory  known  as  the  New  Hope 
Circuit;  that  part  of  the  State  of  North  Carolina  which  lies  west  of  the 
Blue  Ridge;  a small  part  lying  east  of  said  ridge,  embracing  the 
Catawba  Circuit,  and  that  part  now  in  the  Wytheville  District ; and  so 
much  of  the  State  of  Georgia  as  is  included  in  the  following  boundary: 
Beginning  on  the  State  line  of  Tennessee  at  the  eastern  part  of  Lookout 
Mountain;  thence  to  the  Alabama  State  line;  thence  north  with  said  line 
to  Island  Creek,  and  with  said  creek  and  the  Tennessee  .River  to  the 
State  line  of  Tennessee,  and  thence  to  the  beginning,  including  the 
town  of  Grays  ville,  Ga.” 

In  1875  this  conference  reported  171  traveling  and  294  local  preach- 
ers, 38,087  white,  140  colored,  and  176  Indian  members,  and  23,226  Sun- 
day-school scholars.  In  1880  the  report  was  161  traveling  and  290 
local  preachers;  44,279  white,  48  colored,  and  148  indian  members,  and 
28,541  Sunday-school  scholars.  In  1885  the  following  was  the  report:  158 
traveling  preachers,  303  local  preachers,  and  46,529  white  members,  neither 
colored  nor  Indian  members  reported;  the  number  of  Sunday-school  schol- 
ars was  35,116.  When  the  Federal  Armies  took  possession  of  East  Ten- 
nessee many  of  the  Methodists  in  that  section  desired  the  services  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  under  authority  given  by  the  General 
Conference  of  1864,  Holston  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  was  organized,  its  first  session  being  held  at  Athens,  Tenn.,  June 
1,  1865.  The  numbers  reported  to  this  conference  were  as  follows:  48 
traveling  and  55  local  preachers,  6,107  members  and  2,425  Sunday-school 
scholars.  In  1876  the  numbers  were  105  traveling  and  237  local  preach- 
ers, 23,465  members,  10,413  Sunday-school  scholars,  190  churches  val- 


678 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

ued  at  $178,-185,  and  11  parsonages  valued  at  $7,077.  The  boundaries 
of  this  conference,  according  to  the  discipline  of  1S7G  were,  on  the  east 
by  North  Carolina,  north  by  Virginia  and  Kentucky,  on  the  west  by  the 
western  summit  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  south  by  Georgia  and  the 
Blue  Bidge,  including  that  portion  of  North  Carolina  not  in  the  North 
Carolina  Conference.  The  statistics  of  the  Tennessee  Conference  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  South  for  1S16,  have  been  given  above.  InlS71 
its  limits  were  so  determined  as  to  include  Middle  Tennessee,  except  the 
Pikesville  District.  In  1876  it  reported  198  traveling  and  331  local  preach- 
ers, and  11,297  members.  In  1880  the  numbers  were  as  follows:  198  trav- 
eling and  313  local  preachers,  16,128  white,  and  15  colored  members;  22,- 
562  Sunday-school  scholars,  and  the  collections  for  missions  amounted  to 
$7,303.80.  In  1885  the  report  from  this  conference  showed  169  travel- 
ing and  311  local  preachers,  52,865  white,  and  11  colored  members;  21,- 
675  Sunday-school  scholars,  and  $12,610.65  collected  for  foreign  mis- 
sions, and  $3,368.20  for  domestic  missions. 

The  Tennessee  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was 
organized  at  Murfreesboro,  October  11,  1866,  by  Bishop  Clark,  under 
-authority  of  the  General  Conference.  At  this  time  it  reported  10  trav- 
eling and  19  local  preachers,  3,173  members,  2,518  Sunday-school  schol- 
ar's, and  13  churches,  valued  at  $59,100.  In  1868  its  boundaries  were 
so  determined  as  to  include  that  portion  of  Tennessee  not  included  in  the 
Holston  Conference.  In  1876  the  statistics  were  96  traveling  and  206 
local  preachers,  12,268  members,  8,359  Sunday-school  scholars,  112 
churches,  valued  at  $206,910,  and  7 parsonages,  valued  at  $2,500.  Un- 
der authority  of  the  General  Conference  of  1876  this  conference  was 
divided  by  separating  the  white  and  colored  work.  The  statistics  for 
1877  are  as  follows:  11  traveling  and  193  local  preachers,  11,638  mem- 
bers, 8,329  Sunday-school  scholars,  197  churches  valued  at  $137,028, 
and  15  parsonages  valued  at  $1,000. 

The  Memphis  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South, 
a part  of  the  statistics  of  which  have  already  been  given,  was  set  off  from 
the  Tennessee  Conference  by  the  General  Conference,  which  met  in  Bal- 
timore June  1,  1810.  At  the  division  of  the  church  in  1815  it  adhered 
to  the  other  Southern  conferences.  Its  original  boundaries  were  as  fol- 
lows: “Bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Tombigbee  Biver,  Alabama  State 
Line  and  Tennessee  Biver;  on  the  north  by  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi 
Bivers;  west  by  the  Mississippi  Biver,  and  south  by  the  line  running 
due  east  from  the  Mississippi  Biver  to  the  southwest  corner  of  Talla- 
hatchie County  ; thence  due  east  to  the  southeastern  corner  of  Yallabusha 
County;  thence  in  straight  line  to  the  northwestern  corner  of  Oktibaha 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


679 


County;  thence  due  east  to  the  Tombigbee  River.”  In  1874  the  south- 
ern boundary  was  changed  so  as  to  conform  to  the  State  line  between 
Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  In  1871  there  were  in  this  conference  278 
local  preachers  and  27,833  members.  In  1876  the  following  was  the  re- 
port: 125  traveling  and  276  local  preachers,  31,627  members  and  15,726 
Sunday-school  scholars.  In  1880  there  were  140  traveling  preachers, 
238  local  preachers,  33,329  white  members,  18,610  Sunday-school  schol- 
ars, and  amount  of  collections  for  missions,  §6,021.60,  and  in  1SS5  there 
were  127  traveling  preachers,  233  local  preachers,  2S,584  white  mem- 
bers, 21,884  Sunday-school  scholars,  and  collections  for  foreign  missions, 
>§6,757.62,  and  for  domestic  missions,  §1,032.41. 

The  convention  which  organized  this  church,  in  1845,  at  Louisville, 
favored  the  establishment  of  a book  concern,  and  appointed  two  book 
agents — Rev.  John  Early  and  Rev.  J.  B.  McFerrin — to  receive  proposals 
for  the  location  of  the  book  concern,  and  also  moneys  and  contributions 
for  building  up  the  same,  requiring  them  to  report  at  the  time  of  the 
General  Conference  to  be  held  at  Petersburg  May,  1840.  This  conference 
provided  for  a book  concern,  with  Rev.  John  Early  as  agent,  and  assist- 
ants and  depositories  at  Louisville,  Charleston  and  Richmond.  The 
“plan  of  separation”  contemplated  an  equitable  division  of  the  common 
property,  but  the  General  Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
•subsequently  pronounced  the  plan  of  separation  null  and  void  and  re- 
fused to  abide  by  the  settlement  of  1844,  upon  which  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South  took  the  case  to  the  civil  courts  and  secured  a 
•decision  in  its  favor.  The  decree  relating  to  the  book  concern  was  given 
April  25,  1854.  The  proceeds  of  these  suits  were  as  follows:  Cash, 
§293,334.50;  notes  and  accounts  transferred,  §50,575.02;  book  stock, 
§20,000;  accounts  against  Richmond  and  Nashville  Christian  Advocate , 
§9,500;  presses  at  Richmond,  Charleston  and  Nashville,  §20,000,  and 
from  the  chartered  fund,  §17,712;  aggregate  §414,141.62.  The  total 
amount  realized  from  these  various  sums  was  §386,153.63.  The  General 
Conference  favored  a book  concern  proper  for  the  South,  and  accordingly 
fhe  committee  brought  in  a plan  for  a book  establishment  at  the  city  of 
Nashville  for  the  purpose'  of  manufacturing  books,  to  be  called  the  Pub- 
lishing House  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  to  be  under  the 
control  of  two  agents  and  a committee  of  three  to  be  called  the  book 
committee.  In  August,  1354,  the  agents  purchased  in  Nashville  a lot 
fronting  on  the  public  square  sixty-eight  feet  and  extending  back  to  the 
Cumberland  River  nearly  300  feet,  upon  which  buildings  were  erected 
from  three  to  four  stories  high,  costing  in  the  aggregate  §37,282.52.  In 
1/358  the  General  Conference  determined  to  have  but  one  agent,  but 


680 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


created  the  office  of  financial  secretary.  May  1,  18S3,  the  assets  of  the 
publishing  house  were  $309,574.61,  and  its  liabilities  $192,157.21;  bal- 
ance, $117,417.40. 

The  Methodist  Protestant  Church  which  was  separated  from  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  in  1S30,  mainly  on  account  of  differences 
regarding  church  polity,  found  a few  adherents  in  Tennessee.  The  Meth- 
odist Church  seceded  from  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  in  1858  on 
the  question  of  slavery,  and  there  were  also  a few  adherents  of  this 
church  in  Tennessee.  But  the  numbers  of  neither  were  never  large ; hence 
a detailed  account,  either  of  their  history  or  doctrines  is  not  deemed  ad- 
visable in  this  work.  The  division  in  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church 
having  been  caused  wholly  by  slavery,  after  the  abolition  of  slavery  by 
the  civil  war,  the  two  bodies  formed  a reunion  in  1877  at  Baltimore.  At 
the  time  of  this  reunion  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church  had  in  its  Ten- 
nessee Conference  18  itinerant  ministers  and  preachers  and  1,209  mem- 
bers, and  in  its  West  Tennessee  Conference  17  itinerant  ministers  and 
preachers  and  1,140  members,  while  the  Methodist  Church  had  6 preach- 
ers and  230  members. 

The  work  of  the  Presbyterians  in  Tennessee  preceding  and  in  connec- 
tion with  the  great  revival  has  been  referred  to  in  preceding  pages.  In 
company  with  Rev.  Charles  Cummings  in  East  Tennessee  was  the  Rev. 
John  Rhea,  a native  of  Ireland,  and  whose  name  is  closely  associated 
with  the  formation  of  New  Bethel  Presbyterian  Church,  in  Sullivan  Coun- 
ty. These  two  were  the  first  Presbyterian  ministers  in  Tennessee.  They 
botli  accompanied  Col.  Christian’s  expedition  against  the  Cherokees 
south  of  the  Little  Tennessee  River,  mentioned  in  the  Indian  chapter. 
After  this  expedition  Mr.  Rhea  returned  to  Maryland  with  the  intention 
of  bringing  his  family  to  Tennessee,  but  while  making  preparations  for 
the  removal,  died  there  in  1777.  His  widow  and  family,  however,  re- 
moved to  the  Holston  settlement,  reaching  their  destination  in  1779. 
They,  with  other  Presbyterians,  became  members  of  New  Bethel  Church, 
located  in  the  fork  of  Holston  and  Watauga.  In  1778  Samuel  Doak  was 
ordained  by  the  Presbytery  of  Hanover  on  a call  from  the  congregations 
of  Concord  and  Hopewell,  north  of  Holston  River  in  what  is  now  Sulli- 
van County.  Preaching  here  two  years  Rev.  Mr.  Doak  removed  to  Little 
Limestone,  in  what  is  now  Washington  County,  in  which  latter  place  he 
remained  over  thirty  years.  In  connection  with  the  Rev.  Charles  Cum- 
mings in  1780,  he  organized  Concord,  New  Providence  and  Carter's  Val- 
ley Churches,  in  what  is  now  Hawkins  County,  New  Bethel,  in  what  is 
now  Greene  County,  and  Salem  at  his  place  of  residence.  In  1783  or  1784 
Providence  Church  was  organized  in  Greene  County  and  the  Rev.  Sam- 


HISTOIiY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


681 


nel  Houston  called  to  the  pastorate,  serving  the  church  four  or  live  years 
when  he  returned  to  Virginia.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Doak  opened  a classical 
school,  which  in  1785  was  chartered  as  Martin  Academy,  the  first  insti- 
tution of  the  kind  west  of  the  Alleghanies.  In  the  same  year  Hezekiah 
Balcli,  a member  of  the  Orange  Presbytery,  united  with  Rev.  Samuel 
Doak  and  Rev.  Charles  Cummings,  in  a petition  to  the  Synod  of  the  Car- 
olinas,  that  a new  presbytery  be  formed  west  of  the  Alleghanies, 
in  accordance  with  which  petition  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon  <was 
formed.  It  was  separated  from  Hanover  by  New  River  and  from  Orange 
by  the  Appalachian  Mountains,  and  extended  indefinitely  westward.  In 
May  of  the  next  year  Abingdon  Presbytery  was  divided  and  Transylva- 
nia Presbytery  created,  comprising  Kentucky  and  the  settlements  on  the 
Cumberland.  The  pioneer  columns  of  emigration  moved  through  the  1 
territory  of  Abingdon  Presbytery  to  occupy  the  country  beyond  the 
mountains. 

For  a number  of  years  after  its  formation  the  Presbyterian  body 
within  its  limits  was  in  a stale  of  constant  internal  agitation,  resulting 
in  a schism  in  1796.  The  troubles  were  increased  if  not  originated 
by  the  visit  in  1782  of  the  Rev.  Adam  Rankin,  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage, 
but  born  near  Greencastle,  Penn.,  who  'was  a zealot,  in  modern  parlance  a 
crank,  upon  the  subject  of  psalmody.  His  opposition  to  singing  any  other 
than  Rouse’s  version  of  the  Psalms  was  a sort  of  monomania;  while  oth- 
ers were  almost  as  strongly  in  favor  of  Watt’s  version.  On  this  subject 
the  controversy  waxed  very  bitter.  In  1786  the  synod  instituted  an  in- 
vestigation and  adopted  measures  which  it  vainly  hoped  would  settle  the 
dispute,  and  for  a time  satisfactory  results  seemed  to  have  been  reached 
and  peace  attained  But  a difficulty  of  a different  kind  succeeded.  The 
Rev.  Hezekiah  Balch,  who  removed  to  Tennessee  in  1781,  caused  great 
trouble  to  the  early  Presbyterians,  by  persistently  preaching  “Hopkinsian- 
ism,”  a complicated  system  of  religious  thought  which  it  is  not  the  prov- 
ince of  this  book  to  discuss.  By  indiscretion  in  his  preaching  he  pro- 
voked determined  opposition.  The  subject  being  at  length  brought  be- 
fore the  presbytery,  a majority  of  its  members  voted  to  dismiss  the  case. 
Five  prominent  members,  three  of  whom  belonged  in  Tennessee,  viz. : 
Doak,  Lake  and  James  Balch,  withdrew  and  formed  the  Independent 
Presbvtery  of  Abingdon.  The  case  came  before  the  Synod  of  the  Caro- 
linas  and  at  last  before  the  General  Assembly  which  severely  disciplined 
the  seceding  members  and  also  Rev.  Hezekiah  Balch,  upon  which  the 
seceding  members  submitted  and  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon  was  consti- 
tuted as  before.  At  this  time  the  Presbytery  was  bounded  as  follows: 
From  New  River  on  the  northeast  to  the  frontiers  on  the  Tennessee 


, 


682 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


River,  and  from  the  Blue  Ridge  of  the  Appalachian  Mountains  to  the- 
Cumberland  Mountains.  It  contained  thirty-nine  congregations,  eleven 
of  them  in  Virginia,  three  in  North  Carolina  and  twenty-five  in  Ten- 
nessee. 

In  1797  the  Presbytery  of  Union  was  set  off  from  Abingdon,  embrac- 
ing Rev.  Hezckiah  Balch,  John  Casson,  Henderson,  Gideon  Blackburn 
and  Samuel  Carrick,  living  in  Abingdon  Presbytery  in  Tennessee,. 
Rev.  Samuel  Doak,  Lake  and  James  Balch.  In  1793  the  city  of  Knox- 
ville was  laid  off  and  the  Rev.  Samuel  Carrick  commenced  laboring  there- 
and  at  the  Fork  Church  at  the  confluence  of  French  Broad  and  Holston, 
four  miles  distant.  Mr.  Carrick  was  the  fust  president  of  Blount  College, 
retaining  that  position  from  the  time  of  its  establishment  in  1784  to  his 
death  in  1809.  New  Providence  Church  was  established  at  the  present 
site  of  Maryville  in  1793  or  1794,  by  the  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn,  who  was 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon  in  1792.  After  peace 
was  made  with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  he  undertook  a mission  to  that  na- 
tion and.  by  his  self-sacrificing  labors  among  them  laid  the  foundation  for 
the  subsequent  successful  mission  of  the  American  Board  among  the 
Cherokees.  In  1799  Greeneville  Presbytery  was  laid  off  from  the  upper 
end  of  Union.  Greeneville  Presbytery  was  dissolved  in  1804. 

The  Presbytery  of  Transylvania  had  charge  of  the  churches  on  the 
Cumberland  River  until  1810,  when  the  Presbytery  of  West  Tennessee 
was  erected  with  four  members.  In  this  year  the  Rev.  Gideon  Black- 
burn left  Maryville,  where  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Isaac  Anderson,  who 
was  the  principal  agent  in  establishing  the  Southern  and  Western 
Theological  Seminary,  incorporated  as  Maryville  College  in  1821.  In 
1811  he  took  charge  of  Harpeth  Academy  near  Franklin  and  preached 
in  five  different  places  within  a radius  of  fifty  miles,  one  of  those  five 
places  being  Nashville,  his  efforts  resulting  in  the  establishment  of  a 
church  in  each  place,  these  churches  being  erected  into  a Presbytery. 
Churches  and  ministers  rapidly  increased  in  Middle  Tennessee.  The 
Presbytery  of  Shiloh  was  created  in  1810,  from  the  Presbytery  of  Muhl- 
enburg  in  Kentucky  and  the  Presbytery  of  West  Tennessee,  Shiloh  ex- 
tending nearly  to  the  southern  portion  of  the  State.  In  1823  Dr.  Black- 
burn was  succeeded  in  Nashville  by  the  Rev.  A.  D.  Campbell,  who  was 
himself  succeeded  in  1828  by  the  Rev.  Obadiah  Jennings.  In  1824  Dr. 
Phillip  Lindsley  came  to  Nashville  as  president  of  Cumberland  College, 
which  was  changed  to  the  University  of  Nashville  in  1826.  In  1829  the 
Presbytery  of  the  Western  District  was  organized  with  five  ministers, 
and  in  1830  the  first  Presbyterian  Church  in  Memphis  was  established 

Following  is  given  briefly  the  synodical  relations  of  the  different 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


683 


presbyteries  which,  were  wholly  or  in  part  in  Tennessee:  At  the  forma- 

tion of  the  General  Assembly  the  Presbytery  of  Abingdon  was  attached 
to  the  Synod  of  the  Carolines,  but  in  1803  it  was  transferred  to  the 
Synod  of  Yirginia.  The  Presbytery  of  Greeneville  belonged  to  the 
Synod  of  the  Carolines.  The  Presbytery  of  Union  belonged  to  this 
synod  until  IS  10,  when  it  was  transferred  to  the  Synod  of  Kentucky. 
In  1817  the  Synod  of  Tennessee  was  organized,  being  composed  of  the 
Presbyteries  of  West  Tennessee,  Shiloh,  Union  and  Mississippi,  they 
being  detached  from  the  Synod  of  Kentucky.  The -Presbytery  of  Mis- 
souri was  attached  to  the  Synod  of  Tennessee  in  ISIS,  but  transferred  to 
the  Synod  of  Indiana  in  1826.  The  Presbytery  of  French  Broad  was 
erected  in  1825,  and  of  Holston  in  1S26.  The  Synod  of  West  Tennessee 
was  formed  in  1826,  consisting  of  the  Presbyteries  of  West  Tennessee, 
Shiloli  and  North  Alabama,  to  which  was  added,  in  1829,  the  Presbytery 
of  Western  District.  In  1829  the  Presbytery  of  Mississippi  became  a. 
part  of  the  Synod  of  Mississippi  and  South  Alabama,  and  the  Synod  of 
Tennessee  was  composed  of  the  Presbyteries  of  Abingdon,  Union,  French 
Broad  and  Holston.  These  four  presbyteries  with  those  of  West  Ten- 
nessee and  Western  District,  representing  the  strength  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  within  the  limits  of  the  State,  contained  in  1830  an  a^gre- 
gate  of  nearly  100  churches  and  71  ministers. 

From  this  time  on  until  the  year  1861  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Tennessee  continued  to  grow  and  prosper.  In  that  year  the  General 
Assembly  at  Philadelphia  passed  what  has  since  been  known  as  the 
Spring  resolutions,  which  hopelessly  divided  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  United  States.  All  of  the  churches  in  Tennessee,  as  was  to  be  ex- 
pected, cast  in  their  lot  with  the  Presbyterian  Church  South.  The  his- 
tory of  this  movement  with  its  causes,  as  seen  by  the  Southern  Presby- 
terians, is  given  largely  in  the  language  of  the  minutes  of  the  Southern 
General  Assembly,  and  is  here  introduced.  A convention  of  twenty  dele- 
gates from  the  various  Presbyteries  in  the  Confederate  States  of  Amer- 
ica met  at  Atlanta,  Ga.,  August  15,  1861,  of  whom  Bev.  J.  Bardwell  was 
from  the  Presbytery  of  Nashville.  This  convention  said  with  reference 
to  the  separation  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  into  two  bodies: 

“ While  this  convention  is  far  from  ignoring  the  pain  of  separation 
from  many  with  whom  it  has  been  our  delight  as  Presbyterians  to  act  in 
former  years,  it  cannot  conceal  the  gratification  which  it  experiences  in 
the  contemplation  of  the  increased  facilities  for  doing  a great  work  for 
the  church  and  for  God  afforded  by  the  severance  of  our  previous  politi- 
cal and  ecclesiastical  relations.  • y\ 

“Our  connection  with  the  non- slave- holding  State,  it  cannot  be  denied, 


i 


684 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


was  a great  hindrance  to  the  systematic  performance  of  the  work  of 
'evangelization  of  the  slave  population.  It  is  true  that  the  Northern  por- 
tion of  the  Presbyterian  Church  professed  to  be  conservative,  but  the 
opposition' to  our  social  economy  was  constantly  increasing.  Conserva- 
tism was  only  a flimsy  covering  for  the  evil  intent  which  lay  in  the 
heart  of  the  Northern  churches.  In  the  last  General  Assembly  Dr. 
Yeomans,  a former  moderator  of  the  assembly,  regarded  as  the  very  em- 
bodiment of  conservatism,  did  not  hesitate  to  assign  as  a reason  for  the 
rejection  of  Dr.  Spring’s  resolution  that  the  adoption  of  it,  by  driving  off 
the  Southern  brethren,  would  forever  bar  the  Northern  church  against 
all  efforts  to  affect  a system  of  involuntary  servitude  in  the  South.” 

At  a meeting  of  ministers  and  ruling  elders  which  met  at  Augusta, 
Ga.,  December  4,  1861,  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America, 
the  following  members  from  Tennessee  were  present:  Synod  of  Mem- 

phis— Chickasaw  Presbytery,  William  Y.  Frierson  and  H.  H.  Kimmon; 
Memphis  Presbytery,  John  M.  Waddel,  D.  D.,  and  J.  T.  S wayne;  the 
Western  District,  James  H.  Gillespie;  Synod  of  Nashville — Holston 
Presbytery,  J.  W.  Elliott  and  S.  B.  McAdams;  Knoxville  Presbytery,  B. 
O.  Currey  and  Joseph  A.  Brooks;  Maury  Presbytery,  Shepard  Wells; 
Nashville  Presbytery,  Pi,  B.  McMullen,  D.  D.,  and  A.  W.  Putnam;  Tus- 
cumbia  Presbytery,  James  H.  Lorance  and  L.  B.  Thornton. 

The  title  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Confederate  States  of 
America,  and  also  the  confession  of  faith,  the  catechism,  the  form 
of  government,  the  book  of  discipline  and  the  directory  of  worship 
were  also  adopted,  only  substituting  the  words  Confederate  States  for 
United  States.  At  this  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  of  the  Confederate  States  of  America  an  address  was  de- 
livered setting  forth  the  causes  that  impelled  them  to  separate  from  the 
church  of  the  North,  in  which  they  said: 

“We  should  be  sorry  to  be  regarded  by  the  brethren  in  any  part  of 
the  world  as  guilty  of  schism.  We  are  not  conscious  of  any  purpose  to 
rend  the  body  of  Christ.  On  the  contrary  our  aim  was  to  permit  the 
unity  of  the  spirit  in  the-  bonds  of  peace.  ***** 
We  have  separated  from  our  brethren  of  the  North  as  Abraham  separated 
from  Lot — because  we  are  persuaded  that  the  interests  of  true  religion 
will  be  more  effectually  subserved  by  two  independent  churches.  Under 
the  circumstances  under  which  the  two  countries  are  placed  they  cannot 
be  one  united  body.  In  the  first  place  the  course  of  the  last  assembly  at 
Philadelphia  conclusively  shows  that  should  we  remain  together  the  polit- 
ical questions  which  divide  us  as  citizens  will  be  obtruded  upon  our 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


635 


-church  courts  and  discussed  by  Christian  ministers  and  elders  with  all 
the  acrimony,  bitterness  and  rancor  with  which  such  questions  are 
usually  discussed  by  men  of  the  world.  A mournful  spectacle  of  strife 
and  debate  would  be  the  result.  Commissioners  from  the  Northern 
would  meet  commissioners  from  the  Southern  conferences  to  wrangle 
over  the  question  which  have  split  them  into  two  conferences  and 
involved  them  in  fierce  and  bloody  war.  They  would  denounce  each  other 
on  the  one  hand  as  tyrants  and  oppressors,  and  on  the  other  as  traitors 
and  rebels.  The  Spirit  of  God  would  take  His  departure  from  these 
scenes  of  confusion,  and  leave  the  church  lifeless  and  powerless — an 
easy  prey  to  the  sectional  divisions  and  angry  passions  of  its  members. 
*******  The  characteristics 

of  the  man  and  the  citizen  will  prove  stronger  than  the  charity  of  the 
Christian.  We  cannot  condemn  a man  in  one  breath  as  unfaithful  to 
the  most  solemn  earthly  interests  of  his  country  and  his  race,  and  com- 
mend him  in  the  next  as  a true  and  faithful  servant  of  God.  If  we  dis- 
trust his  patriotism  our  confidence  is  apt  to  be  very  measured  in  his 
piety.  The  only  conceivable  condition,  therefore,  upon  which  the  church 
of  the  North  and  the  South  could  remain  together  as  one  body  with 
any  prospect  of  success,  is  the  vigorous  exclusion  of  the  questions  and 
passions  of  the  former  from  its  halls  of  debate.  The  provinces  of  the 
church  and  State  are  perfectly  distinct.  The  State  is  a society  of  rights, 
the  church  is  the  society  of  the  redeemed.  The  former  aims  at  social 
order,  the  latter  at  spiritual  holiness.  The  State  looks  to  the  visible  and 
outward,  the  church  to  the  invisible  and  inward.  The  power  of  the 
" church  is  exclusively  spiritual,  that  of  the  State  includes  the  exercise  of 
force.  The  constitution  of  the  church  is  a divine  relation,  the  constitu- 
tion of  the  State  must  be  determined  by  human  reason  and  the  course 
of  events. 

“Had  these  principles  been  sturdily  maintained  by  the  Assembly  of 
Philadelphia,  it  is  possible  that  the  ecclesiastical  separation  of  the  North 
and  South  might  have  been  deferred  for  years.  But  alas  for  the  weak- 
ness of  man  those  golden  visions  were  soon  dispelled.  The  first  thing 
that  led  our  presbyteries -to  look  the  question  of  separation  seriously  in 
the  face,  was  the  course  of  the  assembly  in  venturing  in  determining  as 
a court  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  it  did  by  necessary  implication,  the  true 
interpretation  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  as  to  the  kind  of 
government  it  intended  to  form.  A political  theory  was  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  propounded  which  made  secession  a crime,  the  seceding 
States  rebellious  and  the  citizens  who  obeyed  them  traitors.  We  say 
nothing  here  as  to  the  righteousness  or  honesty  of  these  decrees.  What 

43 


686 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


we  maintain  is  that  whether  right  or  wrong  the  church  had  no  right  to- 
make  them.  She  transcended  her  sphere  and  usurped  the  duties  of  the 
State.  The  assembly,  driven  from  its  ancient  moorings,  was  tossed  to 
and  fro  by  the  waves  of  populace ; like  Pilate  it  obeyed  the  clamor  of  the 
multitude,  and  though  acting  in  the  name  of  Jesus,  it  kissed  the  scepter 
and  bowed  to  the  mandates  of  Northern  frenzy. 

“ Though  the  immediate  occasion  of  separation  was  the  course  of  the 
General  Assembly  at  Philadelphia  in  relation  to  the  General  Government 
and  the  war,  there  was  another  ground  on  which  the  independent  organi- 
zation of  the  Southern  church  could  be  scripturally  maintained.  The 
unity  of  the  church  does  not  require  a formal  bond  of  union  among 
all  the  congregations  of  believers  throughout  the  earth.  It  does  not  de- 
mand a vast  imperial  monarchy  like  that  of  Pome,  nor  a strictly  council 
like  that  to  which  the  complete  development  of  Presbyterianism  would 
naturally  give  rise.  As  the  unity  of  the  human  race  is  not  disturbed  by 
its  division  into  countries  and  nations,  so  the  unity  of  the  spiritual  king- 
dom of  Christ  is  neither  broken  nor  impaired  by  separation  and  division, 
into  various  church  constitutions,  and  so  forth.” 

The  same  assembly  ventured  to  lay  before  the  Christian  world  their 
views  of  slavery,  and  their  conclusion  was  that  the  church  had  310  right 
to  preach  to  the  South  the  extirpation  of  slavery  any  more  than  they  had 
to  preach  to  the  monarchies  of  Europe  and  the  despotisms  of  Asia  the 
doctrine  of  equality,  unless  it  could  be  shown  that  slavery  was  a sin. 
For  if  slavery  were  not  a sin,  then  it  was  a question  for  the  State  to 
settle.  The  assembly  then  attempted  to  prove  that  slavery  was  not  at 
variance  with  the  Bible,  and  therefore  not  a sin.  The  argument  on  this 
point  can  not  be  here  given,  but  it  was  the  same  that  was  always  relied 
upon  to  prove  that  slavery  was  not  necessarily  a sin.  Thus  was  the  Pres- 
byterian Church  of  the  South  launched  upon  its  individual  existence. 

The  minutes  of  the  General  Assembly  do  not  give  any  statistics  of 
value  previous  to  1863.  The  fund  for  church  extension  was  then  but 
§142.75,  of  which  $100  had  been  appropriated  to  a church  in  Tennessee, 
and  $30  to  one  in  Georgia.  In  this  year  according  to  the  best  estimate 
that  can  be  made  there- were  5,830  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
in  Tennessee.  In  1865  the  name  of  the  church  was  changed  to  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United  States.  Thus  the  Spring  resolutions 
compelled  the  organization  of  the  Southern  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
necessary  result  of  political  legislation  by  the  General  Assembly  of  1861 
was  to  force  the  entire  Southern  constituency  out  of  that  connection. 
The  Southern  Assembly  earnestly  asserted  that  the  church  was  a non- 
secular,  non-political  institution,  that  it  was  wholly  spiritual  in  its  nature. 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


6S7 


and  mission,  and  entirely  separate  from  and  independent  of  the  State, 
and  this  position  it  has  ever  since  maintained.  This  conception  or  the 
true  nature  of  the  Church  of  Christ  has  caused  the  Southern  Presbyte- 
rian Church  to  reject  all  overtures  made  by  the  Northern  General  As- 
sembly looking  toward  a reunion,  for  both  Old  and  New  School  Presby- 
terians in  the  North  (a  distinction  scarcely  known  in  Tennessee)  per- 
sisted in  the  utterance  of  political  doctrines,  which,  whether  true  or  false, 
they  were  inhibited  from  uttering  by  the  Bible  and  by  their  own  statute 
law.  These  utterances,  which  the  Southern  church  regards  illegal,  re- 
main unrepealed  and  upon  the  records,  preventing  the  two  churches  from 
uniting  into  one.  No  disavowal  of  them  has  been  made,  as  of  words  in- 
considerately uttered  in  times  of  excitement,  and  until  such  action  shall 
be  taken  by  the  Northern  church  it  is  improbable  that  a reunion  will 
ever  be  effected.  In  186(3  in  Presbytery  of  Memphis  there  were  1,181 
communicants;  the  Presbytery  of  the  Western  District,  1,05S;  Presby- 
tery of  Holston,  987;  Presbytery  of  Knoxville,  123;  Presbytery  of  Nash- 
ville, 1,320,  and  in  the  Presbytery  of  Alabama,  1,164.  Total.  5,836. 

In  1870  the  following  were  the  number  of  communicants:  Presby- 
tery of  Memphis,  1,913;  Presbytery  of  the  Western  District,  1,034; 
Presbytery  of  Holston,  1,571;  Presbytery  of  Knoxville,  856;  Presbytery 
of  Nashville,  2,074;  Presbytery  of  North  Alabama,  including  4 churches 
in  Alabama,  12  in  Mississippi  and  23  in  Tennessee,  1,804;  a total  of 
9,252.  In  1880  the  following  were  the  statistics:  Presbytery  of  Mem- 
phis, 2,041;  Presbytery  of  the  Western  District,  939;  Presbytery  of 
Columbia,  1,713;  Presbytery  of  Holston,  2,030;  Presbytery  of  Knoxville, 
1,227;  Presbytery  of  Nashville,  3,3S8;  a total  of  11,338.  In  1885  the 
statistics  were  as  follows:  Presbytery  of  Memphis,  communicants,  2,055; 
churches,  36;  Sunday-school  scholars,  1,448..  Presbytery  of  the  West- 
ern District,  communicants,  1,375;  churches  25;  Sunday-school  schol- 
ars, 533.  Presbytery  of  Columbia,  communicants,  1,599;  churches,  25; 
Sunday-school  scholars,  1,061.  Presbytery  of  Holston,  communicants, 
2,136;  churches,  38;  Sunday-school  scholars,  1,241.  Presbytery  of 
Knoxville,  communicants,  1,314;  churches,  25 ;.  Sunday-school  scholars, 
1,098.  Presbytery  of  Nashville,  communicants,  3,393;  churches,  34; 
Sunday-school  scholars,  2,673.  Total  communicants,  11,872;  churches, 
183;  Sunday-school  scholars,  8,054. 

The  Baptists  also  profited  by  the  great  revival,  but  perhaps  not  to  the 
same  or  a proportionate  extent,  as  did  the  Methodists.  They  were  in 
Tennessee  as  early  perhaps  as  any  other  denomination.  In  1731  they 
had  six  organized  churches  holding  relations  with  an  association  in 
North  Carolina,  which,  with  a few  others,  were  in  1786  formed  into  the 


688 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Holston  Association,  the  first  association  formed  in  the  State.  Among 
the  first  Baptist  ministers  in  East  Tennessee  were  James  Keel.  Thomas 
Murrell,  Matthew  Talbot,  Isaac  Barton,  William  Murphy,  John  Chastine, 
Tidence  Lane  and  William  Beno.  These  ministers  usually  settled  on 
farms  and  made  their  own  living  by  tilling  the  soil  or  by  teaching  school, 
preaching  Sundays,  or  at  night  in  schoolhouses,  in  private  houses,  in  im- 
provised meeting-houses  or  in  the  open  air,  as  the  case  might  be.  In 
1790  the  Holston  Association  had  889  members,  and  in  1800  it  had  37 
churches  and  2,500  members.  In  1802  the  Tennessee  Association  was 
organized  in  territory  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Knoxville. 
Some  of  the  ministers  connected  with  this  new  organization  were  Duke 
Kimbrough.  Elijah  Bogers,  Joshua  Frost,  Amos  Hardin,  Daniel  Layman 
and  William  Bellew.  In  1817  Powell’s  Yalley  Association  was  organ- 
ized with  12  churches.  In  1822  Hiwassee  Association,  consisting  of  10 
churches,  was  organized,  which,  in  1830,  was  divided  into  two  associa- 
tions, the  new  organization  being  named  Sweetwater  Association,  and  be- 
in<r  crurmosed  of  1 7 churches  anrl  1.100  memhers- 

O X ' 

In  Middle  Tennessee  the  first  Baptist  Church  was  organized  it  is  be- 
lieved in  1786,  by  Joseph  Grammer,  on  Bed  Biver.  In  1791  the  “Bed 
Biver  Baptist  Church”  was  founded  on  the  Sulphur  Fork  of  Bed  Biver. 
This  and  other  churches  in  existence  at  that  time  were  organized  into 
the  Mero  District  Association.  Soon  afterward  other  churches  were  or- 
ganized in  the  vicinity  of  Nashville:  Mill  Creek  Church,  four  miles  south 
of  the  city,  Bev.  James  Whitsitt,  pastor;  Bichland  Creek  Church,  six 
miles  west,  Bev.  John  De  La  Hunt e (afterward  Dillahunty),  pastor,  and 
another  church  a little  further  west,  of  which  the  Bev.  Garner  McConnico 
was  pastor.  On  account  of  internal  dissensions  this  association  was  dis- 
solved, and  in  1803  the  Cumberland  Association  was  formed.  When 
this  association  became  too  large  it  was  divided  into  two,  the  new  organi- 
zation  being  named  the  Bed  Biver  Association.  In  1810  the  Concord 
Association  was  formed,  its  territory  having  Nashville  for  its  center.  In 
1822  this  association  was  divided  and  Salem  formed  with  twenty-seven 
churches.  Among  the  ministers  active  in  this  part  of  the  State  in  addi- 
tion to  those  mentioned  above  were  the  following:  Joseph  Dorris,  Daniel 
Brown,  John  Wiseman,  Joshua  Sester,  John  Bond  and  Jesse  Cox. 

Up  to  this  time  there  had  been  but  little  if  any  trouble  in  the  church 
respecting  doctrines.  There  was  very  general  if  not  universal  assent  to 
the  great  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  church,  which  were  strictly  and 
with  some  of  the  ministers  hyper-Calvinistic.  These  were  particular  and 
unconditional  election  and  reprobation,  that  Christ  died  only  for  the  elect, 
that  none  of  the  elect  could  by  any  possibility  be  lost,  and  that  none  of 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


G89 


tlie  non-elect  could  by  any  possibility  be  saved.  But  now  the  doctrine 
of  election  and  the  extent  of  the  atonement,  whether  it  was  general  or 
limited  in  its  design,  began  to  agitate  the  church.  A similar  contro- 
versy  occurred  in  eastern  Kentucky  about  1TS0,  resulting  in  a division  of 
the  denomination  into  regular  and  separate  Baptists.  The  result  in 
Tennessee  was  the  same,  only  more  widely  felt.  The  origin  of  this  con- 
troversy in  Tennessee  seems  to  have  been  as  follows:  Elder  Beuben 
Boss,  who  had  emigrated  from  North  Carolina  in  1807,  settling  near 
Port  Boyal,  Montgomery  County,  and  preaching  mainly  in  that  and 
Stewart  County  for  many  years,  during  his  early  ministry  became  much 
troubled  and  perplexed  over  the  doctrines  of  election  and  predestination. 
He  could  not  reconcile  with  his  own  ideas  of  justice  the  thought  that 
God  in  the  plenitude  of  His  wisdom  and  goodness  had  doomed  to  ever- 
lasting misery  and  to  eternal  bliss  separate  portions  of  the  human  race, 
from  before  the  beginning  of  time,  without  reference  to  their  merits  or  de- 
serts,  simply  because  it  was  His  own  will  and  pleasure  so  to  decree.  His 
study  of  the  sacred  Scriptures  led  him  to  the  opposite  coBelu.sioTi.  The 
sacred  writings  declare  that  God’s  tender  mercies  are  over  all  His  works, 
that  He  is  no  respecter  of  persons,  but  in  every  nation  he  that  fears  Him 
and  works  righteousness  is  accepted  of  Him. 

Upon  his  arrival  in  Tennessee  Elder  Boss  found  his  fellow  Baptists 
entertaining  rigid  Calvinistic  views  with  great  tenacity,  and  although 
out  of  respect  for  the  opinions  of  the  many  great  and  good  men  who 
had  lived  and  died  in  that  faith  he  had  not  publicly  opposed  their  doc- 
trinal teachings,  yet  he  could  not  but  doubt  their  correctness,  and  in  order 
to  fully  satisfy  his  judgment  of  the  Biblical  soundness  of  his  own  views  he 
brought  to  bear  on  the  study  of  this  question  all  the  faculties  of  his 
mind,  using  all  the  means  in  his  possession  to  the  investigation  of  a sub- 
ject which  he  felt  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  in  the  entire  range  of 
Christian  theology.  In  the  Old  Testament  no  passage  bearing  upon  this 
subject  is  more  remarkable  perhaps  than  that  found  in  Ezekiel,  chapter 
xviii,  verses  21  to  32  inclusive.  These  various  texts  seemed  to  him  to 
prove  conclusively  that  man's  salvation  is  conditional  instead  of  uncondi- 
tional, and  the  more  he  studied  the  Bible  the  more  settled  was  he  in  the 
conviction  that  this  is  the  true  position.  The  underlying  principle  of 
ends  accomplished  by  the  adoption  of  means  is  everywhere  visible  in  na- 
ture and  the  world,  and  using  this  as  an  analogy  Elder  Boss  had  his  con- 
viction strengthened  that  salvation,  if  obtained  at  all,  is  obtained  or 
achieved  by  or  through  efforts  put  forth  by  ourselves,  or  that  it  is  condi- 
tioned on  the  employment  of  proper  means.  The  first  sermon  in  which  this 
doctrine  was  clearly  and  distinctly  enunciated  was  preached  in  July,  1817, 


, 


690 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


at  tli©  funeral  of  Miss  Eliza  Norfleet,  who  had  died  a short  time  previously 
at  Port  Royal,  Tenn.  This  sermon  was  a remarkable  one,  not  only  for  the 
deep  impression  made  on  the  minds  of  the  auditors,  but  also  for  the  im- 
portant consequences  which  followed.  The  substance  of  the  sermon 
was  that  although  the  human  race  is  in  a state  of  alienation  from  God 
on  account  of  disobedience  and  rebellion  against  His  laws,  yet  Christ,  by 
His  suffering  and  death  had  made  an  atonement  sufficient  for  the  sins  of 
the  whole  world ; that  salvation  is  free  to  all  who  will  accept  the  terms, 
repentance,  faith,  love  and  obedience,  to  become  followers  of  the  meek 
and  lowly  Jesus;  that  while  the  Holy  Spirit  is  given  to  influence  men  to 
believe  in  Christ,  yet  He  never  operates  on  the  human  soul  in  such  a 
way  or  with  such  power  as  to  destroy  its  free  agency,  and  hence  with 
man  is  left  the  fearful  responsibility  of  determining  whether  he  will  be 
saved  or  lost,  that  the  election  spoken  of  in  the  Bible  is  not  uncondi- 
tional, but  always  has  reference  to  character  and  conduct,  etc. 

Having  finished  his  sermon  he  descended  from  the  pulpit  or  platform 
erected  in  a grove  of  shady  trees,  and  without  exchanging  a word  with 
any  one  returned  directly  to  his  home,  twenty  miles  distant.  His  auditors 
generally  approved  of  the  sentiments  expressed  in  his  sermons,  but  a 
small  group  of  elderly,  dignified  and  gray-ha ired  men,  who  could  clearly 
see  the  tendency  of  such  preaching,  earnestly  attempted  to  decide  on 
what  course  it  was  best  to  follow.  At  length  it  was  decided  to  send 
Elder  Fort  to  expostulate  with  Elder  Ross  upon  the  strangeness  of  his 
views,  and  to  persuade  him,  if  possible,  to  reconsider  his  position  and 
save  his  church  from  the  great  reproach  that  must  otherwise  come  upon 
it  of  falling  into  the  grievous'  heresy  of  Arminianism.  Elder  Fort  en- 
tered upon  the  execution  of  his  mission,  saw  Elder  Ross,  and  returned  to 
his  friends  converted  to  the  views  of  Elder  Ross.  The  new  views  spread 
quite  rapidly  among  the  Baptist  Churches,  as  all  new  views  upon  re- 
ligious doctrines  are  sure  to  spread  more  or  less  widely,  whether  scrip- 
tural or  unscriptural,  true  or  false. 

The  preaching  of  the  new  doctrines  went  on.  In  some  churches  the 
majority  of  the  members  were  in  their  favor;  in  some  the  majority  were 
in  favor  of  the  old,  while  in  others  the  members  were  about  equallv 
divided.  If  any  one,  dissatisfied  with  the  new  or  old  doctrines  preached 
in  his  church,  desired  to  sever  his  connection  therewith,  he  was  given  a 
letter  of  dismission  to  any  other  church  holding  views  similar  to  his  own. 
In  1823  Christopher  Owen,  a worthy  member  of  Spring  Creek  Church, 
of  which  Elder  Ross  was  then  pastor,  preferred  charges  against  him  of 
preaching  unscriptural  doctrine,  but  as  the  church  decided  by  a unanimous 
vote  that  the  charge  could  not  be  sustained,  it  was  withdrawn.  In  the 


- 

r 


' 


I 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE.  C)91 

same  year  a convention  of  delegates  from  the  churches  of  the  Red  River 
Association  met  in  the  Union  Meeting-house,  Logan  County,  Ky.,  for  the 
ostensible  purpose  of  restoring  peace  within  its  limits.  Upon  the  meet- 
ing of  the  convention,  however,  it  soon  became  apparent  that  many  mem- 
bers of  the  convention  were  determined  upon  obtaining  peace  by  bring- 
ing Elder  Ross  to  trial  and  by  condemning  and  suppressing  his  opinions. 
A charge  was  preferred  against  him  of  preaching  doctrines  contrary  to 
the  “Abstract  of  Principles,”  which  took  him  somewhat  by  surprise,  but 
upon  recovering  himself  he  demanded  a trial  upon  the  question  as  to 
whether  his  preaching  was  contrary  to  the  Bible.  This  demand  took  the 
convention  by  surprise,  and  as  no  member  of  it  was  willing  to  meet  him 
•on  that  ground,  his  trial  did  not  come  off.  Peace,  however,  had  departed 
from  the  church  by  the  introduction  by  Elder  Ross  of  his  heretical  opin- 
ions; hence  when  the  association  met  next  year  he  proposed  a peaceful 
division  of  the  association,  upon  which  proposition  the  association  acted, 
and  as  a final  result  the  convention  which  met  October  28,  1825,  organ- 
ized the  Bethel  Association,  into  which  the  following  churches  entered: 
Red  River,  Spring  Creek,  Drake's  Pond,  Mount  Gilead,  Bethel,  Little 
"West  Fork,  New  Providence  and  Pleasant  Grove.  Afterward  Elkton, 
Lebanon,  Mount  Zion,  Russellville  and  Union  joined  the  association. 
The  original  number  of  churches  in  this  association  was  eight,  and  the 
membership  about  700;  before  the  death  of  Elder  Ross  the  number  of 
churches  had  increased  to  sixty-two,  and  the  membership  to  more  than 
7,000,  and  this,  notwithstanding  the  withdrawal  of  many  of  its  members 
to  join  the  movement  for  reformation  which  finally  culminated  in  the 
formation  of  the  Christian  Church.  The  churches  that  thus  seceded  and 
formed  the  Bethel  Association  were  called  Separate  Baptists.  But  after 
the  formation  of  the  Bethel  Association  and  the  advent  of  the  “Cur- 
rent Reformation,”  as  Alexander  Campbell’s  movement  was  called,  there 
were  a number  of  years  of  comparative  peace.  Progress  had  been  made, 
harmony  as  a general  thing  had  been  preserved,  and  the  members  of  the 
Baptists  had  increased  in  about  the  same  proportion  as  the  population  of 
the  State.  But  the  work  of  evangelization  had  been  performed  by  indi- 
vidual ministers  at  their  own  convenience  and  expense.  About  the  year 
1833,  however,  a general  revival  began,  and  the  importance  of  an  organ- 
ized plan  for  supplying  the  destitute  with  the  gospel,  and  of  extending 
the  influence  of  their  denominational  principles,  was  clearly  seen  and  felt. 
A plan  was  therefore  originated  in  Middle  Tennessee  by  Garner  Mc- 
Connico,  James  Whitsitt  and  Peter  S.  Gayle,  at  Mill  Creek,  near  Nashville, 
in  October  of  this  year,  a Baptist  State  Convention  being  then  organized. 
Three  boards  were  appointed  to  conduct  its  affairs,  one  for  each  grand 


692 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


division  of  tlie  State.  This  plan  being  found  impracticable,  the  East 
Tennessee  Baptists  withdrew  and  formed  the  General  Association  of  East 
Tennessee,  the  principal  ministers  engaged  in  this  work  being  Samuel 
Love,  James  Kennon,  Elijah  Rogers,  Charles  Taliaferro,  Richard  H. 
Taliaferro,  Robert  Sneed  and  William  Bellew.  This  movement  imparted 
new  life  into  the  great  body  of  the  church,  filled  the  ministry  with  re- 
newed zeal,  and  considerably  increased  the  membership  of  the  Baptist 
Church  in  the  State,  though  one  of  the  results  was  the  secession  of  a few 
thousands  of  anti-Mission  Baptists.  One  peculiar  feature  of  Baptist 
evangelization,  especially  in  early  days,  was  this,  that  their  efforts  were 
mainly  expended  in  the  country,  as  was  also  largely  the  case  with  the 
Methodists,  while  the  Presbyterians,  who  insisted  on  an  educated  min- 
istry, and  later  the  Episcopalians,  were  for  the  most  part  confined  to  the 
towns  and  cities.  The  result  of  this  division  is  even  yet  visible  in  certain 
portions  of  the  State. 

In  1847  the  Baptists  in  East  Tennessee  numbered  19,963,  of  whom 
6,573  were  anti-Mission,  In  1858  the  Regular  Baptists  had  increased  to 
19,103,  the  anti-Mission  portion  remaining  at  about  the  same  numbers  as 
above  given,  while  in  1880  the  Regular  Baptists  amounted  to  45,000 
white  and  2,000  colored,  and  the  anti-Mission  Baptists  to  5,000,  in  all  a 
trifle  over  52,000. 

In  Middle  Tennessee  some  years  after  the  division  into  Regular  and 
Separate  Baptists,  as  the  result  of  Elder  Jdoss’  preaching,  the  doctrines 
of  the  reformation  readied  this  part  of  the  country,  and  produced  a 
profound  sensation  among  all  classes  of  the  people.  Campbellism  and 
anti-Campbellism  were  endlessly  and  bitterly  discussed.  Quite  a num- 
ber of  Baptist  preachers  embraced  Campbellism,  and  in  some  instances, 
where  the  preacher  was  of  a superior  order,  almost  the  entire  congrega- 
tion went  over  with  him.  This  was  the  case  with  the  First  Baptist 
Church  at  Nashville,  which  had  grown  up  to  be  a large  and  flourishing 
community,  having  a membership  of  over  300.  Their  pastor  was  the 
Rev.  Phillip  S.  Fall,  who  was  young  and  talented.  All  of  the  members 
except  about  twelve  or  fifteen  went  over  with  their  pastor  to  the  reforma- 
tion. The  feature  of  the  new  doctrine  which  had  most  influence  with  the 
people  was  that  of  ‘‘baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins.”  On  all  occasions 
the  reformers  promised  forgiveness  of.  sin  and  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  to  all  those  who  would  make  the  “good  confession” — that  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  promise  to  obey  the  gospel  and  submit  to 
immersion.  The  terms  seemed  so  easy  that  many  accepted  them  and 
were  baptized,  while  others,  fearing  that  there  might  be  some  mistake, 
hesitated  until  they  should  be  able  to  show  forth  “works  meet  for  repent- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


093 


ance.”  The  controversy  over  the  doctrine  of  the  reformation  was  ex- 
ceedingly bitter  for  a number  of  years:  and  when  the  smoke  of  the  battle 
had  cleared  away,  a new  denomination  was  added  to  those  which  some 
erroneously  thought  too  numerous  already,  but  the  Bethel  Baptist  Asso- 
ciation retained  its  numbers,  strength  and  prestige  at  the  end  of  the 
strife,  having  over  some  sixty  churches  within  her  limits. 

The  few  Baptists  who  in  Nashville  adhered  to  the  faith  reorganized 
their  church,  and  for  a time  had  for  their  pastor  Elder  P.  S.  Gayle.  In 
1833  Elder  Gayle  "resigned,  and  the  church  hearing  of  a remarkable 
debate  at  Norfolk  between  Bev.  B.  B.  C.  Howell,  of  Virginia,  and  an 
Episcopal  minister,  from  which  the  Baptists  of  Nashville  concluded  that 
Dr.  Howell  was  the  man  needed  to  combat  the  heresies  of  Campbellism, 
and  extended  to  him  a call  to  the  pastorate,  which  he  accepted  in  1834. 
Dr.  Howell  labored  with  such  ability,  enthusiasm  and  success  that  within 
a few  years  the  Baptists  in  Nashville  had  regained  their  lost  ground,  had 
built  the  fine  church  building  on  Summer  Street  between  Cedar  and 
Union,  and  had  a membership  of  over  500. 

After  the  East  Tennessee  Baptists  had  withdrawn  from  the  State 
Convention,  as  above  recorded,  those  of  Middle  Tennessee  likewise  with- 
drew and  formed  an  independent  organization,  which  they  named  the 
General  Association  of  Middle  Tennessee.  Northern  Alabama  was  after- 
ward added  to  the  association,  In  addition  to  its  evangelical  work,  this 
General  Association,  aided  by  each  of  the  other  divisions  of  the  State, 
established  Union  University  at  Murfreesboro,  which,  after  a somewhat 
brief  career,  was  finally  suspended  in  1S73  by  a general  convention, 
which  established  the  Southwestern  Baptist  University  at  J ackson.  In 
Middle  Tennessee  the  Baptists  have  the  Mary  Sharpe  Female  College  at 
Winchester. 

West  Tennessee  was  not  favored  with  Baptist  influences  until  about 
the  time  of  the  revival  in  1833.  Since  then  they  have  made  substantial 
progress.  Some  of  their  early  pioneer  ministers  were  the  following:  Jerry 
Burns,  Thomas  Owen,  P.  S.  Gayle,  C.  C.  Conner,  N.  G.  Smith, — Collins, 
George  N.  Young,  J.  M.  Hart  and  David  Haliburton.  West  Tennessee 
Convention  was  formed  in  1835.  By  this  convention  Brownsville 
Female  College  was  established.  In  1876  Middle  and  West  Tennes- 
see dissolved  their  separate  organizations,  and  with  a few  churches  in  East 
Tennessee,  again  formed  a State  Convention.  At  the  end  of  100  years1 
labor  of  the  Baptists  in  Tennessee,  the  numbers  in  the  three  great  divis- 
ions of  the  State  were  as  follows:  East  Tennessee,  19  associations  and 
45,000  members;  Middle  Tennessee,  10  associations  and  22,000  members; 
West  Tennessee,  7 associations  and  20,000  members.  Besides  these, 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


there  were  in  the  State  about  8,000  anti-Mission  Baptists  and  20,000  col- 
ored Baptists,  making  a grand  total  of  115,000  members  of  Baptist 
Churches  in  Tennessee. 

The  General  Association  of  East  Tennessee  which  covered  the  ground 
in  the  Tennessee  Valley,  met  at  Island  Home  Church,  Knox  County, 
October  8,  1SS5.  After  full  discussion  it  was  resolved  to  discontinue 
the  organization  and  to  connect  themselves  with  the  State  Convention; 
and  thus  the  Baptists  of  Tennessee  became  united  in  their  denominational 
work.  The  following  statistics  are  giving  from  the  Baptist  Year  Book 
for  1886:  The  entire  number  of  white  Baptist  associations  was  40,  and 
•of  colored  9;  there  were  725  white  ordained  ministers,  and  170  colored; 
17,068  white  Sunday-school  scholars,  2,473  colored;  86,455  white  church 
members,  and  29,088  colored,  arid  the  value  of  the  property  belonging  to 
white  churches  was  $686,860,  and  of  that  belonging  to  colored  churches 
$35,000;  though  of  the  latter,  the  value  was  reported  from  only  two  asso- 
ciations: Elk  River  and  Stone  River.  Besides  the  institutions  of  learning 
incidentally  mentioned  above,  there  are  in  Tennessee,  belonging  to  the 
Baptist  denomination,  the  Western  Female  College  at  Bristol,  Doyle  Col- 
lege at  Doyle  Station,  and  Roger  Williams  University  at  Nashville. 

It  is  a remarkable  fact,  that  the  Episcopal  Church*  was  considerably 
later  in  finding  its  way  into  Tennessee  than  the  Presbyterian,  Methodist 
or  Baptist.  Its  numbers  were  not  swelled  by  converts  from  the  great 
revival,  for  that  occurred  in  the  first  years  of  the  century,  from  1800  to 
1812  or  1813,  while  the  first  congregation  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  Tennessee  was  organized  at  Franklin,  Williamson  County, 
'August  25,  1827,  by  the  Rev.  James  H.  Otey.  A brief  resume  of  the 
reasons  for  this  late  appearance  of  this  denomination  in  this  State  is  in 
reality  a part  of  its  history,  and  will  doubtless  be  expected  by  all  the 
readers  of  this  work.  The  colonists  from  England  were  very  generally 
those  individuals  who  desired  to  escape  from  the  intolerance  of  the  Church 
of  England.  New  England  was  settled  by  the  Puritans,  New  York  mainly 
by  the  Dutch,  Pennsylvania  by  the  Quakers,  and  Maryland  principally 
by  the  Roman  Catholics.  The  preponderating  influences  among  the  set- 
tlers of  Virginia  and  the  Carolinas  were  against  the  Church  of  England; 
but  the  great  obstacle  with  which  the  Episcopal  Church  in  America  had 
to  contend  was  that  it  had  no  bishop,  no  head,  no  leader,  no  adminis- 
trator. Children  and  adults  could  be  baptized  at  the  hands  of  the  clergy, 
but  no  one  could  have  confirmation  or  the  laying  on  of  hands.”  Can- 
; dictates  for  the  ministry  were  obliged  to  undergo  the  hardships  and  dan- 

♦ Adapted  largely  from  a manuscript  history  by  Rev.  W.  C.  Gray,  read  before  the  Tennessee  Historical 
Society,  November  11, 16S4. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


695 


gers  of  a long  ocean  voyage,  in  order  to  be  ordained  in  England,  and  in 
some  instances  these  candidates  did  not  return.  In  addition  to  this  many  of 
the  clergy  of  the  Church  of  England,  residents  in  this  country  after  the 
He  volution,  either  from  too  little  patriotism  or  too  much  Erastianism,  or 
other  cause,  refused  to  remain  in  America  and  returned  to  England.  This 
action  on  their  part  caused  the  transfer  to  the  remnants  of  their  deserted 
churches  the  bitter  hatred  which  was  then  so  bounteously  being  showered 
on  the  mother  country.  All  these  unfortunate  circumstances  led  to  great 
laxity  of  discipline;  many  unworthy  and  some  who  had  been  deposed 
continued  in  this  country  to  exercise  their  ministerial  functions  and  their 
evil  course  of  life  with  impunity;  hence  the  growth  of  the  church  was 
necessarily  slow. 

While  the  Episcopal  Church  was  in  such  an  imperfect  condition  in 
America,  Methodism,  which  as  yet  however  had  not  separated  from  the 
Church  of  England,  was  making  a profound  impression  in  both  countries, 
.and  was  drawing  multitudes  of  members  out  of  the  church  into  the  new 
enthusiasm,  and  nreoarino-  the  wav  for  the  separation  which  some  think 
came  all  too  soon.  But  in  1784  the  first  bishop  was  consecrated  for  the 
American  States,  and  in  1787  two  others. 

The  Pvev.  J ames  H.  Otey,  who  organized  the  first  Episcopal  congrega- 
tion in  Tennessee,  was  a Virginian  by  birth,  and  was  educated  at  Chapel 
Hill,  N.  C.  He  received  deacon’s  orders  October  10,  1825,  and  the 
office  of  priest  June  7,  1827,  at-  the  hands  of  Bishop  Bavenscroft.  He 
was  at  Franklin,  Tenn,  which  place  is  now  looked  back  to  as  the  birth- 
place and  cradle  of  a diocese  nowr  rejoicing  in  its  strength.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Otey  organized  his  congregation  in  the  Masonic  Hall  in  Franklin, 
and  he  preached  in  Columbia,  where  he  also  organized  a church.  Still 
later  he  held  occasional  services  in  Nashville.  Besides  Mr.  Otey  there 
was  then  but  one  clergyman  in  the  State,  the  Rev.  John  Davis,  who  had 
been  sent  by  some  Northern  missionary  society.  In  1829  there  were  two 
additional  clergymen  in  the  State.  The  first  convention  of  the  church 
was  held  in  Masonic  Hall,  in  Nashville,  July  1 of  that  year.  The  Rt. 
Rev.  John  Stark  Ravenscroft,  D.  D.,  bishop  of  North  Carolina,  was  pres- 
ent, in  spite  of  failing  health  and  rough  roads,  to  preside  and  to  aid  in 
framing  a constitution  and  canons  for  the  church  in  Tennessee.  On  that 
day  was  formed  the  Diocese  of  Tennessee.  Besides  the  presiding  officer 
there  were  present  at  this  convention  the  Rev.  James  H.  Otey,  of  St 
Paul’s  Church,  Franklin;  the  Rev.  Daniel  Stephens,  of  St.  Peter’s 
•Ohurch,  Columbia,  and  the  Rev.  John  Davis,  deacon  and  missionary. 
Christ  Church,  Nashville,  was  represented  in  this  convention  by  the  fol- 
lowing laymen:  Thomas  Claiborne,  George  Wilson  and  Francis  B.  Fogg; 


' 


696 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


St  Peter’s  Church,  Columbia,  by  James  H.  Piper;  St.  John’s,  Knoxville, 
by  G.  M.  Fogg,  and  St.  Paul’s,  Franklin,  by  Thomas  Maney,  P.  N.  Smith, 
33.  S.  Tappan  and  William  Hardeman.  In  the  report  of  the  committee 
on  the  state  of  the  church  is  found  the  following:  “From  Avhat  has  been 
effected  within  a few  years  past  by  the  exertions  of  a few  who  have  stepped 
forward  and,  under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances,  lent  their 
aid  to  advance  the  interests  of  religion  and  virtue  among  us,  we  may 
form  the  most  pleasing  anticipations  of  future  success.  A few  years 
since  the  Episcopal  Church  was  hardly  known  in  this  State;  her  spirit- 
stirring  liturgy  was  unheard  within  our  borders.  Now  three  altars  have 
arisen,  and  it  is  cheering  to  know  they  are  crowded  by  pious  and  devoted 
worshippers  of  the  Most  High  God.”  At  the  time  of  this  convention,  so 
far  as  was  known,  there  were  not  fifty  communicants  in  the  State. 

In  1830  the  Church  in  Tennessee  was  visited  by  Bishop  Meade,  of 
Virginia,  and  in  that  year  was  held  its  first  diocesan  convention.  In 
1831  Bishop  Ives  visited  the  State  and  presided  over  the  convention 
held  in  Christ  Church,  Nashville,  June  28.  In  1833  there  were  in  the 
diocese  besides  Mr.  Otey,  five  presbyters  and  one  deacon.  The  necessity 
of  a bishop  was  sorely  felt,  and  a convention  was  held  in  Franklin, 
on  the  27th  of  June,  for  the  purpose  of  electing  one.  The  clerical 
votes  fell  with  great  unanimity  upon  the  Bev.  James  H.  Otey  for  bishop, 
there  being  but  two  votes  against  him,  his  own  and  that  of  the  Bev.. 
George  AVeller,  they  being  cast  for  the  Bev.  William  Green,  of  North 
Carolina.  The  nomination  was  unanimously  confirmed  by  the  laity. 
Mr.  Otev’s  testimonials  were  signed  by  the  following  clergy  and  laity: 
Bevs.  Daniel  Stevens,  George  Weller,  Albert  A Muller,  John  Chilton 
and  Samuel  G.  Litton,  and  by  Messrs.  John  C.  AYormley,  George  C. 
Skipwith,  William  G.  Dickinson,  B.  S.  Tappan,  Thomas  Maney,  Mat- 
thew Watson,  G.  M.  Fogg,  F.  B.  Fogg  and  John  Anderson.  Several 
new  parishes  were  received  into  union  at  this  time,  and  the  committee  on 
the  state  of  the  church  made  an  encouraging  report.  The  Bev.  Mr. 
Otey  was  consecrated  bishop,  at  Philadelphia,  January  II,  1831.  Upon 
his  return  to  his  diocese  he  immediately  set  about  devising  plans  for  its 
more  general  good.  “In’his  frequent  and  fatiguing  rides  through  his 
own  and  adjacent  dioceses  he  witnessed  such  an  amount  of  ignorance  and 
prejudice,  and  such  mistaken  views  of  religion,  as  often  to  make  him 
groan  in  spirit.  Preaching,  preaching,  preaching,  was  all  that  even 
the  better  part  of  the  people  seemed  to  care  for.  Worship,  or  prayer, 
was  hardly  a secondary  consideration ; and  the  ordinances  of  the  church 
were  regarded  as  little  better  than  signs  of  church  membership,  or 
cloaks,  in  too  many  cases,  to  cover  up  an  immoral  life.  Each  sect  gloried 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


697 


in  its  peculiar  “ shibboleth the  brief  and  undigested  lessons  of  the 
Sunday-school  constituted  the  chief,  if  not  the  sole,  religious  instruction 
of  the  young;  and  with,  few  exceptions  even  the  more  intelligent  seemed 
to  have  lost  sight  of  the  Church  of  Christ  as  a Divine  institution,  de- 
manding an  unquestioning  reception  of  its  creeds  and  ordinances.”*  “To 
such  men  (as  Bishop  Otey)  are  we  indebted  for  the  civil  and  religious 
liberty  which  we  now  enjoy.  ‘To  him  his  church  is  largely  indebted  for 
the  prosperity  which  has  marked  its  progress  within  the  diocese  over 
which  he  was  called  to  preside,  and  he  has  bequeathed  as  a rich  legacy 
to  the  entire  church  his  spotless  name  and  fame.”f 

The  ignorance  of  the  people  of  Tennessee  with  regard  to  the  rites  of 
the  Episcopal  Church  is  amusingly  illustrated  by  an  incident  of  his  early 
ministry.  One  of  the  rude  sons  of  the  forest  once  said  to  one  of  his  com- 
panions, “ Come,  let  ns  go  and  hear  that  man  preach,  and  his  wife  jaw 
back  at  him alluding  to  the  responses  made  by  Mrs.  Otey,  she  being 
oftentimes  the  only  respondent  in  the  congregation.  The  clergy  of  the 
diocese  in  the  year  of  the  Bishop’s  consecration  numbered  6 priests  and 
3 deacons,  the  number  of  the  churches  in  the  entire  State  had  grown  to 
12,  and  the  aggregate  of  actual  communicants  was  117.  From  this  on, 
although  there  were  numerous  obstacles  in  the  church,  its  growth  though 
slow  was  steady.  The  ignorance  of  the  people,  and  their  prejudice 
against  it,  were  very  great.  In  order  to  remove  the  ignorance  Bishop 
Otey's  earliest  efforts  were  devoted  to  the  establishment  of  institutions 
of  learning,  based  upon  the  principle  of  furnishing  a Christian  educa- 
tion to  their  students.  He  opened  in  his  own  house  in  Columbia  a school 
for  boys,  which  he  named  “ Mercer  Hall,”  and  he,  assisted  by  Bishop 
Polk,  A.  O.  Harris  and  Francis  B.  Fogg,  founded  Columbia  Female  In- 
stitute in  1836.  At  the  same  time  he  had  in  contemplation  the  project 
of  founding  a University  for  the  Southern  States.  This  was  undertaken 
in  1830,  but  was  not  consummated  until  July  4,  1857,  when  the  “Uni- 
versity of  the  South”  was  formally  organized,  though  the  name  was  not 
fully  adopted  until  the  next  year.  This  organization  was  effected  on  the 
summit  of  Lookout  Mountain,  near  Chattanooga,  there  being  present  at 
the  meeting  the  Bishops  of  Tennessee,  South  Carolina,  Oeorgia,  Florida, 
Alabama,  Mississippi  and  Louisiana,  together  witli  some  of  the  leading 
clergymen  of  all  the  Southern  dioceses.  A board  of  trustees  was  ap- 
pointed and  Bishop  Otey  elected  president. 

The  following  incident,  which  created  great  excitement,  selected  Lorn 
numerous  others  that  might  be  given  with  profit,  did  space  permit,  to  throw 


♦Memoir  of  RGhoj>  Otey,  by  lit.  Rev.  William  Mercer  Green,  D.  D. 
fRandail  M.  Ewiug. 


698 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


light  upon  the  history  of  this  church,  is  here  introduced,  copied  from  the- 
“Memoirs,”  by  Bishop  Mercer:  “On  the  8th  of  August,  1857,  the  Bishop 
was  called  to  consecrate  a new  church  at  Riverside,  in  the  Eastern  part  of 
his  diocese,  built  by  Col.  N.  and  the  relatives  of  his  wife.  This  was  at  a. 
time  when  what  is  now  generally  known  as  “Ritualism”  had  gained  con- 
siderable footing  in  some  of  the  larger  and  more  advanced  Eastern  citiesy 
but  had  yet  to  plant  its  first  footstep  among  the  mountains  and  valleys- 
of  Tennessee.  On  arriving  at  the  church,  accompanied  by  Bishop  Polk, 
he  beheld  a cross  on  every  gate,  three  crosses  on  the  roof  and  one  on  the 
belfry.  On  entering  the  church  he  found  the  font  at  the  south  door,  and 
on  the  altar  and  superaltar  a large  movable  cross,  two  vases  for  flowers, 
and  two  very  large  candlesticks,  and  five  other  crosses,  with  multiform 
devices  upon  them.  This  was  rather  too  much  for  the  uninstructed  taste 
of  the  Bishop.  He  had  not  been  initiated  among  the  more  ‘advanced*' 
of  his  brethren.  He  was  too  old-fashioned  to  admire  or  even  tolerate 
such  novelties;  therefore,  at  his  command,  these  insignia  were  all  re- 
moved before  he  would  proceed  to  the  consecration.  Great  offense  was 
- taken  by  the  worthy  family  that  erected  the  church,  and  no  regular  serv- 
ices were  ever  after  held  in  it.  It  was  permitted  to  fall  to  decay,  and  no 
vestige  remains  to  mark  the  occasion  but  the  site  itself,  one  of  the  loveli- 
est that  could  possibly  be  chosen  for  a house  of  God.” 

Ten  years  after  the  consecration  of  Bishop  Otey  there  -were,  besides 
himself,  thirteen  resident  clergymen  in  Tennessee,  and  the  number  of 
communicants  had  grown  from  117  to  about  400.  A noticeable  feature 
in  the  proportionate  growth  is  the  increase  in  the  city  parishes  above 
that  in  the  country,  Christ  Church,  Nashville,  and  Calvary  Church, 
Memphis,  far  outstripping  the  others  in  numbers,  importance  and  influ- 
ence. At  the  end  of  another  decade  there  were  seventeen  clergymen,  be- 
sides the  Bishop,  and  seventeen  parishes,  besides  the  mission  stations, 
and  the  entire  number  of  communicants  was  estimated  at  800.  Quite  a. 
number  of  substantial  church  edifices  had  been  erected  in  various  parts 
of  the  State,  a few  of  them  being  of  stone,  as  in  Nashville  and  Clarks- 
ville, and  some  of  wood,  but  the  most  of  brick.  In  1860,  the  last  year 
for  which  there  is  a Journal  of  Convention  for  Bishop  Otey’s  time,  the 
number  of  clergy  was  twenty-seven;  the  number  of  organized  parishes, 
twenty-six,  and  the  number  of  communicants,  1,506.  For  the  next  five 
years  the  great  civil  war  not  only  effectually  checked  the  growth  of  the 
church,  but  almost  destroyed  what  had  been  accomplished  with  such 
great  labor.  The  attitude  of  the  Episcopal  Church  was  generally  the 
same  as  that  of  Bishop  Otey,  with  respect  to  the  war.  He  was  strenu- 
ously opposed  to  both  war  and  disunion,  if  both  could  be  avoided  con- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


69$ 

sistently  with  the  honor  and  safety  of  the  South ; but  when  lie  sa\v  that 
war  was  inevitable,  he  nerved  himself  for  the  contest,  and  for  final  advice 
and  counsel  to  his  flock;  but  the  shock  wras  too  great  for  his  once  power- 
ful, but  now  enfeebled  system,  and  no  doubt  shortened  his  life.  He  died 
on  April  23,  1863,  having  directed  that  the  marble  which  might  cover 
his  remains  should  bear  no  other  inscription  than  his  name,  the  dates  of 
his  birth  and  death,  and  “The  First  Bishop  of  the*  Catholic  Church  in 
Tennessee.” 

The  return  of  peace  found  the  Episcopal  Church  in  Tennessee  with- 
out a bishop.  A call  was  promptly  issued  for  a convention  to  assemble 
in  Christ’s  Church,  Nashville,  to  consider  the  question  of  electing  a suc- 
cessor to  Bishop  Otey.  Quite  a full  representative  convention  assembled 
on  September  8,  1865,  when  it  was  found  that  the  Bev.  Dr.  Quintard  wras 
almost  unanimously  the  choice  of  the  convention.  Since  his  election  the 
progress  of  the  church  has  continued  to  be  steady  though  slow.  In 
1884  there  w*ere  thirty-six  w'hite  parishes,  forty  mission  stations,  ancl 
about  4,000  communicants.  The  charitable  institutions  of  the  diocese 
are  numerous  and  creditable.  There  is  the  Orphan’s  Home  at  Knoxville, 
a similar  institution  at  Memphis,  where  also  is  St.  Mary’s  School,  for 
girls;  St.  James  Hall  is  at  Bolivar,  Fairmount,  near  Mount  Eagle,  and 
there  is  a fine  school  at  Cleveland;  there  is  a male  school  at  Cleveland, 
one  at  Knoxville,  one  in  Chattanooga,  one  at  Mount  Pleasant,  one  at 
South  Pittsburg,  but  above  all  is  the  University  of  the  South. 

Closely  identified  W'ith  the  history  of  the  church  and  education  in 
Tennessee  is  the  history  of  the  University  of  the  South  at  Sew'anee, 
Tenn.  To  Bishop  Otey  is  due  the  honor  of  the  first  conception  of  the 
university.  In  1836,  in  an  address  to  his  convention,  he  urged  the  ne- 
cessity of  an  institution  maintaining  the  highest  degree  of  scholarship, 
and  sought  the  co-operation  of  adjoining  dioceses  in  founding  a great 
university.  He  was  w'armly  seconded  in  his  efforts  by  Bev.  Leonidas 
Polk,  then  a minister  at  Columbia,  who,  subsequently  becoming  Bishop 
of  Louisiana,  took  a prominent  part  in  the  organization  of  the  University 
of  the  South.  In  1860  an  endowment  of  over  $500,000  and  a domain  of 
10,000  acres  having  been  secured,  the  corner-stone  of  University  Hall 
wras  laid  with  great  ceremony.  In  the  war,  the  endowment  was  lost,  and 
the  corner-stone,  a massive  block  of  native  marble,  wTas  broken  in  frag- 
ments and  carried  awray  as  relics  by  the  Union  soldiers.  Misfortune 
proves  institutions  as  truly  as  it  does  men.  Under  the  energetic  leader- 
ship of  Bishop  Quintard  the  university  began  life  anew'  in  1868,  with  its 
bare  domain  and  its  admirable  organization  as  its  only  inheritance.  Its 
beginning  wras  an  humble  one ; but  maintaining  from  the  first  a high  stand- 

0.0.  • o o 


■ 


700 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


arc!  of  education,  it  lias  steadily  advanced,  till  now  with  300  students,  sub- 
stantial buildings,  and  a high  reputation  at  home  and  abroad,  it  can  see 
that  these  past  trials  have  developed  strength  and  proved  the  wisdom  of 
its  scheme  of  education.  The  university  is  to-day  organized  substantially 
according  to  the  original  plan,  which  was  formulated  after  a careful  study 
of  the  leading  colleges  of  Europe  and  America.  A plan  which  has  thus 
stood  the  test  of  adversity  is  worthy  of  consideration.  Among  the 
causes  of  success  are  first,  the  concentration  of  the  means  and  patronage 
of  a large  section  in  one  institution;  second,  the  maintenance  of  the 
highest  scholarship  (the  requirements  for  degrees  here  are  as  severe 
as  at  Yale  or  Harvard) ; third,  the  elevation  and  location,  free  from 
malaria,  pulmonary  trouble  and  catarrh;  fourth,  it  keeps  a home  in- 
fluence over  the  students  by  boarding  them  in  private  families;  fifth, 
it  controls  a domain  several  miles  in  extent,  prohibiting  the  sale  of  liq- 
uors, gambling  and  other  evils  incident  to  university  towns  (it  is  father 
of  the  four-mile  law  in  Tennessee)  ; sixth,  it  is  not  a sectional  but  a 
general  institution,  having  more  students  from  the  North  than  any  other 
school  in  the  South.  It  is  not  narrow  or  bigoted,  but  teaches  a Catholic 
•Christianity  as  the  basis  of  morality,  and  religion  and  science  going  hand 
in  hand  in  all  completeness  of  investigation.  The  vice-chancellor,  Rev. 
Telfair  Hodgson,  D.  D.,  is  executive  head  of  the  institution.  Elected  to 
that  responsible  position  in  1879,  he  has  shown  rare  administrative  pow- 
ers, and  much  of  the  material  prosperity  of  the  university  is  due  to  his 
wise  management. 

Reference  has  been  made  in  connection  with  the  account  of  the  great 
revival  to  the  Rev.  Barton  AY.  Stone.  He  was  probably  the  first  in  Ken- 
tucky and  Tennessee  to  preach  the  creed  which  subsequently  constitu- 
ted the  doctrines  of  the  reformed  or  Campbellite  Church,  as  it  was 
called  in  earlier  days,  but  to  which,  in  more  recent  times,  the  name  of 
the  Disciples  of  Christ  or  Christian  Church  has  been  applied.  As  a 
result  of  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  Barton  AY.  Stone  a numerous  body  had 
originated  in  Kentucky  and  extended  somewhat  into  Tennessee,  separat- 
ing themselves  from  the  Presbyterian  communion,  having  for  their 
object  a union  of  Christians  upon  the  Bible  alone. 

But  the  movement  which  gave  immediate  origin  and  distinctive  char- 
acter to  the  church  of  the  Disciples  was  started  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1809, 
by  Thomas  Campbell  aided  by  his  son  Alexander.  Their  original  pur- 
pose was  to  heal  the  divisions  in  the  religious  world,  and  to  establish  a 
common  basis  of  Christian  union.  This,  it  was  thought,  could  be  accom- 
plished by  taking  the  expressed  teachings  of  the  Bible  as  the  only  guide. 
After  some  time  a considerable  society  was  formed;  and,  curiously 


' 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


701 


enough,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Rev.  Barton  TV.  Stone,  from  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church.  This  society,  by  the  evolution  of  thought  upon  Bible 
teaching,  became  one  of  immersed  believers,  and  soon  afterward  united 
with  the  Red  Stone  Baptist  Association,  upon  the  stipulation  that  no 
standard  of  doctrine  or  bond  of  union  should  be  required  other  than  the 
Holy  Scriptures.  After  some  time  another  doctrine  was  discovered  in 
the  Scriptures,  viz.:  “Baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins,”  which  became 
-a  distinctive  feature  of  the  reformation. 

Controversy  upon  these  doctrines  increased  in  the  Baptist  Church, 
with  which  Alexander  Campbell  was  then  associated  from  1813,  when  he 
united  with  the  Red  Stone  Association  in  1S27,  when  he  began  to  form 
separate  church  organizations,  entertaining  his  own  peculiar  viewrs.  In 
order  to  properly  present  his  view  of  the  doctrine  of  baptism  for  the 
remission  of  sins,  the  following  extract  from  his  “Christianity  Restored,” 
published  in  1823,  is  introduced:  “If  then  the  present  forgiveness  of 
sins  be  a privilege  and  a right  of  those  under  the  new  constitution  in  the 
kingdom  of  Jesus,  and  if  being  ‘born  again,’  and  being  ‘born  of  the 
water  and  the  spirit,’  is  necessary  to  admission,  and  if  being  born  of 
water  means  immersion,  as  is  clearly  proved  by  all  witnesses,  then  remis- 
sion of  sins  in  this  life  cannot  be  received  or  enjoyed  previous  to  bap- 
tism. * * The  remission  of  sins  or  coming  into  a state  of 

acceptance  being  one  of  the  present  immunities  of  the  kingdom,  cannot 
be  received  or  enjoyed  by  any  one  previous  to  baptism.”  * 

Very  soon  after  churches  began  to  be  formed  on  this  and  the  other 
•doctrines  of  Mr.  Campbell,  which  embraced  most  of  those  held  by  the 
Evangelical  Churches;  new  organizations  soon  sprang  into  existence  in 
Tennessee,  embracing  the  new  doctrines,  and  here  and  there  a Baptist 
Church  went  over  in  a body  to  the  new  faith.  One  of  the  first  of  these 
latter  was  the  Baptist  Church  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  Of  this  church,  in 
May,  1826,  Rev.  Philip  S.  Fall  had  become  pastor,  and  it  soon  became 
evident  that  he  sympathized  with  the  doctrines  taught  by  Alexander 
Campbell.  The  church  found  themselves  in  hopeless  controversy.  The 
Mill  Creek  Church,  as  the  senior  church  of  this  section,  was  requested  to 
take  action  in  the  matter,  but  the  Nashville  Church  declined  to  appear 
before  its  bar.  The  latter  church  then  adopted  the  ordinance  of  weekly 
communions.  The  minority,  powerless  in  the  matter,  withdrew,  and  met 
for  worship  October  10,  1830,  in  the  courthouse.  In  January,  1828,  the 
Nashville  Church  adopted  the  full  form  of  the  Disciples'  worship,  and  in 
May  repealed  the  entire  Baptist  creed.  The  church  at  this  time  num- 
bered about  450  members.  In  1831  the  “Stonites”  in  Kentucky  and 
other  Western  States  united  with  the  Disciples  and  a strong  sect  or 

44 


702 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


denomination  was  added  to  tlie  number  which  the  Campbells  thought 
altogether  too  numerous  when  they  commenced  their  reformation. 

A movement  somewhat  independent  in  its  nature,  made  a few  years- 
later  than  this  of  the  Rev.  Philip  S.  Pall,  deserves  careful  mention.  It 
was  that  of  Elders  John  Calvin  Smith  and  Jonathan  H.  Young.  They 
had  botli  been  immersed  by  Elder  Isaac  Denton  and  had  united  with  the 
Clear  Fork  Baptist  Church,  Cumberland  County,  Ky.,  in  1821.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1822,  Young  and  his  wife  transferred  their  membership  to  Wolf 
River  Church,  in  Overton  County,  Tenn.  In  a few  years  they  received 
letters  from  this  church  to  a “church  of  the  same  faith  and  order”  in 
East  Tennessee,  continuing  there  until  1829,  when  they  moved  back  to 
the  Wolf  River  Church,  of  which  John  Calvin  Smith  had  in  the  mean- 
time become  pastor,  as  also  of  Sinking  Spring  Church,  Fentress  County, 
Tenn.  After  the  reading  of  the  letter  for  membership  in  the  Wolf  River 
Church,  Young  asked  permission  to  explain  his  position  relative  to  the 
first  article  of  the  “Abstracts  of  Principles.”  After  he  had  stated  his 
objections  thereto  and  closed  a short  argument  in  their  favor  Smith  also 
expressed  his  doubts  as  to  the  propriety  of  the  first  article,  and  then 
proposed  that  a vote  be  taken  on  the  reception  or  rejection  of  Young  and 
his  wife  into  the  church.  They  were  unanimously  received  into  fellow- 
ship, notwithstanding  their  objections  to  the  creed.  The  preaching  .of 
Smith  and  Young  became  a wider  and  wider  departure  from  the  Baptist 
creed,  and  they  were  advised  by  their  brethren  to  be  more  cautious,  or 
they  would  run  into  Campbellism.  A very  prominent  Baptist  preacher 
said  to  Smith,  “You  will  take  a little  and  a little  until  finally  you  will 
‘swallow"  a camel.’” 

Young  was  informed  that  he  must  account  to  the  church  for  preaching 
the  doctrines  which  he  did,  to  wrhich  he  replied  that  he  Tvas  received  into 
Wolf  River  Church  with  the  definite  understanding  that  he  was  opposed 
to  the  use  of  human  creeds  and  confessions  of  faith  in  the  church  of 
Christ.  He  preached  an  able  discourse  at  Sulphur  Meeting-house,  in 
Cumberland  County,  Ky.,  setting  forth  fully  his  sentiments  on  the  dis- 
puted premises.  The  Wolf  River  Church  wTas  investigated  by  a commis- 
sion appointed  for  the  purpose  and  after  able  discussions  of  the  question, 
lasting  from  July  to  September,  1831,  Young,  seeing  that  he  must,  if  he 
remained  in  the  Baptist  Church,  accept  the  first  article,  and  consequently 
the  whole  of  the  Philadelphia  Confession  of  Faith,  proposed  that  all  who 
w'ere  willing  to  accept  the  Bible  alone,  as  the  only  authoritative  rule  of 
faith  and  practice,  should  rise  and  stand  with  him.  Seven  or  eight  arose 
to  their  feet  and  stood  with  Young,  and  the  church  proceeded  immedi- 
ately to  cut  them  off  for  improper  treatment  of  her  order.  Elder  John. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


703 


C.  Smith  was  also  on  the  same  or  similar  grounds  excluded  from  mem- 
bership in  the  Baptist  Church.  Smith,  Young  and  the  others  who  were 
cut  off,  with  a few  brethren  living  in  the  neighborhood,  formed  them- 
selves into  a church  which  became  largely  influential. 

The  formation  of  other  Christian  Churches  in  Tennessee  followed 
with  great  rapidity  during  the  two  decades  from  1S30  to  1S50.  Follow- 
ing is  a partial  list  of  these  churches,  with  the  dates  of  their  organiza- 
tion, so  far  as  could  be  ascertained,  and  the  counties  in  which  they  were 
located:  Two  of  these  churches  were  organized  as  early  as  1816,  though 

probably  as  Baptist  Churches.  The  church  at  Bethlehem,  and  at  Wil- 
son’s Hill,  Globe  Creek,  Marshall  County,  in  1823.  Liberty  Church, 
Marshall  County,  separated  from  the  Richland  Association  of  United 
Baptists  for  communing  with  Christians  and  assisting  to  set  apart  a dea- 
con in  that  church.  At  that  time  it  had  126  members;  in  1846  it  had 
450.  In  1825  Roane  Creek  Church,  in  Carroll  County,  was  organized,, 
and  in  182S  Berea  Church,  in  Marshall  County,  was  organized;  in  1831 
Smyrna  Church,  Cedar  Creek,  in  Marshall  County,  and  New  Herman 
Church,  in  Bedford  County;  in  June,  1832,  the  church  at  Rutland’s 
Meeting-house,  in  Wilson  County,  separated  from  the  Baptists  by  laying 
aside  their  abstract  principles  and  agreeing  to  be  governed  by  the  Bible 
alone,  and  the  church  at  Tally’s  old  field  was  organized  this  year;  in 
1833  the  church  at  Paris,  Henry  County,  was  organized,  and  in  1844 
they  built  a very  neat  church  edifice ; March  30,  1834,  Sylvan  Church, 
Sumner  County,  was  organized  with  nine  members;  in  1844,  it  had  115; 
the  church  at  Brawley’s  Fork,  Cannon  County,  and  that  at  South  Har- 
peth,  Davidson  County,  were  organized  this  year;  in  1835  Rock  Springs 
Church,  Rutherford  County,  and  Sycamore  Church,  Davidson  County, 
were  organized,  the  former  having,  in  1844,  130  members;  in  1836,  Leb- 
anon Church  was  organized  with  nineteen  members,  and  reorganized  in 
1842;  the  church  at  Bagdad,  Smith  County,  was  organized  in  1835;  in 
1838,  Lewisburgh  Church,  in  Marshall  County,  and  in  1839  Big  Spring 
Church,  in  Wilson  County,  were  organized  ; in  1840  Trace  Creek  Church, 
Jackson  County,  and  that  at  Long’s  Meeting-house,  Marshall  County, 
and  in  1841  a church  at  Blackburn's  Fork,  and  at  Cane  Creek,  Lincoln 
County,  and  the  Torny  Fork  Church,  Marshall  County,  were  also  organ- 
ized; in  1842  Hartsville  Church,  in  Sumner  County,  Salt  Lick  Church, 
in  Jackson  County,  and  the  church  at  Meigsville,  on  the  Big  Bottom, 
were  organized;  in  1843  the  church  at  Teal’s  Meeting-house,  Jackson 
County,  Pleasant  Hill  Church,  Buckeye  Church,  Flynn’s  Creek,  Union 
Church,  Richland  Creek,  Marshall  County,  and  the  Cave  Creek  Church, 
Marshal]  County,  were  organized,  and  that  at  Murfreesboro  reorganized 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


704 

I 

in  1844;  tlie  church  at  Rich  Meeting-house  was  organized,  and  there 
were  in  existence,  date  of  organization  not  known,  the  following:  3 in 

Washington  County,  with  304  members;  4 in  Carter  County,  with  301 
members;  2 in  Johnson  County,  with  124  members,  and  2 in  Sullivan 
County  with  252  members;  in  Rutherford  County,  besides  Rock  Springs 
Church,  the  date  of  the  organization  of  which  has  been  given  above,  there 
were  the  Spring  Creek  Church  with  40  members.  Cripple  Creek  Church 
with  130  members,  and  Big  Creek  Church  with  GO  members;  in  Warren 
County  Hickory  Creek  and  Rockey  River  Churches;  in  Wilson  County 
Liberty  Church,  on  Stone  River,  besides  small  congregations  at  Cypress 
Creek,  Blue  Water  and  Bluff  Creek;  in  Livingston  County  there  were  8 
churches  with  970  members;  in  McMinn  County  4 churches  with  150 
members.  * 

From  1S45  to  1850  churches  of  this  denomination  continued  to  be 
organized  at  about  the  same  rate,  since  which  time  their  numbers  do  not 
seem  to  have  increased  so  rapidly.  In  1872  there  were  in  the  United 
States  500,000  Disciples  or  Christians,  of  which  number  Tennessee  could 
not  have  had  over  15,000.  Since  then,  this  sect  has  grown  and  pros- 
pered, especially  in  the  Southern  and  Western  States,  but  recent  statis- 
tics, as  applicable  to  Tennessee,  are  not  easily  obtainable.  For  about 
thirty  years  the  Christians  had  a flourishing  college  of  high  grade  five 
miles  east  of  Nashville  in  Davidson  County,  named  Franklin  College, 
which  has  now  ceased  to  exist,  most  of  the  advanced  students  of  the 
denomination  finding  Bethany  College,  in  West  Virginia,  better  prepared 
to  meet  tliejr  wants.  Since  1844  a valuable  periodical  has  been  published 
at  Nashville  under  the  different  names  of  The  Christian  Review , Chris- 
tian Magazine  and  Gospel  Advocate , the  latter  name  having  been  in  use 
since  1855. 

On  May  10, 1821,  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  David,  accompanied  by  Rev.  Father 
Robert  Abell,  arrived  in  Nashville,  and  was  received  by  M.  De  Munbreun, 
who  entertained  them  at  his  house.  The  following  day  the  first  mass 
offered  in  Tennessee  was  said.  Previous  to  this  time  but  four  mission- 
ary visits  had  been  made  to  the  State  since  the  early  French  settle- 
ments, and  the  number  of  Catholics  in  the  State  did  not  much  exceed 
100.  Tennessee  then  formed  a part  of  the  diocese  of  Bardstown,  Ivy., 
which  also  included  Kentucky  and  an  extensive  territory  to  the  west,  and 
which  had  constituted  the  bishopric  of  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Flaget.  During 
the  visit  of  Bishop  David  a proposition  to  establish  a congregation  in 
Nashville  was  made,  and  met  with  hearty  approval  from  both  Catholics 
and  Protestants.  Rev.  Father  Abell,  who  accompanied  the  bishop, 
preached  every  evening  during  his  stay  in  the  city,  and  a wide-spread 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


705 


interest  was  aroused  It  was  not,  however,  until  1S30  that  a church  was 
erected  on  the  north  side  of  what  now  constitutes  the  Capitol  grounds. 
Father  Abell  proceeded  to  Franklin,  where  there  was  one  Catholic  family 
and  where  he  held  services.  He  also  went  to  Columbia  and  delivered  a 
sermon  at  that  place. 

In  1S34  the  diocese  was  reduced  to  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  and  in 
1837  the  latter  was  made  a separate  diocese,  known  as  the  diocese  of 
Nashville,  of  which  the  Bt.  Bev.  Dr.  Bichard  Pius  Miles  was  conse- 
crated bishop  September  18,  1838.  He  was  a native  American  and  de- 
scendant of  a Maryland  family.  Congregations  had  already  been  organ- 
ized at  several  points  in  the  State,  and  mission  work  was  pushed  forward 
with  the  energy  and  zeal  characteristic  of  the  Catholic  Church.  In  1859 
the  work,  having  considerably  increased,  became  too  arduous  for  the  fail- 
ing strength  of  Bishop  Miles,  and  in  May  of  that  year  Bt.  Bev.  Bishop 
James  Whelan  was  appointed  his  coadjutor,  with  right  of  succession.  On 
the  death  of  Bishop  Miles,  which  occurred  February  1,  1800,  he  entered 
upon  his  duties,  and  remained  until  his  resignation  in  1803.  He  was 
succeeded  as  administrator  of  the  diocese  by  the  Bev.  Father  Kelly,  a 
Dominican  priest,  who  remained  until  November,  1805.  He  was  then 
relieved  by  the  Bt.  Bev.  Bishop  Patrick  A.  Feehan,  of  St.  Louis,  who 
was  consecrated  in  that  city  on  the  first  day  of  that  month.  He  contin- 
ued in  charge  of  the  diocese  until  June,  1883,  when  he  was  succeeded  by 
the  Bt.  Bev.  Joseph  Bademacher.  While  the  Catholic  Church  in  Ten- 
nessee does  not  embrace  so  large  a membership  in  proportion  to  popula- 
tion as  many  other  States,  it  is  due  rather  to  the  small  foreign  element 
than  a lack  of  prosperity  or  wise  management.  The  Catholic  popula- 
tion of  the  State  at  the  present  time  is  estimated  by  the  bishop  of  the 
diocese  at  from  20,000  to  25,000,  of  which  about  8,000  are  residents  of 
Nashville,  and  10,000  or  12,000  of  Memphis.  The  number  in  the  latter  city 
was  greatly  reduced  by  the  yellow  fever  epidemic  of  1878-79.  Chatta- 
nooga and  Knoxville  also  have  large  congregations.  The  whole  number 

o o o o 

of  churches  in  the  diocese  in  188G  was  thirty. 

The  church  supports  a large  number  of  excellent  schools  and  acade- 
mies, and  one  college.  One  of  the  best  known  institutions  for  young 
ladies  is  the  Academy  of  St.  Cecilia,  at  Nashville.  This  school  was  es- 
tablished in  1800  by  six  ladies  from  St.  Mary’s  Literary  Institute,  Perry 
County,  Ohio,  and  has  long  enjoyed  a high  reputation  for  the  excellence 
of  its  management.  The  Christian  Brothers  College,  of  Memphis,  was 
chartered  in  1854.  It  has  an  attendance  of  about  200  pupils,  and  is  pre- 
sided over  by  Brother  Maurelian. 

The  Lutherans  are  among  the  oldest  denominations  in  Tennessee, 


706 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


congregations  of  whom  were  organized  as  early  as  1S00.  The  first  Lu- 
theran  church  in  Middle  Tennessee  was  established  about  1825  by  Rev. 
William  Jenkins.  It  was  located  near  Shelbyville,  on  Duck  River,  and 
was  known  as  the  “ Shaffner  Church.”  The  growth  of  the  denomination 
in  the  State  has  been  somewhat  slow,  owing  to  the  small  foreign  immigra- 
tion.  The  number  of  ministers,  too,  has  never  equaled  the  demand,  con- 
sequently many  Lutherans  have  united  with  other  denominations.  In 
1850  there  were  twelve  organizations  in  the  State;  in  I860  eighteen, 
and  1870  twenty -two.  The  membership  at  the  present  time  is  about 
9,000,  of  which  much  the  larger  part  is  in  East  Tennessee.  It  is  di- 
vided among  three  district  synods,  as  follows:  Middle  Tennessee  Synod, 
a district  of  the  General  Synod,  numbering  910  members;  Holston  Sy- 
nod, with  a membership  of  1,566,  and  forming  a district  under  the  Gen- 
eral Council,  and  the  Tennessee  Synod  (independent),  with  a member- 
ship of  8,185.  Only  a portion  of  the  last  named  is  included  in  the  State 
of  Tennessee.  The  Holston  Synod  supports  a very  excellent  college  at 
Mosheim,  in  Greene  County.  It  was  first  organized  in  1869,  and  after  a 
suspension  of  several  years  was  reopened  in  1884. 

The  oldest  Jewish  congregation  in  Tennessee  is  the  “Children  of 
Israel,”  organized  in  Memphis  in  1852.  In  October,  1851,  a benevolent 
society  was  organized  in  Nashville',  at  the  house  of  Isaac  Gershon,  with 
Henry  Harris  as  president.  A room  was  rented  for  a synagogue  on 
North  Market  Street,  near  the  Louisville  depot,  and  divine  worship  was 
held,  the  president  officiating  as  reader.  Two  years  later  the  first  rabbi, 
Alexander  Iser,  was  engaged,  and  soon  after  the  first  Hebrew  congrega- 
tion in  Nashville  was  formed  under  the  name  of  Magen  David,  “Shield 
of  David.”  The  next  year,  1854,  the  organization  was  chartered  by  the 
Legislature. 

In  1862  the  first  reform  congregation  was  organized  under  the  name 
Benij  Jioshren,  with  Rabbi  Labshiner  in  charge.  After  an  existence  of 
about  six  years  the  two  congregations  united,  in  1868,  under  the  name  of 
K.  K.  Ahavah  Shoelem,  ‘^Lovers  of  Peace.”  Soon  after  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Isedor  Kaleish  was  elected  as  rabbi.  The  congregation  then,  as  they 
had  done  for  several  years,*  worshiped  in  Douglass  Hall,  on  Market 
Street,  at  the  corner  of  the  public  square.  After  three  years  Dr.  Kaleish 
was  succeeded  by  Dr.  Alexander  Rosenspitz,  who  remained  in  charge  of 
the  congregation  about  the  same  length  of  time  as  his  predecessor.  In 
1876  a lot  on  Vine  Street,  between  Church  and  Broad,  was  purchased, 
and  the  erection  of  the  present  handsome  temple  was  begun.  It  was 
[completed  the  following  year  and  dedicated  by  Dr.  Rosenspitz.  In  1878 
Dr.  Rosenspitz  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  J.  S.  Goldamer,  a native  of  Vienna, 


U' . 
’ ' 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


TOT 


•and  a graduate  of  the  university  of  that  city;  also  a graduate  in  philos- 
ophy and  Jewish  theology  at  the  Rabbinical  College,  at  Preszburg.  He 
is  eminent  as  a Hebrew  scholar,  and  previous  to  his  coming  to  Nashville 
was  in  charge  of  a congregation  in  Cincinnati  for  twelve  years.  He  suc- 
ceeded in  introducing  the  American  ritual  and  mode  of  worship  in  the 
place  of  the  old  Polish  form,  in  conformity  with  the  free  institutions  of 
this  country  and  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  age.  A choir  was  also  or- 
ganized. It  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  best  in  the  city,  and  renders  in 
an  excellent  manner  the  Jewish  sacred  music. 

The  adoption  of  the  new  ritual  was  displeasing  to  a small  portion  of 
the  congregation,  who  under  the  name  of  K.  K.  Adath  Israel  formed  a 
new  society  by  electing  I.  B.  Cohen,  president,  and  L.  Rosenheim,  vice- 
president.  The  organization  remains  much  the  same  at  the  present  time, 
nnd  continues  to  worship  according  to  the  orthodox  mode.  In  1885,  at 
a cost  of  $12,000,  a chapel  and  vault  was  erected,  which  is  considered  the 
finest  structure  of  the  kind  in  the  United  States. 

In  1864  a congregation  was  organized  at  Knoxville  under  the  name 
of  Beth  El,  or  “House  of  God.”  The  membership  has  never  been  very 
large,  and  now  embraces  about  twelve  families,  with  E.  Samuel  as  presi- 
dent and  E.  Heart  as  secretary. 

A congregation  was  organized  at  Chattanooga  in  186T,  and  now  num- 
bers about  twenty-seven  familes,  under  the  care  of  Rabbi  Julius  Ochs. 
Dr.  M.  Bloch  is  president  of  the  society,  and  Joseph  Simpson,  secretary. 
The  church  property  is  valued  at  $5,000.  At  Murfreesboro  a few  years 
■ago  a congregation  was  organized  "with  a membership  of  sixteen  or  sev- 
enteen families,  but  owing  to  the  removal  of  a large  number  from  the 
town,  only  three  or  four  families  remain,  and  the  organization  is  not 
maintained.  Columbia  and  several  other  towns  have  small  organizations, 
but  no  rabbis  are  employed.  Almost  every  town  in  the  State  has  one  or 
more  Jewish  families,  nearly  all  of  -whom  upon  the  most  important  days 
especially,  New  Year’s  day  and  the  Day  of  Atonement,  attend  services  in 
the  larger  cities,  as  Memphis,  Nashville  or  Chattanooga. 

The  Jewish  Church  throughout  the  State  is  in  a very  prosperous  con- 
dition, and  is  pervaded  with  a spirit  of  liberalty  and  toleration  in  keeping 
with  the  age.  The  congregation  at  Nashville  under  the  care  of  Rabbi 
Goldamer,  during  the  past  eight  years  has  increased  from  fifty-four  to  135 
families.  The  Sabbatli-school  children  number  108.  The  annual  expenses 
of  the  church  are  about  $5,500.  Its  property  is  valued  at  $25,000.  The 
president  of  the  society  is  L.  J.  Loewenthal;  the  secretary,  M.  Wertham. 
The  congregation  at  Memphis  numbers  110  families  under  the  care  of  Dr. 
M.  Sam  field.  Its  property  is  valued  at  $40,000.  Its  annual  expenses 


708 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


are  $6,500.  The  Sabbath-school  children  number  120.  The  president 
of  the  congregation  is  E.  Lowenstein;  the  secretary,  Samuel  Hirsch. 

Previous  to  the  civil  war  there  were  but  few  separate  or  independent 
colored  churches  in  Tennessee,  the  institution  of  slavery  being  inimical 
to  such  separate  organizations.  But  there  were  many  colored  members 
of  white  churches,  especially  of  the  Methodists.  Since  the  war  the  col- 
ored people  have  organized  churches  of  their  own  all  over  the  State,  and 
at  the  present  time  a colored  member  of  a white  church,  if  ever,  is  a 
very  rare  occurrence.  Most  of  the  churches  of  this  race  belong  to  the 
Methodist  or  Baptist  denominations,  these  denominations  being  usually 
more  demonstrative  and  emotional  in  their  devotion  than  others;  still 
there  are  Colored  Episcopal,  Congregational  and  other  churches.  It  is 
altogether  probable  that  a larger  proportion  of  the  colored  race  than  of 
the  white  race  belong  to  their  various  churches,  the  intelligence  of  the 
former  not  being  as  yet  sufficiently  developed  to  permit  them  to  rest  easy 
outside  the  pale  of  the  church. 



CHAPTER  XIX. 

Biography  of  Eminent  Citizens— A Comprehensive  Sketch  of  the  Social 
and  Professional  Character,  the  Domestic  Relations  and  the  Public 
Services  of  a Number  of  Distinguished  Tennesseeans. 

THE  family  of  John  Sevier  was  of  French  origin,  the  name  originally 
being  Xavier.  On  account  of  their  being  Huguenots  they  were 
exiled  from  France  and  went  to  England.  They  arrived  in  that  country 
about  the  beginning  of  the  last  century.  Valentine  Sevier,  the  father  of 
John  Sevier,  was  born  in  London,  and  some  time  previous  to  1710,  fol- 
lowing the  tide  of  emigration  westward,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  set- 
tied  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  in  the  colony  of  Virginia.  Here  John 
Sevier  was  born  in  the  year  1741,  and  here  too  his  boyhood  days  were 
spent.  His  opportunities  for  literary  attainments  were  very  limited,  but 
what  were  afforded  were  well  improved. 

Under  the  auspices  and  patronage  of  Lord  Dunmore,  who  was  then 
governor  of  Virginia,  young  Sevier  received  a captain’s  commission  in 
the  King’s  troops.  Once  driven  from  home  it  was  difficult  for  the  family 
to  find  a new  one  that  gave  satisfaction.  The  glowing  pictures  of  the 
West,  with  its  beautiful  valleys  and  picturesque  scenery,  led  Valentine 
Sevier,  the  father,  to  again  change  his  home.  The  Sevier  family  settled 

■ 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


700 


on  the  Holston  iii  what  is  now  Sullivan  County,  but  Valentine  above 
mentioned  settled  on  the  Watauga,  “the  beautiful  river.”  Here  Valen- 
tine Sevier  made  a permanent  settlement  between  Sycamore  Shoals  and 
Elizabethton,  and  here  he  lived  to  a green  old  age.  The  early  settlers  in 
this  section  thought  they  were  settling  within  the  territorial  limits  of 
Virginia,  but  soon  found  they  were  under  the  jurisdiction  of  North  Car- 
olina. For  a number  of  years  these  settlers  had  to  contend  alone  against 
the  Indians  and  other  enemies  of  the  new  settlement.  Doubtless  this 
independent  schooling  had  something  to  do  in  shaping  the  character  of 
John  Sevier.  In  1772  the  settlers  held  an  election  in  this  new  colony 
and  chose  thirteen  commissioners,  whose  duty  it  was  to  exercise  the  func- 
tions of  government.  Out  of  the  thirteen  chosen  five  were  elected  a 
court,  “by  whom  all  things  were  to  be  settled.”  The  district  of  this 
settlement  was  called  the  District  of  Washington.  John  Sevier  was 
chosen  one  of  the  thirteen  commissioners  and  one  of  the  five  out  of  the 
thirteen  for  a court.  While  a member  of  this  court  and  commissioner 
Sevier  addressed  a memorial  to  North  Carolina  urging  her  to  extend  her 
government  over  the  Washington  District.  The  appeal  was  successful, 
and  in  177G  he  was  chosen  a member  of  the  Legislature  of  that  State 
and  assisted  in  forming  the  constitution  for  North  Carolina.  The  terri- 
torial  limits  of  the  States  had  been  better  defined  and  instead  of  extend- 
ing to  the  South  Sea  the  Mississippi  Diver  was  recognized  as  the  western 
boundary.  In  setting  forth  the  boundaries  of  North  Carolina  it  may  be 
said  the  'germ  from  which  sprang  Tennessee  was  planted.  The  lan- 
guage of  the  boundary  of  North  Carolina,  which  says  that  the  “boundary 
shall  not  be  construed  as  to  prevent  the  establishment  of  one  or  more 
governments  westward  of  this  State  by  consent  of  the  Legislature,”  is  the 
lantmasre  of  Sevier.  On  the  outbreak  of  the  Devolution  Sevier  threw  all 
of  his  wonderful  influence  in  favor  of  the  infant  Depub] ic.  His  home 
was  ever  the  rendezvous  of  the  leading  Whigs,  and  frequently  was  the 
place  of  meeting  of  the  clans  preparatory  to  a descent  upon  the  British 
and  Tories  or  the  Indians.  The  history  of  his  work  in  the  Devolution- 
ary and  in  the  Indian  wars  is  given  in  the  military  chapter  of  this  work. 
After  the  battle  of  King’s  Mountain  thirty  of  the  Tory  prisoners  were 
condemned  to  death.  It  was  decided  to  hang  only  twelve  of  them.  Cols. 
Sevier  and  Campbell  determined,  after  eleven  had  been  hanged,  to  save 
the  twelfth  man.  The  officer  in  charge  of  the  work  was  much  more 
zealous  in  hanging  unarmed  men  than  he  had  been  in  fighting  the  armed 
British,  and  seemed  determined  on  carrying  out  sentence  on  the  last. 
Col.  Sevier  ordered  the  work  stopped,  saying  he  was  sick  of  it,  and  said 
to  the  officer:  “It  you  had  been  as  industrious  in  killing  soldiers  this. 


710 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


morning  as  you  are  this  evening  in  hanging  prisoners,  we  would  not 
have  had  so  many  to  hang.” 

After  the  close  of  the  Revolutionary  war  the  several  States  ceded 
their  surplus  territory  to  the  General  Government.  By  the  cession  act 
of  June  1,  1784,  North  Carolina  ceded  the  whole  State  of  Tennessee,  in- 
cluding four  organized  counties.  These  counties  were  left  without  anv 
government,  in  fact,  about  in  the  same  condition  as  they  were  previous 
to  the  Revolution.  They  elected  two  men  from  each  captain’s  company 
to  meet  in  convention  at  Jonesborough  on  August  23,  1784.  Of  this 
assembly  John  Sevier  was  chosen  president.  The  cession  act  was  re- 
pealed in  November,  and  Col.  Sevier  was  made  a brigadier-general  for 
Nortli  Carolina.  A second  convention  was  called,  of  which  Sevier  was 
again  made  president.  A legislature  was  elected,  and  Col.  Sevier  was 
chosen  governor  of  the  new  State  called  Franklin,  a position  which  he 
held  from  1784  to  1788,  wlien  Franklin  again  became  subservient  to 
North  Carolina.  Gov.  Sevier  announced  the  separation  and  independence 
of  Franklin.  Gov.  Martin,  of  North  Carolina,  declared  the  mountain- 
eers rebellious  subjects;  likewise  did  Gov.  Caswell.  Counter  proclama- 
tions were  issued  by  Sevier.  Gov.  Johnson  directed  Judge  Campbell  to 
issue  a bench  warrant  against  Sevier  for  high  treason.  The  warrant  was 
directed  to  Col.  John  Tipton,  a North  Carolina  rival  of  Sevier,  who  ar- 
rested him.  To  prevent  his  rescue  Sevier  was  taken  across  the  moun- 
tains to  Morganton,  where  court  convened  to  try  him  for  high  treason. 
The  friends  of  Sevier  also  went  to  Morganton,  and  entered  the  court 
room  and  attracted  the  attention  of  the  court  while  the  prisoner  made 
his  escape.  In  1789,  with  the  indictment  still  against  him,  Sevier  was 
sent  to  the  Senate  of  North  Carolina.  After  he  was  sworn  in  a motion 
was  made  to  inquire  into  Sevier’s  conduct,  but  was  lost  by  an  overwhelm- 
ing majority.  In  March,  1790,  he  was  elected  to  Congress  and  took  his 
seat  in  that  body  in  June,  being  the  first  representative  from  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley  in  that  body.  North  Carolina  again  ceded  her  territory 
west  of  the  mountains  to  Congress.  President  Washington  appointed 
William  Blount  territorial  governor,  who  in  turn  appointed  John  Sevier 
as  brigadier-general  of  the  territory.  On  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  the 
new  territory  to  Knoxville,  Sevier  left  Nollichucky  and  settled  near  Knox- 
ville, and  after  a time  he  moved  into  the  city.  He  was  one  of  the  com- 
missioners with  Blount  in  a great  treaty  with  the  Indians  on  the  Holston 
River.  On  August  25,  1794,  he  was  appointed  a member  of  the  Legis- 
lative Council  of  the  territory,  and  in  a few  days  he  was  made  one  of  the 
trustees  of  Blount  College,  now  East  Tennessee  University.  He  re- 
mained an  active  member  of  the  trustees  till  his  death.-  On  September 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


711 


23,  1794,  lie  introduced  a.  bill  incorporating  Knoxville,  and  in  a short 
time  assisted  in  the  establishment  of  Washington  College. 

In  1796  the  territory  southwest  of  the  Ohio  became  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee. Writs  of  election  were  directed  to  the  sheriffs,  directing  them 
to  hold  a general  election  on  March  28,  1796,  for  the  election  of  mem- 
bers of  the  General  Assembly  and  governor.  The  choice  for  governor 
fell  upon  John  Sevier.  He  was  re-elected  in  1797  and  again  in  1799. 
Being  ineligible  for  a fourth  term  he  was  out  two  years,  when  he  was 
again  elected  for  three  terms  in  succession.  This  brought  him  to  the 
year  1811,  when  he  was  chosen  a member  of  Congress  from  the  Knox- 
ville District,  and  again  elected  in  1813.  This  was  during  the  period  of 
war  with  Great  Britain.  He  rendered  efficient  service  on  the  committee 
of  military  affairs  during  that  period.  In  1815  Mr.  Monroe  appointed 
liim  commissioner  to  run  the  boundary  line  of  the  lands  ceded  by  the 
Creeks  to  the  United  States.  He  left  his  home  in  Knoxville  in  June, 
and  in  September  was  taken  sick  of  miasmatic  fever  and  died  on  the  24tli 
of  the  month  at  the  Indian  town  Tuckabatchie.  He  was  buried  by  a 
detachment  of  United  States  soldiers  under  Capt.  Walker,  on  the  east 
bank  of  the  Tallapoosa,  near  Fort  Decatur,  Ala.  While  he  was  away  on 
official  duty  to  find  his  grave,  his  constituents  at  home  again  elected  him 
to  a seat  in  Congress,  but  it  is  doubtful  if  he  ever  heard  of  his  election. 
He  is  described  as  being  five  feet  ten  or  eleven  inches  in  height,  with 
a most  symmetrical  well-knit  frame,  inclining  in  late  years  to  fullness ; 
his  ordinary  weight  about  140  or  150  pounds;  his  complexion  ruddy,  fair 
skin ; his  eyes  blue,  expressive  of  vivacity,  benignancy  and  fearlessness ; 
the  nose  not  aquiline  but  prominent,  with  a mouth  and  chin  of  chiseled 
perfection.  His  form  was  erect  and  his  walk  rapid.  He  was  exceedingly 
colloquial,  urbane,  convivial  and  of  most  commanding  presence.  His 
dress  was  always  neat.  He  claimed  to  be  the  best  equestrian  in  the 
country,  and  spent  much  of  his  time  on  horseback.  It  is  said  that  his 
individuality  was  so  great  that  a stranger  would  never  have  difficulty  in 
pointing  him  out  in  an  assembly  upon  being  told  that  John  Sevier  was 
there.  He  was  a military  leader  for  nearly  twenty  years,  and  fought 
thirty-two  pitched  battles  but  was  never  defeated,  even  in  a skirmish. 
His  plan  of  battle  was  the  impetuous  charge,  of  which  he  was  the  leader. 
He  it  was  that  introduced  the  Indian  war-whoop  into  civilized  warfare, 
and  which  struck  the  British  with  such  terror.  He  was  in  many  des- 
perate hand-to-hand  encounters,  but  was  never  wounded.  During  all 
his  military  service,  except  the  last,  he  never  received  a cent.  His  house 
was  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  his  men,  and  a general  without  commis- 
sion he  enforced  discipline.  Men  die  without  any  public  service  and 


712 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE, 


Lave  towering  shafts  of  marble  erected  to  their  memory,  yet  John  Sevier, 
who  founded  a great  State  and  gave  it  forty  years  of  public  service,  died 
and  not  only  no  monument  marks  his  grave,  but  even  his  burial  place  is 
unknown. 

Gen.  James  Robertson,*  “the  father  of  Tennessee,”  was  born  in 
Brunswick  County,  Ya.,  on  the  2Sth  of  June,  1742.  While  he  was  yet 
a youth  his  parents  moved  to  Wake  County,  N.  C.,  where  he  grew  to 
manhood  and  married  Miss  Charlotte  Reeves.  When  that  event  oc- 
curred he  had  already  obtained  the  rudiments  of  an  education,  and  as 
Wake  County  at  that  time  was  the  center  of  the  intelligence  and  culture 
of  the  colony,  he  had  laid  the  foundation  of  the  broad  and  liberal  char- 
acter for  which  he  was  ever  distinguished.  He  had  also  become  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  liberty  which  was  invading  every  American  colony,  and 
in  1770,  to  escape  the  oppression  of  the  tyrant  Try  on,  he  resolved  to 
seek  a home  beyond  the  mountains.  Accordingly  in  the  spring  of  that 
year,  with  a small  party,  of  whom  Daniel  Boone  is  believed  to  have  been 
the  leader,  he  visited  the  few  settlers  who  had  already  located  on  the 
Watauga,  and  being  favorably  impressed  with  the  country  decided  to 
make  his  home  among  them.  He  returned  to  Wake  County  after  having 
made  a crop,  and  it  is  thought  he  participated  in  the  battle  of  Alamance, 
May  1G,  1771.  Soon  after  that  event,  with  his  wife  and  child,  he  again 
set  out  on  a journey  over  the  mountains  .to  the  Watauga,  which  was 
reached  in  safety.  Soon  after  his  arrival  it  was  determined  to  formsome 
sort  of  government,  and  he  took  an  active  part  in  securing  the  adoption 
of  a set  of  written  articles  of  government,  which  all  agreed  to  support. 
In  the  early  part  of  1776  he  was  one  of  the  committee  who  drew  the  pe- 
tition for  the  annexation  of  Watauga  to  Xortli  Carolina. 

As  an  Indian  diplomatist,  Gen.  Robertson  had  no  superior  and  very 
few  equals.  In  1772  he  was  chosen  to  visit  and  pacify  the  Cherokees, 
who  had  been  aroused  by  the  murder  of  one  of  their  number  by  a hunter. 
This  he  successfully  accomplished,  and  by  his  courage,  address  and 
friendly  manner  won  the  regard  of  the  chiefs,  with  whom  he  remained 
several  days.  Two  years  later,  in  October,  he  participated  in  a battle 
with  the  Indians  on  the  banks  of  the  Kanawha,  whither  a company  under 
Col.  Isaac  Shelby  had  gone  to  aid  the  settlers  in  West  Virginia,  then  in 
danger  of  destruction  by  the  Shawanees  and  their  allies.  In  July,  1777, 
the  Cherokees  having  become  troublesome,  Gen.  Robertson,  co-operating 
with  a force  from  Virginia,  invaded  their  country  and  compelled  them  to 
sue  for  peace.  During  the  same  year  he  was  appointed  temporary  agent 

*So  much  has  been  written  concerning  Gen.  Robertson  that  only  a brief  outline  of  his  life  is  here  pre- 
sented. 


- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


713 


of  North  Carolina,  and  sent  to  Cliota,  “the  beloved  town”  of  the  Chero- 
kees,  where  he  resided  for  some  time,  and  while  there  rendered  himself 
popular  with  the  chiefs. 

In  1779  Robertson  determined  to  remove  still  further  west,  and  in 
February,  accompanied  by  a party  of  eight,  he  set  out  to  examine  and 
locate  land  in  the  Cumberland,  and  to  raise  a crop  of  corn  for  the  sup- 
port of  those  who  were  to  come  out  in  the  fall.  The  hardships  and  pri- 
vations endured  in  the  founding  of  the  Cumberland  settlements  have 
been  described  in  another  chapter,  and  will  not  be  here  repeated.  Dur- 
ing all  of  these  troublesome  times,  and  up  to  his  death,  Gen.  Robertson 
was  looked  upon  as  a counselor  and  leader  by  all  the  colonists.  Under 
the  Government  of  the  Notables  he  was  the  president  of  the  committee  or 
the  judges,  and  upon  the  organization  of  Davidson  County  was  one  of 
the  justices  appointed  to  hold  the  county  court.  He  was  also  the  first 
representative  of  the  county  to  the  General  Assembly  of  North  Carolina, 
and  continued  by  successive  elections  until  the  organization  of  the  Ter- 
ritorial government.  He  was  then  commissioned  by  Washington  major- 
general  of  the  Mero  District. 

As  a legislator  Gen.  Robertson  displayed  the  highest  qualities  of  the 
statesman,  and  he  could  no  doubt  have  attained  eminence  in  a wider 
field.  Although  the  Assembly  of  North  Carolina  had  evinced  a disposi- 
tion to  ignore  the  settlements  west  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  he 
succeeded  in  securing  the  passage  of  many  acts  for  the  benefit  of  his 
county,  notably  among  which  was  one  providing  for  the  establishment  of 
Davidson  Academy;  another  provided  for  a superior  court  of  law  and 
equity,  and  a third  prohibiting  the  establishment  of  distilleries  in  David- 
son County.  In  1795  he  resigned  his  commission  as  commander  of  the 
Mero  District,  and  the  following  year  was  appointed  Indian  agent.  In 
March,  1805,  he  was  sent  on  a mission  to  the  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws, 
and  in  July  following,  in  company  with  the  Indian  agent,  Dinsmore,  met 
the  chiefs  of  the  former  nation  and  obtained  a total  relinquishment  of 
the  title  to  a large  tract  of  their  land  east  of  the  Mississippi.  In  No- 
vember a treaty  was  concluded  with  the  Choctaws. 

During  the  war  of'  1812  Gen.  Robertson  rendered  his  last  and 
greatest  service  to  his  country.  Through  his  influence  with  the  Indians, 
the  Choctaws,  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees,  were  induced  to  aid  the  United 
States  against  the  Creeks  and  the  British,  and  the  people  of  Tennes- 
see were  saved  from  the  horrors  of  an  Indian  war.  Gen.  Robertson  had 
long  been  subject  to  neuralgia,  and  while  at  the  Chickasaw  Agency  he 
was  seized  with  an  attack  of  great  violence,  which  ended  his  life  Sep- 
tember 1,  1814.  His  remains  were  interred  at  the  agency,  where  they 


714 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


rested  till  the  year  1825,  when  they  were  removed  to  the  cemetery  at 
Nashville.  By  his  side  now  rest  the  remains  of  his  wife  who  survived 
him  until  June  11,  1843.  They  had  eleven  children,  seven  sons  and 
four  daughters.  Two  sons  were  killed  by  the  Indians ; one  daughter  died 
in  infancy.  Felix  Bobertson,  one  of  the  sons,  was  born  at  the  Bluff 
January  11,  1781,  and  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  the  settlement. 

The  ancestors  of  Judge  John  Haywood  emigrated  from  England  at 
an  early  period  and  settled  in  the  city  of  New  York,  from  which  place 
they  moved  to  Norfolk,  Ya.  The  destruction  of  the  town  with  the  home 
of  the  Hay  woods  led  the  grandfather,  William  Haywood,  to  seek  a home 
elsewhere.  He  moved  to  near  the  town  of  Halifax,  on  the  Iloanoke,  N. 
C.  Egbert  Haywood,  the  father  of  Judge  John  Haywobd,  became  a farm- 
er in  the  neighborhood.  He  was  a man  of  ordinary  means,  and  had 
little  desire  for  books  or  social  culture,  caring  more  for  field  sports  or  the 
chase  than  literary  attainments. 

John  Haywood,  son  of  the  above,  was  born  March  16,  1762,  at  the 

family,  estate  in  Halifax  County,  N.  C.  The  country  afforded  little 

opportunity  for  an  education:  not  only  were  there  few  schools,  but  there 

were  few  educated  teachers.  The  father  being  comparatively  poor,  he 

was  unable  to  send  his  son  to  a foreign  countrv  or  even  a neighboring: 

© * © © 

province  to  school,  as  was  the  case  with  those  more  favored  by  fortune. 
The  want  of  public  schools  was  in  some  instances  supplied  by  private 
teachers.  In  his  early  life  he  attended  a private  academy  taught  by  a 
Bev.  Mr.  Castle,  from  whom  lie  obtained  a knowledge  of  the  elements  of 
an  education.  He  acquired  some  knowledge  of  Latin,  Greek,  geography 
and  other  branches.  His  knowledge  of  any  one  branch  of  learning  at 
this  time  was  general  rather  than  special.  At  an  early  period  in  his 
career  lie  formed  a resolution  to  study  law,  a profession  for  which  he 
was  w^ell  fitted  by  nature.  He  was  without  books,  without  money,  and 
without  an  instructor.  He  began  his  studies  by  reading  some  of  Bay- 
mond’s  reports,  which  were  couched  in  the  stilted  and  circumlocutory 
style  of  the  period,  and  interspersed  with  innumerable  Latin  and  French 
phrases.  He  soon  rose  to  prominence  at  the  bar.  He  made  his  first 
argument  before  the-  supreme  court  at  the  age  of  twenty-four.  He  dis- 
played such  ability  in  this  case  as  to  attract  marked  attention,  and  he  was 
no  longer  without  clients.  In  1704,  as  attorney-general,  he  procured  not 
only  the  reconsideration  but  the  reversal  of  judgment  by  the  supreme 
court  of  a case  decided  unconstitutional  the  year  preceding.  In  1794  he 
became  one  of  the  judges  of  the  superior  court  of  lawT  and  equity,  a posi- 
tion which  he  held  five  or  six  years.  While  on  the  bench  he  collected 
the  decisions  of  the  supreme  court  of  North  Carolina  from  1789  to  1798.. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


715 


After  leaving  tlie  bench  he  again  began  the  practice,  which  he  fol- 
lowed in  North  Carolina  till  1S07,  when  he  moved  to  Davidson  County, 
Tenn.,  and  settled  about  seven  miles  from  Nashville.  The  reputation 
Judge  Haywood  had  made  both  as  a lawyer  and  a judge  in  North  Caro- 
lina soon  brought  him  iuto  prominence  before  the  Tennessee  bar.  This 
was  at  a period  when  many  persons  were  involved  in  suits  over  land 
claims  and  titles.  Judge  Guild,  who  was  examined  by  Judge  Haywood 
in  October,  1S22,  for  license  to  practice  law,  describes  his  visit  to  the 
judge  as  being  somewhat  peculiar.  He  found  the  judge  lying  out  in  his 
yard  on  a bull-hide  in  the  shade.  He  looked  as  largo  as  a sleeping  bul- 
lock, as  his  weight  was  about  350  pounds.  He  found  him  grim,  and 
when  he  told  his  business  the  judge  began  growling  and  grumbling,  and 
said  he  did  not  see  why  he  should  be  disturbed.  He  called  two  negro 
men,  and  had  them  take  the  bull-hide  by  the  tail  and  drag  him  farther 
into  the  shade.  He  then  began  a very  long  and  searching  catechism  on 
the  law.  He  grew  very  communicative,  and  was  well  pleased  with  his 
work.  Then  followed  a long  lecture  of  advice,  covering  almost  the  whole 
of  moral  and  legal  ethics.  He  is  said  to  have  been  agreeable  in  his 
manner,  fond  of  society,  and  entertaining  to  the  highest  degree  in  his 
conversation.  He  kept  his  law  office  and  library  at  his  home  in  the 
country,  and  compelled  his  clients  to  attend  on  him  there.  Aside  from  his 
law  studies  Judge  Haywood  found  time  to  pursue  a wide  field  of  literary 
pursuits.  He  published  a work  called  “ Natural  and  Aboriginal  History 
of  Tennessee,”  containing  about  400  pages.  In  this  he  treats  of  the  In- 
dians, their  usages,  etc.,  earthquakes,  dreams,  ghosts,  goblins,  bones  of 
giants,  pygmies,  mastodons,  caves  and  strange  voices  in  air,  portents, 
signs  and  wonders,  all  very  curious  and  interesting.  He  also  published 
in  1823  his  “History  of  Tennessee,”  a book  of  about  500  pages,  covering 
the  period  of  settlement  from  1768  to  1795.  The  “Evidences  of  Chis- 
tianity”  followed.  Many  of  Judge  Haywood’s  conclusions  in  his  literary 
works  are  based  on  very  little  evidence.  That  close  reasoning  that  char- 
acterizes his  legal  conclusions  is  followed  in  his  other  works ; but  is  based 
upon  insufficient  evidence,  and  is  therefore  very  often  erroneous.  Much 
of  his  writing  is  speculative  and  highly  imaginative.  One  very  curious 
argument  Judge  Haywood  uses  to  prove  that  the  Hebrews  and  Indians 
were  the  same  people  is  to  quote  I Samuel,  xviii:  27,  to  prove  that 
the  Hebrews  scalped  their  enemies,' as  well  as  did  the  Indians.  Many 
of  his  other  arguments  are  in  a similar  vein. 

Judge  Haywood  died  at  his  home  hear  Nashville  December  22,  1826, 
in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age.  He  died  after  a few  days’  illness, 
his  death  being  hastened  from  his  great  corpulency.  Judge  Haywood 


710 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


left  six  children — three  sons  and  three  daughters:  Thomas  Haywood, 
a lawyer  and  teacher  of  classic  education,  died  in  1S68  near  the  Nolens- 
ville  pike,  about  six  miles  from  Nashville;  Dr.  George  was  a well-known 
physician  of  Marshall  County;  Dr.  Egbert  Haywood  was  a resident  of 
Brownsville,  Haywood  County ; one  of  the  daughters  married  Dr.  Moore, 
of  Huntsville,  Ala. ; a second  married  Col.  Jones,  of  Tuscumbia,  and  the 
third  married  Col.  S.  Jones,  of  Limestone  County,  Ala. 

The  ancestry  of  William  Blount  has  been  traced  with  certainty  to 
the  invasion  of  England  by  William  the  Norman  in  10GG.  The  name 
was  originally  Le  Blount,  and  from  the  successful  issue  of  invasion  to  the 
Normans  the  two  brothers  accompanying  the  expedition  became  owners 
•of  large  landed  estates.  In  1GG9  Thomas  Blount,  great-grandfather  of 
William  Blount,  with  two  brothers  emigrated  to  Virginia,  where  one  of 
the  brothers  settled  and  became  the  head  of  a long  line  of  descendants. 
The  other  two  brothers  moved  to  North  Carolina  and  settled  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Albemarle.  Jacob  Blount,  father  of  William  Blount,  was  born 
in  Bertie  County,  N.  C.,  in  172G,  and  was  married  to  Barbary  Gray,  a 
lady  of  Scotch  ancestry,  in  1744,  by  whom  he  had  eight  children.  On 
the  death  of  his  wife  he  married  a daughter  of  Edward  Salten,  by  which 
union  there  were  five  children.  Jacob  Blount  was  a member  of  North 
Carolina  Assembly  in  1775-7G.  His  death  occurred  at  his  country  seat 
in  Pitt  County  in  1789.  William  Blount,  eldest  son  of  Jacob  Blount, 
Avas  bom  in  Bertie  County,  N.  C.,  March  2G,  1749.  Jacob  Blount  is 
said  to  have  been  a man  of  considerable  estate,  and  to  have  educated  his 
large  family  in  accordance  with  his  ample  means  and  social  standing.  It 
is  probable  that  the  training  of  his  sons  was  more  in  the  line  of  the  prac- 
tical than  of  the  theoretical,  that  tlieir  training  was  more  of  action  than 
of  letters.  William  in  early  life  rose  to  prominence  by  personal  worth, 
and  was  married  February  12,  1778,  to  Mary,  a daughter  of  Col.  Caleb 
Grainger.  He  and  his  father  participated  in  the  battle  of  Alamance, 
May  1G,  1771,  and  all  the  brothers  were  leading  spirits  in  the  Pievolu- 
tionary war.  Her  half-brother,  Willie,  was  for  a time  his  private  secre- 
tary ; was  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Tennessee,  and  was  governor  of 
the  State  from  1809  to  1815. 

William  Blount  was  a member  of  the  General  Assembly  of  North 
Carolina  the  most  of  the  time  from  1780  to  1790.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Continental  Congress  from  that  State  in  1783-84,  and  again  in  1780-87. 
His  native  State  was  active  in  the  preliminary  conventions  which  led 
to  the  final  convention  at  Philadelphia,  in  1787,  of  which  he  was  a 
member.  When  the  action  of  the  convention  was  referred  to  the  States, 
Blount  used  his  whole  power  in  the  State  convention  for  its  ratification. 


William  Blount 


717 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

He  is  said  to  hare  been  “a  vigilant  agent  of  his  State  and  the  faithful 
guardian  of  the  interests  of  North  Carolina”  at  the  treaty  of  Hopewell 
with  the  Cherokees,  November  28,  17S5.  He  always  took  an  active  in- 
terest in  the  Western  settlements  and  was  ever  a zealous  friend  to  the 
Indians.  His  good  influence  was  used  with  them  in  securing  some  of 
the  most  important  and  liberal  treaties  with  the  Cherokees,  Choctaws 
and  Chickasaws.  The  ordinance  and  the  act  amendatory  to  it  for  the  gov- 
ernment of  the  territory  southwest  of  the  Ohio  River,  passed  August  7, 
1789.  This  was  after  the  second  session  act  of  North  Carolina,  wdiicli 
was  intended  to  simplify  matters  and  strengthen  the  hands  of  the  Gen- 
eral Government.  From  personal  acquaintance  witli  Gov.  Blount,  made 
at  the  constitutional  convention,  and  knowing  his  worth  and  acquaintance 
with  the  affairs  of  the  new  Territory,  Gen.  Washington  appointed  him 
Territorial  governor.  His  commission  was  received  August  7,  1790,  and 
on  October  10  he  entered  upon  his  duties.  He  first  took  up  his  resi- 
dence at  the  home  of  William  Cobb,  at  the  forks  of  the  Holston  and 
Watauga  Rivers,  and  called  around  him  the  ablest  men  of  the  Territory 
to  assist  in  his  government.  By  the  unanimous  recommendation  of  the 
Legislature,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Washington  as  superintend- 
ent of  Indian  affairs.  He  made  a tour  of  inspection  of  the  Territory  to 
inquire  into  the  wants  and  needs  of  the  people.  The  Indians  with  whom 
he  was  to  treat  were  included  in  the  tribes  of  the  Creeks,  Cherokees, 
Chickasaws  and  Choctaws.  This  was  one  of  his  most  difficult  tasks. 
The  boundaries  of  these  were  not  well-defined  and  some  of  the  stipula- 
tions of  former  treaties  not  carried  out.  Many  white  men  had  settled 
upon  the  territory  of  the  Indians,  and  this  gave  cause  for  complaint  by 
the  Indians.  British  and  Spanish  intrigue  was  at  work  upon  the 
Indians,  and  to  prevent  complications  with  these  countries  his  instruc- 
tions were  to  adopt  defensive  measures  only  in  dealing  with  the  Southern 
Indians,  although  surrounded  by  from  30,000  to  50,000  warriors.  Con- 
sidering the  difficulties  of  the  surroundings,  he  managed  with  commenda- 
ble prudence.  Being  restrained  as  he  was,  many  private  injuries  were 
inflicted  by  the  Indians,  whiclr  he  was  unable  to  punish;  hence  arose 
complaints,  the  grounds  for  which  he  was  not  responsible. 

Gov.  Blount  called  the  Legislative  council  and  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives in  extra  session  at  Knoxville  on  June  29,  1795,  to  take  steps 
toward  the  formation  of  a State  constitution.  An  act  was  passed  July 
11,  1795,  ordering  a census  and  a vote  on  the  question  of  forming  a 
State  constitution.  The  result  of  this  poll  was  announced  by  the  gov- 
ernor November  28,  1795,  there  being  6,504-  votes  for  and  2,562  votes 
•against  a State  constitution.  On  the,  same  day  he  ordered  a general 


718 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


election  to  be  held  December  18  and  19,  for  tbe  election  of  five  persons-- 
from  each  county  to  assemble  in  Knoxville  January  11,  1796,  to  draft  a 
State  constitution.  The  final  announcement  of  the  passage  of  the  act 
took  place  February  6,  1796.  On  March  30  the  names  of  William  Blount 
and  William  Cocke  were  proposed  for  United  States  Senators,  and 
on  the  following  day  were  unanimously  elected.  The  Legislature  met 
again  on  July  30,  and  Congress  in  the  meantime  having  declared  the 
March  election  of  senators  illegal,  from  the  fact  that  the  State  had  not 
been  admitted,  these  men  were  again  elected  on  August  2.  Gov.  Blount 
took  his  seat  in  the  Senate  December  5,  1796.  July  3,  1797,  President 
Adams  sent  a message  to  both  Houses  of  Congress,  stating  that  the  con- 
dition of  the  country  was  critical.  The  grounds  for  this  suspicion  was 
some  correspondence  Mr.  Blount  liad  had  with  various  parties,  which  led 
to  the  belief  that  he  had  entered  into  a conspiracy  to  transfer  the  territory 
of  New  Orleans  and  Florida  to  Great  Britain  through  the  influence  of 
an  English  army  and  the  assistance  of  the  Indians,  who  were  to  be 

drawn  ini0  the  FKa  rlava  nffpr  thp'  tnvincr  of  the  nnfiee  Mr 

" ' '-—j  "*■  © o • - 

Blount  was  expelled  from  the  Senate  on  a charge  of  having  been  guilty 
of  “high  misdemeanor,  entirely  inconsistent  with  his  public  trust  and 
duty  as  a senator.”  The  vote  stood  twenty-five  for  expulsion  to  one 
against  it.  Mr.  Tazewell,  of  Virginia,  alone  voted  in  the  negative.  On 
the  vote  of  the  impeachment  of  William  Blount  as  a civil  officer  within 
the  meaning  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States,  etc.,  it  was  deter- 
mined in  the  negative.  The  vote  stood  eleven  for  conviction  and  four- 
teen for  acquittal. 

It  is  claimed  for  Mr.  Blount  that  if  time  had  been  given  him  he 
could  have  vindicated  himself.  So  great  was  the  confidence  of  the  peo- 
ple in  his  innocence  that  Gen.  J ames  White,  senator  from  Knox  County, 
resigned  his  seat  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  in  his  interest  it  is 
said,  and  the  people  of  Knox  County  elected  him  to  the  vacant  seat.  At  a 
called  session,  December  3,  1797,  he  was  unanimously  elected  speaker  of 
that  body.  He  is  described  by  Dr.  Ramsey  as  a man  “ remarkable  for 
great  address,  courtly  manners,  benignant  feelings  and  a most  commanding 
presence.  His  urbanity,  his  personal  influence  over  men  of  all  condi- 
tions and  ages,  his  hospitality,  unostentatiously  yet  elegantly  and  grace- 
fully extended  to  all,  won  upon  the  affections  and  regard  of  the  populace, 
and  made  him  a universal  favorite.  He  was  at  once  the  social  compan- 
ion, the  well-read  gentleman  and  the  capable  officer.”  This  inscription 
on  a slab  in  the  grave-yard  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  in  Knox- 
ville tells  his  end:  44  William  Blount,  died  March  21,  1800,  aged  fifty 

three  years.” 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


719 


Gov.  William  Carroll  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  March  3,  17SS.  He 
had  little  advantages  for  an  education,  but  was  a man  of  extraordinary 
good  sense.  In  1810  he  left  Pittsburgh,  Penn.,  and  came  to  Nashville. 
He  engaged  in  mercantile  business  in  which  he  was  very  successful. 
On  the  outbreak  of  the  Creek  war  he  was  appointed  captain.  His  fine 
personal  appearance,  brave  and  courageous  manner,  knowledge  of  mili- 
tary matters,  frank  and  noble  bearing  attracted  the  attention  of  Gen. 
Jackson,  who  made  him  one  of  his  most  trusted  lieutenants.  He  took  an 
active  part  in  the  battle  of  Talladega  December  9,  IS  13,  and  contributed 
no  little  to  its  success.  On  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  service  of  the 
men  Gen.  Carroll  was  one  of  the  most  active  in  raising  recruits  for  the 
very  needy  army  of  Jackson  at  Fort  Strother.  These  forces,  amounting 
to  900  men,  were  forwarded  early  in  January,  and  on  the  17th  started 
for  Emuckfau,  where  they  met  and  defeated  the  Indians  on  the  21st.  In 
a retrogade  movement  on  Fort  Strother  the  Indians  attacked  the  Ameri- 


can lines  on  the  24th  at  Enotochopco,  and  were  again  defeated.  On  March 


.i'll] y again  started,  and 


of  Toliopeka  or  Horseshoe.  In  these  engagements  Gen.  Carroll  sustained 
his  reputation  for  skill  and  bravery.  He  soon  after  returned  home  to 
take  charge  of  the  new  levies  for  New  Orleans.  On  November  19,  1814, 
he  embarked  at  Nashville  with  2,500  men,  and  hastened  down  the  river 
to  assist  in  the  defense  of  New  Orleans,  that  place  was  reached  December 
21,  and  in  a few  hours  the  men  were  in  the  position  assigned  them. 

On  the  final  battle  of  January  8 Gen.  Carroll  occupied  the  position 
next  to  the  extreme  left.  The  center  of  Carroll  was  selected  for  the 
main  attack.  This  was  done  on  information  that  these  men  were  militia. 
The  British  advance  in  column  was  made  with  great  desperation,  but  was 
met  with  great  coolness.  There  was  an  appalling  loss  of  life  in  front  of 
Carroll’s  men.  The  military  fame  of  Carroll  and  Coffee  is  indelibly 
linked  with  the  fame  of  Jackson  in  the  great  achievements  of  that  period. 
After  the  close  of  the  war  Gen.  Carroll  again  returned  to  civil  life.  He 
was  a very  active  business  man,  and  brought  the  first  steam-boat  the  i;Gen. 
Jackson,”  to  Nashville,  in  1818.  He  continued  in  business  till  the  finan- 
cial depression  of  1818-20,  when  he  met  ’with  severe  reverses,  which  led 
him  into  politics.  In  1821  he  was  a candidate  and  was  elected  governor 
of  the  State.  He  was  re-elected  twice  in  succession,  but  being  constitu- 
tionally ineligible  for  a fourth  term  he  gave  way  to  Gen.  Houston.  He 
was  again  recalled  and  served  six  years  longer.  His  official  career  as 
governor  was  characterized  by  clearness,  good  judgment  and  firmness. 
His  official  documents  though  not  classical  are  noted  for  good  literary 
taste.  In  1813  he  was  led  into  a duel  with  Jesse  Benton,  brother  of 


720 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Col.  Thomas  11.  Benton.  It  seems  some  of  the  younger  element  was 
jealous  of  Carroll's  popularity.  Several  ineffectual  efforts  were  made  to 
bring  about  a collision  between  Carroll  and  some  one  of  the  young  men. 
At  last  Jesse  Benton  was  led  into  the  quarrel  and  promptly  challenged 
Carroll  to  a duel.  Carroll  appealed  to  Jackson  to  act  as  his  second,  but 
the  latter  insisted  that  Carroll  should  select  some  one  else.  Gen.  Carroll 
told  Jackson  that  he  believed  there  was  a conspiracy  to  run  him  (Car- 
toII)  out  of  the  county.  This  angered  Gen.  Jackson,  who  promptly  said 
that  while  he  was  alive  Carroll  should  not  be  run  out  of  the  State. 
Jackson  endeavored  to  bring  about  a reconciliation  between  the  two 


However,  the  duel  was  fought  and 
The  part  that  Jackson  took  in 


belligerents  and  partially  succeeded, 
both  contestants  received  slight  wounds, 
this  affair  led  to  the  altercation  between  him  and  Benton  a few  weeks 
afterward.  The  life  of  Carroll  is  summed  up  in  the  inscription  on  his 
monument:  “As  a gentleman  he  was  modest,  intelligent,  accomplished; 
as  an  officer  he  has  energetic,  gallant,  daring;  as  a statesman  he  was  wise 


and  jU; 


,i  .i  - 


?ss 


-Ex-Ill  < 


AFqv^Ii  IN  1 &-1- L 


gratulating  Gen.  Jackson  and  the  country  on  the  final  passage  of  the  act 
of  Congress  appropriating  a sum  of  money  to  repay  Gen.  Jackson  the 
amount  of  the  fine  'with  interest  imposed  upon  him  by  Judge  Hall,  of 
New  Orleans.  This  was  the  last  public  act  of  Gen.  Carroll.  He  died 
on  March  22,  1844,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age.” 

The  ancestors  of  Andrew  Jackson  were  long  known  near  Carrickfer- 
gus,*  in  the  north  of  Ireland.  Hugh  Jackson,  the  great-grandfather  of 
Gen.  Jackson,  was  a linen  draper  there  as  early  as  1060,  and  as  was  the 
case  generally  in  that  county  the  same  avocation  was  followed  by  mem- 
bers of  the  family  for  many  years.  Hugh  Jackson  was  the  father  of 
four  sons,  the  youngest  of  whom  was  named  Andrew.  Andrew  was  the 
father  of  Andrew  Jackson,  so  well  known  throughout  this  country.  The 
father  of  Andrew  Jackson,  the  general,  married  Elizabeth  Hutchinson, 
the  daughter  of  a poor  but  respectable  linen  weaver  near  their  old  home 
at  Carrickfergus.  With  his  wife,  two  sons,  Hugh  and  Bobert,  and 
several  of  his  kinsmen,  Andrew  Jackson  immigrated  to  America  and 
arrived  in  Charleston,  S.  C.,  in  1767,  but  soon  moved  to  a settlement 
known  as  the  “ Waxhaws,”  near  the  line  between  North  and  South 
Carolina.  The  father  settled  at  Twelve  Mile  Creek,  near  a branch  of 
the  Catawba  River,  in  what  was  formerly  called  Mecklenburg,  but  now 
Union  County,  N.  C.  The  family  began  work  in  clearing  and  cultivat- 
ing a piece  of  land,  but  it  seems  no  title  to  it  was  ever  acquired.  In 
the  spring  of  1707  occurred  the  death  of  Mr.  Jackson,  a short  time 


♦The  Crag  of  Fergus,  or  where  King  Fergus  was  drowned. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


721 


before  the  birth  of  Gen.  Jackson.  The  body,  with  the  family,  was 
placed  in  a wagon  and  carried  to  the  old  church  at  Waxhaw,  where  the 
body  was  buried.  Mrs.  Jackson  went  to  live  with  her  married  sister. 
Mrs.  George  McKemey  or  McCamie,  where  on  March  15,  1707,  the 
future  President  was  born.  Owing  to  the  poverty  of  this  brother-in-law 
Mrs.  Jackson  went  to  live  with  Mr.  Crawford,  another  brother-in-law, 
who  lived  near  the  State  line,  in  South  Carolina.  * 

Here  young  Jackson  spent  the  first  ten  or  twelve  years  of  his  life. 
He  might  have  been  seen  a tall,  slender,  long,  sandy  haired,  freckle- 
faced,  bright  blue-eyed  boy  while  attending  an  “old  field  school.”  He 
was  dressed  in  coarse  coppered-clothes ; and  barefooted  attended  a 
school  at  Max  haw  taught  by  Dr.  Humphries,  but  it  seems  he  never 
attained  great  proficiency  in  any  branch  nor  any  great  love  for  books. 
The  massacre  at  Waxhaw  on  May  29,  1780,  was  the  first  introduction 
he  had  to  the  horrors  of  war.  Here  were  butchered  263  of  the  Whigs  of 
the  Carolinas,  the  wounded  having  received  from  three  to  thirteen 
wounds;  among  the  number  killed  was  his  brother  Hugh.  Andrew  was 
present  at  the  engagement  at  Hanging  Hock,  but  was  too  young  to  take 
an  active  part.  He  took  Col.  Davie  at  that  time  as  his  ideal  commander, 
the  dash  and  spirit  of  that  enterprising  officer  well  suiting  the  aggressive 
character  of  Jackson. 

Soon  after  this  Jackson  and  his  brother  Robert,  with  many  others, 
were  captured  by  the  British  and  Tories.  It  was  while  a prisoner  that  a 
British  officer  ordered  Jackson  to  clean  his  boots,  an  order  which  he 
refused  to  obey  on  the  ground  that  he  was  a prisoner  and  should  be 
treated  as  such.  A sabre  stroke  on  the  head  and  arm  was  received  for 
his  disobedience.  An  order  was  then  given  to  Robert  to  do  the  work; 
another  refusal  and  another  wound  was  the  result.  The  young  Jacksons 
were  crowded  into  a prison  pen  at  Camden  after  the  defeat  of  Gen. 
Gates  on  August  16,  1780.  Here  without  food  and  clothing  and  badly 
crowded  the  suffering  of  the  prisoners  was  intense.  Mrs.  Jackson,  by 
great  exertion,  succeeded  in  securing  an  exchange  of  her  sons  and  a few 
others.  With  these  she  started  to  a place  of  safety,  forty  miles  distant- 
The  elder  son  was  wounded  and  suffering  from  small-pox.  Andrew  was 
compelled  to  walk  through  rain  and  mud,  and  burning  with  the  fever  of 
coming  small-pox.  Robert  soon  died  and  Andrew  was  reduced  to  death’s 
door.  The  suffering  of  the  prisoners  in  1781  induced  Mrs.  Jackson  to 
go  to  Charleston,  160  miles  distant,  to  nurse  the  sick.  Here  she  soon 
after  died  of  ship  fever.  , 

The  disbarring  of  many  Tory  attorneys  by  the  war  opened  a new  and 
lucrative  field  for  Whig  lawyers.  This  led  many  young  men  to  embark 


■ 


722 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


in  the  profession,  among  them  J ackson.  He  began  the  study  of  law  with 
Spencer  McCay,  in  Salisbury,  S.  C.,  where  he  remained  during  the 
years  1785-86.  Here  it  is  said  he  played  cards,  fought  cocks,  ran 
horse  races  and  occasionally  got  drunk,  but  was  never  dissipated.  After 
a short  practice  in  North  Carolina,  of  which  little  is  known,  Jackson  de- 
termined to  seek  his  fortune  in  the  West.  The  difficulties  between  North 
Carolina  and  the  State  of  Franklin  had  been  settled.  Judge  McNairy,  a 
friend  and  former  associate  of  Jackson,  had  been  appointed  judge  of  the 
Supreme  Court  for  the  Western  District,  and  Jackson  obtained  the  ap- 
pointment of  prosecutor  for  the  same  district.  Others  determined  to  follow. 
A party  started  from  Morganton  to  cross  the  mountains  to  Jonesboro,  the 
usual  stopping-place  this  side  of  the  mountains.  The  party  left  for  Nash- 
ville by  escort  in  November,  178S.  Jackson  seems  not  to  have  been 
without  cases.  In  the  Davidson  County  Court  in  1790  out  of  192  cases 
Jackson  had  *12;  in  1793  out  of  155  he  had  72,  and  in  the  July  term  he 
had  GO  out  of  135,  and  in  179J  he  had  228  out  of  the  397.  On  the  ad- 
mission of  Tennessee  as  a State  he  resigned  his  attorneyship  and  was 
chosen  first  representative  for  the  session  by  the  Legislature,  beginning 
December  5,  1796,  and  ending  March  3,  1797.  He  appears  not  to  have 
been  present  at  the  next  session,  beginning  May  13,  1797,  and  ending 
July  10,  1797.  Blount  was  expelled  from  the  Senate  July  8,  1797,  and 
on  November  22  Jackson  succeeded  him.  August  28,  1798,  he  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  office  of  judge  of  the  superior  court  of  law  and  equity,  and 
soon  after  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate.  He  was  noted  while  in  Con- 
gress for  the  vigor  with  which  lie  urged  the  militia  claims  of  Tennessee 
on  Congress.  He  resigned  his  seat  on  the  bench  in  1801,  and  again  be- 
gan practice.  The  salary  of  a supreme  judge  was  only  $600,  and  this 
doubtless  led  him  to  resign.  It  is  said  no  reports  of  his  decisions  are 
extant,  and  that  they  were  clothed  in  bad  language,  poorly  spelled  and 
ungrammatical — not  technical  but  generallv  right. 

After  leaving  the  bench  lie  devoted  his  time  to  his  profession  and  to 
business,  occasionally  going  down  the  river  trading.  He  was  very  ag- 
gressive as  an  attorney.  He  was  insulted  by  Col.  Waiglitstill,  to  whom  he 
first  applied  to  read  law, -in  a case  wherein  Jackson  was  defeated.  Waight- 
still  was  challenged  for  a duel,  which  was  accepted,  and  the  duel  fought 
without  bloodshed.  A quarrel  arose  between  Jackson  and  his  old  friend 
Sevier.  There  was  just  a little  favor  asked,  which  Sevier  did  not  readily 
grant,  then  an  accusation  concerning  some  land  speculation  in  which 
Jackson  accused  Sevier  of  having  a hand.  In  1803  Jackson,  who  was 
still  judge,  opposed  Sevier’s  re-election.  At  a public  speaking  in  Knox- 
ville, Gov.  Sevier  denounced  Jackson  most  bitterly  and  vehemently,  and 


' 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


went  so  far  as  to  question  Mrs.  Jackson’s  chastity.  This  threw  Jackson 
into  an  ungovernable  rage,  and  interference  of  friends  only  prevented 
bloodshed.  A challenge  soon  followed.  Sevier  accepted  on  condition 
that  the  fight  should  be  outside  the  State,  Jackson  insisted  that  it 
should  be  within  the  State*  Each  accused  the  other  of  cowardice.  The 
matter  finally  ended  without  harm  to  either.  In  the  fall  occurred  the 
duel  between  Gen.  Jackson  and  Charles  Dickinson.  • The  melancholy 
ending  of  this  encounter  is  well  known.  Dickinson  fired  first,  severelv 
wounding  Jackson  who  did  not  fall,  but  coollv  aimed  at  his  antagonist 
and  pulled  the  trigger,  the  hammer  stopping  at  half-cock.  He  re-cocked 
the  weapon,  took  deliberate  aim,  fired  and  killed  Dickinson.  In  IS  13 
occurred  the  encounter  between  Jackson  and  the  Bentons,  in  which  the 
General  was  severely  wounded. 

The  splendid  military  achievements  of  J ackson  in  the  Creek  war  end- 
ing in  his  magnificent  triumph  at  New  Orleans  on  January  8,  1815,  are 
facts  of  American  history.  The  Seminole  war  again  brought  out  his 
military  genius,  and  his  government  of  Florida  at  a very  critical  period 
showed  his  administrative  qualities.  There  is  a certain  halo  around  mili- 
tary glory  that  captures  the  public  mind.  The  name  of  Jackson  was 
mentioned  as  early  as  1815  by  some  of  his  admiring  military  friends. 
On  July  20,  1822,  the  Legislature  of  this  State  formally  nominated  Jack- 
son  for  president  in  1824.  This  brought  him  prominently  before  the 
people.  Col.  John  Williams  who  was  United  States  Senator  from  Ten- 
nessee, was  a candidate  for  re-election.  To  succeed  lie  must  carry  the 
Legislature  of  the  State.  The  election  of  Col.  Williams  meant  the  suc- 
cess of  the  Whig  ticket  and  the  defeat  of  Jackson’s  prospects.  It  became 
necessary  for  Jackson’s  success  to  defeat  Col.  Williams.  The  friends  of 
Jackson  staked  all  by  nominating  him  for  senator.  His  name  and  fame 
carried  the  day  and  he  was  elected  by  a large  majority.  In  the  presi- 
dential campaign  of  1824,  there  were  four  candidates  for  the  presidency, 
Gen.  Jackson,  William  H.  Crawford,  Henry  Clay  and  John  Quincy 
Adams.  Jackson  had  the  largest  electoral  vote,  also  the  largest  popu- 
lar vote,  but  the  matter  being  thrown  into  the  House,  Mr.  Adams  was 
elected.  In  1825  Jackson  resigned  his  seat  in  the  Senate  and  returned 
home,  but  in  October  of  the  same  year  was  again  nominated  for  the  presi- 
dency. The  enthusiasm  for  him  rose  to  a white  heat,  nor  was  the  tongue 
of  slander  idle.  In  the  election  of  1828  Mr.  Jackson  received  178  votes 
to  eighty-three  for  Mr.  Adams.  So  popular  was  Mr.  Jackson’s  first  admin- 
istration that  in  1832  he  received  219  electoral  votes  to  forty-nine  votes 
for  Mr.  Clay. 

The  military  career  of  Jackson  is  also  brilliant.  He  husbanded  his 


724 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


resources  until  the  time  for  a blow,  then  it  was  struck  with  the  fierce- 
ness of  a gladiator.  He  pushed  his  advantages  to  the  utmost  and  never 
allowed  his  enemies  time  to  recover.  He  often  deceived  them  by  a show 
of  strength  when  he  was  reallv  weak.  His  boldness  and  aggressive 
spirit  made  up  for  his  deficiency  in  men  and  material.  His  administra- 
tive abilities  may  be  more  a question,  vet  whatever  of  error  there  might 
have  been  in  them  there  will  always  be  persons  who  will  try  to  imitate 
his  course.  Many  of  his  ideas  were  put  into  successful  practice  that 
would  have  been  entirely  impracticable  if  advocated  by  a man  of  less  force. 
His  aggressive  administration  did  more  to  establish  respect  for  American 
prowess  than  any  other.  His  conclusions  when  reached  were  carried 
out.  “Nothing  terrestrial  shall  change  the  fixed  purpose  of  my  soul,” 
said  lie  on  one  occasion.  He  stood  by  his  Mends  and  was  a good  hater 
of  his  enemies.  His  aggressive  nature  coupled  with  the  love  of  his 
friends  often  led  him  into  difficulties.  All  his  biographers  say  he  was 
not  quarrelsome ; this  may  be,  but  it  seems  hardly  true.  He  loved  horse 
racing  and  could  indulge  in  the  most  bitter  oaths  ; was  also  freqnentlv 
officious  in  duels.  To  all  these  things  it  may  be  said  that  public  senti- 
ment was  so  little  against  these  vices  that  they  were  looked  upon  as  mere 
trifles.  Jackson  was  not  a pro  found  scholar  nor  a great  reader.  He 
read  men  well  and  kept  posted  on  the  events  of  the  day.  His  spelling 
has  often  been  ridiculed.  Parton  says;  “Jackson  lived  at  a time  when 
few  men  and  no  women  could  spell;”  furthermore  he  spelled  better  than 
Frederick  II,  Marlborough,  Napoleon  or  Washington.  Even  “0.  K.”  is 
said  to  have  been  ’written  by  him  for  “all  correct.”  A case  from  the 
docket  in  1790  in  Jackson’s  handwriting,  will  illustrate  how  this  error 
started.  “A.  Jackson  presented  a bill  of  sale  which  was  approved  and 
marked  O.  R.”  The  initials  being  O.  R.  instead  of  O.  K.,  are  the  ab- 
breviations for  “ordered  recorded,”  a very  common  form  of  simplifying 
the  expression.  Jackson,  though  never  a very  polished  writer  or  speaker, 
had  the  faculty  of  getting  at  the  truth  in  the  most  direct  way.  His  do- 
mestic relations  were  always  the  most  happy.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Jackson, 
which  occurred  on  December  22,  1828,  was  a severe  blow  to  the  General. 
He  himself  died,  without  heir,  at  the  Hermitage  on  June  8,  1847. 

Sam  Houston,  a very  noted  and  somewhat  eccentric  individual  was 
born  in  Lexington,  Rockbridge  Co.,  Va.,  March  2,  1793.  His  ancestors 
were  Scottish  Covenanters,  who  fled  to  the  north  of  Ireland  to  escape  per- 
secution. A number  of  them  came  to  Pennsylvania  about  the  beginning 
of  the  eighteenth  century.  The  father  of  Sam  was  a soldier  in  the  Rev- 
olutionary war,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1807,  was  inspector  of  a. 
brigade.  The  mother  with  her  nine  children — six  sons  and  three  daugh- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


725 


/ 

I 

I ters — soon  after  moved  to  East  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Blount  County, 

I near  the  Cherokee  country.  Young  Houston  learned  to  read  and  write 
j before  leaving  Virginia,  and  on  his  arrival  at  their  new  home  was  sent  to 
school  to  an  academy  in  the  settlement.  "While  attending  school  he  com- 
mitted to  memory  almost  the  whole  of  Pope's  translation  of  the  Illiad. 
On  his  teachers  refusal  to  teach  him  Greek  and  Latin,  he  left  school  in 
disgust,  with  the  remark  that  he  would  never  recite  another  lesson.  Bv 
the  influence  of  his  elder  brother  he  entered  a store  as  a clerk  soon  after 
leaving  school.  Becoming  disgusted  with  his  clerkship,  he  suddenly 
left  and  went  to  live  with  the  Indians.  His  tall  commanding  figure  and 
daring  exploits  as  a hunter  soon  made  him  a great  favorite  among  the 
Indians.  The  chief  Ootooteka  adopted  him  as  his  son.  He  remained 
with  the  Indians  three  years  and  grew  to  manhood,  in  size  being  fully 
six  feet  in  height,  of  handsome,  fine  figure.  He  left  his  friends,  the 
Indians,  as  suddenly  as  he  had  left  home  before.  He  was  now  eighteen 
years  of  age,  and  on  his  return  home  he  opened  a school.  He  charged 
the  moderate  rate  of  §8  per  year  for  tuition;  one-third  payable  in  cash, 
one-third  in  corn  and  one-third  in  domestic  cotton  cloth. 

He  began  his  teaching  in  1811,  and  soon  had  a flourishing  school. 
The  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Great  Britain  afforded  an  opportunity  for 
the  display  of  his  talents  in  a direction  niore  congenial  to  his  nature. 
In  1813  he  enlisted  as  a common  soldier,  but  soon  rose  to  the  rank  of 
ensign.  At  the  battle  of  the  Horseshoe  Bend,  on  March  27,  1813,  he  re- 
ceived a severe  wound  in  the  thigh  from  an  arrow,  and  two  balls  in  the 
shoulder.  After  the  battle  he  was  carried  to  Fort  Strother  on  a litter. 
His  wounds  were  thought  to  be  mortal,  but  his  robust  constitution  saved 
him.  His  bravery  in  battle  made  him  a particular  favorite  of  Jackson. 
After  peace  he  was  stationed  at  Knoxville  as  lieutenant,  in  charge  of  a 
post,  but  was  soon  afterward  sent  to  New  Orleans.  While  there  his  old 
wounds  broke  out  afresh  and  he  was  compelled  to  undergo  a very  dan- 
gerous and  painful  surgical  operation.  After  a winter  of  suffering  he 
went  to  New  York,  where  his  health  improved.  In  1816  he  returned  to 
Tennessee,  by  way  of  Washington  City,  and  was  stationed  at  Nashville. 
On  January  1,  1817,"  he  was  appointed  to  carry  out  a treaty  with  the 
Cherokee  Indians.  The  next  year  he  headed  a delegation  of  Indians  to 
Washington.  While  in  that  city  he  was  accused  of  exercising  too  great 
zeal  in  putting  a stop  to  the  African  slave  trade  through  Florida,  but  was 
fully  acquitted  on  trial.  On  March  1,  1818,  he  resigned  his  commission 
in  the  army  and  settled  in  Nashville,  where  he  began  the  study  of  law. 
After  a course  of  six  months  he  was  admitted  to  practice,  and  began  his 
labors  at  Lebanon,  Wilson  County.  His  rise  was  rapid.  In  October, 


726 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


1819,  he  was  attorney-general  for  the  Nashville  District,  and  in  1821  he 
was  made  major-general  of  the  militia  of  the  Western  District.  In  1823 
he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  again  in  1825.  He  was  elected  govern- 
or of  the  State  by  the  very  flattering  majority  of  12,000.  In  January, 
1829,  Gov.  Houston  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  Allen,  but  from  domestic 
infelicity  he  left  her  in  April,  resigned  his  office,  gave  up  his  candidacy 
for  re-election,  and  again  went  to  his  old  friends,  the  Cherokees,  now  be- 
yond the  Mississippi.  His  old  adopted  father,  Ootooteka,  again  kindly 
received  him,  and  by  a council  of  the  chiefs,  on  October  21,  1829,  he  was 
made  a citizen  of  the  Cherokee  nation,  with  full  power.  Detecting  frauds 
in  contracts  with  the  Indians  he  went  to  Washington  in  1832,  where  he 
plead  the  cause  of  the  Indians  so  strongly  that  it  led  to  an  investigation, 
which  caused  the  suspension  of  several  clerks,  and  led  to  a personal  en- 
counter between  himself  and  W.  It.  Stansbury,  of  Ohio,  in  which  the  1 ai- 
der received  a severe  castigation.  For  this  offense  Houston  was  arrested 
and  fined  §500,  and  was  reprimanded  by  the  speaker.  President  Jack- 
son,  however,  caused  his  fine  to  be  remitted,  and  he  left  Washington  in 
disgust  and  returned  to  the  Indians  in  December,  1832. 

He  soon  after  moved  to  Nacogdoches,  Tex.,  and  took  a very  active 
part  in  the  affairs  of  that  State.  He  was  elected  delegate  to  the  conven- 
tion on  April  1,  1833;  while  a member  of  that  body  he  exercised  great 
influence  over  its  deliberations.  On  the  outbreak  of  war  between  Texas 
and  Mexico,  Houston  was  made  commander  of  the  militia  of  the  eastern 
district,  and  in  October,  1835,  joined  liis  forces  with  Gen.  Austin,  who 
was  besieging  Bexar.  Gen.  Austin  offered  to  resign  the  entire  command 
to  Houston,  who  refused  to  accept.  By  vote  of  forty-nine  out  of  fifty 
Houston  was  made  commander-in-chief  of  the  Texan  forces,  but  resigned 
March  2,  1836,  because  he  was  accused  of  wanting  to  make  himself 
dictator.  He  was  soon  after  re-elected  commander-in-chief  by  the  same* 
vote.  He  took  command  of  the  Texan  forces  at  Gonzales,  March  10, 
which  numbered  374  men.  A force  under.  Col.  Travis  held  the  Alamo 
against  the  orders  of  Houston,  and  were  besieged  and  captured  by  Santa 
Anna  and  the  garrison  of  185  men  massacred.  A panic  seized  Houston’s 
men  when  the  news  reached  camp  that  Santa  Anna  was  advancing  with 
5,000  men.  With  difficulty  Houston,  who  was  absent  at  the  time,  col- 
lected his  fugitives  and  fell  back  to  Peach  Creek.  Here  he  was  joined 
by  100  men,  and  soon  after  by  650  more.  Being  without  artillery  he 
was  unwilling  to  give  battle;  in  the  meantime  Col.  Fannin  wras  ordered 
to  join  him  with  the  garrison  of  Goliad,  but  the  order  was  not  promptly 
obeyed.  The  entire  garrison  was  surrounded  and  captured  by  Gen. 
Urrea  and  357  men  w-ere  shot.  Intense  feeling  was  aroused  against  the 

O O 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Mexicans.  Santa  Anna's  army,  flushed  with  victory,  captured  Harris- 
burg. the  capital,  and  burned  it,  also  New  Washington.  On  April  10 
Houston  received  two  six-pound  guns  from  Cincinnati.  His  forces  now 
numbered  783  men;  Santa  Anna  1,000  veterans.  Houston  attacked  him 
at  San  Jacinto  March  21.  He  opened  with  grape  and  cannister  then 
charged  with  the  cry,  “Remember  the  Alamo.'’  Houston  had  his  ankle 
shattered  by  a ball  and  his  horse  mortally  wounded,  but  urged  him  up  to 
the  works  which  were  instantly  scaled.  The  Texans  having  no  bayonets 
used  clubbed  muskets,  bowie  knives  and  pistols.  Few  Mexicans  escaped; 
630  were  killed,  208  were  wounded,  and  730  were  captured.  The  next 
day  Santa  Anna  was  captured  in  disguise.  Houston  exerted  all  his 
influence  to  stay  the  butchery  of  the  Mexicans  and  saved  Santa  Anna. 
While  prisoner  Santa  Anna  acknowledged  the  independence  of  Texas  and 
agreed  to  withdraw  his  forces  therefrom.  Houston  resigned  his  posi- 
tion in  favor  of  Gen.  Rusk  and  went  to  New  Orleans  for  treatment  for 
his  wounds.  On  his  improvement  he  returned  to  his  old  home  in  Texas. 

A call  was  made  in  July  for  the  election  of  a president  of  the  repub- 
lic in  September.  Houston  was  selected  to  be  a candidate,  but  with 
great  reluctance  consented.  He  was  inaugurated  October  22,  1836,  and 
took  his  old  competitors,  Gen.  Austin  and  Hon.  Henry  White,  into  the 
cabinet.  He  released  Santa  Anna  and  sent  him  to  Washington  to  con- 
fer with  President  Jackson.  He  soon  opened  communication  with  the 
Washington  government  with  a view  to  the  annexation  of  Texas.  His 
administration  was  as  brilliant  as  his  military  career.  The  constitution 
prevented  his  re-election  in  1838,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  M.  B. 
Lamar.  In  1811  he  was  again  called  to  the  presidency.  In  his  inaugural 
address  he  said:  “There  is  not  a dollar  in  the  treasury;  we  are  in  debt  $10,- 
000,000  or  $15,000,000.  Wre  are  without  money,  without  credit,  and  for 
want  of  punctuality  are  without  character.”  On  the  annexation  of  Texas 
he  was  chosen  one  of  the  United  States  Senators  from  that  State,  and 
was  elected  again  in  1853  to  serve  till  March  4,  1859.  He  was  defeated 
for  re-election  in  1858,  but  was  chosen  governor  again  in  August,  1859. 
He  opposed  the  Kansas-Nebraska  bill  in  a great  speech  March  3,  1854, 
and  lamented  the  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise.  He  was  a friend 
to  the  American  or  Know-nothing  party.  He  favored  the  Lecompton 
constitution  in  the  Kansas  difficulties,  and  opposed  secession  at  the  out- 
break of  the  war.  He  resigned  his  office  rather  than  subscribe  to  the 
oath  presented  by  the  convention.  His  death  occurred  at  Huntersville, 
Tex.,  July  25,  1863.  Personally  Houston  was  a man  of  great  courage, 
and  was  the  soul  of  honor.  While  in  Congress  he  made  charges  against 
•Col.  Irwin,  postmaster  at  Nashville.  These  charges  were  resented  by  a 


728 


HISTOM'  OF  TENNESSEE. 


challenge  sent  to  Gen.  Houston  from  Col.  Irwin  by  the  hand  of  Col.  John 
Smith,  of  Missouri.  This  Houston  refused  to  receive  from  Smith.  The 
act  of  Houston  was  criticised  by  Gen.  William  White  as  being  discour- 
teous to  Col.  Smith.  A dispute  arose  which  resulted  in  a challenge  and 
duel.  Gen.  White  was  severely  but  not  fatally  wounded. 

Col.  David  Crockett, * son  of  John  Crockett,  of  Irish  birth,  was  born 
at  Limestone,  on  the  Nollicliucky  Liver,  in  Washington  County,  Tenn., 
on  August  17,  1786.  His  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Rebecca  Hawkins. 
After  some  youthful  adventures,  a little  schooling  and  a third  courtship, 
young  Crockett  married  a beautiful  Irish  girl.  About  ISOS  he  with  his 
wife  and  two  children  moved  to  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  where  in  the  two 
following  years  he  began  to  distinguish  himself  as  a hunter.  In  1810  or 
1S11  he  moved  to  Franklin  County,  and  soon  after  the  massacre  at  Fort 
Mimms  went  as  a volunteer  to  the  Creek  war,  participating  in  most  of  the 
important  battles  until  its  close  in  IS  15.  Soon  after  the  close  of  the 
war  his  wife  died,  leaving  three  children,  and  in  a short  time  he  married 
as  his  second  wife  the  widow  of  a soldier,  who  had  two  children,  and  by 
whom  he  had  three  more.  He  subsequently  removed  to  the  country 
purchased  of  the  Chickasaw  Indians,  in  what  is  now  Lawrence  County, 
and  became  successively  magistrate,  colonel  of  militia,  and  member  of 
the  Legislature.  Having  lost  his  property,  failed  in  business,  and  given 
up  all  to  his  creditors,  he  determined  to  go  farther  West,  especially  as 
game  wms  becoming  scare  in  the  locality  where  he  lived. 

In  1822  he  removed  to  West  Tennessee  and  settled  in  what  is  now 
Gibson  County,  but  at  that  time  Weakley  County.  Here  he  engaged  in 
his  favorite  sport,  bear  hunting,  and  thus  supplied  his  family  with  an 
abundance  of  meat.  He  also  secured  a large  quantity  of  peltry,  which 
he  exchanged  for  coffee,  sugar,  powder,  lead  and  salt.  He  was  now 
elected  for  a second  term  of  the  Legislature,  serving  during  the  years 
1823—24,  voting  against  Gen.  Jackson  for  United  States  Senator.  In 
1825  he  became  a candidate  for  a seat  in  Congress  against  Col.  Adam  R. 
Alexander,  then  serving  as  the  first  representative  to  that  body  from 
West  Tennessee,  but  was  defeated  by  two  votes.  For  the  next  two  years 
he  was  engaged  in  th&  lumber  trade  and  in  bear  hunting,  killing  in 
one  season  no  less  than  105  bears.  But  his  speculation  in  the  lumber 
trade  was  a total  failure.  He  then  became  a candidate  a second  time  for 
Congress  and  defeated  Col.  Alexander  and  Gen.  William  Arnold  by  a 
majority  of  2,748  votes.  He  acted  with  the  Jackson  party”  during  the 
administration  of  President  Adams,  but  during  his  second  term  he  voted 
against  the  Indian  bill,  a favorite  measure  of  President  Jackson’s.  In 

•From  a manuscript  in  possession  ol  the  Tennessee  Historical  Society. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


729 


1830  lie  was  a candidate  for  a third  term  in  Congress,  but  owing  to  his 
opposition  to  the  administration  party  he  was  defeated  by  his  opponent 
William  Fitzgerald.  Two  years  later,  however,  despite  the  efforts  of  the 
partisans  of  the  administration,  he  defeated  Mr.  Fitzgerald  by  a majority 
of  202.  He  co-operated  with  the  Whig  party  forming  the  recliartering 
of  the  United  States  Bank,  and  opposing  the  removal  of  the  deposits. 

In  the  spring  of  1834  Col. . Crockett  made  a trip  through  the  Northern 
States,  visiting  Baltimore,  Philadelphia,  New  York,  Boston  and  other 
cities,  and  was  everywhere  received  with  marked  attention,  especially  by 
the  Whigs.  He  was  presented  in  Philadelphia  by  the  younger  Whigs 
with  a very  fine  rifled  gun,  a present  he  prized  very  highly,  and  which  he 
.subsequently  bore  with  him  in  many  a bear  hunt,  as  well  as  during  his 
campaigns  in  Texas.  Retiring  to  Washington,  where  he  remained 
until  the  close  of  Congress,  he  returned  home,  and  was  a candidate  for 
re-election,  Adam  Huntsman  being  his  opponent.  Crockett  was  defeated, 
having  not  only  Huntsman  but  the  influence  of  Andrew  Jackson  and 
Gov.  Carroll  backed  by  the  Union  Bank  at  Jackson  to  contend  against. 
Feeling  that  “ Crockett’s  occupation  was  gone  ” and  being  disgusted 
with  the  ways  of  scheming  politicians,  he  determined  to  go  to  Texas. 
He  made  a parting  address  to  his  constituents,  in  which  he  reviewed  his 
course  in  Congress  and  warned  them  against  the  policy  of  “ the  Govern- 
ment ” and  the  President’s  disposition  to  nominate  Mr.  Van  Buren  as 
his  successor.  He  also  alluded  to  the  unfair  means  used  to  defeat  him 
in  his  late  canvass,  and  closed  by  telling  them  that  he  was  done  with 
politics  for  the  present,  and  that  they  might  all  go  to  h — 1 and  he  would 
go  to  Texas. 

Taking  leave  of  his  wife  and  children,  and  shouldering  his  rifle 
“Betsy,”  he  started  at  once  on  the  highway  to  Texas,  to  a heroic  death 
.and  to  a fame  as  lasting  as  the  memory  of  the  bloody  Alamo  itself.  He 
made  his  journey  as  rapidly  as  he  could,  and  reached  San  Antonio  in 
time  to  join  the  patriots  before  Santa  Anna’s  army,  previous  to  the 
siege  of  the  city.  He  was  one  of  the  six  Americans  who  survived  the 
assault  upon  the  Alamo  on  March  0,  1830.  , The  prisoners  were  taken 
before  the  Mexican  chief,  who  gave  orders  for  the  massacre  of  the  whole 
number.  Col.  Crockett,  seeing  their  treachery,  sprang  like  a tiger  at  his 
foes,  when  a number  of  swords  were  sheathed  in  his  indomitable  heart. 
His  body,  with  others  of  the  slain,  was  buried  in  a heap  in  the  center  of 
the  Alamo.  Thus  ended  the  life  of  Col.  David  Crockett,  the  celebrated 
bear  hunter  of  Tennessee,  the  eccentric  congressman  from  the  West  and 
one  of  the  heroes  of  the  Alamo,  whose  fame  is  as  immortal  as  history. 

On  the  11th  of  September,  1777,  was  born  Felix  Grundy,  the  young- 


730 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


est  of  seven  sons  of  George  Grundy,  of  Berkley  County,  Ya.  lie 
was  of  English  parentage.  The  family  moved  from  Virginia  to  Browns- 
ville, Penn.,  in  1779,  and  17S0  to  Kentucky,  which  State  was  then  indeed 
a “dark  and  bloody  ground.”  At  least  three  of  the  family  fell  victims 
to  the  tomahawk  and  scalping  knife  of  the  savage;  not  only  were  several 
of  the  family  victims  of  the  savages,  but  their  home  and  household  ef- 
fects were  swept  away  also.  This  was  a time  according  to  the  language 
of  himself  when  “death  was  in  every  bush,  and  when  every  thicket  con- 
cealed an  ambuscade.”  He  was  placed  in  the  academy  at  Bardstown,  Ky., 
under  that  eminent  educator,  Dr.  Priestley,  who  afterward  became  presi- 
dent of  the  University  of  Nashville.  Being  the  seventh  son  the  mother 
destined  him  for  a physician,  but  that  profession  being  distasteful  to  him 
he  chose  the  law.  He  entered  the  law  office  of  Col.  George  Nicholas,  a 
gentleman  who  stood  at  the  head  of  the  Kentucky  bar  at  that  time.  In 
1798  he  began  practice  and  soon  attained  eminence  as  a criminal  lawyer. 
It  was  in  this  department  of  the  law  that  he  ranked  highest  and  in  which 
he  had  few  if  any  equals  and  no  superiors. 

He  was  chosen  a member  of  the  convention  to  revise  the  constitution 
of  Kentucky  in  1799,  and  the  same  year  became  a member  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  that  commonwealth,  where  he  remained  for  several  successive 
terms.  In  1S06  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  errors 
and  appeals  and  on  the  resignation  of  Justice  Todd  Mr.  Grundy  became 
chief  justice  of  the  State,  at  the  age  of  twenty-nine.  The  salary  of  the 
office  being  s'rnall,  he  resigned  and  moved  to  Nashville  in  1807,  to  enter 
a broader  field  of  usefulness.  He  was  admitted  to  the  practice  of  law  in 
the  several  courts  of  the  State  on  Saturday,  November  14,  1807.  Of  his 
professional  ability  Hon.  John  M.  Bright,  who  delivered  an  oration  on  the 
“Life,  Character  and  Public  Services  of  the  Hon.  Felix  Grundy,”  says: 
“At  the  first  step  in  his  profession,  he  took  rank  with?  one  Haywood  and 
Whiteside,  and  as  an  advocate  he  rose  in  time  far  above  competition, 
and  challenged  every  age  and  every  country  to  produce  his  peer.  After 
his  settlement  in  Nashville,  it  is  said,  out  of  105  individuals  whom  he  de- 
fended on  charges  of  capital  offenses,  one  only  was  finally  condemned 
and  executed.  * * * * His  name  was  a tower  of  strength 

to  the  accused,  and  his  retainer  a city  of  refuge.  At  his  bidding  prison 
doors  flew  open,  and  the  captive  leaped  from  his  falling  chains  into  the 
arms  of  his  swooning  wife.  At  the  bar  he  was  always  dignified  in  his 
bearing,  conciliatory  in  his  address,  Saxon  in  his  diction,  and  never 
stooping  to  coarseness  in  his  allusions.  His  speeches  not  only  breathed 
a high  tone  of  morality,  but  the  purer  essence  of  religion.  He  was  fa- 
miliar with  the  Bible  and  perhaps  drew  from  it  the  sparks  that  kindled 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


731 


into  the  boldest  imagery  that  ever  shed  a luster  on  the  bar.  Although 
he  sometimes  indulged  a pungent  humor  and  a caustic  wit,  he  ever  held 
a resort  to  vituperation  and  abuse  as  dishonorable  as  the  chewed  bullets 
and  poisoned  arrows  of  savage  warfare.  I have  sought  in  vain  to  find 
some  clue  to  the  secret  of  his  success.”  Doubtless  his  earnestness,  com- 
mand of  words,  his  pictures  from  nature,  his  consciousness  of  his  own 
strength,  his  ability  to  read  human  nature  and  power  to  portray  charac- 
ter had  much  to  do  with  it.  On  December  4,  1811,  Mr.  Grundy  became 
a member  of  Congress  where  he  remained  for  two  terms,  positively  refus- 
ing to  accept  the  nomination  in  1815.  This  was  during  the  period  of 
the  second  war  with  Great  Britain,  when  great  questions  were  de- 
bated and  there  were  great  men  to  discuss  them,  i.  e .,  Clay,  Webster,  Cal- 
houn, Randolph  and  others. 

The  interval  from  1S15  to  1819  Mr.  Grundy  spent  in  building  up  his 
profession  and  his  fortune.  In  1819  he  became  a member  of  the  State 
Legislature,  where  he  remained  for  six  years.  While  a member  of  the 
Legislature  lie.  with  Mr.  William  L.  Brown,  was  made  a member  of  a 
committee  with  unlimited  power  to  settle  the  very  delicate  question  of 
the  boundary  line  between  Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  This  question  had 
caused  some  bitterness  between  the  sister  States  but  was  amicably  settled 
February  2,  1820.  At  a called  session  of  the  Legislature  of  1820  to  de- 
vise some  means  to  release  the  public  from  financial  distress,  Mr.  Grun- 
dy was  the  author  and  successful  advocate  of  a bank,  founded  exclusively 
upon  the  funds  of  the  State.  On  the  death  of  those  two  eminent  states- 
men, Thomas  Jefferson  and  John  Adams,  on  July  4,  1826,  Mr.  Grundy 
was  chosen  to  deliver  the  funeral  oration  for  the  State.  The  effort  was 
one  worthy  of  the  occasion.  Following  the  election  of  Gen.  Jackson  to 
the  presidency  came  the  election  of  Felix  Grundy  to  the  United  States 
Senate.  He  was  re-elected  in  1833  and  served  in  that  body  till  1838.  Ho 
was  a member  of  the  committee,  with  the  great  “Pacificator,”  which 
shaped  the  compromise  tariff  bill  of  1833.  He  was  made  Attorney-Gen- 
eral of  the  United  States  in  September,  1838,  by  appointment  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren.  He  resigned  this  office  in  1840  and  was  again  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate,  but  his  death  occurred  before  taking  his  seat.  In 
1840  Mr.  Grundy  took  a very  active  part  in  the  presidential  campaign  of 

that  year  in  favor  of  Martin  Yan  Buren  against  Gen.  Harrison.  Al- 
" . . . . ' 
though  suffering  from  physical  infirmity,  he  entered  into  the  canvass 

with  all  the  ardor  of  his  youth  and  in  the  full  vigor  of  his  great  intellect. 
He  survived  this  work  but  a short  time.  At  4 o’clock  of  Saturday  after- 
noon, December  19,  1840,  was  witnessed  the  closing  of  the  earthly 
career  of  this  great  man. 


732 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Hugh  Lawson  White  was  the  son  of  Gen.  James  White,  one  of  the 
'earliest  pioneers  of  East  Tennessee,  and  in  many  respects  a remarkable 
man.  Gen.  White  was  born  of  Irish  parentage,  and  spent  the  early  part 
of  his  life  in  North  Carolina,  where  in  1770  he  married  Mary  Lawson. 
During  the  Revolutionary  war  he  served  as  a soldier  from  that  State,  but 
at  its  close  removed  with  his  family  to  Fort  Chissel,  Ya.  In  17S7  he 
immigrated  to  Knox  County,  Tenn.,  and  in  1792  laid  the  foundation  of 
the  present,  city  of  Knoxville.  He  was  a member  of  the  Franklin  con- 
vention in  1785;  of  the  Territorial  Assembly  in  1794,  and  the  Constitu- 
tional Convention  of  1790.  During  the  Cre6k  war,  although  advanced  in 
years,  he  served  with  distincton  as  brigadier-general  of  militia.  Taken 
all  in  all  he  is  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  figures  in  the  early  history  of 
East  Tennessee. 

Hugh  Lawson  White  was  born  October  30,  1773,  and  was  conse- 
quently a lad  of  fourteen  when  with  his  father  he  came  into  Tennessee. 
His  early  life  was  spent  in  hardy  toil,  with  very  limited  facilities  for  ob- 
taining even  the  rudiments  of  an  education.  At  the  age  of  fifteen,  however, 
by  earnest  effort,  ho  had  sufficiently  advanced  to  take  up  the  study  of  the 
ancient  languages,  which  he  did  under  the  direction  of  Rev.  Samuel 
Carrick,  with  some  assistance  Horn  Judge  Roane.  His  studies  were  soon  in- 
terrupted by  Indian  hostilities,  and  he  volunteered  as  a soldier  under  the 
leadership  of  John  Sevier.  In  this  campaign  he  distinguished  himself, 
not  only  for  bravery,  but  for  strength  and  endurance.  At  the  age  of 
twenty  he  was  appointed  private  secretary  to  Gov.  Blount,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  the  close  of  his  term  of  office.  He  then  went  to  Phila- 
delphia where  he  took  a course  of  study,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the 
study  of  law  with  James  Hopkins  of  Lancaster,  Penn.  In  179G  he  re- 
turned to  Knoxville,  and  at  once  assumed  a leading  position  at  the  bar. 
Five  years  later,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  he  was  elected  judge  of  the  su- 
perior court,  then  the  highest  judicial  tribunal  in  the  State.  He  resigned 
in  1807,  and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  He  was  re-elected  two 
years  later,  but  did  not  serve  the  second  term,  as  he  was  elected  by  the 
Legislature  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court.  He  continued  in 
that  capacity  until  December  31,  1814,  when  he  again  resigned.  He 
had  been  elected  president  of  the  Bank  of  Tennessee  in  November,  1812, 
and  from  that  time  until  July,  1827,  he  continued  to  direct  the  operations 
of  that  institution.  In  1820,  his  health  being  impaired,  he  returned  to 
his  farm,  but  the  country  had  need  of  his  services,  and  he  was  not  al- 
lowed to  remain  in  seclusion.  The  next  year  he  was  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Monroe  one  of  the  three  commissioners  to  settle  the  claims  under  the 
treaty  providing  for  the  transfer  of  Florida  from  Spain  to  the  United 


John  Bell 


■ m 


.HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


733 


States.  This  occupied  his  time  and  attention  for  three  years.  In  1S25 
he  was  elected  to  succeed  Andrew  Jackson  in  the  United  States  Senate, 
and  continued  as  a member  of  that  body  until  1840. 

During  liis  senatorial  career  he  delivered  but  few  speeches  of  any 
considerable  length.  He  usually  spoke  briefly  and  to  the  point,  and  his 
opinions  were  always  received  with  marked  respect.  On  most  questions 
lie  was  in  harmony  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  opposed  the  Federal 
system  of  internal  improvements,  the  rechartering  of  the  United  States 
Bank  and  the  sub-treasury  bill.  He  voted  against  the  famous  “ expung- 
ing resolution”  on  constitutional  grounds,  but  offered  a set  of  resolutions 
in  lieu  of  it.  In  1836,  through  the  influence  of  certain  members  of  his 
party,  he  was  prevailed  upon  to  take  a step  which  embittered  the  few  re- 
maining years  of  his  life.  It  had  become  evident  that  President  Jackson 
wished  to  make  Mr.  Van  Buren  his  successor  in  the  presidential  chair. 
This  was  distasteful  to  a large  element  of  the  party,  especially  in  the 
South.  In  October,  1835,  resolutions  were  passed  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly of  Tennessee  nominating  Judge  White  for  the  presidency,  and  he 
finally  consented  to  make  the  canvass.  For  this  step  he  was  bitterly  de- 
nounced by  President  Jackson,  Judge  Grundy,  Cave  Johnson,  James  K. 
Polk  and  many  others,  heretofore  strong  friends.  Yet  wdth  all  the  lead- 
ers of  his  own  party  in  Tennessee  against  him,  and  with  no  chance  of 
success,  he  carried  the  State  by  a majority  of  10,000  votes — a magnificent 
testimonial  to  the  high  estimation  in  which  he  was  held.  The  General 
Assembly  of  1839-40,  having  passed  certain  resolutions  of  instruction  to 
its  senators  in  Congress,  which  the  latter  could  not  support,  Judge  White 
resigned  his  office  and  retired  to  private  life.  He  died  very  soon  after 
—April  10,  1840. 

In  his  domestic  life  he  met  with  much  affliction.  In  1798  he  married 
Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Carrick,  the  daughter  of  Bev.  Samuel  Carrick,  his 
former  instructor.  To  their  union  were  born  four  sons  and  eight  daugh- 
ters, two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Of  the  remainder  eight  died  just  at 
the  threshold  of  adult  life,  and  .all  within  the  short  space  of  six  years. 
His  wife  also  died  of  the  same  desease,  consumption,  March  25,  1831. 

, In  November,  1832,  Judge  White  was  again  married  to  Mrs.  Ann  E. 

x Peyton,  of  Washington  City,  at  whose  house  he  had  boarded  for  several 
years. 

John  Bell  was  born  about  six  miles  from  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  Febru- 
ary 18,  1797.  He  was  the  son  of  a farmer,  Samuel  Bell,  a man  of  mod- 
erate means,  who  gave  him  a good  education  at  Cumberland  College, 
then  under  the  presidency  of  Dr.  Priestly.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Margaret  Edmiston,  a native  of  Virginia.  At  the  age  of  nineteen 

- 4C 


' 


734 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


lie  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  located  at  Franklin.  The  next  year  he' 
was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  in  which  body  he  served  during  that 
session,  but  declined  a re-election.  The  next  nine  years  he  devoted  ex- 
clusively to  his  profession.  In  1S2G  he  became  the  candidate  for  Con- 
gress against  Felix  Grundy,  then  in  the  zenith  of  his  brilliant  career,  and 
was  elected  over  his  distinguished  competitor  by  a majority  of  1.000 
votes.  He  continued  in  Congress  by  re-election  for  fourteen  years.  At 
first  he  was  an  ardent  advocate  of  free  trade,  but  afterward  changed  liis 
views  and  favored  protection.  He  was  made  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  the  Judiciary  when  the  “Force  Bill’'  and  the  question  of  nullifica- 
tion were  before  the  courts.  Upon  the  question  of  the  removal  of  the 
deposits  of  the  United  States  Bank  he  took  issue  with  President  Jack- 
son,  and  in  this  breach  great  results  were  involved.  Henceforth,  Mr. 
Bell  ceased  to  act  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  in  1834  he  defeated 
James  K.  Polk  for  the  speakership  of  the  House.  In  1836  he  strongly 
advocated  the  election  of  Hugh  L.  White  in  opposition  to  Tan  Buren, 
and  succeeded  in  carrying  Tennessee  for  his  candidate.  In  1838  he  voted 
against  the  resolution  excluding  anti-slavery  petitions  from  Congress. 
For  ten  years  he  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Indian  Affairs,  dur- 
ing which  time  the  Cherokees  were  removed  from  Georgia, 

In  1841  he  became  Secretary  of  War  under  Harrison,  but  resigned 
in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  upon  the  separation  of  Tyler  from  the 
Whig  party.  He  was  soon  after  offered  a seat  in  the  Senate  by  the  Whig 
majority  of  the  Tennessee  General  Assembly,  but  he  declined  an  election 
in  favor  of  Ephraim  H.  Foster.  He  remained  in  retirement  until  1847, 
when  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate,  and  during  the  same  year  wras 
chosen  to  the  United  States  Senate.  He  was  re-elected  in  1853.  Dur- 
ing his  service  in  the  Senate  he  delivered  some  of  the  most  able  and  ex- 
haustive speeches  ever  listened  to  by  that  body.  His  speech  on  the  war 
with  Mexico  was  pronounced  by  Calhoun  the  ablest  delivered  upon  the 
subject.  In  1860  he  was  nominated  by  the  Constitutional  Union  partv 
for  the  Presidency,  with  Edward  Everett  occupying  the  second  place  upon 
the  ticket.  They  received  the  electoral  vote  of  Virginia,  Kentucky  and 
Tennessee.  When  secession  was  proposed  as  the  result  of  the  election 
of  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency,  Mr.  Bell  threw  his  whole  influence  for  the 
preservation  of  the  Union,  but  after  the  call  for  troops  by  President  Lin- 
coln . he  took  strong  grounds  for  secession.  He  assumed  the  position 
that  no  ordinance  of  any  kind  was  necessary  to  sever  the  connection  of 
the  State  with  the  Federal  Government,  and  that  the  Legislature  was 
alone  competent  to  declare  the  Union  dissolved  and  Tennessee  an  inde- 
pendent sovereignty:  During  the  war  he  took  no  active  part  in  either 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


735 


political  or  military  affairs.  After  its  close  lie  was  engaged  in  business 
until  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Cumberland  Iron  Works  September 
18,  I860. 

In  December,  1818,  Mr.  Bell  was  married  to  Miss  Sally  Dickinson,  a 
^daughter  of  David  Dickinson,  of  Rutherford,  and  a granddaughter  of 
Col.  Hardy  Murfree,  of  Revolutionary  distinction.  She  was  a woman  of 
refinement  and  superior  education.  During  her  youth  she  attended  one 
of  the  famous  educational  institutions  of  the  Carolinas,  making  the  jour- 
ney from  her  home,  a distance  of  about  106  miles,  on  horseback.  Among 
her  schoolmates  was  Mrs.  James  K.  Polk,  who  probably  accomplished 
the  journey  in  the  same  manner.  Mrs.  Bell  died  leaving  four  children, 
who  yet  survive.  Mr.  Bell  was  married  a second  time,  about  IS 35,  to 
Mrs.  Jane  Yeatman,  a daughter  of  Mr.  Ervin,  of  Bedford  County,  who 
survived  her  husband  until  1876.  She  was  an  accomplished  lady  of  re- 
markable intellectual  vigor,  of  fascinating  powers  of  conversation  and 
possessing  an  energy  of  cliaraqter  quite  phenomenal.  For  more  than  a 
quarter  of  a century  she  was  a conspicuous  and  charming  member  of 
Washington  society.  She  left  two  daughters,  both  of  whom  reside  in 
Philadelphia.  The  home  life  of  Mr.  Bell  was  of  the  most  pleasing  char- 
acter. Whatever  were  the  cares  of  the  day,  all  were  banished  when  he 
entered  the  sacred  precincts  of  home.  There  his  hours  were  passed  in 
the  kindly  and  sympathetic  interchange  of  conversation  upon  domestic 
topics  and  the  news  of  the  day,  varied  at  times  with  instructive  discus- 
sions upon  more  important  themes.  There  was  no  affectation  of  supe- 
rior wisdom ; no  claim . made  or  even  suggested  for  deference  to  him  or 
his  opinions.  He  wtis  natural  and  simple  as  a child,  and  affectionate  as 
a woman.  A pure,  chaste  man,  no  scandal  ever  smirched  his  reputation. 
Late  in  life  he  became  a member  of  the  Presbvterian  Church,  and  while 
residing  in  Georgia,  during  the  civil  war,  he  spent  much  time  in  reading 
the  Bible. 

As  a statesman  it  is  doubtful  if  Tennessee  has  produced  another  man 
his  equal.  “He  resembled  Halifax,  as  described  by  Macauley,  as  one  who 
always  saw  passing  events,  not  in  the  point  of  view  in  which  they  commonly 
appear  to  one  who  bears  a part  in  them,  but  in  the  point  of  view  in  which 
after  the  lapse  of  many  years  they  appear  to  the  philosophic  historian/’ 
His  love  and  devotion  to  his  native  State  was  one  of  his  leading  traits, 
and  he  loved  to  be  called  “John  Bell  of  Tennessee,”  sometimes  using  the 
phrase  himself  in  his  popular  addresses. 

Cave  Johnson  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of  Ten- 
nessee. He  was  the  second  son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Noel)  Johnson, 
and  was  born  January  11,  1793.  Thomas  Johnson’s  father  was  Henry 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


'36 


Johnson,  who  removed  from  Pennsylvania  to  North  Carolina  during  the 
war  of  the  Revolution,  in  which  he  served  as  a private  soldier.  Arriv- 
ing in  North  Carolina  he  settled  near  Salisbury  where  he  resided  until 
1706,  when  he  removed  to  Robertson  County,  Tenn.,  and  located  two  and 
a half  miles  east  of  Springfield.  Some  time  afterward  he  moved  three 
miles  south  of  Springfield  to  Karr’s  Creek,  where  he  died  in  1815.  He 
married  Miss  Rachel  Holman,  who  died  about  the  same  time  as  her  hus- 
band. They  were  the  parents  of  nine  children:  William,  Thomas, 
Henry,  Isaac,  Joseph,  Jacob  V.,  Rebecca,  Mary  and  Rachel.  Thomas 
Johnson  wras  born  July  4,  1766,  and  settled  in  Robertson  County  in 
1789  as  a surveyor.  The  next  ye.ar  he  was  married  to  Mary  Noel,  at 
Craig’s  Station,  Ky.,  and  took  her  to  Robertson  County  in  1790.  Cave 
Johnson,  their  second  son,  was  named  after  Rev.  Richard  Cave,  a Baptist 
minister  in  Kentucky,  who  is  believed  to  have  been  a brother  of  Mrs. 
Thomas  Johnson  s mother.  Their  other  children  were  Cave,  who  died 
in  infancy  in  1791;  Henry  Minor,  born  in  1795;  Taylor  Noel, .born  in 
1 / 9 < ; N aney,  born  in  1 » 


on . w:n:~  m. 


run j uuu  •j'valjla  xi 


„ i cm 


born  in  1803.  Cave  Johnson  was  born  three  miles  east  of  Springfield, 
January  11,  1793.  He  was  sent  to  the  academy  about  two  miles  east 
of  Nashville,  then  under  the  control  of  George  Martin.  In  1807  he  was 
sent  to  Mount  Pleasant  Academy  on  Station  Camp  Creek,  in  Sumner 
County",  then  under  the  control  of  John  Hall,  where  he  remained  a year, 
when  he  was  sent  to  Cumberland  College,  now  the  University  of  Nash- 
ville. Here  he  remained  until  the  troops  of  the  State  were  called  to 
Mississippi  in  1811.  With  his  college  mates  he  formed  a volunteer  com- 
pany of  which  he  was  elected  captain,  and  whose  services  he  tendered  to 
Gen.  Jackson,  to  accompany  him  to  Mississippi.  The  General  declined 
their  services  on  account  of  their  youth  and  advised  them  to  continue 
their  studies,  which  from  necessity  they  did,  though  not  without  deep 
mortification  on  their  part  and  severe  denunciation  of  Gen.  Jackson  on  the 
part  of  some  of  them.  In  the  summer  of  1812  he  commenced  the  study 
of  law  with  William  M.  Cooke,  a profound  lawyer,  a most  estimable  gen- 
tleman and  then  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court.  He  continued 
with  Mr.  Cooke  until  the  fall  of  1813,  when  his  father's  brigade  was 
called  upon  to  join  Gen.  Jackson  in  the  Creek  Nation.  He  accompanied 
his  father  in  the  capacity  of  deputy  brigade  quartermaster  during  the 
campaigns  of  1813  and  1814,  and  in  May,  1814,  returned  home,  the  In- 
dians having  been  subdued  and  peace  restored.  He  continued  his  study 
of  the  law  with  P.  W.  Humphreys,  on  Yellow  Creek,  and  toward  the  lat- 
ter part  of  the  year  obtained  his  license  to  practice  law,  and  commenced 
the  practice  full  of  hope  and  confident  of  success. 


* 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


737 


He  was  at  that  time  strongly  impressed  with  the  belief  that  his  first- 
duty  was  to  get  him  a wife,  fully  satisfied  that  his  success  in  his  chosen 
profession  would  enable  him  to  support  a family.  He  therefore  paid  his 
addresses  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Dortch,  who  was  then  in  her  fifteenth  year, 
and  was  by  her,  as  he  says,  “very  properly  rejected.”  By  this  rejection 
he  was  deeply  mortified  and  caused  to  resolve  that  he  would  never  ad- 
dress another  lady.  He  then  devoted  himself  to  his  profession.  In  the 
fall  of  1817,  he  was  elected  attorney-general  by  the  Legislature  sitting  at 
Knoxville  upon  the  nomination  of  W.  C.  Conrad,  but  without  any  effort 
of  his  own.  From  this  time  he  devoted  himself  with  great  assiduity  to 
his  profession  until  1828  when  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  succeeding 
Dr.  J.  Marable,  who  had  been  the  member  for  some  years.  He  was  re- 
elected to  Congress  without  opposition  in  1831.  In  1833  he  was  a^ain 
the  candidate  and  was  elected  over  both  his  competitors,  Gen.  Bichard 
Cheatham  and  Dr.  John  H.  Marable,  notwithstanding  strenuous  efforts 
were  made  for  his  defeat.  In  1835  he  was  again  elected  over  William 
K.  Turner  by  a very  large  majority.  In  1837  he  was  defeated  by  Gen. 
Cheatham  by  a majority  of  ninety  votes.  After  this  defeat  he  resumed 
the  practice  of  the  law,  and  beginning  to  think  seriously  of  the  folly  of 
his  youthful  resolution  against  matrimony.  Miss  Elizabeth  Dortch  had 
married  a Mr.  Brunson  in  1817,  and  in  1826  became  a widow  with  three 
children.  Mr.  Johnson’s  early  attachment  for  this  ladv  revived  and  thev 
were  married  February  20,  1838.  The  election  of  August,  1839,  resulted 
in  returning  Mr.  Johnson  to  Congress  by  a majority  of  1,496.  In  1841 
lie  was  again  elected  to  Congress  without  opposition.  In  1843  he  was 
opposed  by  but  elected  over  G.  A.  Henry  by  nearly  300  votes.  In  1844 
James  K.  Polk  was  elected  President  of  the  United  States,  and  at  the 
close  of  Mr.  Johnson’s  term  in  Congress  invited  him  to  take  charge  of 
the  Postoffice  Department,  which  he  did  and  served  as  Postmaster-General 
four  years.  Soon  after  this  Mrs.  Johnson  died  of  cancer  in  the  breast. 
During  the  canvass  prior  to  the  elections  of  1853,  Judge  Mortimer  A. 
Martin,  of  the  circuit  court  died,  and. Mr.  Johnson  was  appointed  judge 
pro  and  served  until  Judge  Pepper  was  selected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
Mr.  Johnson  was  then  appointed  president  of  the  Bank  of  Tennessee,  en- 
tered upon  the  duties  of  that  office  in  January,  1854,  and  served  six 
years.  In  January,  1860,  lie  removed  from  Nashville  to  his  home  and 
remained  there  most  of  the  summer.  On  the  8th  of  June,  I860,  he  was 
appointed  by  President  Buchanan  commissioner  on  the  part  of  the  United 
States  under  the  convention  with  Paraguay  for  the  adjustment  of  the 
claims  of  the  United  States  and  Paraguay  Navigation  Company:  On  this 

commission  he  was  engaged  nearly  three  months. 


■ 


738 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Iii  1SG1,  when  the  question  of  secession  first  came  up  to  be  acted 
upon,  Mr.  Johnson  urged  the  people  to  stand  by  the  Union.  During  the 
war  he  remained  quietly  at  his  home  taking  no  part  in  the  troubles  be- 
tween the  two  sections  of  the  country,  except  to  express  his  opinions  on 
public  men  and  public  measures,  his  opinions,  however,  after  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war,  being  uniformly  in  favor  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
In  1865  he  was  required  to  give  reasons  why  he  should  not  be  sent  within 
the  Confederate  lines,  which  reasons  being  satisfactory  to  Gen.  Thomas 
he  was  allowed  to  remain  quietly  at  his  home.  On  the  19th  of  August, 
1805,  he  was  pardoned  by  Andrew  Johnson,  President  of  the  United 
States.  In  the  spring  of  1800  he  was  elected  by  the  counties  of  Bobert- 
son,  Montgomery  and  Stewart  their  senator  in  the  General  Assembly  of 
the  State,  but  by  that  body  refused  admission  as  such  senator.  His 
death  occurred  November  23,  1SG6.  By  his  marriage  with  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Brunson  he  had  three  children:  Hickman  Johnson,  T.  D.  Johnson, 
and  Polk  G.  Johnson,  all  of  whom  served  the  Confederacy  in  the  great 
civil  war. 

James  Knox  Polk  was  born  in  Mecklenburg  County,  N.  C..  Novem- 
ber 2,  1795.  He  was  the  eldest  of  a family  of  ten  children — six  sons  and 
four  daughters — born  to  the  marriage  of  Samuel  Polk  and  Jane  Knox. 
His  paternal  ancestors  were  emigrants  from  Ireland  in  the  early  jjart  of 
the  eighteenth  century.  They  settled  upon  the  eastern  shores  of  Mary- 
land. The  branch  from  which  James  K.  descended  removed  first  to 
Pennsylvania,  and  about  1735  to  North  Carolina.  There  his  great-uncle. 
Col.  Thomas  Polk,  and  liis  grandfather,  Ezekiel  Polk,  took  a prominent 
part  in  the  convention  which  adopted  the  Mecklenburg  declaration  in 
1775.  In  180G  Samuel  Polk  with  his  family  immigrated  to  Maury 
County,  and  was  soon  after  followed  by  nearly  all  of  the  Polk  family. 
He  located  up  on  Duck  Biver,  where  he  obtained  possession  of  a large 
body  of  land,  which  gradually  increasing  in  value,  made  him  one  of  the 
wealthiest  men  of  the  county. 

His  wife  was  a superior  woman  of  fine  practical  sense,  who  trained 
her  children  to  habits  of  punctuality  and  industry,  and  inspired  in  them 
a love  of  morality.  Young  James  early  evinced  a great  desire  and 
capacity  for  learning,  and  having  secured  the  elements  of  an  education 
at  home  and  in  the  neighborhood  school,  in  1813  entered  the  Murfrees- 
boro Academy,  from  which,  in  1815,  he  entered  the  sophomore  class  of 
the  University  of  North  Carolina,  at  Chapel  Hill.  From  this  institution, 
after  three  more  years  of  diligent  application,  he  graduated  with  the 
highest  honors.  He  then  entered  upon  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of 
Felix  Grundy,  of  Nashville,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  had  com- 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


739 


pleted  liis  legal  education.  After  his  admittance  to  the  bar  he  returned 
to  Columbia  and  opened  an  office;  as  he  was* thoroughly  equipped  for 
the  profession  and  well  prepared  to  meet  all  of  its  responsibilities,  it  was 
but  a short  time  until  he  was  recognized  as  a leader  both  at  the  bar  and 
on  the  stump. 

In  1823  he  was  chosen  to  represent  his  county  in  the  lower  house  of 
the  General  Assembly,  and  in  the  fall  of  1825,  after  a vigorous  cam- 
paign, was  elected  a member  of  Congress.  During  the  next  four  years 
he  was  an  active  opponent  of  the  measures  proposed  by  President 
Adams.  He  lid1!  long  been  a close  friend  of  Gen.  Jackson,  and  when 
the  latter  was  elected  President  he  became  the  leader  of  the  administra- 
iiye  party.  He  opposed  the  Federal  system  of  internal -improvements, 
the  rechartering  of  the  United  States  Bank  and  the  protective  tariff  law. 
Indeed,  he  was  in  such  perfect  accord  with  Jackson  and  carried  out  his 
plans  so  faithfully  that  he  was  accused  of  being  servilely  dependent  upon 
the  President.  While  such  a charge  was  entirely  without  foundation,  it 
is  not  improbable  that  his  relations  with  Gen.  Jackson  had  much  influ- 
ence upon  his  career.  He  continued  in  Congress  for  fourteen  consecu- 
tive years,  during  the  last  four  years  of  which  he  filled  the  speaker's 
•chair.  He  withdrew  March  4,  1839,  and  soon  after  began  a vigorous 
campaign  for  the  office  of  governor.  He  was  elected,  but  before  he  had 
completed  his  first  term  the  great  Whig  victory  was  gained,  and  at  the 
next  two  gubernatorial  elections  he  was  defeated.  In  1844  the  annexa- 
tion of  Texas  was  the  most  important  question  before  the  public,  and  Mr. 
Polk's  position,  as  an  advocate  of  the  measure,  had  much  to  do  with  his 
nomination  for  the  presidency  in  that  year.  After  a campaign,  based 
mainly  upon  that  question,  he  was  chosen  over  Henry  Clay  by  a majority 
of  sixty-five  electoral  votes.  Before  his  inauguration  the  great  ques- 
tion of  annexation  had  been  settled,  but  the  difficulty  with  Mexico  was 
thereby  begun,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  administration  was  occupied 
in  considering  questions  connected  with  the  war  with  that  country. 
Other  important  measures  of  his  term  of  office  were  the  admission  of 
Iowa  and  Wisconsin  into  the  Union,  the  passage  of  the  low  tariff  law 
of  1846,  the  establishment  of  the  department  of  the  interior,  and  the 
settlement  of  the  northwestern  boundary  question.  Having  retired  from 
the  presidency  in  March,  1849,  he  returned  to  Nashville,  where  he  had 
previously  purchased  the  property  since  known  as  Polk  Place.  There 
his  death  occurred  June  15,  1849. 

Mr.  Polk  was  not  a man  of  great  brilliancy  of  intellect,  and  possessed 
little  imagination,  yet  lie  was  lively  and  sociable  in  his  disposition,  and 
had  the  rare  power  of  communicating  his  own  enthusiasm  to  those  with 


710 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


whom  he  came  in  contact.  He  was  well  versed  in  human  nature,  and 
{possessed  a memory  of  remarkable  retentiveness;  while  he  did  not  pos- 
sess the  force  of  character  of  Jackson,  the  rugged  native  ability  of 
Andrew  Johnson,  nor  the  far-seeing  statesmanship  of  John  Bell,  he  was 
distinguished  for  shrewdness,  quickness  of  perception,  firmness  of  pur- 
pose and  untiring  energy. 

In  his  selection  of  a companion  for  life  he  was  peculiarly  fortunate. 
In  January.  18*21,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Childress,  a daughter  of  Capt. 
Joel  Childress,  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  She  was  only  fifteen  years 
of  age  at  that  time,  a lady  of  rare  beauty  and  culture.  QAe  accompanied 
her  husband  to  Washington  when  he  entered  Congress  in  1825,  and  was 
with  him,  with  the  exception  of  one  winter,  during  his  entire  eighteen 
years1  residence  in  that  city.  Since  the  death  of  Mr.  Polk  she  has 
resided  at  Polk  Place,  but  has  seldom  appeared  in  society. 

William  Gannaway  Brownlow  was  the  eldest  son  of  Joseph  A.  Brown- 
low,  who  was  born  and  raised  in  Rockbridge  County,  Va.,  and  died  in 
Sullivan  County,  Tenn.,  in  1S1G.  The  father  was  a man  of  good  sense  and 
sterling  integrity,  and  served  in  a Tennessee  company  during  the  war  of 
1812.  Two  of  his  brothers  were  at  the  battle  of  the  Horseshoe,  and  two 
others  died  in  the  naval  service.  His  wife  was  Catharine  Gunnawajq 
also  a native  of  Virginia,  who  was  lefWat  her  husband’s  death  with  five 
helpless  children.  She  survived  him,  however,  less  than  three  months. 

William  was  born  in  Wythe  County,  Va.,  August  29,  1805,  and  con- 
sequently was  only  about  eleven  years  of  age  when  his  parents  died.  He 
was  taken  by  his  mother’s  relatives,  by  whom  he  was  reared  to  hard  labor 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  old,  when  he  removed  to  Abingdon,  Va.,  and 
apprenticed  himself  to  a house  carpenter.  He  early  education  had  been 
imperfect  and  irregular,  and  after  completing  his  apprenticeship  he 
labored  until  lie  acquired  the  means  of  again  going  to  school.  He  after- 
ward entered  the  traveling  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  trav- 
eled for  ten  years  without  intermission,  all  the  time  studying  and  improv- 
ing his  limited  education. 

In  1828  he  began  to  take  an  active  part  in  the  politics  of  Tennessee, 
advocating  the  re-election  of  John  Quincy  Adams  to  the  Presidency.  He 
seemed*  to  have  a natural  love  for  controversy,  and  while  the  vigorous 
sectarian  discussions  of  that  day  were  congenial  to  him,  he  found  a bet- 
ter field  for  his  peculiar  talents  in  politics  than  in  the  ministry.  In 
either  position  he  w’as  fearless  in  the  expression  of  his  opinion,  and  in 
1832,  while  traveling  a circuit  in  South  Carolina  in  which  John  C.  Cal- 
houn lived,  he  publicly  denounced  nullification.  In  1837  he  began  the 
publication  of  the  Whig  at  Jonesboro,  but  in  a short  time  removed  to 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


741 


Knoxville,  where  he  soon  secured  for  it  a very  large  circulation.  In 
1S43  he  became  a candidate  for  Congress  against  Andrew  Johnson,  but 
was  defeated.  In  IS 50  he  was  appointed  by  Fillmore  one  of  the  several 
commissioners  to  carry  out  the  congressional  provisions  for  the  improve- 
ment of  the  navigation  of  the  Tennessee  River. 

For  thirty  years  preceding  the  civil  war  he  participated  in  nearly 
every  political  and  religious  controversy  which  occurred,  and  became 
widely  known  as  the  “Fighting  Parson.*’  In  1856  he  wrote  a book  en- 
titled “The  Great  Iron  Wheel  Examined  and  its  False  Spokes  Ex- 
tracted,” it  being  a vindication  of  the  Methodist  Church  against  the 
attacks  of  Rev.  J.  R.  Graves,  in  a work  called  “ The  Great  Iron  Wheel.” 
Two  years  later  he  was  engaged  in  a debate  upon  the  slavery  question  in 
Philadelphia  with  Rev.  Abram  Pryne,  of  New  York,  in  which  he  de- 
fended the  institution  of  slavery  as  it  existed  in  the  South.  Although  a 
strong  pro-slavery  man,  his  love  for  the  Union  was  intense,  and  when 
the  secession  movement  of  I860  began  he  severely  denounced  it.  Even 
after  troops  began  to  pass  through  Knoxville  he  did  not  in  the  least 
abate  his  denunciations,  and  kept  a Federal  flag  floating  over  his  house. 
In  October,  1861,  his  influence  had  become  so  dangerous  to  the  cause  of 
the  Confederacy  in  East  Tennessee  that  the  publication  of  his  paper  was 
suspended  and  the  office  outfit  destroyed.  He  was  forced  to  leave  the 
town  and  seek  safety  in  the  mountains.  After  remaining  in  seclusion 
for  three  or  four  weeks  he  was  induced  to  return  upon  the  promise  of 
the  Confederate  authorities,  that  he  should  be  sent  within  the  Union 
line.  This  promise  was  violated,  however,  and  on  December  6,  upon  a 
warrant  issued  by  J.  C.  Ramsay,  Confederate  States  District  Attorney, 
he  was  arrested  and  placed  in  jail  where  he  remained  until  January  1, 
when  he  became  seriously  ill.  On  the  order  of  his  physician  he  was 
then  moved  to  his  home,  where  he  remained  under  a strong  guard  until 
March  2.  He  was  then  sent  with  an  escort  to  Nashville,  then  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Federal  forces.  After  remaining  a short  time  he  went  on  a 
tour  through  the  Northern  States,  visiting  several  of  the  large  cities  and 
delivering  addresses  to  large  audiences.  In  April,  1862,  his  wife  and 
family  were  also  sent  out  of  the  Confederacy,  and  remained  in  the  North 
until  after  the  occupation  of  East  Tennessee  by  Gen.  Burnside  in  the  fall 
of  1863.  Mr.  Brownlow  then  returned  to  Knoxville,  and  in  November 
of  that  year  resumed  the  publication  of  his  paper.  On  March  4-,  1865, 
he  wras  elected  governor,  and  in  August,  1867,  re-elected,  defeating  Em- 
erson Etheridge.  Before  the  expiration  of  his  second  term  he  was  elected 
to  a seat  in  the  United  States  Senate,  in  which  body  he  served  from 
March  4.  1869,  to  March  3,  1875.  During  the  greater  part  of  that  time 


742 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


lie  was  a confirmed  invalid,  and  liad  to  be  carried  to  and  from  his  seat  in 
the  Senate  chamber.  At  the  close  of  his  term,  he  returned  to  Knoxville 
where  after  an  illness  of  only  a few  hours  he  died  April  29,  1877. 

Gov.  Brownlow  was  a unique  character.  He  can  be  compared  with 
no  other  man.  He  was  made  up  of  antagonistic  qualities,  yet  no  one  was 
ever  more  consistent  in  his  course  of  action.  In  his  political  animosities 
and  religious  controversies  he  was  bitter  and  unrelenting.  He  was  a 
master  of  epithets  and  a reservoir  of  sarcasm.  In  his  choice  of  a word 
be  cared  nothing  except  that  it  should  reach  its  mark,  and  it  rarely  failed. 
Jn  private  life  to  his  friends  and  neighbors  he  was  ever  polite,  kind  and 
charitable.  A friend  said  of  him:  “The  heart  of  the  fearless  politician, 
who  in  excitement  hurled  the  thunderbolts  of  burning  invective  at  his 
antagonists,  and  was  willing  even  in  his  zeal  temporarily  to  lay  aside  his 
religious  creed  and  enforce  arguments  with  something  stronger  than 
words,  could  bleed  in  the  presence  of  a child’s  grief.  Nothing  in  his 
career  seemed  to  alienate  him  from  the  affections  of  his  neighbors  and 
friends.  They  overlooked  and  forgave  the  faults  springing  from  his 
impetuous  nature,  for  they  knew  something  of  the  heart  which  beat 
within.” 

Shadrack  Forrest,  the  great-grandfather  of  Gen.  Forrest,  was  of 
English  extraction,  and  moved  from  West  Virginia,  about  1730,  to 
Orange  County,  N.  C.  Nathan  Forrest,  grandfather  of  N.  B.  Forrest, 
left  North  Carolina  about  1800,  and  settled  with  his  large  family  for  a 
time  in  Sumner  County,  but  soon  after  moved  to  Bedford  County.  Nathan 
Forrest  married  a Miss  Baugh,  a lady  of  Irish  descent.  The  eldest  son 
of  this  marriage  was  William  Forrest,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch.  William  Forrest  married  Mariam  Beck  in  1800.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Forrest  were  the  parents  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  young- 
est son,  J.  Forrest,  was  born  after  the  death  of  the  father.  In  1835 
William  Forrest  moved  with  his  family  to  near  Salem,  Tippah  County,  in 
the  northern  part  of  Mississippi.  This  country  had  been  recently  opened 
to  immigrants  by  a treaty  with  the  Chickasaw  Indians.  Here  William 
Forrest  died  in  1837,  and  left  N.  B.  the  care  of  his  widowed  mother  and 
her  large  family  of  little  children.  By  that  diligence  and  energy  that 
characterized  his  whole  life  he  soon  succeeded  in  placing  the  family  above 
want.  His  opportunities  for  an  education  were  very  limited,  barely  cov- 
ering the  rudiments  of  the  elementary  branches.  In  1840  he  lost  two  of 
his  brothers  and  his  sisters  of  disease,  and  came  near  dying  himself.  In 
1841  he  joined  Capt.  Wallace  Wilson's  company  to  go  to  Texas  to  assist 
in  the  cause  of  freedom  there.  The  expedition  was  badly  managed,  and 
the  majority  of  the  men  returned  from  New  Orleans.  A few  of  the  num- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


743 


ber,  however,  went  on  to  Austin  to  find  no  employment  and  that  their 
-services  were  not  needed.  He  returned  home  to  pass  through  a very 
severe  spell  of  sickness. 

In  184:2  he  enira^ed  in  business  with  his  uncle  at  Hernando,  Miss. 
He  became  engaged  in  an  affray  with  three  brothers.  Maleck,  for  espous- 
ing the  cause  of  his  uncle.  He  alone  fought  and  defeated  them,  but  his 
uncle  was  killed.  J.  K.  Moore,  a lawyer,  was  killed  while  riding  in 
•company  with  Gen.  Forrest  by  a desperado  named  Dyson.  Forrest’s  life 
was  threatened,  but  his  courage  and  revolver  saved  him.  September  25, 
1825,  Gen.  Forrest  married  Mary  Ann  Montgomery,  a distant  relative  of 
him  who  fell  at  Quebec  in  1775.  In  1819  he  met  with  financial  reverses 
in  Hernando,  but  instead  of  despairing  he  only  redoubled  his  exertions. 
He  came  near  losing  his  life  in  1852  in  the  explosion  of  the  steam-boat 
“Farmer”  within  a few  miles  of  Galveston.  In  1852  he  moved  lo  Mem- 
phis and  began  dealing  in  real  estate;  he  also  dealt  largely  in  slaves. 
He  was  elected  alderman  of  the  city  in  1857,  and  re-elected  in  1859.  By 
1859  he  had  accumulated  a "ood  fortune,  and  in  1861  he  had  several  large 
plantations,  and  raised  his  1,000  bales  of  cotton.  On  the  outbreak  of  the  war 
he  volunteered  as  a private  in  Capt.  J.  S.  White's  company,  on  June  14, 1861. 
In  July  Forrest  was  asked  by  Gov.  Harris  and  Gen.  Polk  to  recruit  a 
regiment  for  the  cavalry  service.  This  he  proceeded  at  once  to  do.  On 
July  20  he  went  to  Louisville,  where  he  procured  a partial  outfit  for 
his  men,  consisting  of  500  Colt's  revolvers,  100  saddles  and  other  sup- 
/ plies.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Memphis,  in  October,  1861,  by 
electing  N.  B.  Forrest,  lieutenant-colonel;  D.  C.  Kelley,  major;  C.  A. 
Schuyler,  adjutant;  Dr.  S.  M.  Van  Wick,  surgeon,  and  J.  P.  Strong, 
sergeant-major.  The  regiment  consisted  in  the  aggregate  of  650  men, 
organized  into  eight  companies.  The  first  fighting  done  by  Col.  Forrest 
was  in  Kentucky.  His  men  attacked  and  defeated  the  gun-boat  “Cones- 
toga” in  vthe  Cumberland  Fiver,  near  Canton,  Ky.  A superior  force 
of  the  enemy  was  defeated  at  Sacramento  by  a brilliant  charge.  He 
joined  the  forces  at  Fort  Donelson  on  the  12th.  He  contributed  largely 
to  what  success  there  was  connected  with  that  unfortunate  affair,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  away  his  regiment  with  little  loss.  He  displayed 
great  ability  here.  He  next  covered,  the  retreat  from  Nashville. 

On  the  6tli  and  7th  of  April  he  was  present  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 
Forrest,  who  was  now  colonel,  contributed  as  much  to  the  success  of  that 
battle  as  any  other  man.  His  regiment  was  the  last  to  leave  the  field. 
In  a charge  near  the  close  of  that  engagement  he  was  wounded.  From 
Pittsburg  Landing  to  Corinth  the  regiment  was  engaged  almost  daily. 
Forrest  made  a brilliant  dash  and  captured  Murfreesboro,  with  a garrison 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


744 

equal  to  his  whole  force.  He  captured  pickets  around  Nashville  and 
took  part  in  the  campaign  in  Kentucky.  He  made  a raid  through  West 
Tennessee,  and  returned  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River. 
He  was  almost  daily  engaged  in  skirmishing  in  Middle  and  East  Ten- 
nesse  till  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  September  11)  and  20,  1863.  He 
was  next  sent  to  the  Army  of  Northern  Mississippi.  He  then  entered 
West  Tennessee  with  a few  men,  and  in  a short  time  had  increased  his 
force  to  about  3,500.  Engagements  were  fought  at  Somerville.  Tenn.,  De- 
cember 26;  at  Colliersville,  December  27;  at  West  Point,  Miss.,  Febru- 
ary, 1S64;  at  Paducah,  Ivy.,  March  25;  at  Fort  Pillow,  April  12;  at  Bol- 
ivar, May  2;  at  Tishomingo  Creek,  June  10;  at  Harrisburg.  Miss.,  July 
14;  at  Town  Creek,  July  15;  at  Oxford,  Miss.,  in  the  early  part  of 
August;  at  Memphis,  xAugust  21,  and  in  the  raid  through  Middle  Ten- 
nessee and  the  capture  of  Athens,  Ala.  In  Hood's  advance  into  Ten- 
nessee Forrest  joined  him  at  Florence,  Ala.  From  the  time  of  crossing 
the  Tennessee  to  the  recrossing  of  that  stream  in  that  disastrous  cam- 
paign his  men  were  in  thirteen  engagements.  Had  Forrest's  advice  been 
followed  at  Franklin,  November  30,  the  fruits  of  that  victory  would  have- 
been  attained  without  its  terrible  cost. 

To  his  skill  in  covering  the  retreat,  and  advice  in  its  management,, 
was  the  army  saved  from  greater  rout.  After  the  retreat  of  Hood  from 
Tennessee  Forrest  was  engaged  at  Centerville,  Ala.,  March  31,  1S65,  and 
at  Ebenezer  Church  April  1.  His  forces  were  engaged  in  the  defense  of 
Selma,  as  a cover  for  Mobile.  April  2 closed  his  military  career,  on  the 
fall  of  Selma.  Few  men  ever  made  so  brilliant  a military  record  in  so 
short  a time.  Without  book  knowledge  lie  made  a study  of  men,  and 
took  in  the  military  situation  of  the  country  at  a glance.  His  dash,  un- 
tiring energy,  industry  and  power  of  endurance  were  remarkable.  He 
had  the  happy  faculty  of  inspiring  his  men  with  confidence  in  himself  as 
a leader.  He  seemed  to  grasp  the  most  minute  details  of  an  army  and 
its  wants,  and  had  a wonderful  fertility  of  resource.  He  seldom  if  ever 
blundered,  and  never  failed  to  extricate  his  men  from  the  most  perilous 
positions.  It  might  be  questioned  whether  Forrest  could  have  succeeded 
so  well  with  a large  body  of  men,  or  in  other  words  whether  he  had  the 
capacity  for  maneuvering  large  bodies.  To  this  it  may  be  answered  that 
he  made  no  mistakes,  whether  commanding  a battalion  of  a few  hundred 
or  a division  of  5,000  men.  His  quick  fiery  temper  suited  him  for  a 
cavalry  leader  rather  than  for  the  leader  of  the  more  sluggish  infantry 
columns.  Had  all  other  commanders  been  as  successful  as  was  Gen. 
Forrest  the  result  would  have  been  very  different.  He  was  made  a briga- 
dier-general in  1862,  a major-general  in  1863  and  a lieutenant-general 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


745 


•early  in  1SG5.  He  laid  aside  his  arms  as  quickly  and  quietly  as  lie  had 
iaken  them  up.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  his  home,  accepted 
the  situation,  and  did  his  best  to  heal  the  wounds  left  by  the  war.  Before 
his  death  he  became  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  which  faith  he  died. 

Andrew  Johnson,  the  seventeenth  President  of  the  United  States, 
was  born  in  Baleigh,  N.  C.,  December  29,  ISOS.  His  father,  Jacob 
Johnson,  who  died  in  IS  12,  was  city  constable,  sexton  of  a church  and 
porter  of  the  State  bank.  Extreme  poverty  prevented  Andrew  from  re- 
ceiving any  education,  and  at  the  age  of  ten  he  was  apprenticed  to  Mr. 
Selby,  a tailor.  In  1824,  a short  time  before  the  expiration  of  his  ap- 
prenticeship, having  committed  some  little  misdemeanor,  he  ran  away 
and  went  to  Laurens  Court  House,  S.  C.  He  obtained  work  as  a journey- 
man and  remained  there  until  May,  1826,  when  he  returned  to  Baleigh. 
During  the  following  September,  accompanied  by  his  mother,  he  came  to 
Tennessee  and  located  at  Greeneville,  where  in  a short  time  he  married. 

Up  to  this  time  his  education  was  limited  to  reading,  but  under  his 
wife’s  tuition  he  learned  to  write  and  cipher.  In  182S,  taking  an  interest 
in  politics,  he  organized  a workingmen’s  party  in  opposition  to  the  aris- 
tocratic element,  which  had  before  controlled  the  town  of  Greeneville. 
He  was  elected  alderman,  and  two  years  later  was  made  mayor.  During 
Uiis  time  a village  debating  society  was  formed,  and  he  took  a prominent 
part  in  its  discussions,  manifesting  much  of  the  ability  which  he  after- 
ward displayed.  In  1835  he  offered  himself  as  a candidate  for  a seat  in 
the  lower  house  of  the  General  Assembly,  and  after  a vigorous  canvass 
was  elected.  During  the  following  session  his  opposition  to  the  internal 
improvement  bill  temporarily  lost  him  his  popularity,  and  at  the  next 
election  he  was  defeated.  Succeeding  events,  however,  proved  his  views 
to  have  been  correct,  and  in  1839  he  was  returned  to  the  Legislature. 
From  this  time  forth  he  was  almost  continuously  in  public  life.  He  was 
an  elector  for  the  State  at  large  on  the  Tan  Buren  ticket  in  1840,  and  in 
1841  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate.  Two  years  later  lm  took  his  seat 
in  Congress  as  representative  from  the  First  District  of  Tennessee,  a 
position  which  he  continued  to  hold  by  re-election  for  ten  years.  During 
this  time  he  advocated  the  annexation  of  Texas,  the  war  with  Mexico  and 
the  tariff  of  184G. 

In  1853  he  was  elected  governor  of  Tennessee  over  G.  A.  Henry,  the 
Whig  candidate,  and  again  in  1855  over  Meredith  P.  Gentry,  after  one 
of  the  most  exciting  campaigns  ever  witnessed  In  December,  1857,  he 
took  his  seat  in  the  United  States  Senate,  to  which  he  had  been  elected 
by  the  Legislature  of  Tennessee.  He  soon  distinguished  himself  as  the 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


7 40 

advocate  of  tlie  homestead  law,  which  was  vetoed  by  President  Buchanan.. 
Although  he  usually  voted  with  the  Southern  members  on  the  slavery 
question,  he  was  not  strongly  in  sympathy  with  them.  In  the  canvass  of 
1SG0  he  supported  Breckinridge  and  Lane,  but  when  secession  was  openly 
proposed  he  opposed  it  with  all  of  his  ability.  This  caused  many  of  his 
former  adherents  to  denounce  him  as  a traitor  to  his  State  and  party,  and 
in  almost  every  city  in  the  State  he  was  burned  in  effigy.  March  4,  1862, 
he  was  nominated  military  governor  of  Tennessee  by  President  Lincoln, 
and  on  the  12th  of  the  same  month  he  arrived  in  Xashville.  He  con- 
tinued as  military  governor  until  March,  1S65,  when  he  was  succeeded. 
by  William  G.  Brownlow. 

On  June  7,  1864,  the  Bepublican  Convention  at  Baltimore  nominated 
him  for  the  vice-presidency,  and  on  the  4th  of  the  March  following  he 
was  inaugurated.  Upon  the  assassination  of  President  Lincoln  he  im- 
mediately took  the  oath  of  office  and  entered  upon  his  duties  as  Presi- 
dent. From  his  public  utterances  it  had  been  inferred  that  he  would 
treat  the  Southern  leaders  with  great  severity,  but  his  course  was  quite 
the  reverse,  and  then  began  the  difficulty  between  himself  and  Congress 
which  ended  in  his  impeachment  trial.  After  a long  contest  he  was- 
finally  acquitted,  on  a vote  of  thirty-five  for  conviction  to  nineteen  for 
acquittal. 

At  the  Democratic  Convention  of  1868  he  was  a candidate  for  nomi- 
nation for  the  Presidency,  but  received  little  support.  In  March,  I860, 
he  returned  to  his  home  at  Greeneville,  Tenn.,  and  the  next  year  be- 
came a candidate  for  the  United  States  Senate.  He  lacked  two  votes  of 
an  election.  In  1872  he  was  a candidate  for  congressman  at  large,  but 
dividing  the  vote  of  his  party  with  B.  F.  Cheatham  was  defeated  by 
Horace  Maynard.  In  January,  1875,  he  was  elected  to  the  United  States 
Senate  for  the  full  term  of  six  years,  and.  at  the  extra  session  in  March,  of 
that  year,  took  his  seat.  He  died  suddenly  of  paralysis  on  July  31,  1875, 
at  the  residence  of  his  daughter  in  Carter  County,  Tenn.  Mr.  John- 
son was  essentially  combative  in  his  temperament,  and  was  rather  im- 
patient of  opposition.  That  he  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions  is 
evident  from  his  course  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  when  for  a South- 
ern Democrat  to  champion  the  cause  of  the  Union  w*as  to  sacrifice  both 
friends  and  reputation.  He  cannot  be  said  to  have  enjoyed,  to  any 
great  degree,  the  personal  good-will  and  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens, 
but  he  never  failed  to  inspire  their  confidence  and  respect.  He  possessed, 
no  personal  magnetism,  wit  nor  brilliancy,  and  his  countenance  usually 
wore  an  expression  bordering  on  sadness. 

The  following  by  one  of  his  colleagues  in  Congress  is  a fitting  tribute 


. 

■ '■  . 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


7 47 


to  liis  character:  “ If  I were  to  write  the  epitaph  of  Andrew  Johnson,  I 

would  inscribe  on  the  stone  which  shall  mark  his  last  resting  place, 

4 4 Here  lies  the  man  who  was  in  the  public  service  for  forty  years,  who 
never  tried  to  deceive  his  countrymen,  and  died  as  he  lived,  an  honest 
man — ‘the  noblest  work  of  God.1*' 

Gen.  Felix  Kirk  Zollicoffer  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  May  17, 
1812,  and. was  the  son  of  John  J.  and  Martha  (Kirk)  Zollicoffer.  The 
father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina.  He  was  descended  from  an  il- 
lustrious Swiss  family,  which  included  several  of  the  most  distinguished 
military  men,  divines  and  scholars  of  that  nation.  Several  centuries  ago 
three  Zollicoffer  brothers  were  granted  a patent  of  nobility  on  account  of 
distinguished  service  rendered  to  the  Government,  and  from  them  de- 
scended the  Zollicoffers  of  Switzerland  and  of  America.  The  latter  branch 
of  the  family  immigrated  to  this  country  probably  near  the  close  of  the 
seventeenth  century. 

Gen.  Zollicoffer,  after  having  received  such  an  education  as  the 
schools  of  his  native  county  afforded,  learned  the  printer's  trade,  and  at 
the  age  of  seventeen,  in  company  with  two  other  young  men,  began  the 
publication  of  a paper  at  Paris,  Tenn.  Their  enterprise  proving  a fail- 
ure young  Zollicpffer  went  to  Knoxville,  where  he  found  employment  and 
remained  until  1834,  when  he  removed  to  Huntsville,  Ala,  He  was  em- 
ployed at  that  place  in  the  office  of  the  Soidhern  Mercury  for  a short 
time,  after  which  he  returned  to  Maury  County  and  located  at  Columbia, 
taking  charge  of  the  Observer.  On  September  24,  1835,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  -with  Louisa  P.  Gordon,  of  Hickman  County,  a daughter  of 
the  brave.  Indian  scout,  Col.  J ohn  Gordon.  The  next  year  he  volunteered 
as  a soldier,  and  served  with  the  Tennessee  troops  during  the  Seminole  war. 
In  the  early  part  of  1837  he  returned  and  resumed  his  connection  with  the 
Observer , of  which  he  continued  the  editor  until  after  the  campaign  of 
1840,  strongly  opposing  the  election  of  Mr.  Van  Buren.  As  editor  of 
the  Nashville  Banner,  he  entered  upon  liis^luties  January  3,  1842,  and  at 
once  made  a decided  impression.  During  the  gubernatorial  campaign  of 
the  following  year  he  contributed  much  to  the  election  of  James  C.  Jones 
over  James  K.  Polk.'  For  some  time  he  had  been  a sufferer  from  an 
aneurism  of  the  aorta,  that  daily  threatened  his  life,  and  after  the  elec- 
tion lie  retired  from  the  editorial  chair.  On  the  1st  of  November  follow- 
ing he  was  elected  by  the  Legislature  comptroller  of  the  State,  a position 
he  continued  to  hold  by  re-election  until  1849.  In  August  of  that  year 
lie  was  chosen  to  represent  Davidson  County  in  the  State  Senate,  and 
during  the  session  made  himself  one  of  the  leaders  of  that  body. 

In  January,  1851,  he  again  connected  himself  with  the  Bdnner . 


745 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


He  succeeded  in  inducing  Gen.  William  B.  Campbell  to  accept  the 
nomination  for  governor,  and  the  brilliant  victory  which  was  secured 
was  due  more  largely  to  his  efforts  than  to  those  of  anv  other  man.  The 
result  of  this  canvass  added  greatly  to  the  influence  of  Gen.  Zollicoffer. 

The  next  year  occurred  the  contest  for  the  Presidency  between  Gens. 
Scott  and  Pierce.  Gen.  Zollicoffer  had  favored  the  nomination  of  Mil- 
lard Fillmore,  and  attended  the  National  Convention  at  Baltimore  to 
advocate  it,  but  when  Gen.  Scott  was  chosen  as  the  leader  of  the  Whigs 
he  supported  him  with  his  accustomed  vigor  and  ability,"  and,  although 
the  candidate  was  decidedly  unpopular  .with  the  Whig  party,  Tennessee 
was  brought  to  his  support. 

On  April  20,  1853,  having  received  the  Whig  nomination  for  Con- 
gress in  his  district,  he  severed,  for  the  last  time,  his  connection  with  the 
press.  He  was  elected  after  a brilliant  canvass  and  served  for  three  suc- 
cessive terms.  He  then  voluntarily  retired  to  private  life.  During  the 
early  part  of  1861  Gen.  Zollicoffer  did  all  in  his  power  to  prevent  the 
dissolution  of  the  Union,  and  was  a member  of  the  Peace  Conference  at 
Washington,  but  after  the  call  for  troops  by  President  Lincoln  he  es- 
poused the  cause  of  the  South  and  advocated  secession.  Upon  the  organ- 
ization of  the  State  military  Gov.  Harris  called  him  to  his  aid,  and  com- 
missioned him  brigadier-general.  He  was  placed  in  command  of  the  forces 
in  East  Tennessee,  where,  during  the  fall  of  1861,  he  gathered  an  army  of 
about  4,000  men  and  took  part  at  Cumberland  Ford.  Opposed  to  him 
were  about  double  that  number  of  troops  under  Gen.  Thomas.  On  Jan- 
uary 10,  1862,  deceived  as  to  the  strength  and  position  of  the  enemy  he 
unfortunately  ordered  an  attack,  and  during  the  engagement  was  killed. 
Yarious  accounts  of  the  death  of  Gen.  Zollicoffer  have  been  published, 
but  the  most  authentic  is  about  as  follows : 

Gen.  Zollicoffer  while  inspecting  his  lines  found  himself  between  a 
Mississippi  regiment  and  the  Fourth  Kentucky  Federal  Begiment  under 
'Col.  Fry,  who  was  about  to  l$ad  them  in  a charge  upon  the  Confederate 
lines.  Gen.  Zollicoffer  thinking  the  latter  regiment  a part  of  his  own 
command,  accompanied  by  his  aid,  rode  up  to  Col.  Fry  and  said:  “You 
are  not  going  to  fight  your  friends,  are  you?  These  men’-  (pointing  to 
the  Mississippi  regiment),  “are  all  your  friends.”  In  the  meantime 
Zollicoffers  aid,  perceiving  their  mistake,  fired  at  Col.  Fry,  killing  his 
horse.  Col.  Fry  sprang  to  his  feet  and  fired  at  Gen.  Zollicoffer,  killing 
him  instantly.  The  troops  thus  deprived  of  their  trusted  leader  retreated 
in  confusion.  Gen.  Zollicoffer  left  a family  of  six  daughters,  five  of 
whom  are  still  living.  Mrs.  Zollicoffer  died  in  1857. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


749 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


SUPERFICIAL  view  of  tlie  county  would  present  the  picture  of  a section  of  a river 


valley,  running  almost  due  east  and  west,  with  the  dip  to  the  west,  and  fringed  to 
the  north  and  south  by  smaller  valleys  which  furrow  the  sides  of  irregular  ranges  of  knobs 
and  hills  which  lie  along  the  northern  and  southern  boundaries.  To  the  west  these  hills 
broaden  out  into  the  uplands  known  as  the  “Barrens,”  forming  a part  of  the  Highland 
Rim.  The  bed  of  this  valley  is  occupied  by  Duck  River,  which  flows  through  the  whole 
extent  of  the  county,  dividing  it  almost  equally.  The  river  drains  the  entire  count}',  as 
all  the  other  streams  flow  into  it.  The  river  is  not  navigable  through  the  whole  extent  of 
the  county.  The  river  was  much  used  formerly  for  flat-boats  and  barges.  It  is  still  much 
used  in  floating  out  rafts  during  high  water.  The  great  value  of  Duck  River  is  in  its  ex- 
cellent water-power,  which  drives  the  numerous  grist  and  saw-mills  that  line  its  banks. 
The  county  is  well  drained.  In  several  creeks  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  are  some 
beautiful  waterfalls.  On  the  northwest  and  south  the  rim  which  borders  the  county  is 
slashed  by  narrow  and  beautiful  valleys  of  extreme  richness;  the  remaining  portion  of  the 
county  is  of  a gently  rolling  surface,  stretching  out  toward  the  west  and  south  of  the  river 
into  almost  a piain-iike  smoothness. 

Except  the  small  portion  around  the  northern,  western  and  southern  edges,  invaded 
by  the  Highland  Rim,  the  entire  county  is  of  limestone  formation.  It  is  by  no  means  of 
one  uniform  variety,  nor  is  the  soil  the  same  over  the  county.  The  soil  generally  is  dark 
and  friable,  and  exceedingly  rich.  The  subsoil  is  generally  a stiff,  dark-colored  clay, 
which  weathers  rapidly  into  a rich  soil.  But  the  characteristic  of  the  county  is  the  cedar 
timber,  which  abounds  in  some  places  so  thickly  as  to  exclude  all  undergrowth  and  to  shut 
out  every  ray  of  the  sun  as  effectually  as  the  darkest  clouds  of  winter.  In  “the  cedars” 
the  rock  comes  to  the  surface.  The  soil  is  admirably  suited  to  wheat  and  grasses,  and 
peach  trees  do  finely  in  it. 

The  original  settlers  in  Zion  Church  neighborhood  came  from  Williamsburg  District, 
S.  C.  They  came  in  a kind  of  colony,  led  by  Squire  John  Dickey,  who  brought  about 
twenty  families  with  him.  A portion  of  these  arrived  in  1807,  and  others  in  1808.  Five 
thousand  acres  of  land  were  purchased  of  the  Gen.  Greene  Survey,  at  83  per  acre.  Around 
this  as  a nucleus  clustered  the  little  colony.  Among  the  settlers  were  Squire  Dickey,  Moses 
Frierson,  James  Blakeley,  William  Frierson,  Eli  Frierson,  James  Armstrong.  Thomas 
Stephenson,  Yathaniel  Stephenson,  “Old  Davy"  Mathews,  Samuel  Witherspoon,  John 
Stephenson,  James  Frierson,  P.  Fulton,  Alexander  Dobbins,  Moses  Freeman,  the  Flem- 
mings and  Mayes.  Mr.  J.  S.  Mayes,  who  is  four  score  and  ten,  and  still  vigorous,  lives  in 
the  Mount  Zion  neighborhood,  and  was  one  of  the  original  settlers,  and  has  a very  distinct 
recollection  of  the  first  settlement.  Like  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  the  first  thing  they  did  on 
their  arrival  was  the  erection  of  a church.  A place  was  selected,  as  near  as  could  be  judged, 
in  the  center  of  the  purchase  for  the  church  site,  which  proved  almost  the  exact  mathe- 
matical center.  Here  was  erected  a rude  log  church  some  time  in  1807,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  been  the  first  church  erected  in  Maury  County.  Year  the  church  was  laid  out  a 
grave-yard  in  which  the  body  of  Robert  Frierson  was  consigned  in  August,  1808,  the  first 
in  that  vicinity.  In  this  rude  church,  in  the  midst  of  the  canebrakes  and  shades  ol  the 
forest,  the  little  band  of  pioneers  met  regularly  every  week  to  hear  sermons  by  the  Rev. 
Samuel  Frierson  or  William  Frierson,  who  poured  forth  the  truths  of  the  gospel  with 
apostolic  zeal  and  simplicity.  In  a short  time  the  Rev.  James  N.  Stephenson,  who  had 
been  pastor  of  the  church  in  South  Carolina,  became  the  pastor  at  Mount  Zion.  The  old 
log  church  stood  till  1814  or  1815,  and  was  replaced  by  a brick  church  of  peculiar  shape. 


47 


750 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


It  was  arranged  with  the  pulpit  at  the  side  with  the  main  part  of  the  building  arranged  for 
the  whites,  and  a kind  of  transept  at  the  end  for  the  colored  people.  The  old  brick  house 
stood  till  1831,  when  a small  body  of  ground  was  purchased  near  the  old  house  and  a new 
building  erected.  This  house  still  stands,  although  it  has  several  times  been  repaired  and 
improved.  The  people  of  the  Zion  neighborhood  were  largely  members  of  the  Mount 
Zion  Church,  and  being  an  intelligent  class  of  people  have  always  maintained  a talented 
ministry.  After  the  retirement  of  Dr.  Stephenson,  before  mentioned,  the  Rev.  James  M. 
Smell  was  called  to  the  pulpit,  who  remained  till  1850;  the  next  was  the  Rev.  Daniel  G. 
Doak,  who  remained  till  1853,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  A.  Doak.  Rev.  Doak 
remained  but  a short  time,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  T.  Hendrick,  whose  death  oc- 
curred in  I860.  Rev.  Hendricks  was  succeeded  in  I860  by  Dr.  Mack,  of  Columbia,  who 
served  the  church  till  1863,  and  then  gave  place  to  Rev.  C.  Foster  Williams,  who  still 
preaches  occasionally.  The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  S.  W.  Mitchell,  who  still  serves  the 
church. 

Inseparably  connected  with  the  settlement  of  MounfZion  neighborhood  were  the  schools 
of  that  section.  The  old  church  was  used  for  a schoolhouse.  Parson  Henderson  started 
a Latin  school  there  at  an  early  day.  Many  of  the  young  men  of  the  neighborhood 
attended  his  school.  Among  them  was  J.  M.  S.  Mayes,  who  has  distinct  recollections  of 
the  boj’hood  days  of  President  James  K.  Polk,  who  also  was  one  of  his  pupils.  Among 
the  teachers  who  have  taught  at  or  near  Mount  Zion  are  Elias  J.  Armstrong,  Alexander 
Dobbins  Park, White  McCollough,  T.A.  Flemming,  Dr.  Thomas  J.  Kennedy,  Simeon  Smith, 
^•Janies  A.  Frierson,  L.  Oatman,  J.  B.  Frierson,  Stephenson,  J.  W.  Logan,  D.  R.  Arnell, 
Prof.  J.  S.  Beecher,  A.  \V.  Mayes  and  James  Creighton.  Many  eminent  physicians  have 
also  lived  in  that  neighborhood,  the  most  noted  of  whom  are  mentioned  elsewhere. 
Among  them  may  be  mentioned  Drs.  Samuel  Mayes,  I).  N.  Sansom,  J.  C.  O’Reiley,  E.  M. 
s Ford,  J.  W.  S.  Frierson,  J.  N.  Brown,  C.  G.  R.  Nichols,  William  Armstrong,  and  Theo- 
odore  Frierson,  now  of  Columbia.  Moses  Frierson  built  a small  water-mill  on  Lick  Creek 
in  the  same  neighborhood.  This  was  the  first  mill  in  the  vicinity  for  some  time.  Before 
this  each  family  ground  their  grain  on  hand-mills  kept  by  every  family. 

Not  far  from  Zion  is  the  Polk  settlement.  The  first  settler  in  this  place  was  William 
Dever,  a bachelor,  and  a maiden  sister.  They  settled  iD  this  vicinity  in  1807,  and  were 
the  first  settlers  between  Columbia  and  Mount  Pleasant.  They  settled  on  a 5.000-acre  tract 
that  was  given  by  North  Carolina  as  a military  grant.  This  fell  to  Col.  William  Polk  by 
purchase.  The  Devers,  by  parsimonious  habits,  accumulated  considerable  means.  Col. 
Polk,  who  was  a Revolutionary  soldier,  divided  this  estate  among  the  following  four  sons: 
Bishop  Leonidas  Polk,  Lucius  J.,  George  N.  and  Rufus  K.  Polk.  The  other  two  sons  re- 
ceived estates  elsewhere.  This  was  known  as  the  “ Polk  neighborhood.”  The  most  of 
this  talented  family  are  now  gone.  Not  far  from  this  is  what  was  the  former  house  of 
Gen.  Gideon  J.  Pillow.  Hard  by  is  the  old  church,  St.  John’s  Episcopal,  ivy  grown  with 
age.  This  church  is  a brick  building,  and  was  erected  in  1841.  Here  Leonidas  Polk  did 
his  first  preaching,  and  by  his  vigor  and  talent  rose  to  the  rank  of  bishop.  He  was  well 
known  as  a minister,  lecturer  and  educator.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  held  a lieutenant- 
generalship  in  the  Confederate  Army.  He  was  killed  by  a cannon  ball  at  Kenesaw  Moun- 
tain, Georgia,  during  the  Atlanta  campaign,  in  the  summer  of  1864.  Ashwood  Cemetery 
is  the  Polk  family  burying  ground.  Here  are  buried  all  of  the  family  who  have  died  in 
that  vicinity,  the  first  having  been  Rufus  K.  Polk.  Rt.  Rev.  Bishop  Otey  here  has  a rest- 
ing place.  Here,  too,  were  consigned  the  bodies  of  Gens.  Cleburne,  Cranberry,  Ghist  and 
Shahl,  who  were  killed  at  Franklin  November  30,  1864. 

The  early  settlers  on  Knob  Creek  were  the  Sellers,  nanks,  McLeans,  Williamses, 
Gwynns,  Badgetts  and  Partees.  At  a later  date  came  the  Goodwins,  Vestals.  Powells, 
Neeleys,  Coopers  and  Hudspeths.  Perhaps  no  list  of  families  has  been  perpetuated  more 
fully  than  these.  The  first  horse-mill  on  Knoll  Creek  was  built  by  John  Gwynn,  the 
first  water-mill  by  the  Partees.  The  first  ministers  were  Thomas  Hanks,  Elijah  Hanks 
and  Mr.  Dodson.  Through  the  influence  of  these  men  Hanks’  church  was  built.  This 


■ 


o 

u 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


75  L 


was  what  was  knowii  as  an  “Old or  Hardshell  Baptist  Church.”  A schism  occurred,  and 
a division  headed  by  Elijah  Hanks  joined  the  Missionary  Baptists.  Elder  Hanks  was 
recognized  as  a leading  spirit  in  building  up  the  missionary  cause  in  the  county.  Near 
the  mouth  of  Greene’s  Lick  is  Hunter’s  ford,  an  old  and  favorite  crossing  place  for  the 
Indians  and  early  settlers. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Leiper  Creek  were  the  Hamiltons,  Crawfords,  Oakleys,  Neatlierinn 
tons,  Edgars,  Mayes,  McCallums,  Wrens  and  Lyons.  On  the  farm  formerly  owned  by 
Maj.  John  Brown,  is  a sulphur  spring  that  was  resorted  to  for  a time  as  a health  spring. 
Near  the  same  place  Mr.  Goodrich  made  a boring  of  900  feet  in  depth  for  oil,  but  without 
success.  In  the  vicinity  of  Bear  Creek  lived  Gen.  Isaac  Roberts,  well  known  in  the  coun- 
ty’s history  and  development.  Also  Daniel  Evans,  Joseph  Ilernden.  James  M.  Lewis  and 
Dr.  James  C.  O’Reiley,  who  is  mentioned  in  the  article  on  physicians.  The  Gordon  fam- 
ily, also  the  Crawfords,  settled  in  the  same  vicinit}r. 

Maury  County  was  named  in  honor  of  Maj.  Shaw  Maury,  of  Williamson  County,  who 
represented  Williamson  County  in  the  lower  house  of  the  General  Assembly  in  1823-24, 
and  again  in  1S42-43.  He  also  saw  military  service  under  Gen.  Jackson  in  1812  and  was 
connected  with  one  of  the  best  families  of  the  county.  The  act  creating  the  county  passed 
the  General  Assembly  November  16,  1807,  and  was  entitled  “An  act  to  reduce  Williamson 
County  to  its  constitutional  limits.”  Section  2 reads:  “Beginning  at  the  above  described 
point,  it  being  the  southwest  corner  of  Williamson  Count}';  thence  south  to  the  Columbia 
road;  thence  with  said  road  as  it  meanders  to  a point  where  the  Indian  boundary  line 
leaves  the  same:  thence  with  said  line  to  the  dividing  ridge  that  divides  the  >v  liters  of 
Duck  River  from  the  Elk;  thence  with  said  ridge  to  a point  thirteen  miles  and  fifty-six 
chains  and  a half  east  of  the  line  of  the  congressional  reservation  hitherto  run  and  marked; 
thence  north  to  the  Williamson  County  line;  thence  with  said  line,  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning, to  be  called  Maury  County.”  The  survey  was  made  by  Henry  Rutherford  in  the 
fall  of  1807,  by  order  of  Peter  R.  Booker,  Gideon  Pillow,  John  B.  Porter  and  John  Lind- 
sey. These  boundaries  embraced  a much  larger  area  than  now  belongs  to  Maury  County. 
It  originally  embraced  parts  or  all  of  Lewis,  Lawrence,  Giles,  Marshall  and  Bedford 
Counties;  as  it  is  now  limited  it  contains  386,309  acres.  Section  11,  of  the  act  above 
quoted,  declared  Maury  County  to  be  a part  of  the  Mero  District,  with  as  full  and  ample 
powers  as  other  parts  of  said  district.  Another  section  of  the  same  act  appointed  James 
Gideon  io  run  the  line  between  Maury  and  Williamson.  He  was  allowed  $2  per  day  for 
his  services  and  was  empowered  to  employ  two  chain  carriers,  the  expenses  of  the  above 
named  work  to  be  borne  equally  by  Maury  and  Williamson  Counties. 

As  is  well  known,  the  statutes  require  the  division  of  the  counties  into  districts  accord- 
ing to  the  number  of  population,  twenty-five  being  the  maximum  number.  ITuder  the  first 
constitution,  this  division  was  not  made  on  the  population  alone  but  upon  the  number 
belonging  to  the  various  militia  companies;  these  of  course  to  some  extent  represented  the 
number  of  population.  Tax  listers  w'ere  chosen  or  elected,  not  for  a certain  district  but- 
for  a certain  captain’s  company.  The  growth  of  population  caused  an  increase  in  the  num- 
ber of  companies.  These  were  changed  every  two  years.  The  first  available,  and  possi- 
bly the  first  division  made,  was  in  1809,  the  following  being  the  heads  of  companies: 
Capt.  William  Polk,  Capt.  Sellars,  Capt.  Whitson,  Capt.  Scott,  Capts.  James  Isom.  John 
Moorehcad,  Moses  Smith,  Eli  Frierson,  James  Rutledge,  George  W.  McGahey,  William 
Daniels,  IsaacBills,  Thomas  Shannon,  and  Adongah  Edwards;  fourteen  companies  or  dis- 
tricts. In  1811  the  following  were  the  captains  of  companies:  Capts.  Scott.  Whitson, 
Booker,  Polk,  Boyer,  Davis,  Kirkpatrick,  Fitzpatrick,  Daniels,  Reynolds,  Bills,  Rutledge, 
McGaliey,  Jones,  Smith,  Gurley,  Isom  and  Moorehcad — seventeen  in  all.  In  1813  there 
were  Capts.  Looney,  Gholson,  Farney,  Reading,  Hurt,  May,  Osburn,  McIntyre,  Young, 
Kirk,  Summers,  Stockard,  Watkins,  Kilpatrick,  Campbell,  Chisholm,  McSJell,  McLean, 
Mitchell,  Hanks,  McCarkin  and  Dickson.  In  1819  the  number  of  divisions  had  increased 
to  twenty-six,  viz:  Capts.  Cockburn,  Gholsou,  McNutt,  Ewing,  Dooley,  Wilkes,  An- 
dreas, Cathel,  Allen,  Hanna,  Crawford,  McCarty,  Ivilcy,  Short,  Torn,  Campbell,  Bavirey, 


■ 


752 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Middleton,  Powell,  Polk,  Hamlett,  Seargrove,  Mills,  Clieairs,  Gamon  and  Sherrod  Just 
before  the  new  constitution  went  into  operation  there  were  military  districts  of  Capt.  F. 
S.  Alderson  of  the  Columbia  Company  and  Capts.  Kerr,  Woods,  Gill,  Edwards,  Worth- 
man,  Kennedy,  Chaffin,  King,  Martin,  Steele,  Garrit.  Tollman,  Dearens.  Dyer,  Foster, 
and  Mitchell  of  the  Ninety-third  Regiment.  The  Mount  Pleasant  Compan}*  of  Capt  J. 
B.  I3oyd*and  Capts.  McKee,  Cockrill,  Oaks,  Grimes,  Craig,  McMakin.  Baxter,  Graham,  Fri- 
erson, Stringham  and  Sites  of  the  Fifty-first;  and  Capts.  Sparkman,  Harbison,  Cathey, 
Mitchell,  Smith,  Black,  Oliphant,  Kerford,  Brown,  Ledbetter,  Jarrit,  Laird  and  Crawford  of 
the  Forty-sixth  Regiment.  Under  the  new  constitution  these  divisions  came  to  be  known 
by  the  ordinal  numbers.  Various  changes  have  been  made  in  the  county  boundaries  since 
the  organization  and  much  more  numerous  changes  in  the  civil  districts.  In  February,  1S53, 
Nathan  B.  Akin,  Robert  M.  Cooper,  James  Farris,  Alfred  P.  Buckner,  C.  Y.  Hudson,  were 
appointed  commissioners  to  lay  off  that  part  of  Lewis  County  which  had  been  attached  to 
Maury  into  districts.  These  districts  at  that  time  were  Nos.  11,  12  and  13.  The  number 
of  districts  as  now  limited  is  twenty-five. 

Private  houses  were  used  as  court  houses  till  1810;  the  place  of  meeting  was  at  Col.  ' 
Joseph  Brown’s.  The  session  of  1808  was  opened  December  21,  in  Columbia.  The  build- 
ing used  was  a small  log  shanty  which  stood  on  the  east  side  of  the  Square  about  where 
East  Market  Street  enters  the  Square.  The  act  of  1807  required  of  the  commissioners  of 
Columbia  that  they  should  contract  for  the  building  of  a court  house,  prisons  and  stocks. 
They  were  to  use  the  money  arising  from  the  sale  of  lots  not  otherwise  appropriated.  In 
case  there  was  not  sufficient  money  they  were  empowered  with  authority  to  levy  a tax  of 
12|  cents  on  each  white  poll,  25  cents  on  each  black  poll,  25  cents  on  each  town  lot,  $5  on 
each  merchant  and  peddler  or  banker,  to  be  collected  by  the  collector  of  public  taxes.  The 
first  building  was  built  of  brick,  within  the  square,  and  was  completed  in  1810. 

The  above  building  stood  till  1815,  after  having  been  repaired  and  improved  many 
times.  At  the  April  term  of  1844  a majority  of  the  justices  decided  to  build  a new  court 
house,  provided  the  same  could  be  built  at  a cost  not  exceeding  $15,000,  provided  said  sum 
should  be  taken  in  the  claims  for  taxes  then  held  by  Nimrod  Porter.  A committee  consist- 
ing of  J.  B.  White,  James  Brown,  Parke  Street,  Thomas  Worthams  and  E.  C.  Frierson  was 
appointed  for  making  a contract  for  the  erection  of  a house.  The  contract  was  closed  with 
Nimrod  Porter  for  $15,000,  $9,100  were  already  held  by  him  in  tax  receipts,  and  the  re- 
mainder was  to  be  in  money.  A bond  was  executed  in  the  amount  of  $30,000  by  Nimrod 
Porter,  B.  W.  Porter,  Hugh  Bradshaw.  George  Lipscomb,  G.  W.  Gordon,  W.  JI.  Pillow 
and  Joseph  Brown.  By  this  contract  the  county  was  enabled  to  secure  $9,100  of  doubtful 
value.  The  house  now  standing  was  built  according  to  the  plans  and  specifications  of  this 
contract.  The  house  was  to  be  87x49  feet  and  two  stories  high.  After  the  house  was  well 
under  way  it  was  concluded  best  to  build  an  additional  story.  This  was  accordingly  or- 
dered at  an  additional  cost  of  $4,000,  making  the  total  cost  $19,000.  The  old  house  was 
sold  to  J.  L.  Smith  for  $10,  who  was  allowed  one  and  two  years  time.  Smith  failed  to 
meet  his  obligation,  and  it  was  accordingly  resold.  While  the  new  court  house  was  in 
course  of  construction,  court  met  in  the  old  market-house.  The  court  house  thus  erected 
is  still  doing  service,  but  will  doubtless  soon  be  replaced  by  one  more  in  accordance  with 
the  wealth  and  taste  of. the  people  of  the  count}-.  The  first  jail  was  erected  by  the  com- 
missioners of  Columbia,  who  were  empowered  with  authority  to  build  a jail.  This  was 
erected  about  1810,  and  was  of  brick,  and  stood  near  the  second  jail  site.  It  was  afterward 
changed  to  a family  residence. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  the  citizens  of  Maury  were  granted  authority  to 
build  a new  jail.  At  the  February  term  of  court  in  1837  James  R,  Plummer,  Joseph  Hern- 
don, Tazwell  S.  Alderson,  Patrick  McGuire  and  A.  Zillner  were  made  a committee  for  the 
erection  of  a new  jail.  Lot  48  of  the  original  plan  of  Columbia  was  purchased  for  $1,200 
as  a jail  site.  A special  levy  of  taxes  was  laid  for  the  purpose  of  raising  $3,000  for  jail 
purposes,  but  the  cost  greatly  exceeded  that  amount.  The  work  was  completed  in  1838. 
The  allowances  for  the  jail  at  the  January  term  of  1839  will  indicate  the  cost.  There  were 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


753 

allowed  to  AY alter  & Bernier,  $2,385.26;  to  Thomas  AAL  Ament,  $2,832.34;  to  William  Hors- 
ley, $1,399.07;  to  T.  AA\  Ament,  a claim  for  foundation  for  $929.50.  This  jail  served  till 
1883,  when  steps  were  taken  for  building  a new  one.  At  the  October  term  of  court  a com 
mittee  was  appointed  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  the  proposed  building.  In  January  the 
committee  organized  by  electing  A\r.  O.  Gordon,  chairman,  and  Robert  M.  McKay,  secre- 
tary. The  committee  purchased  the  ‘•Thompson  property”  for  $500,  and  exchanged  it  for 
the  lot  at  the  head  of  Embargo,  fronting  Sixth  Street:  they  also  bargained  for  a lot  adjoin 
mg  with  Z.  R.  Gillespie  for  $?1Q.  The  committee  were  instructed  to  advertise  for  plan*? 
and  specifications,  the  cost  not  to  exceed  $22,500.  The  committee  did  its  work,  and  the 
contract  was  let  to  McDonald  A Bro.,  of  Louisville.  Ivy.,  whose  bid  was  considered  the 
most  favorable  among  six  competitors.  The  fine  three-storv  jail  and  residence  is  the  re- 
sult of  this  contract.  Warrants  on  the  county  were  sold  to  the  amount  of  $22,500,  and 
cashed  by  the  First  National  Bank  of  Columbia  for  94  cents  on  the  dollar. 

A common  mode  of  punishment  in  former  days  was  by  placing  prisoners  in  the  stocks. 
These  were  erected  by  the  town  commissioners  about  1808.  They  were  erected  on  the 
Square,  and  consisted  of  timbers  cut  with  a groove,  so  as  to  clamp  around  the  wrist  aud 
ankles.  Thus  confined  the  prisoner  was  so  placed  that  he  could  move  neither  hand  nor 
foot.  Not  unfrequently  the  prisoner  fainted  from  stagnation  of  the  blood,  caused  by 
the  pressure  of  the  clamps.  Previous  to  1830  the  poor  of  the  count}’  were  farmed  out  to 
the  lowest  responsible  bidder.  In  that  year  twelve  and  a half  acres  of  land  were  purchased 
for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a permanent  poor  farm.  In  October,  1841,  an  additional 
thirt}’  acres  were  purchased  from  Dr.  Smith  for  $400,  since  which  time  the  poor  farm  has 
become  one  of  the  fixed  institutions  of  the  county. 

The  first  turnpike  chartered  in  Maury  County  was  in  1831.  It  was  called  the  Franklin 
& Columbia  Turnpike;  a new  charter  was  granted  October  22,  1833.  This  road,  how 
ever,  was  not  built  till  many  years  after  this.  The  road  is  now  known  as  the  Columbia  A 
Santa  Fe  Pike,  and  is  an  excellent  road  of  eleven  miles  in  length.  The  Columbia  & Haw  - 
pasture  Turnpike  was  chartered  by  AYilliam  E.  Kennedy  and  others  January  23,  1850, 
and  five  miles  of  the  road  were  built  in  1856-57.  The  road  was  rechartered  May  23,  1850. 
and  the  road  extended  to  twelve  miles  in  length.  The  Columbia  Central,  i.  e.  the  Maury 
Central,  was  also  chartered  in  1856.  The  charter  was  granted  to  Granville  A.  Pillow,  pres- 
ident, and  AMlliam  (jail away,  E.  C.  Frierson  and  John  M.  Francis.  The  company  had 
the  privilege  of  erecting  toll-gates  every  five  miles.  The  road  is  now  twelve  miles  long. 
The  Columbia  & Mount  Pleasant  Pike  is  sixteen  miles  long,  and  runs  through  the  finest 
portion  of  the  county,  if  not  of  the  State.  The  Columbia  & Little  Bigby  is  a good  road, 
and  is  ten  miles  in  length.  It  received  its  charter  in  1880.  The  Carter’s  Creek  Turnpike 
was  chartered  in  1880,  and  an  extension  granted  in  April,  1883.  There  are  also  the  Colum- 
bia & Pulaski  Pike  of  five  miles,  and  the  Columbia  A Sawell  Mill  Pike,  of  five  miles  in 
length.  The  charter  to  the  Columbia  A Culleoka  Turnpike  Company  was  granted  to  J. 
K.  Akin,  A.  F.  Brown,  AW  J.  Moore,  J.  J.  Flemming,  J.  E.  Gordon  and  James  T.  Akin 
November  11,  1879.  On  September  8,  1883,  the  Culleoka  A Mooresville  Pike  was  char- 
tered by  R.  A.  AYalker,  AY.  Iv.  Stephens,  J.  A.  Coffey,  O.  N.  Fry  and  AY.  A.  Bryant.  Maury 
County  now  has  about  100  miles  of  pike. 

-The  first  steps  taken  to  build  a railroad  through  Maury  County  were  some  time  between 
1840  and  1850,  when  a charter  was  obtained  for  what  was  called  the  “Columbia  A Tennes- 
see River  Railroad.”  The  road  was  surveyed  aud  estimates  made  aud  stocktaken,  hut 
on  resurvey  it  was  found  that  the  estimates  were  far  from  correct^  and  the  enterprise 
failed.  In  1852  a charter  was  obtained  for  the  Central  Southern  Railroad,  and  soon 
after  for  the  Tennessee  & Alabama  Road.  In  October,  1855,  the  county  voted  $200,000 
stock  in  the  last  named  road,  and  in  November  of  the  same  year  $140,000  was  voted  in 
the  former  road.  A charter  was  also  obtained  for  a road  from  Nashville  to  Mount  Pleas- 
ant. This  was  afterward  changed  to  Columbia.  The  road  was  completed  in  1859,  and  was 
called  the  Nashville  & Decatur  Road.  A branch  road  of  eleven  miles  in  Lisgth  was  soon 
after  built  to  Mount  Pleasant  through  some  very  fine  country.  The  branch  was  torn  up 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


< 5 J 

during  the  war,  and  the  iron  taken  for  other  roads  by  the  Federals.  Within  the  last  decade 
this  road  has  been  rebuilt  and  put  in  good  condition,  and  a narrow  guage  road  built  from 
Columbia  to  Fayetteville.  In  April.  I860.  the  Tennessee  A Alabama  Southern  Road  ob- 
tained control  of  the  Nashville  &■  Decatur  by  lease,  and  in  1884  the  whole  system  of  roads 
in  the  county  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Louisville  A Nashville  Company.  Since  the}' 
have  assumed  control  the  road  has  been  greatly  improved  and  its  business  extended. 

The  wealth  of  Maury  County  and  eligible  site  of  Columbia,  and  the  unsettled  question 
of  the  State  capital  led  the  people  of  this  county  not  only  to  aspire  but  to  expect  the  cap- 
ital to  be  located  at  Columbia.  While  the  General  Assembly  was  meeting  at  Murfrees- 
boro if  was  thought  that  if  good  communication  could  be  had  with  the  Tennessee  it  would 
further  the  claims  of  Columbia  for  the  State  capital.  With  this  as  one  of  the  motives  in 
view,  a company  was  formed  for  the  purpose  of  opening  a public  highway  from  Columbia 
to  Clifton,  or  some  other  point  on  the  Tennessee,  and  from  that  point  a steam-boat  was  to 
run  to  New  Orleans,  thus  opening  rapid  and  direct  transit  to  that  city.  The  company 
was  formed  about  18*20.  Among  the  members  were  Peter  R.  Booker,  Patrick  McGuire, 
Maj.  Samuel  Polk,  David  Gillespie,  Dr.  McNicl,  James  Walker,  Edward  B.  Littlefield. 
John  Hodge,  John  T.  Moore,  Maj.  John  Brown,  William  Bradshaw,  Joseph  B.  Porter, 
'William  Frierson  and  some  others.  A steam-boat  was  built  at  Pittsburgh  and  purchased  by 
the  company  for  about  $40,000.  Edward  B.  Littlefield  being  a son-in-law  of  Gen.  Na- 
thaniel Greene,  of  Revolutionary  fame,  and  one  of  the  heaviest  stockholders  in  the  company, 
the  boat  in  deference  to  him  was  called  the  “ Gen.  Greene.”  It  is  remembered  that  I.  P. 
Minor  was  captain  of  the  “ Gen.  Greene;”.  Lemuel  Duncan,  clerk,  and  William  J.  Dale,  a 
prominent  citizen  and  retired  merchant  of  Columbia,  was  assistant.  The  “Gen  Greene”  was 
an  unprofitable  investment,  and  it  was  afterward  sold  for  about  one- fourth  of  its  original 
cost.  The  “Gen.  Greene”  brought  neither  wealth  to  the  company  nor  the  capital  to 
Columbia.  This  was  in  the  days  when  to  be  a steam-boat  captain,  clerk  or  even  cabin  boy 
was  a “consummation  devoutly  to  be  wished.” 

Before  the  introduction  of  the  steam  boat  the  produce  /was  conveyed  to  New  Orleans 
by  means  of  flat-boats.  These  sluggish  vessels  were  laden  with  deer  saddles,  skins,  furs, 
pork,  corn  and  other  articles  of  commerce,  and  floated  to  New  Orleans,  where  its  owuer 
sold  it  with  its  cargo  and  returned  home  on  foot.  He  would  travel  through  the  cane- 
brakes  of  Louisiana  and  Mississippi  till  striking  the  “Old  Natchez  Trace”;  thence  by  this 
“ through  the  far  resounding  forest”  he  reached  home  after  a month  or  more’s  absence. 
Not  infrequently,  however,  he  exchanged  his  cargo  for  coffee,  sugar,  rice,  salt  or  other 
necessaries,  and  returned  by  water  in  a keel-boat,  propelled  by  oars,  pushed  by  poles  or 
drawn  by  ropes  fastened  to  trees  in  front.  The  navigation  of  Duck  River  received  the 
attention  of  the  Legislature  at  a very  early  day.  An  act  was  passed  November  2,  1809, 
forbidding  the  obstruction  of  the  river  for  “boats,  rafts  and  flats  at  least  twelve  feet  wide,” 
and  another  passed  September  30,  1811,  forbidding  bridges  below  Shelby ville  that  would 
obstruct  the  river.  By  an  act  of  November  17,  1813,  Alexander  Gray,  Garret  Lane, 
of  Ilickman,  and  Robert  Hill,  William  Cathey  and  William  Stockard,  of  Maury  County, 
were  made  “commissioners  of  Duck  River  navigation  from  Gordon’s  Ferry  to  the  mouth 
of  the  river.” 

Section  4 of  the  same  act  gave  them  power  to  call  upon  the  commissioners  of  the  town 
of  Columbia  for  $1,050  of  moneys  arising  from  the  sale  of  lands,  not  otherwise  appropri- 
ated. Jonathan  Webster.  Isaac  Roberts  and  Samuel  Smith  were  the  commissioners  to  im- 
prove the  river  from  the  Bedford  line  to  Gordon’s  Ferry.  On  November  9,  1815,  Thomas 
Jones,  John  Brown  and  Richard  McMahan  were  the  commissioners.  These  were  changed 
from  year  to  year  as  necessity  required.  Among  the  noted  flat-boat  men  of  Duck  River 
were  Edwin  II.  Baird,  Moses  A.  Wiley,  Alexander  Farris,  Andrew  T.  Gray,  John  Gor- 
don, Gabe  Brown.  William  Brown,  James  D.  Freeland,  Archibald  Wray,  Powliattan  Gor- 
don and  Elijah  Reeves. 

The  increased  amount  of  produce  in  the  county  brought  about  the  necessity  for  a bet- 
ter outlet  to  the  outside  world.  To  meet  this  demand  the  Duck  River  Steam  Navigation 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


755 


Company  was  organized  and  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  January  27, 
1840,  with  an  authorized  capital  stock  of  $500,000  divided  into  shares  of  $100  each.  The  fol- 
lowing persons  were  appointed  to  open  books  in  Columbia  for  subscriptions  of  stock:  R 
B.  Mayes,  James  Walker,  Gardner  Frierson,  II.  Langtry,  Robert  P.  Webster,  John  B.  Ham- 
ilton and  Robert  Campbell,  Jr.  At  Centerville  there  were  B,  Gordon,  Samuel  B.  Moore, 
David  B.  Warren,  Edwin  M.  Baird  and  John  Studdart.  Books  were  to  be  opened  on  the 
first  Monday  in  March  in  1840,  and  when  $150,000  were  subscribed  the  commissioners  at 
Columbia  were  to  give  notice  that  an  election  of  directors  would  be  held  at  such  time  and 
place  as  they  deemed  proper.  An  act  passed  January  20,  1844,  by  which  William  J.  Ran- 
kin, Meredith  Helm  andRobert  Campbell  at  Columbia -.Powhattan  Gordon, Abraham  Church 
and  Samuel  S.  Porter  at  Williamsport,  and  Samuel  B.  Moore,  Robert  Shegoy  and  Boling 
Gordon,  at  Centerville,  were  appointed  commissioners  to  open  books  of  subscription  for  a 
joint  stock  company  with  a capital  not  to  exceed  $200,000  for  the  purpose  of  navigating 
Duck  River  with  steam-boats.  The  insufficiency  of  water  in  Duck  River  led  to  the  forma- 
tion of  the  Duck  River  Slack  Water  Navigation  Company.  The  company  was  incorpor- 
ated January  15,  1846,  and  the  capital  limited  to  $650,000  in  shares  of  $50  each.  The  com- 
pany was  granted  the  exclusive  privilege  for  fifty  years  after  the  passage  of  the  act,  to  nav- 
igate Duck  River  with  steam-boats,  barges  and  keels'.  The  work  was  to  be  completed  with- 
in twenty  y'ears  else  the  charter  was  to  become  void.  The  following  persons  were  the  mem- 
bers appointed  to  open  books  for  subscriptions:  Robert  Campbell.  Jr.,  Christopher  Todd, 
R.  B.  Mayes,  James  Smizer,  Gideon  J.  Pillow,  George  W.  Gordon,  Robert  T.  Webster, 
William  F.  Rankiu,  Meredith  Helm,  Abraham  Church,  Edwin  Baird,  M.  C.  Napier,  John 
Montgomery,  D.  G.  Jones,  John  B.  Gray.  Joseph  Blackwell  and  Henry  G.  Cummings. 

A large  amount  of  stock  was  soon  subscribed  and  a civil  engineer  was  employed  who 
made  a survey  of  Duck  River  from  Columbia  to  its  mouth.  According  to  the  engineer’s 
estimate,  fourteen  or  fifteen  locks  were  all  that  were  necessary.  It  was  afterward  found 
that  this  estimate  was  only  about  half  the  number  required.  This  was  not  learned,  how- 
ever, until  one  lock  had  been  completed  and  that  at  about  double  its  estimated  cost.  The 
lock  completed  seemed  satisfactory  but  for  the  immense  cost.  Under  these  discouraging 
circumstances  suits  of  injunction  began  to  be  filed  against  the  further  prosecution  of  the 
work.  Before  the  formation  of  either  of  the  above  companies,  the  steam-boat,  “Madison” 
came  up  Duck  River.  This  was  in  1839,  as  is  learned  from  an  old  file  of  the  Observer  pub- 
lished at  the  time. 

Before  the  establishment  of  the  county  courts,  roads  or  highways  were  opened  by  au. 
thorityof  the  State  to  different  settlements  or  by  the  General  Government  for  military  pur- 
poses. Among  the  last  named  was  the  ‘*01d  Natchez  Trace,”  called  by  the  older  settlers 
“ Notehy  Trace.”  This  is  supposed  to  have  originally  been  marked  by  the  Indians  in  go- 
ing from  one  tribe  to  another  or  to  have  been  worn  by  buffalo.  The  trace,  or  the  military 
road  which  followed  the  trace  a portion  of  the  way,  was  cut  out  by  a detachment  of  sol- 
diers under  command  of  Capt.  Thomas  Butler  and  Lieut.  E.  P.  Gaines,  afterward  Maj.- 
Gen.  Gaines.  This  was  done,  by  order  of  President  Jefferson  in  18014)2.  The  object 
was  to  open  easy  communication  with  Indian  nations  and  the  Spanish  settlements.  The 
terminus  at  one  end  was  Nashville;  the  other  was  at  a point  about  twenty-five  miles 
above  Port  Hudson.  The  route  is  described  as  leading  from  “Nashville  by  Gen.  Harding’s 
place,  thence  through  the  Perkins  settlement,  passing  about  three  miles  east  of  Franklin, 
crossing  Duck  River  at  Gordon’s  Ferry;  thence  by  Debbin’s  stand  on  Big  Swan  Creek; 
thence  to  Grinder’s  old  stand  on  Little  Swan;  thence  by  John  McClish’s;  thence  across  the 
Tennessee  at  Colbert’s  Ferry  ; thence  to  Buzzard  Roost  on  Big  Bear  Creek;  thence  crossing 
Brown’s  Swamp  to  the  Chickasaw  agency';  thence  south  a little  west  of  Jackson,  Miss.; 
thence  at  or  near  Canton  and  south  to  Line  Creek.”  This  was  the  main  thoroughfare  from 
Nashville  to  the  lower  Mississippi.  A branch  of  this  road  led  into  Columbia  from  the 
south;  it  passed  through  the  Athenaeum  grounds.  It  was  by  this  route  that  Gen.  Jackson 
returned  with  his  army  from  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  It  was  on  the  old  trace  that  Mer- 
riwether  Lewis  committed  suicide.  It  was  along  the  old  route  that  Aaron  Burr  traveled 


756 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


in  1806  on  his  way  from  Louisiana  to  meet  Jackson  at  the  Hermitage  and  Blennerhassett 
in  his  island  home. 

The  Davis  Ford  road  was  the  principal  thoroughfare  from  Nashville  to  Huntsville. 
This  road  crossed  the  river  at  Davis'  Ford  below  the  mouth  of  Fountain  Creek  and  passed 
near  Hurricane  and  Culleoka;  thence  across  Elk  Ridge  near  Dodson’s  Gap  where  the  rail- 
road now  crosses.  This  road  took  its  name  from  a Mr.  Davis  who  lived  on  McCutchin’s 
Island  near  the  Indian  trail.  At  the  ford  Capt.  McCutchin  overtook  and  destroyed  a ma- 
rauding band  of  Indians,  and  their  bodies  were  buried  on  the  river  bank  on  the  north  side. 

The  first  bridge  across  Duck  River,  at  Columbia,  was  built  by  Edward  B.  Littlefield* 
Peter  R.  Booker  and  David  Craighead.  The  consideration  for  the  bridge  was  $15,000.  It 
was  let  August  31, 1820,  and  the  contract  called  for  a bridge  with  stone  pillars,  the  bridge  to 
be  covered,  weather-boarded,  the  boarding  to  be  painted  white  and  the  roof  red.  The  pay- 
ments were  in  installments  of  $5,000  each,  the  first  due  at  the  time  of  beginning,  the  second 
September  1,  1821.  and  the  third  September  1,  1822,  the  date  of  completion.  The  sureties 
were  Robert  Mack,  James  Walker,  John  Brown,  James  T.  Sandford  and  Nimrod  Porter. 
The  bond  was  fixed  at  $30,000.  How  well  the  work  was  done  is  shown  by  the  fact  that 
the  same  pillars  still  stand,  but  the  bridge  was  burned  in  the  retreat  of  the  Confederates 
before  Buell  in  1862.  This  was  improved  and  temporarily  repaired  till  1870,  when  a contract 
was  let  to  Moore  & Vaughn  for  a new  bridge,  except  the  pillars  and  abutments.  The  new 
bridge  was  completed  within  the  first  few  days  of  1872.  Strong  efforts  are  now  being  made  to 
have  a new  iron  bridge  constructed  below  the  old  bridge.  An  effort  was  made  in  1824  to 
have  the  bridge  a toll-bridge,  but  was  defeated  January  26,  of  that  year,  by  a vote  of 
thirty-three  “against”  and  six  “for”  a toll-bridge.  In  lSb'S  the  vote  was  again  taken,  and 
it  became  a toll-bridge,  with  rates  ranging  from  1 cent  to  50  cents.  J.  S.  Alderson.  John 
Brown  and  Joseph  Herndon  were  appointed  a committee  to  employ  a bridge-keeper,  the 
first  money  to  be  used  in  repairs  on  the  bridge.  As  a toll-bridge  it  was  soon  discontinued. 

The  first  cemetery  was  laid  off  by  the  commissioners  of  Columbia  in  1807.  This  lies 
on  the  bank  of  Duck  River,  north  of  the  city.  This  is  known  as  “ Greenwrood, ” and  is 
a beautiful  resting  place  after  “life’s  fitful  fever.”  It  contains  the  remains  of  many  of  the 
early  settlers.  “Rose  Hill”  Cemetery  was  chartered  in  1854  by  John  B.  Hamilton,  John 
Baird,  W.  J.  Dale.  Thomas  J.  Kelly,  Nathan  Vaught  and  James  Andrews.  Many  dis- 
tinguished dead  sleep  on  Rose  Hill,  among  them  Judge  Dillahunty  and  Gen.  John  C.  Car- 
ter, who  fell  at  Franklin.  A large  number  of  Federal  soldiers  were  buried  here,  but  they 
have  been  removed  to  Nashville  and  Murfreesboro,  or  other  places,  and  interred  in 
national  cemeteries.  Over  100  Confederate  dead  are  buried  in  “Rose  Hill”  Cemetery.  In 
honor  of  these  heroes  is  erected  a beautiful  monument,  which  is  surmounted  by  a full-sized 
soldier,  -who  looks  with  pathos  and  with  downcast  eye  upon  his  fallen  comrades. 

The  physicians  of  1808*  were  Dr.  Samuel  Mayes,  'who  was  born  in  Carlisle,  Penn.,  in 
1759,  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  and  settled  in  South  Carolina.  He 
moved  to  this  county  in  1808,  where  he  died  in  1841.  He  saw  service  in  the  Revolutionary 
war.  Dr.  L.  B.  Estes,  well  known  in  the  early  history  of  the  county,  was  born  in  Virginia 
in  1774,  graduated  from  the  University  of  Virginia,  and  came  to  Maury  County  in  1808, 
where  he  died  in  November,  1814.  Dr.  James  O’Reiley  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  in 
1776,  graduated  at  the  university  of  the  same,  married  in  North  Carolina  in  1805,  and  came 
to  Maury  County  in  1809.  He  was  noted  for  his  boldness  and  originality  both  in  the  prac- 
tice of  medicine  and  surgery.  He  was  well  known  to  the  business  world.  He  died  in 
1850.  l)r.  G.  T.  Greenfield  was  born  in  Virginia,  graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  came  to  Maury  County  in  1812.  He  abandoned  the  profession  and  became  a 
cotton  planter,  and  grew  rich.  He  was  a noted  politician.  His  death  occurred  in 
1847.  Dr.  William  Fort  Brown  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where  he  was  born  in 
1790.  He  was  a student  under  Dr.  O’Reiley;  also  a partner  for  a time.  He  was  very  much 
addicted  to  drink,  yet  such  was  the  confidence  of  the  people  in  him  that  they  would  send 
and  bring  him  to  their  houses  and  lock  him  up  until  sufficiently  sober  to  prescribe.  His 


♦From  an  article  by  Dr.  J.  M.  Towler. 


' 


MAUBY  COUNTY. 


757 


death  occurred  in  1859.  Dr.  Thomas  Brown  was  born  in  Wilkes  County,  N.  C.,  in  1784, 
and  was  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  He  came  to  Maury  County  in 
1814;  was  a popular  physician.  He  died  of  cholera  in  1834.  Dr.  Isaac  J.  Thomas  was  u 
native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  1781,  aud  came  to  this  county  in  1814,  where  he  remained 
till  his  death  in  1844.  Dr.  John  B.  Hayes  was  born  in  Rockbridge  County,  Ya.,  in  1798. 
graduated  at  the  University  of  New  York  and  settled  in  Maury  County  in  1S10.  He  is 
described  as  a close  student,  an  acute  observer,  generous,  genial,  high-toned,  “a  fellow  of 
infinite  jest  that  was  wont  to  set  the  table  in  a roar.”  He  related  a story  that  well  illus- 
trates the  superstition  of  the  time;  “A  member  of  a family  living  twelve  miles  in  the  coun- 
try was  affected  with  the  shingles;  the  remedy  at  the  time  was  the  blood  from  the  tail  of  a 
black  cat.  Efforts  were  made  to  procure  the  coveted  black  cat,  but  none  could  be  found, 
the  disease  became  alarming  and  a runner  was  started  to  town  with  the  following  instruc- 
tions from  the  old  lady  of  the  house:  ‘Johnny,  when  you  get  to  town  try  to  get  a black 
cat,  but  if  you  can’t  get  one,  bring  Dr.  Hayes.’  ” Dr.  Hayes  died  after  a successful  prac- 
tice of  fifty-two  years.  In  181(3  Drs.  Gale  and  James  G.  Smith  came  to  this  county;  both 
were  from  Maryland.  Between  1810-20  Drs.  J.  B.  Sanders,  Dowell  N.  Sansom  (Horatio 
Depriest?),  McDowell,  Silas  M.  Caldwell,  John  W.  McJimsey,  Gillespie  and  William  Mc- 
Neil; of  these  Dr.  Depriest  committed  suicide,  and  all  were  well  known  in  their  profession 
and  in  the  social  circle.  Dr.  George  W.  Campbell  started  out  full  of  promise,  but  died 
early  in  life  from  septicaemia,  originating  from  a wound.  Dr.  Grevor  abandoned  the  pro- 
fession for  business,  and  died  at  New  Orleans  of  yellow  fever.  Of  the  same  period  were 
Drs.  Cooper,  Ford,  Turner  and  Crawford.  Dr.  J.  W.  S.  Frierson  was  born  in  Sum- 
ter District,  S.  C.,  in  1801,  graduated  at  Greeneville  College,  and  was  made  a doctor  of 
medicine  at  Transylvania  in  1824,  and  from  that  time  till  his  death,  in  1872,  was  in  active 
practice.  He  was  an  ornament  both  to  the  profession  and  to  society.  He  was  succeeded 
in  the  profession  by  his  son.  Dr.  Samuel  W.  Frierson.  Dr.  John  Baptiste  Alexander 
Thevenot  was  born  in  Paris,  France,  February  26,  1793,  aud  graduated  at  the  early  age  of 
eighteen;  was  surgeon  for  a time  in  the  army  of  Napoleon.  He  settled  at  Mount  Pleasant 
in  1824,  where  he  died  of  cholera  in  1834.  He  was  a noted  linguist,  something  of  a poet 
aud  author,  and  was  regarded  as  a brilliant  and  eccentric  practitioner.  Dr.  Jonathan  S. 
Hunt  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where  he  was  born  in  1790,  moved  to  Williamson 
County  in  1820,  graduated  at  Transylvania  in  1822,  and  moved  to  Maury  County  in  1824, 
and  there  remained  till  his  death  in  1860.  Dr.  Samuel  Porter  was  born  in  Chesterville, 
S.  C.,  February  3,  1793,  graduated  at  Transylvania  in  1821,  and  began  practice  in  this 
county  in  1826.  He  held  an  extensive  practice  about  Williamsport  till  his  death  in  1873. 
Dr.  Zebina  Conkey  and  A.  G.  Tracey  came  to  Maury  County  from  New  York  in  1826. 
About  the  same  time  there  came  Drs.  Hillard  Myrick,  Mervin  Daniel  and  John  Henry 
Crisp;  the  two  former  were  graduates  of  Transylvania,  and  the  latter  was  a native  of  North 
Carolina  and  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania.  Dr.  Amos  Gray  was  born  in 
Prince  William  County,  Va.,  in  March,  1800.  He  was  graduated  at  Transylvania  in  1827, 
and  at  once  began  practice  at  Santa  Fe.  He  died  October  5,  1870.  Dr.  John  S.  Law  was 
born  in  Liberty  County,  Ga.,  in  1802,  graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1827, 
moved  to  Maury  County  in  1833,  and  died  of  black  tongue  in  1844.  Between  1828-30  there 
settled  in  Maury  County  -Drs.  P.  P.  Barbour,  John  Littlefield,  Eskew,  H.  S.  Roberts, 
Placebo,  Bills  and  Bracken.  Between  1830-40  there  were  Drs.  A.  H.  Buchanan,  S.  T. 
McMurray,  of  Spring  Hill,  aud  Wharton  White,  who  was  bom  in  Nashville,  January  23, 
1819,  graduated  at  Louisville  in  1839,  and  died  in  1859.  Dr.  G.  T.  Harris  was  a native  of 
Rutherford  County,  where  he  was  born  in  1806,  was  a student  of  Dr.  O’Reiley,  before 
mentioned,  and  graduated  at  Transylvania  in  1826.  Ilis  death  occurred  in  1866.  Since 
1840  there  have  been  the  following:  Drs.  A.  M.  Kellar,  A.  M.  Ilamner,  N.  W.  B.  Wortham, 
James  H.  Frierson,  a native  of  Maury,  born  in  1812,  graduated  at  Transylvania  aud  died 
in  1846;  Milton  B.  Frierson,  James  Leach,  James  E.  Sealey,  Calvin  11.  Walker,  who  was 
born  in  Columbia  in  1823,  and  graduated  at  Jefferson  College,  Philadelphia,  in  1847.  lie 
was  a gallant  colonel  of  a Confederate  regiment  in  the  late  war,  and  was  killed  by  a shell 


758 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


/ 

near  Marietta.  Ga.  Dr.  'Wiley  T.  Perry  first  saw  the  light  in  this  county  in  1830,  gradu- 
ated at  Louisville  and  died  in  I860.  Dr.  F.  S.  Woldridge  was  born  in  Franklin  in  1826, 
graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1850  and  died  in  1S70.  A.  W.  Byers  was 
born  in  1815,  graduated  at  Louisville  in  1840,  and  died  in  1870.  D.  J.  McCallum  was  born 
in  Giles  County  in  1S26,  graduated  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1853,  and  died 
in  1864.  Dr.  Gomar  Wing  was  from  Maine,  and  was  a successful  practitioner  for  many 
years  at  Spring  Hill.  In  addition  there  were  Drs.  A.  and  J.  W.  Leftwick,  Satterfield  and 
the  brothers  Kilpatrick,  also  Dr.  McKeithen,  who  was  from  North  Carolina,  and  who  lived 
with  Gen.  Lucius  J.  Polk  at  his  plantation  near  Spring  Hill.  He  was  regarded  as  a well- 
read  physician. 

The  first  epidemic  in  the  county  was  the  black  tongue  in  1813.  Gen.  Roberts, 
county  surveyor,  had  a son  die  of  the  disease  in  Nashville.  He  and  another  son 
brought  the  corpse  home  for  interment.  In  a short  time  that  son  took  the  disease  and 
died.  The  disease  spread  and  was  more  fatal  in  proportion  to  its  extent  than  the  one  in 
184-1.  The  epidemic  of  1S44  occurred  early  in  February,  the  first  case  being  a jrnung  lady 
who  had  been  visiting  Nashville.  A great  many  died  of  this  disease,  among  them  Col. 
Dew  and  Dr.  Law.  The  disease  manifested  itself  in  different  ways:  sometimes  in  acute 
pains,  and  in  others  in  nervous  and  muscular  depression  without  pain.  It  was  very  fatal 
among  negroes.  It  prevailed  both  in  town  and  country.  It  Avas  what  is  now  knoAvn  as 
cerebro  spinal  meningitis.  An  epidemic  of  scarlet  fever  of  remarkable  fatality  prevailed 
in  1837.  Cholera  has  never  prevailed  in  Columbia,  although  it  has  visited  various  parts 
of  the  county  several  times  with  its  wanton  violence.  Each  time  imported  or  sporadic 
cases  occurred  in  turn,  but  it  invariably  died  out  of  itself.  In  1834  Col.  "Whittaker,  o 
planter  living  seA’en  miles  southeast  of  Columbia,  on  his  return  from  Nashville,  was 
attacked  by  the  disease  at  midnight  and  died  the  following  day.  Dr.  BroAvn  who  at' 
tended  him  died,  also  seven  of  his  negroes,  one  of  whom  died  in  the  office  of  Drs.  Brown 
& Buchanan,  whither  he  had  gone  for  a physician.  It  was  introduced  at  Mount  Pleasant 
in  the  same  Avay,  from  Nashville,  and  prevailed  Avith  its  usual  fatality,  Dr.  Thevenot 
being  one  of  its  victims.  At  midnight  on  Saturday,  August  14,  1835,  it  suddenly  fell  upon 
the  little  tOAvn  of  Williamsport,  and  bAT  the  morning  of  the  15th  several  were  dead  or 
dying  and  many  Avrithing  under  its  torturing  cramps.  TAvelve  citizens  of  the  place  died 
and  as  many  from  the  country.  In  every  case  the  individuals  had  been  visiting  or  doing 
business  in  that  portion  of  the  town  situated  in  a low,  damp  flat,  nor  were  any  attacked  in 
the  country  who  had  not  Afisited  that  spot  of  the  village  on  the  fatal  Saturday.  In  June, 
1849,  Dr,  Hays  was  summoned  to  the  bedside  of  ex-President  Poik.  He  went  in  the  old 
Polk  family  carriage  driven  by  Old  Joe,  the  favorite  coachman.  On  Joe’s  return  he  Avas 
suddenly  seized  Avith  the  cholera  and  died  in  a short  time,  but  no  other  cases  followed. 
In  July,  1850,  Jim  Brown,  who  kept  a wagon-yard  in  the  lower  part  of  tOAvn,  was  sudden- 
...  3y  seized  Avith  the  cholera  on  his  return  from  Nashville.  He  recovered  after  intense 
suffering,  but  two  colored  women  caught  the  disease  and  died.  Those  A\*ere  the  last  cases 
of  cholera. 

Sheriffs:  John  Spencer  was  chosen  sheriff  in  1807  and  held  the  position  till  1810, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  Samuel  H.  Williams,  Avho  held  the  position  till  1812.  William 
Bradshaw  then  held  the  office  from  1812  till  1818,  at  which  time  Nimrod  Porter  was 
elected  and  held  the  office  till'  1842.  Porter  Avas  succeeded  by  J.  E.  Thomas,  who  held  the 
office  till  1840,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mumford  Smith,  Avho  held  the  office  till  1850. 
Richard  B.  Moore  Avas  elected  to  succeed  Smith  and  held  the  position  till  1854,  AA’hen 
Smith  was  again  elected  and  held  the  office  till  1856;  he  Avas  then  succeeded  by  Samuel 
H.  Jones,  who  held  the  office  till  1860.  Thomas  J.  Cristy  held  the  office  from  1860  to 
1864,  when  William  M.  Sullivan  took  the  office  and  held  it  till  1868.  Robert  D.  Rickets 
held  the  office  from  1868  till  the  adoption  of  the  new  constitution  in  1870.  Sims  Latta 
held  the  office  from  1870  to  1874,  and  Avas  succeeded  by  William  A.  Alexander,  who  held 
the  office  till  1878.  Mr.  Alexander  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Davis,  and  he  by  W.  O. 
Witherspoon,  who  held  it  tili  1884,  and  Avas  succeeded  by  N.  Bleheairs.  Circuit  clerks: 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


750 


John  M.  Taylor  held  the  office  from  1810  till  1813,  and  was  succeeded  by  Horatio  Depriest, 
who  resigned,  and  George  M.  Martin  was  appointed  in  his  place  and  held  the  office  till 
March  11,  1S36,  when  he  resigned  and  was  succeeded  by  J.  A.  Walker,  and  he  by  Pleas- 
ant Xelson.  Mr.  Xelson  was  succeeded  by  James  O.  Potter,  who  was  succeeded  by  Caleb 
J.  Dickerson;  upon  his  death  he  was  succeeded  by  Lemuel  II.  Phillips,  and  he  by  Thomas 
H.  Witherspoon,  who  was  succeeded  by  Samuel  P.  McGaw.  Mr.  MeGaw  was  succeeded  by 
the  Hon.  William  B.  Wilson,  and  Mr.  Wilson  by  W.  J.  Whitthorne.  Mr.  Whitthorne 
was  succeeded  by  E.  T.  Pillow.  County  court  clerks:  Joseph  B.  Porter  was  chosen  clerk 
in  1807,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  son,',T.  J.  Porter,  and  he  by  William  E.  Erwin.  Mr. 
Erwin  was  succeeded  in  1870  by  John  M.  Hickey,  and  Mr.  Hickey  by  A.  X.  Akin  in  1874, 
who  still  holds  the  office.  Clerks  and  masters  in  chancery:  On  the  organization  of  the 
chancery  court  in  1834-35,  George  M.  Martin  became  master  and  held  the  position  till 
1844,  and  was  succeeded  by  Hon.  William  P.  Martin,  his  son.  Mr.  Martin  was  succeeded 
by  Rev.  John  IL  Hamilton,  and  he  by  A.  M.  Wingfield.  The  next  master  was  Joshua  I. 
Williams,  followed  by  D.  B.  Cooper;  after  D.  B.  Cooper  came  Horace  S.  Cooper.  The 
present  incumbent  is  Mr.  George  Childress. 

Representatives  in  the  lower  house  of  the  General  Assembly:  Moses  Frierson,  1809-11: 
Amos  Johnson,  1811-23;  I.  J.  Thompson,  1823-27;  * * * ; q p 

Xic-holson,  1831-35:  James  E.  Thomas,  1835-39;  James  E.  Thomas  and  Barclay  Martin, 
1839-41;  Barclay  Martin,  1841-42:  William  II.  Polk  and  Powhattan  Gordon,  1843-44;  Pow- 
haltan  Gordon  and  R.  A.  L.  Wilkes,  1845-46;  R.  A.  L.  Wilkes  and  Barclay  Martin,  1847-48: 
George  Gantt  and  W.  Stringham,  1849-50;  Barclay  Martin  and  J.  L.  Miller,  1851-52: 
Frank  IT  ardent  a/n  1853—54;  A.  M Looney,  1855-50;  W.  H.  Polk.  1857— 58;  W.  C.  "Whit. 
thorne,  1859-GO;  J.  Gilmer,  1805-67;  W.  B.  Wilson,  1869-73:  A.  P.  Glenn,  1873-77:  J.  Lee 
Bullock,  1877-79;  John  Ballanfant,  1879-81;  R.  A.  Wilkes,  1881-83;  Maj.  J.  T.  Williamson 
and  W.  T.  Porter,  1883-84;  George  C.  Taylor.  F.  A.  Burke  and  E.  W.  Carmack,  1884-85. 
Senators:  Thomas  H.  Benton.  1807-11;  Xewton  Cannon,  1811-15;  Thomas  Coleman, 
1815-19;  Benjamin  Reynolds,  1819-23;  Robert  Weakley,  1823-27;  Edward  B.  Little- 
field, 1827-31:’  Lucius  J.  Polk,  1831-39:  A.  O.  P.  Xieholson.  1839-43;  James  E.  Thomas, 
1843-47;  T.  M.  Jones,  1847-51;  E.  R.  Osborne,  1851-55;  S.  B.  Moore,  1855-59;  Thomas 
McXeilly,  1865-69;  J.  B.  Frierson,  1869-73;  T.  J.  P.  Allison,  1873-77;  A.  T.  Boyd,  1877-81; 
A.  M.  Looney,  1883-84.  Population  by  decades:  1810,  7,722;  1820,  15,620;  1830,  18,290; 
1810,  17,090  white;  1S50,  16,759:  1860.  17,701;  1870,  20,022;  1880,  21,731  whites  and  18,173 
colored. 

The  first  court  in  Maury  County  met  at  the  house  of  Col.  Joseph  Brown,  about  three 
miles  south  of  Columbia  on  December  21,  1807.  A court  of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions 
was  organized  by  the  justices,  who  had  previously  been  appointed  by  the  General  Assem- 
bly. They  were  John  Dickey,  John  Miller,  William  Gilchrist,  William  Frierson,  Isaac 
Roberts,  Joliu  Spencer,  John  Lindsey,  Joshua  Williams,  James  Love,  Lemuel  Pruett, 
and  'William  Dooley.  The  commissions  of  these  justices  were  signed  by  John  Sevier,  the 
governor  of  the  State  at  that  time.  It  appears  that  John  Dickev,  John  Miller  and  Will- 
iam Gilchrist  were  not  present  at  the  opening  of  the  court.  The  first  act  of  this  court  was 
the  election  of  Isaac  Roberts,  presiding  justice.  Mr.  Roberts  afterward  became  the  noted 
Gen.  Roberts.  Joseph  B.  Porter  was  chosen  clerk;  John  Spencer,  sheriff:  Edmond  Har- 
ris, coroner;  William  W.  Thompson,  register:  Joseph  Brown,  ranger;  Peter  R.  Booker, 
solicitor,  and  Benjamin  Thomas,  treasurer.  Bonds  were  required  of  these  in  sums  ranging 
from  $2,000  to  $10,000.  B}'  order  of  the  General  Assembly  this  court  was  to  meet  at  Jo- 

seph Brown’s  on  the  third  Mondays  in  December,  March,  June  and  October  of  each  year 
till  the  completion  of  the  court  house  in  Columbia,  John  Spencer  returned  the  following 
jury:  Ephraim  McLean,  Jr.,  Alexander  Gillespie,  Robert  Hill,  Charles  McLean.  James 
Welsh,  Griffin  Cathey,  Thomas  Whiteside,  William  Irvine,  Alexander  Irvine,  Amos  John 
son,  William  Dover,  S.  Frierson,  W.  J.  Frierson,  C.  McGee,  Bryant  Xolin,  Martin  Hardin 
Daniel  Evans,  Josiali  Goforth.  William  Kilcrease,  David  Love,  William  Daniel,  John  My- 
rick,  Thomas  Gill,  Enos  Pipin,  John  Campbell,  Samuel  Polk,  A.  J.  Turner,  Aaron  Cunning- 


760 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


ham,  James  Ilucy,  James  Craig,  David  Copeland,  A.  B.  Hudson,  George  Breckcnridge. 
Isaac  Bills,  Samuel  Smith,  James  M.  Lewis,  Andrew  Boyd,  Silas  Alexander  and  John 
Davidson.  This  court  seems  to  have  been  invested  with  both  appellate  and  original  juris- 
diction. Cases  being  much  less  numerous  than  now,  this  court  was  sufficient  for  all  cases. 
Peter  R.  Booker,  the  first  solicitor  seems  to  have  been  a practicing  attorney  at  the  time  of 
the  organization  of  this  court,  and  to  have  received  his  office  by  appointment.  Ilis  name 
is  met  with  but  a short  time  as  counselor  but  frequently  as  a business  man.  He  became 
quite  wealthy  and  died  in  1S39.  Joseph  Herndon  was  the  first  resident  lawyer  admitted 
io  the  bar  of  this  court.  He  began  practice  in  1808  and  contiHued  before  the  bar  for  many 
years,  and  died  in  Columbia  in  186*2  at  a very  advanced  age.  Like  Booker  he  was  looked 
upon  as  a very  high-toned  honorable  gentleman.  This  court  was  mainly  occupied  in  re- 
ceiving wills  for  probate,  ordering  new  roads,  recording  stock  marks,  and  granting  ferry 
license,  providing  for  the  erection  of  mills,  and  permitting  the  keeping  of  ordinaries.  The 
keepers  of  these  ordinaries  provided  food,  lodging  and  shelter  aud  feed  for  horses.  The 
“rates”  were  fixed  by  the  court.  The  following  was  the  customary  price:  “Each  diet  25 
cents;  lodging  per  night,  6J  cents;  horse  per  feed,  12|  cents;  fodder  and  hay  all  night,  12* 
cents;  peach  brandy  or  whisky,  121  cents  per  half  pint.  According  to  the  custom  of  the 
time  drinks  were  for  sale  at  these  houses  of  entertainment.  A bond  was  given  that  the 
keeper  of  such  house  would  not  suffer  or  permit  gambling,  nor  on  the  Sabbath  day 
suffer  any  person  “to  tipple  or  drink  more  than  necessary.”  The  December  term  of  court 
in  1808  was  held  in  the  town  of  Columbia. 

Similar  cases  as  above  mentioned  were  tried;  among  the  puuisliments  inflicted  were 
twenty-five  lashes  upon  the  bare  back  lor  petit  larceny.  By  an  act  of  November  10, 1809, 
the  circuit  court  system  was  established  for  Maury  County.  This  court  took  upon  itself 
a great  deal  of  the  work  formerly  done  by  the  county  court.  The  county  court  continued 
to  have  jurisdiction  over  questions  pertaining  to  the  county,  such  as  the  erectiou  of  pub- 
lic buildings,  bridges,  dams,  ferries,  fixing  the  rate  of  taxation,  changing  or  making  new 
roads,  the  appointment  of  committees  on  matters  of  public  interest,  changing  the  civil 
districts,  etc.;  it  also  had  botii  original  and  appellate  jurisdiction  over  petty  offenses 
against  the  State.  The  first  circuit  court  was  opened  in  the  court  house  in  Columbia  on 
November  25,  1810,  with  the  following  officers:  lion.  Thomas  Stuart,  judge  of  the  judi- 
cial circuit:  John  M.  Taylor,  clerk;  Samuel  H.  Williams,  sheriff.  The  first  jurors  were  J 
M.  Lewis,  James  Smith,  Benjamin  Smith, Thomas  Edwards,  John  Lindsey,  John  Matthews, 
Moses  G.  Frierson,  John  J.  Zollieoffer,  James  Birmingham,  Amos  Johnson,  John  Camp- 
bell, Samuel  Witherspoon,  William  M.  Berryhill,  Lemuel  Pruett,  William  Frierson, 
James  Love,  John  Miller,  James  Sanford,  Robert  Hill,  Samuel  Polk,  Thomas  Whiteside, 
Abner  Franklin,  Anthony  I.  Turner,  Samuel  Lusk,  Alexander  Cathey  and  Joseph  Brown. 
Of  these  J.  M.  Lewis  was  chosen  foreman,  and  at  the  same  time  William  Webb  was  made 
constable  to  attend  on  the  grand  jury.  The  first  case  taken  from  this  court  on  appeal  was 
a suit  of  David  Wood  against  Robert  Steele,  in  which  the  plaintiff  recovered  $8  cost  with 
12  per  cent  on  judgment.  The  case  was  taken  to  the  superior  court  of  the  “Mero  Dis- 
trict.” On  November  28,  1811,  Felix  Grundy  was  admitted  to  practice  law  before  the 
“inferior  and  superior  courts.”  The  character  and  standing  of  this  distinguished  indi 
vidual  is  too  well  known  to  require  further  notice  here.  At  the  same  time  appears  the 
name  of  Alfred  Balch  as  attorney  for  the  State.  Courts  and  lawyers  were  as  sadly  afflicted 
with  “quiddities,  quillets,  cases,  tenures  and  tricks”  formerly  as  now.  James  Sellars  was 
refused  a new  trial  in  a suit  with  Andrew  Lewis,  in  which  himself  was  defendant  because 
the  exact  time  for  filing  his  plea  had  been  neglected.  Suits  for  assault  and  battery  were 
formerly  ver}r  numerous.  Robert  Pearce,  Andrew  Lewis,  Joseph  Davis  and  Abner 
Scott  were  each  given  nominal  fiues  by  throwing  themselves  upon  the  “grace  tfc  mercy  ” 
of  the  court.  By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  November  23,  1809,  the  judges  of  the 
Third  and  Fourth  Circuits  were  allowed  to  exchange  sittings.  Judge  Nathaniel  Williams, 
of  the  Third  Circuit,  first  appears  on  the  records  of  Maury  County  on  November  27,  1811. 
Judge  Thomas  Stuart,  the  first  circuit  judge,  was  a resident  of  Franklin,  Williamson. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


761 


County.  He  continued  to  preside  over  the  courts  of  Maury  County  till  18*22,  when  the  cir- 
cuit was  changed,  yet  he  continued  to  sit  as  judge  in  the  other  circuit  for  a number  of 
years  afterward.  He  is  described  as  a man  of  profound  legal  learning  and  of  high  moral 
integrity.  He  left  no  issue  to  perpetuate  his  name.  On  November  25,  1812,  appears  a 
case  on  record  in  which  J.  B.  Hardin  was  plaintiff  and  W.  L.  Hannum  was  defendant:  the 
case  was  settled  by  arbitration.  The  following  is  the  verdict:  “The  undersigned,  Thomas 
H.  Benton  and  Alfred  Balch,  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  said  Isaac  B.  Hardin  recover  of 
Washington  L.  Hannum  one  hundred  dollars.  Witness  our  hands  and  seals  the  day  and 
year  last  written.  Thomas  H.  Benton,  Alfred  Balch.”  It  is  needless  to  say  the  former 
became  a distinguished  senator  from  Missouri,  and  the  latter  the  attorney-general  for 
the  Fourth  District.  This  somewhat  peculiar  entry  is  made  at  the  September  term  of  the 
county  court  in  1810:  “Entered  one  dollar  fine  against  Thomas  U.  Benton  for  profane 

swearing  in'presence  of  the  court,  and  the  fine  was  received  by  the  clerk.” 

The  grand  jury  to  inquire  “ into  the  body  of  the  county”  for  1811  were  Amos  John- 
son, Robert  Scott,  Joseph  Shoat,  John  Lindsey,  William  Byers,  Isaac  Roberts.  Daniel 
Brown,  Samuel  Smith,  Simpson  Harris,  Ezekiel  Polk,  John  Campbell,  A.  Franklin, 
Thomas  Hudspeth  and  James  Lewis.  James  Whiteside  became  a practicing  attorney  in 
1811,  and  in  the  same  year  the  first  suit  between  these  two  celebrated  litigious  characters, 
John  Doe  and  Richard  Roe,  was  begun,  without  whom  it  was  thought  impossible  to  con- 
duct a case.  On  the  opening  of  court  iu  November,  1813,  appears  the  name  of  Archibald 
Roane  as  presiding  judge.  He  continued  to  sit  from  time  to  time  on  the  Maury  County 
bench  for  a number  of  years.  His  opinions  appear  clear  and  pointed,  and  without  effort 
at  display  of  self.  The  following  rules  were  adopted  for  the  government  of  the  court  in 
April,  1814:  “All  cases,  except  actions  of  ejectment,  shall  be  taken  up  and  tried,  or  con- 

tinued on  the  first  day  of  each  term,  and  the  parties  shall  not  be  compelled  to  attend  suits 
of  ejectment  till  the  second  day.”  The  first  suits  for  divorce  appear  on  docket  in  Octo- 
ber, 1815,  the  parties  to  the  suits  were  Susannah  Adams  against  William  Adams;  R.  B. 
Edwards  against  Margaret  Edwards,  and  Sarah  M.  Napier  against  John  M.  Napier.  The 
recital  of  their  domestic  infelicity  would  be  about  on  a par  with  a case  at  present.  James 
Magill  was  arraigned  cn  the  charge  of  murdering  Dr.  Simpson  April  21,  1S16.  The 
case  was  brought  to  Columbia  on  a change  of  venue.  The  defendant  was  iD  a fair  way  to 
suffer  the  extreme  penalty  of  the  law,  when  the  sickness  of  James  Johnson,  one  of  the 
jurors,  caused  a delay  in  the  trial  and  the  prisoner  escaped  by  cutting  his  way  out  of  jail. 
L.  M.  Bramlett  became  an  attorney  before  the  court  October  24,  1816.  At  the  same 
court  Benjamin  Rutledge  stood  charged  with  murder  by  the  State,  and  the  following  “good 
and  lawful  ” men  decided  he  was  guilty  as  charged:  Joseph  Brown,  John  Zollicoffer, 
William  Daniel,  John  Mathews,  James  Love,  Alexander  Cathey,  John  Spencer,  Robert  I. 
Yoorbies,  Robert  Kelsey,  Thomas  Stephenson  and  James  Purcell.  Before  passing  sen- 
tence he  plead  the  “benefit  of  the  clergy,”  and  received  as  his  punishment  a brand  of  the 
letter  “M  upon  the  brawn  of  the  left  hand.”  The  punishment  was  executed  upon  him 
November  26,  1816,  at  the  court  house  in  Columbia;  he  was  further  remanded  to  jail  till 
costs  of  the  suit  were  paid.  On  October  25,  1817,  Richard  Hardin  was  charged  by  the 
State  with  petit  larcerv,  to  which  he  answered  that  he  could  not  deny  his  guilt,  but  threw 
himself  upon  the  “ grace  and  mercy  ” of  the  court,  and  for  a sentence  got  three  months- 
in  the  county  jail  and  ten  lashes  upon  his  bare  back.  Jesse  Faulkner  received  the  very 
light  sentence  of  £2  fine  for  horse-stealing.  Horatio  Depriest  resigned  his  office  as  circuit 
court  clerk  December  1,  1818,  and  George  M.  Martin  was  appointed  in  his  place.  Ed- 
mund Kelly,  a native  of  Ireland  and  a subject  of  Great  Britain,  took  out  naturalization 
papers  on  the  oath  of  Daniel  Graham.  Joseph  Brown  and  Micajah  Brooks  each  received 
$2  fines  for  failing  to  appear  as  jurors  in  answer  to  a legal  summons.  The  name  of 
Parry  W.  Humphreys  first  appears  as  judge  over  the  Maury  Court.  On  December  23, 
1821,  S.  S.  Record  was  put  under  a bond  of  81,000  for  offering  a challenge  to  fight  a duel. 
At  the  June  tenn  of  1821,  Edmond  May  and  Robertson  Rose  each  applied  for  pensions  under 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  Congress  passed  March  17,  1815.  The  applications  were  made 
before  Judge  Parr}’  W.  Humphreys. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


1)*J 


Robert  Mack  appeared  on  the  bench  June  IS,  1802,  as  successor  to  Judge  Thomas 
Stuart.  The  vacancy  iu  the  judgeship  was  caused  by  the  formation  of  a new  cir- 
cuit. Judge  Mack  remained  on  the  bench  till  in  ISOS.  He  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  was  born  in  1770;  lived  in  Kentucky  for  a time,  where  he  taught  school  and 
studied  law.  He  became  a resident  of  Columbia  about  1809-10,  and  there  began  the  prac- 
tice of  law.  He  was  a brother-in-law  of  Gov.  Aaron  V.  Brown,  a distinguished  lawyer 
and  politician.  After  retiring  from  active  life  Judge  Mack  devoted  himself  to  literary 
pursuits.  The  result  of  his  works  were  two  volumes  of  poems.  The  first  was  called 
“Kyle  Stuart,  and  Other  Poems”;  the  second,  “ The  Monad,”  an  epic  in  twelve  cautos, 
a story  founded  upon  the  capture  and  destruction  of  Jerusalem  by  Titus.  Judge  Mack 
accumulated  abundant  means,  and  lived  to  enjoy  the  fruition  of  his  legal  and  other  liter- 
ary pursuits  to  the  age  of  ninety-three.  He,  like  Judge  Stuart,  left  no  offspring,  but  what 
was  better  a name  and  fame  to  be  cherished  by  coming  ages.  In  1800  the  Hon.  Joshua 
Haskell  occupied  a seat  on  the  bench  for  one  term  and  the  following  attorneys  were  ad- 
mitted: A.  O.  P.  Nicholson,  J.  H.  Thomas,  W.  II.  Polk,  Bradley  Martin  and  Robert 
Prince.  Another  example  of  old  style  of  justice  was  a fine  of  850,  one  month's  impris- 
onment and  ten  lashes  upon  the  bare  back  of  Peter  Powell,  for  a small  offense  against 
the  State.  The  latter  part  of  the  punishment  was  indicted  by  the  sheriff,  at  the  hour  of 
10  on  December  04,  1303.  Polly  Hicklin  was  granted  a divorce  from  A.  M.  Hicklin  for 
five  years’  “ abandonment  without  cause.”  Berry  White,  au  old  Revolutionary  soldier, 
made  application  for  a pension  at  the  December  term  of  court  in  1824.  On  January  5, 
1807,  the  court  adopted  the  following  rule:  “All  cases  of  action  for  debt  not  really  liti- 

gated shall  be  first  on  trial,  the  fuels  to  be  ascertained  from  the  attorneys  on  both  sides.” 
The  first  suit  for  bigamy  was  brought  against  W.  I).  Mitchell  December  29,  1807. 

About  this  time  was  witnessed  the  close  of  the  much  litigated  case  of  Jones  Kendrick 
(t  al.  against  Dallum.  From  a condensed  statement  of  the  case  at  hand  and  from  the  very 
long  record,  it  is  learned  that  the  suit  grew  out  of  a disputed  title  to  land,  and  it  may  be 
here  remarked  that  that  arose  from  the  vague  terms  given  to  the  original  descrip- 
tion. In  1783  Jones  Kendrick  made  entry  in  the  land  office  of  John  Armstrong  iri  the 
following  words:  “Jones  Kendrick,  5,000  acres  of  land  on  the  west  fork  of  t he  second 
creek  above  Gen.  Greene’s  land,  that  empties  into  Duck  River  on  the  south  side,  beginning 
near  the  fork  of  said  creek,  and  extending  up  the  west  fork  for  complement.”  A few 
days  later  Elijah  Robertson  made  three  entries  in  the  same  office  for  5,000  acres,  each 
lying  in  the  same  neighborhood.  Grants  were  issued  for  these,  and  one  of  them  was 
transferred  to  Dallum  in  1790.  The  portions  of  the  lands  of  Kendrick  and  Dallum  had 
passed  into  the  hands  of  innocent  purchasers.  The  original  suit  arose  as  to  right  of  Ken- 
drick or  Dallum  to  make  proper  title.  The  main  suit  was  carried  to  the  supreme  court 
twice,  once  in  1812  and  referred,  and  again  in  1813.  The  principal  attorneys  in  the  case 
were  Judge  Haywood  and  Judge  Mack  for  plaintiffs,  and  Hayes,  Dickinson,  Whiteside 
and  Cocke  for  defendants.  Numerous  suits  followed,  several  of  which  were  taken  to  the 
supreme  court.  The  final  decisions  were  favorable  to  Kendrick’s  claim. 

By  the  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1809,  which  established  the  circuit  courts,  a 
“supreme  court  of  errors  and  appeals”  was  also  established.  This  was  composed  of  two 
judges  in  error  and  one  circuit  judge.  By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed  in  1821. 
while  in  session  at  Murfreesboro,  Columbia  was  designated  as  one  of  the  places  of  holding 
the  supreme  court.  The  first  session  met  in  Columbia  March  4,  1800;  the  judges  present 
were  John  Haywood,  Thomas  Emmerson  and  Robert  Wh}’te.  The  second  term  was  held 
in  September,  1802,  at  which  were  present  John  Haywood,  Jacob  Peck  and  W.  L. 
Brown.  The  next  term  was  in  September,  1823.  The  judges  present  were  Robert 
Whyte,  W.  L.  Brown,  John  Haywood  and  John  Peck.  The  next  and  last  session  opened 
September  14,  1804.  On  June  20,  1800,  the  grand  jury  returned  “a  true  bill”  for  mur- 
der against  J.  R.  Bennett.  A jury  of  good  and  lawful  men,  Samuel  II.  Williams.  William 
Allen,  John  O.  Davidson,  John  Farney,  E.  E.  Davidson,  William  Kerr,  William  Pillow, 
Arthur  M.  Copeland,  William  Voorhies,  Thomas  Gill,  F.  It.  Houston  and  Williani“Jen- 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


703 


nings  found  him  guilty  as  charged  in  the  indictment.  Judge  Mack  ordered  that  “James 
R.  Bennett  be  remanded  to  the  county  jail  of  Maury  County  for  safe  keeping  till  Thurs- 
day, the  26th  day  of  September.  1826,  on  which  day  he  shall  be  conveyed  by  the  sheriff  of 
Maury  County  to  a gallows  erected  on  the  common  of  Columbia,  and  then  hung  by  the 
neck  until  dead,  and  may  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  his  soul.”  This  execution  was  strictly 
carried  out. 

On  October  24,  1831,  Gideon  J.  Pillow  resigned  as  solicitor  and  Edmund  Dillahunty 
was  appointed  in  his  place.  In  the  same  month  A.  O.  P.  Nicholson  was  admitted  as  an 
attorney,  and  in  April  preceding  Hugh  W.  Wormley  was  admitted  on  motion  of  Gideon 
J.  Pillow.  Whether  by  chance  or  otherwise  the  name  of  Gideon  J.  Pillow  appears  more 
frequently  than  any  other  in  assisting  young  attorneys  to  a position  before  the  bar.  It  is 
needless  to  say  that  this  was  the  distinguished  Gen.  Pillow,  whose  reputation  became 
national  in  the  Mexican  war  as  well  as  in  the  late  war.  After  the  close  of  the  strugglelie 
opened  a law  office  in  Memphis,  where  he  resided  .until  his  death.  William  E.  Kennedy 
who  succeeded  Judge  Mack,  held  his  first  term  of  court  in  Columbia  in  December,  1828. 
He  was  judge  only  till  1S33.  He  was  considered  a profound  lawj’er,  an  able,  conscien- 
tious and  upright  judge,  and  a man  of  high  moral  character.  Although  a married  man  he 
left  no  children  to  survive  him,  He  died  about  1864.  These  three  coincidences  seem 
peculiar  to  Judges  Stuart,  Mack  and  Kennedy;  they  all  lived  to  be  very  old,  left  no  chil- 
dren, and  were  faithful  members  of  the  church.  Judge  William  Fleming  occupied 
Judge  Kennedy’s  seat  for  a time  in  1832.  Judge  L.  31.  Bramlett,  who  had  previously  been 
admitted  to  the  bar,  succeeded  Judge  Kennedy  on  the  bench  of  the  circuit  court  Octo- 
ber 21,  1833,  and  remained  till  October  31,  1835.  Judge  Bramlett  was  a resident  of 
Pulaski,  Giles  County,  and  under  the  new  constitution,  adopted  August  30.  1834,  he 
became  the  first  chancellor.  Chancery  courts  had  been  held  as  early  as  1829,  and  from 
that  time  till  1836,  when  the  new  constitution  went  into  full  effect,  there  had  been  occa- 
sional terms  of  chancery  court.  Those  who  held  chancery  court  to  this  date  were  Will- 
iam E.  Anderson,  W.  A.  Cook,  W.  B.  Reese  and  Nathan  Green.  On  the  adoption  of  the 
new  constitution  Judge  Bramlett  became  chancellor,  a position  which  he  held  till  1S44. 

This  observation  is  noticed  in  regard  to  a motion  to  quash  indictments:  Previous 
to  about  1835  such  motions  were  not  offered  till  after  trial  or  after  sufficient  progress  had 
been  made  to  develop  the  weakness  of  the  case.  A very  efficient  -weapon  had  thus  been 
neglected.  Numerous  cases  of  “selling  liquor  to  slaves,  case,  debt,  ti  ct  armis,  horse 
stealing,  divorce,  larceny,”  were  of  almost  daily  occurrence,  but  anew  indictment  appears 
now  for  the  first  time,  i.  e.,  “betting  on  elections.”  In  1838  James  Hudspeth,  John  Patten, 
E.  D.  Morgan,  George  W.  Kee,  W.  P.  Smith,  William  Wood,  John  Thomas  and  William 
H.  Polk  received  $5  fines  for  such  offense.  At  the  May  term  of  1836  Judge  Dillahunty, 
before  mentioned,  became  circuit  judge,  which  position  he  held  till  his  death  in  1852.  For 
several  years  before  his  death  he  was  frequently  called  upon  to  give  place  to  others  on 
account  of  ill  health.  He  is  described  as  a “profound,  clear-headed,  common-law  law- 
yer, an  able  and  pure  judge.”  He  was  a benevolent,  social,  public-spirited,  Christian 
gentleman.  He  was  the  son-in-law  of  Abraham  Looney,  the  head  of  a prominent  and 
respectable  family.  He  lived  a happy  and  congenial  married  life  but  left  no  children. 

The  first  suits  of  usury  began  about  1840;  be  this  said,  however,  they  were  not  num- 
erous. On  March  31,  1843,  appeared  this  suit:  James  K.  Polk,  governor,  to  the  use  of  the 
president  and  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Tennessee  vs.  Henry  Turney,  J.  B.  Johnson,  Sam- 
uel H.  Duncan  and  James  R.  Plummer.  The  jury  gave  judgment  for  plaintiff  in  the  sum  of 
$22,396,  and  further  against  defendants,  except  as  to  J.  R.  Plummer,  in  the  sum  of  $100,- 
000,  and  that  judgment  issued,  etc.  Numerous  suits  were  brought  between  the  Union 
Bank  of  Tennessee  and  individuals,  also  between  the  Planters’  Bank  of  Tennessee  and 
private  parties  till  the  war,  and  some  years  after  the  war. 

In  1844  the  grand  jury  to  inquire  into  the  body  of  the  county  found  that  “William  A. 
Caldwell,  late  of  said  county,  laborer,  not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes,  but  being 
moved  and  seduced  by  the  Devil  on  the  28th  day  of  October,  1844,  with  force  and  arms,  did 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


,764 


assault  Patrick  Horuard,  in  the  peace  of  God  and  of  tlie  State,  then  and  there  being  feloni- 
ously, wilfully,  deliberately,  maliciously,  premeditatedly,  with  malice  aforethought,  to 
kill  and  commit  murder  in  the  first  degree  with  a certain  gun  of  the  value  of  $5,  loaded 
with  gun-powder  and  divers  leaden  shot,  which  he,  William  A.  Caldwell,  did  then  and 
there  hold,  etc.'*’  The  prisoner  was  put  under  bond,  and  escaped  trial  by  forfeiture  of 
recognizance.  Exacting  justice  required  of  Ferdinand  Manny,  who  had  stolen  eleven 
knives  of  the  value  of  $3.30  and  had  returned  but  three  of  them  and  60  cents,  should 
get  two  years  at  hard  labor  in  the  “jail  house  of  the  penitentiary”  and  pay  a fine  of  $‘2. TO. 
Among  the  lawj'ers  not  specially  mentioned  who  were  before  the  Columbia  bar 
were  Doud,  Thomas  and  James  B.  Craighead,  Robert  C.  Foster,  Allen  Brown,  Francis  B. 
Fogg,  Alfred  Balch  and  Robert  L.  Cobb,  all  attorney-generals  for  this  district.  Francis 
B.  Fogg.  J.  Egnew,  Madison  Caruthers  and  R.  H.  Almire,  gentlemen,  were  admitted  in 
1818.  Judges:  Samuel  S.  Frierson,  Terry  H.  Cahal,  William  P.  Martin,  A.  O.  P.  Xiehol- 
son.  Others  were  James  K.  Polk,  W.  D.  Mitchell,  J.  H.  Thomas,  W.  H.  Polk,  Robert 
Prince,  Barclay  Martin,  Walter  Colemau,  J.  B.  White,  Russell  Houston,  John  H.  Dew,  M. 
S.  Frierson,  G.  W.  Gordon,  Nathaniel  Baxter,  J.  K.  Walker,  W.  S.  Rainey,  J.  H.  Ros- 
borougli,  W.  F.  Cooper,  W.  C.  Whitthorne,  W.  S.  Flemming,  R.  G.  Payne,  L.  D.  Myers, 
George  Gantt,  W.  J.  Sykes,  Hillary  Ward,  Amos  Hughes,  R.  F.  Looney,  A.  M.  Looney, 
W.  Y.  Thompson,  F.  C.  Dunnington,  N.  R.  Wilkes,  J.  L.  Bullock,  J.  H.  Fussell,  G.  P. 
Frierson,  J.  T.  L.  Cochran,  J.  H.  Dew,  W.  B.  Gordon,  X.  H.  Burt,  William  Voorhies,  T. 
J.  Sprinkle,  J.  M.  Sidberry,  J.  M.  Arnold,  Nathan  Allen,  N.  R.  Wilkes,  Nathaniel  Arm- 
strong. Mr.  Hughes,  II.  B.  Estes,  J.  W.  Allen,  Joe  E.  Johnston,  J.  S.  Bullock,  W.  B. 


Gordi 


farther  on.  Terry  II.  Cahal,  who  succeeded  Judge  Bramlett  as  chancellor  in  1844,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  till  his  death  in  1851,  was  a man  of  strong  and  vigorous  intellect. 
A committee  of  the  bar  of  Columbia,  of  which  S.  D.  Frierson  was  chairman,  resolved 
May  7,  1851,  that  “Terry  H.  Cahal  was  a man  of  noble  and  generous  character,  and  had  a 
heart  full  of  generous  impulses.  If  he  was  impulsive  and  ambitious  (and  we  know  he 
was),  he  was  possessed  of  a generous  heart;  while  he  was  courageous  and  fearless,  he  was 
ready  to  forgive  and  to  acknowledge  his  own  faults;  a warm-hearted  companion,  a devoted 
friend,  a liberal  lawyer  at  the  bar  and  a devotee  to  his  profession.  He  was  useful  in  the 
Legislative  councils,  and  brave  upon  the  battle  fields  of  Florida.  His  traits  were,  how- 
ever, not  sufficient  to  avert  the  arrow  of  death,  which  truly  ‘loves  a shining  mark.’  ” 
After  the  retirement  of  Chancellor  Bramlett  the  office  was  filled  by  special  appointment, 
first  by  S.  D.  Frierson,  and  afterward  by  A.  O.  P.  Nicholson.  Judge  J.  S.  Brine  was  made 
chancellor  in  1852,  which  position  he  held  till. 1854,  and  then  resigned  to  resume  the  prac- 
tice of  the  law.  As  a judge,  Chancellor  Brine  gave  eminent  satisfaction.  On  the  death 
of  Judge  Dillahunty,  of  the  circuit  court,  the  Hon.  William  P.  Martin  became  circuit 
judge,  and  held  the  position  till  the  courts  were  closed  by  the  war,  which  was  in  Septem- 
ber, 1861.  Hon.  John  C.  Walker  was  appointed  circuit  judge  in  1864  in  this  district,  and 
held  the  position  till  1866,  but  no  courts  were  held  during  that  time.  The  last  jurors  sum- 
moned before  the  war  were  William  Adkinson,  E.  P.  Mays,  G.  A.  Kennedy,  Simpson 


Leggett,  A.  W.  Denham,  Henry  Hartin,  J.  L.  Renfroe,  C.  A.  Thompson,  J.  B.  Stockard, 
J.  N.  Alexander,  L.  Smith,  G.  W.  G.  Maxwell,  A.  E.  Neeley,  W.  L.  Colquit,  J.  L.  Baird, 
W.  B.  Wormley,  J.  H.  Joyce*  J.  H.  Frierson,  J.  II.  Colley,  A.  Williams,  Munford  Smith, 
Richard  Blecker,  T.  J.  Smith.  D.  McClanahan,  J.  J.  Bingham,  S.  Goodwin,  J.  Adkinson, 
Willis  Nichols,  William  Roberts,  D.  R.  Dortch,  A.  J.  Turner,  W.  H.  Davidson,  W.  D. 
Bryant,  A.  S.  Dyer  and  Thomas  Hardeman.  The  first  court  after  the  war  was  opened  by 
Hon.  Henry  Cooper,  in  exchange  seats  with  Judge  Hillary  Ward.  The  following  jurors 
were  summoned:  P.  C.  Church,  W.  C.  Kennedy,  J.  J.  Williams,  Robertson  Bryant,  W.  C. 
Patton,  C.  A.  Tomlinson,  W.  H.  Holt,  Samuel  W.  Scott,  J.  G.  Dobbins,  Benjamin  Harri- 
son, E.  C.  Frierson,  A.  W.  Hill,  A.  J.  Lindsley,  J.  II.  Thomason,  W.  J.  Cecil,  J.  II.  Rus- 
sell! Daniel  McKannon,  Thomas  Baird,  II.  C.  Kirk,  J.  P.  Adkins,  J.  G.  Robinson,  J.  II. 
Brown,  E.  Kirby,  31.  G.  Allen,  J.  M.  Foster,  W.  F.  Moore,  C.  H.  Gray,  John  Glenn,  C.  P. 
Jones,  John  Nicholson,  Sr.,  and  Duncan  McKea. 


j 

< 


- 


{ 


i 

'( 


4 


Ro  zzr.  N.Y. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


765 


Soon  after  the  assembling  of  court  the  bar  was  called  upon  to  offer  suitable  memo- 
rials of  respect  to  the  memory  of  Chancellor  S.  D.  Frierson,  who  was  the  successor  of 
Judge  Brine.  Judge  Frierson  died  March  J.1,  1S06,  while  holding  a term  of  court  at 
Pulaski.  Judge  Frierson  was  a native  of  Williamsburg  District,  S.  C.,  where  he  was  born 
in  1803,  immigrated  to  Maury  County  in  1807,  graduated  at  Transylvania  University  in 
1821,  was  admitted  to  the  barkiu  1824,  and  elected  chancellor  in  1853.  The  committee, 
consisting  of  Judge  W.  P.  Martin,  W.  S.  Flemming,  S.  D.  M}~ers,  J.  H.  Thomas  and  S.  S. 
Merrill,  said  of  him  that  he  was  a mau  of  ‘‘classic  education,  extensive  reading,  thorough 
and  critically  learned  as  a lawyer,  and  was  master  of  the  great  principles  of  equity  juris- 
prudence.” On  the  death  of  Judge  Frierson.  Judge  David  Campbell,  of  Franklin,  was 
appointed  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  after  acting  about  one  year,  was  succeeded  by  Judge  H. 
H.  Harrison,  who  took  his  seat  in  April.  1867;  He  also  resigned  in  a short  time,  and  was 
succeeded  by  Judge  John  C.  Walker  by  appointment.  This  position  he  held  till  the  August 
election  in  1870,  when  Hon.  W.  S.  Flemming  was  elected.  Judge  Flemming  will  have  re- 
tired from  the  bench  in  August,  a position  which  he  has  held  with  eminent  credit  to  him- 
self and  satisfaction  to  his  constituents  for  the  last  sixteen  years.  In  November,  1867, 
A.  M.  Hughes  became  circuit  judge  and  held  the  position  till  1870,  when  Judge  Martin 
became  circuit  judge  under  the  new  constitution.  In  1872  a criminal  court  was  established, 
composed  of  the  counties  of  Maury,  Williamson,  Giles  and  Marshall.  The  Hon.  “William 
S.  McLemore,  of  Williamson  County,  was  elected  judge  of  this  court,  a position  which  he 
still  holds. 

James  K.  Polk,  a prominent  practicing  attorney  at  the  Columbia  bar,  was  elected 
to  Congress  in  1825,  where  he  served  till  1839.  He  was  speaker  of  the  House  from 
December  5,  1836,  to  March  4,  1837,  and  again  from  December  4,  1837,  to  July  9,  183S. 
Other  congressmen  from  Maury  County  were  Barclay  Martin,  James  H.  Thomas,  William 
H.  Polk  (brother  of  President  Polk)  and  AY.  C.  Whitthorne,  recentl}’  appointed  to  the 
United  States  Senate  to  fill  out  the  unexpired  term  of  Senator  Howell  E.  Jackson,  who 
resigned  to  accept  a United  States  District  Circuit  Judgeship.  A.  0.  P.  Nicholson  was  a 
native  of  Williamson  County,  where  he  was  born  August  31,  1808.  He  spent  his  early 
years  near  Spring  Hill,  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill,  N.  C.,  in  1827,  attended  a course  of  med- 
ical lectures  in  Philadelphia  in  1828,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  in  1831.  He  was  sent 
to  the  Legislature  in  1833,  and  was  for  a time  one  of  the  editors  of  The  Western  Mercury. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  organizing  the  government  under  the  constitution  of  1834,  and 
in  putting  into  operation  the  internal  improvements,  banking  and  common  school  system 
of  1837.  In  1836  he  assisted  in  the  compilation  of  the  statutes  of  the  State.  In  1835  he 
was  appointed  land  commissioner  for  Mississippi  by  President  Jackson,  but  refused  the 
office.  r In  1840  he  was  presidential  elector  on  the  A7an  Buren  ticket,  and  in  1841  was  ap- 
pointed United  States  senator  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Felix  Grundy. 
In  1844  he  canvassed  the  State  for  James  K.  Polk,  and  in  1845  removed  to  Nashville  and 
became  editor  of  the  Union.  He  returned  to  Columbia  in  1850,  and  was  appointed  chan- 
cellor by  Gov.  Trousdale,  but  resigned  at  the  end  of  the  year.  In  1852  he  was  presidential 
elector  for  Franklin  Pierce,  and  in  1853  became  editor  of  the  Washington  Union,  and  in 
a short  time  was  elected  public  printer.  He  became  United  States  senator  again  in  1857, 
and  served  till  the  State  s'eceded.in  1861.  He  was  a member  of  the  constitutional  conven- 
tion of  1870,  and  was  the  same  year  elected  one  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court,  and 
was  chosen  by  that  body  as  chief  justice,  a position  which  be  held  till  his  death  March 
28,  1876. 

Hon.  AY.  F.  Cooper,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Tennessee,  was  born  in  Maury  County, 
and  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1838,  and  at  once  began  practice  with  Hon.  S.  D.  Frier- 
son. In  1861  he  was  elected  one  of  the  supreme  judges,  but  never  took  his  seat  on  account 
of  the  war.  He  was  appointed  chancellor  of  the  Nashville  District  in  1872,  and  elected 
to  the  same  position  in  1874.  In  1878  he  was  elected  one  of  the  supreme  judges,  a position 
which  he  still  holds.  A fuller  sketch  of  him  will  be  found  in  this  volume. 

By  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  in  the  year  1807  a board  of  commissioners  was  created 

48 


7G6 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a site  for  a county  seat.  The  language  of  Section  3 of  said 
act  is  “Joshua  Williams,  William  Frierson,  Isaac  Roberts,  John  Lindsey  and  Joseph 
Brown  are  hereby  appointed  commissioners,  who  or  a majorit\T  of  whom  shall,  as  soon  as 
may  be,  fix  a place  most  convenient,  on  or  as  near  Duck  River  as  the  nature  of  the  case  will 
admit,  for  a court  house,  prisons  and  stocks  for  the  use  of  said  county  of  Maury,  which 
place  shall  not  exceed  three  miles  from  the  center  east  or  west,  and  after  agreeing  on  a 
place  they  shall  proceed  to  purchase  or  otherwise  procure  not  less  than  one  hundred  acres  of 
land,  for  which  they  shall  cause  a deed  or  deeds  to  be  made  to  themselves  or  their  successors 
in  office  by  a general  warranty,  on  which  they  shall  cause  a town  to  be  laid  off,  with  neces- 
sary streets  and  alleys,  neither  of  4which  streets  shall  be  less  than  one  hundred  feet  wide, 
reserving  two  acres  as  near  the  center  as  may  be,  on  which  the  court  house,  prison  and 
stocks  shall  be  erected,  which  town  shall  be  known  by  the  name  of  Columbia.”  One  half 
the  lots  near  the  square  were  to  be  sold  to  the  highest  bidder  at  public  auction  on  twelve 
months  credit.  The  sale  was  to  be  advertised  for  sixty  days  in  the  Nashville  Gazette  aud 
Impartial  Review.  The  money  arising  from  the  sale  was  to  be  used  in  the  erection  of  the 
court  house,  prison  and  stocks,  and,  in  case  there  was  not  sufficient  money  obtained,  the 
commissioners  had  power  to  levy  a tax  of  12-£  cents  on  each  100  acres  of  land,  the  same 
amount  on  each  white  poll  and  double  that  amount  on  each  black  poll  and  $5  on  each 
merchant  or  peddler,  to  be  collected  by  the  collector  of  public  taxes.  On  May  30,  1803, 
the  commissioners  received  a deed  from  John  White  for  150  acres,  more  or  less,  of  land,  for 
which  White  received  $500.  The  land  is  described  as  “situate  and  lying  on  the  soutlLside 
of  Duck  River,  being  a part  of  5,000  acres  granted  to  Nicholas  Long,  bounded  on  the-  west 
by  General  Greene’s  Survey.”  The  land  was  conveyed  by  Congress  to  Long,  and  by  Long  to 
Arthur  Bledsoe,  and  by  Bledsoe’s  heirs  to  John  White,  and  by  White  to  the  commissioners 
aforesaid.  . The  land  adjoined  the  lands  of  Joseph  McDowell  and  were  a part  of  Grant  216. 
The  sale  of  lands  began  August  1,  1808.  The  following  were  the  original  purchasers: 
Peter  Bass,  John  Caruthers,  Lawrence  Thompson,  William  Daniel,  Kavanaugh  & Berry 
John  Williams,  Lucy  White,  Joe  Brown,  William  Berry,  Peter  Cheatham,  Ilezekiah  Al- 
mont,  James  Bruce,  Zilman  Spenser,  B.  F.  Spenser,  Nelson  & Cannon,  Stump  & Johnson. 
John  Spenser,  J.  B.  Porter,  Richard  Garret,  Joseph  Lemaster,  John  Bell,  Robert  Weakley, 
William  Frierson,  Britton  Bridges,  John  Lyon,  Nicholas  Cobler,  Henderson  A Rutledge, 
Samuel  Taylor,  William  and  Abner  Pillow,  McPhail  & McGilray,  Bird  Hurt,  Thomas 
Hardin,  J.  Neulin,  Nicholson  & Goodloe,  John  M.  Goodloe,  Gabriel  Benson,  A.  C.  Yates, 
James  Gullett,  Moses  Chaffin,  George  Cockburn,  Alfred  Balcb,  Isaac  Roberts,  John 
Keenan,  McGee  & King,  Thomas  Deaderick,  Berryhill  King,  Edward  McGafferty,  David 
Nolen,  Samuel  Polk,  Edwin  Mangrum,  John  Lindsey,  E.  W.  Dale,  H.  Depriest,  Patrick 
McGuire,  William  Wallace,  William  Anderson,  L.  B.  Mangrum,  E.  B.  Littlefield,  William 
Wood,  Meredeth  Helm,  W.  T.  Lewis,  S.  P.  Maxwell  R.  D.  Shackleford,  James  Pearshall, 
J.  W.  Egnew,  Jethro  Brown,  John  Woodruff,  Elisha  Uzzell,  John  Wormley,  W.  A. 
Johnson,  Isaac  Bills,  James  Huey,  Abraham  Whitelock,  Richard  Hanks,  Joseph  Love  and 
A.  R.  Alexander.  By  an  act  of  Section  2,  approved  November  14,  1809,  the  commission- 
ers were  to  appropriate  two  acres  of  ground  unsold  for  a church  and  burying  ground. 
This  ground  was  called  “Greenwood,”  and  lies  on  the  left  bank  and  on  the  south  side  of 
the  river.  This  was  the  chief  burying  place  for  the  people  of  Columbia  till  1854,  when 
the  new  cemetery  was  chartered. 

Section  3 of  the  above  act  required  the  commissioner  to  cause  a jail  to  be  built  “on 
some  part  of  a lot  not  sold,  not  on  the  square,  other  laws  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.” 
Section  5 required  the  commissioners  to  build  a market-house  on  the  Public  Square  from 
the  sale  of  lots.  On  November  14,  1809,  the  commissioners  of  Columbia  were  authorized 
to  appropriate  money  from  the  sale  of  lots  to  purchase  a bell  and  clock  for  the  court 
house.  The  exact  location  of  the  county  seat  was  attended  with  much  difficulty,  as  con- 
flicting interests  divided  the  opinions  of  the  commissioners.  The  places  taken  under 
serious  advisement  were  the  present  site  of  Columbia,  and  the  place  owned  by  Gen.  Rob- 
erts, a few  miles  from  Columbia,  on  the  north  side  of  the  river.  It  is  claimed  it 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


707 


received  a majority  vote  of  the  commissioners,  but  on  reconsideration  the  vote  was  given 
for  Columbia. 

The  place  selected  was  either  covered  with  heavy  timber  or  around  the  three  large 
ponds;  one  marked  by  the  site  of  the  Bethell  House  was  covered  with  heavy  canebrakes, 
where  grew  very  tall  cane.  Where  the  Masonic  Temple  stands  was  a crossing  of  timber 
for  footmen  over  one  of  these  ponds.  The  timber  was  soon  cleared  away,  the  cane  de- 
stroyed and  the  ponds  filled  or  drained,  and  the  infant  city  started.  One  of  the  first 
business  houses  erected  in  Columbia  was  the  indispensable  inn.  Jeremiah  Cherry  owned 
a large  inn  in  Columbia  in  1810;  how  much  earlier  it  was  built  is  not  known.  Peter 
Cheatham  built  an  inn  a little  later  near  where  Black’s  livery  stable  now  stands,  but  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  street.  Maj.  Lewis  kept  a house  of  entertainment  near  where  the  Guest 
House  now'  stands,  over  half  a century  ago.  He  was  followed  in  the  same  house  by  a 
Mr.  Ransom.  The  first  store  in  the  place,  it  is  thought,  was  built  by  John  Hodge.  This 
stood  where  Mr.  Taylor  Voss  now  lives,  and  was  a three-cornered  brick,  the  first  of  the 
kind  in  the  place, ’and  stood  on  the  south  side  of  the  Square.  The  main  building  of  Hodge 
was  of  logs,  and  the  brick  was  added  to  it.  William  W.  Bcrryhill,  another  store-keeper, 
had  a store  also  on  the  south  side  of  the  Square.  Berryhill’s  building  was  of  logs,  and 
was  two  stories  in  height.  .Peter  Cohea  kept  what  was  called  the  Indian  store.  Here 
most  of  the  Indians  did  their  trading.  They  came  in  droves,  with  their  pack  ponies 
loaded  with  peltries  and  such  articles  as  they  had  for  traffic.  They  would  remain  a num- 
ber of  days  in  town,  and  would  spend  what  money  and  trade  they  might  have  in  whisky 
nnd  trinkets.  They  wTere  particularly  fond  of  chinaware.  Another  store  was  kept  bv  a 
widow,  Mrs.  McCain,  as  early,  it  is  thought,  as  1813.  She  had  two  sons,  John  and  Joseph, 
who  assisted  her  in  her  work.  She  was  the  first  female  store-keeper  in  the  town  or  county, 
and  was  a woman  of  taste  and  culture.  Her  house  was  a favorite  resort  at  the  time  for 
the  ladies  for  tea  parties  and  social  gatherings.  Simon  Johnson  was  another  pioneer 
merchant  in  Columbia,  whose  place  of  business  was  on  East  Market  Street  near  Black’s 
livery  stable.  David  Martin  had  a small  store  near  the  present  site  of  the  Gust  House. 
Patrick  McGuire  kept  a store  near  the  present  place  of  Titcomb  & Frierson's  drug  store. 
He  became  quite  wealthy,  and  was  the  owner  of  a large  quantity  of  real  estate.  Other 
hotel  keepers  not  mentioned  above  were  John  Anderson,  the  father  of  a very  prominent 
family  well  known  throughout  the  county,  and  Mrs.  Hocks,  whose  domineering  over  her 
husband  is  remembered  to  this  day. 

The  first  physicians  were  Drs.  Estes  and  O’Reilly,  who  located  in  or  near  Columbia 
about  the  time  the  town  was  laid  out.  These  were  both  good  physicians  and  high-toned 
gentlemen.  Dr.  DePriest  settled  in  Columbia  in  1809,  and  was  a man  of  promise,  but 
committed  suicide.  Two  others  were  Drs.  McNiel  and  Sansom,  each  of  whom  came  to 
Columbia  in  1810.  In  addition  to  these  were  Dr.  McJimsey,  who  came  about  1813,  and 
Dr.  Graves,  a man  of  very  fine  ability, who  came  some  years  later.  A paper-mill  was  run 
by  a Mr.  Whiting,  but  the  date  is  not  remembered.  There  was  a coppersmith,  by  the 
name  of  Monroe  or  McMuun;  his  shop  stood  where  William  Woods’  shop  now  stands,  lie 
was  considered  a very  fine  workman,  and  manufactured  materials  for  copper  stills. 

The  first  hatter  was  Elisha  Uzzcll.  As  imported  hats  were  not  of  easy  access  his 
work  was  in  great  demand.  -A  man  named  Burns  was  a leather-dresser  and  glove-maker. 
As  deer  were  then  plentiful  his  work  was  largely  confined  to  the  dressing  of  deer-skins. 
Burns’  Spring  was  named  in  honor  of  Burns.  The  first  saddlers  were  William  and  Peter  I. 
Yoorhies,  John  Lewder,  and  a Mr.  Kirkpatrick.  The  first  cabinet  workmen  were  Mathias 
Warfield  and  Purcell,  the  latter  was  also  a carpenter,  and  did  a considerable  business. 
Mr.  Vaught,  who  came  to  Columbia  in  1809,  was  tutored  by  Mr.  Purcell,  and  followed  his 
trade  till  the  outbreak  of  the  war,  and  was  rendered  unfit  for  work  by  age.  It  is  claimed 
for  him  that  he  built  more  houses  in  and  around  Columbia  than  any  other  man  in  the 
county.  At  an  early  period,  1814,  there  were  two  rope  factories;  one  of  these  was  owned 
by  a man  named  McQuidley,  and  stood  where  Shepard’s  grocery  store  stands.  Mebley 
built  a powder-mill  at  White’s  Spring,  a place  well  suited  by  nature  for  the  mill.  The 


" 


70S 


HISTORY 


OF  TEXN 


saltpeter  was  obtained  at  a place  about  twelve  miles  southwest  of  Columbia.  The  first 
mill  was  built  by  Mr.  Henderson,  and  it  stood  where  t lie  jail  now  stands.  This  was  a 
horse-mill,  and  was  afterward  changed,  into  a cotton-gin.  The  first  water-mill  was  built 
by  Mr.  Wallace,  near  where  Sewell's  mill  now  stands. 

The  first  silversmith  was  a man  named  Cress}*,  who  came  to  the  place  about  1814;  be 
was  followed  by  dames  Wilkins,  in  1810.  who  reached  the  age  of  almost  four  score  and  ten 
years.  Samuel  Northern  took  up  his  residence  in  Columbia  in  1820.  8oou  after  him  came 
two  of  his  relative-^,  James  and  William  R.  Hedge.  These  men  prospered  in  their  busi- 
ness and  became  wealthy.  At  this  period  nearly  every  man  was  his  own  shoe-maker,  and 
frequently  furnished  hides  to  the  numerous  tan-yards,  with  which  every  neighborhood 
abounded:  there  were  three  of  these  near  Columbia.  One  of  these  was  owned  by  Joseph 
Hart,  near  what  has  since  been  called  Noah's  Ark,  and  another,  further  down,  owned  by 
Capt.  M.  Helm.  The  latter  was  run  till  a comparatively  recent  date;  a third  one  was 
owned  by  John  M.  Smoot.  The  last  named  stood  near  White’s  Spring.  Alexander  Laird 
has  the  honor  of  having  been  the  first  brick-mason,  and  Thomas  Norton  the  first  plasterer 
and  painter.  The  business  men.  as  late  as  1S2» t.  were  Patrick  McGuire.  William  Perry- 
hill,  Caleb  Longley,  John  T.  Moore,  lad  ward  W.  I>ale.  Joint  Hodge.  James  Lvftwick.  E.  II 
Chaffin.  David  Gillespie,  James  Walker  and  1L  A.  Vail.  I>et  wceit  182u  and  IS’"  there  were, 
in  addition  to  a portion  of  the  above.  Samuel  MMJqw-hI  A'oopm-  A Hill.  Joseph  Hern- 
don, Evan  You  mo  James  R.  Plummer.  Henry  Langtrv.  Adi  at  O.  Harris.  J.  S.  Walker, 
Patrick  McGuire.  Abram  Looney  and  W.  J.  Dale.  From  1830  to  18-10  there  were  W.  J 
Dale.  Looney  A Sons.  J.  S.  Walker.  Frierson  A C’o.,  Evan  Young.  Henry  Langtry.  James 

T 1 r>i W T T 1 Ti  - . . i-  1 .1  -I  • • • • 

n.  i iuiiiiiu  i auu  m . ij . iMiv.  in-'e  u e i e at:  ueue:  a.  stn:e>.  me  ian>  >ih.x 


at 


acauvmY 
, o 


lines  not  having  yet  been  made.  Emm  a papei 
bia  contained  1.500  inhabitants,  had  1 college.  1 
office,  3 churches.  3 divines.  13  lawyers,  5 doctors,  20  st 
smiths,  3 brick-layers,  8 carpenter-.  4 cabinet-makers, 

4 saddlers,  4 shoe-makers.  3 silversmiths,  4 tailors.  2 tanners.  2 tinners.  2 wagon-make 
1 cotton-gin.  2 carding  machines  and  1 bank — Union  Pauk.  From  1840  to  18-50  the  le 


1 it  is  learned  that  in  1834  Colum 
. 4 common  schools,  1 printing 
s.  3 taverns.  2 groceries.  4 black 
un>miths,  2 hatters,  2 painters 


ing  business  men  were  W.  J.  Dale.  A.  O.  Harris,  Frierson  A C’o..  Evan  Young.  James  R 
Plummer,  Henry  Langtry,  Looney  A Pros.,  -J.  P.  Graves,  -T.  A'  A.  Morgan.  Porter  A 
Partee.  Hayden  A Fisher.  J.  W.  Gamelin  and  John  H.  Ewin. 

Between  1850  and  1800  there  were  W.  J.  Dale,  James  Akin,  James  M.  Larkin.  James 
R.  Plummer.  Smith  A Davidson,  Gardner  Frierson,  L.  II.  Duncan.  The  present  principal 
business  men  and  houses  of  Columbia  are  as  follows;  Dry  goods — Mayes  A Frierson. 
McEweu  A Dale,  O.  Cower,  A.  Gross.  George  Hedge.  Most  Hedge.  Clothing— Rosenthal 
& Bro..  L.  Ottenross  and  Mayes  A Frierson.  Groceries — E.  IV.  Gamble  'wholesale  and 
retail),  Chaffin  A Bro.,  Niohlls  A Nichols.  Watt  Embry,  R.  Holding.  Hinds  A Peters. 
Furnishing  goods— George  Wilkes.  Boots,  shoes,  hats  and  caps — R.  W.  Walkins.  Hard- 
ware— Elam  A Ewing,  Street.  Embry  A Co..  Andrews  A McGregor.  Furniture — W.  J. 
Oakes.  Drug  stores — Rains  A Son,  Titcontb  A Frierson,  Joseph  Towler.  W.  P.  Wol- 
dridge.  Millinery  stores — Mrs.  Jones.  Mrs.  Buttle  and  J.  B.  Munter.  Bookstore — S.  G. 
Comstock.  Livery  stables— Mayes,  Dodson  A Coperton,  Moore  A Prewett,  J.  P.  MeGaw 
and  W.  A.  Buttle  A Co.  Grain  dealers — McLemore  A Bro.,  E.  W.  Gamble  and  B.  Hold- 
ing A Cochran.  Saw  and"  planing-mill — B.  C.  Brown.  Hotels — Bothell  House.  Guest 
House  and  Nelson  House.  Jewelers— W.  Abe  Smith.  J.  H.  James. 


The  act  incorporating  Columbia  passed  the  General  Assembly  November,  IT,  1817,  by 
which  it  became  a body  corporate  and  politic  under  the  name  and  style  of  mayor  and  alder- 
men of  the  city  of  Columbia.  Various  acts  pertaining  to  the  city  have  passed  the  General 
Assembly  at  different  times.  A somewhat  extended  charter  was  passed  in  1848  and  further 
changes  were  made  in  1850,  1850  and  again  in  1870.  A destruction  of  the  recoriis  rendei 
it  impossible  to  follow  the  city  government  through  all  its  changes.  The  record  shows  that 
the  city  has  between  5,000  and  G,o00  inhabitants,  and  a taxable  property  of  more  than 
$1,500,000.  and  a debt  of  less  than  $50,000.  The  city  government  con-fi-ts  of  a mayor, 








MAURY  COUNTY. 


769 

recorder,  cit}"  attorney,  marshal,  each  elected  yearly,  and  a board  of  aldermen  each  of 
whom  is  elected  for  three  years.  The  present  executive  officers  are  Joseph  Towler, 
mayor;  L.  B.  Lander,  recorder;  YV.  C.  Taylor,  attorney  and  John  Latta,  marshal. 

By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  April  22,  1S07  and  approved  October  11,  1809,  it 
was  enacted  by  the  State  of  Tennessee,  “That  Isaac  Roberts,  John  Spencer,  William 
Bradshaw,  Joseph  Brown,  William  Berryhill,  William  W.  Thompson.  Simon  Johnson, 
Abraham  Whitefield  and  L.  B.  Estis,  and  their  successors  in  office  be  and  are  hereby  con- 
stituted a body  corporate  and  politic  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the  Columbia  Water 
Company,  and  by  that  name  may  sue  and  be  sued,  etc.’’  Section  3d  provided  that  they 
might  draw  $300  from  the  commissioners  of  Columbia,  from  the  sale  of  lands,  the  receipt 
of  the  company  being  a sufficient  voucher  for  the  money.  Additional  members  were  added 
to  tbe  company  September  30,  1811,  viz.:  John  Hodge,  William  McNiel,  Samuel  Craig, 
Jeremiah  Cherry,  Peter  Cheatham,  Isaac  Harden  and  John  M.  Taylor.  Similar  powers 
were  extended  to  these  as  to  the  former  members.  Water  was  to  be  conveyed  by  some 
means  to  the  Public  Square.  It  is  believed  no  material  steps  were  taken  to  effect  a supply 
of  water  for  tbe  city  till  between  1825  and  1830,  when  Arnold  Zillner,  a practical  mechanic, 
constructed  a rather  rude  system  of  works.  Water  was  conveyed  from  White’s  spring  by 
means  of  a water-wheel  to  a re&rvoir  placed  near  the  spring.  The  water  being  insufficient 
in  quantity  a larger  wheel  was  placed  at  the  river.  A dam  was  constructed  and  by  means 
of  the  fair  of  a large  quantity  of  water  sufficient  force  was  obtained  to  elevate  all  the 
water  necessary  for  the  town.  The  water  was  at  first  conveyed  by  means  of  cedar  pipes, 
which  were  afterward  supplanted  by  leaden  ones  and  these  still  later  by  iron  pipes.  In 
winter,  and  when  the  river  was  too  high  tor  the  wheel  at  the  river  to  work,  the  one  kept  at 
the  spring  was  brought  into  use.  After  dong  service  for  a great  many  years  the  old  water- 
wheels were  supplanted  by  a steam-engine.  A reservoir  was  constructed  so  as  to  hold  all 
the  water  from  White’s  Spring,  which  by  this  means  afforded  a sufficiency  of  water. 

An  ordinance  was  passed  April  30,  1883,  and  submitted  to  a vote  of  tbe  citizens  of  the 
town  and  ratified  by  them  April  12,  1883.  The  company  is  known  as  the  Columbia  Water 
Company.  For  the  consideration  of  $1  the  pump  house  was  allowed  to  be  erected  on 
Duck  River,  the  water  to  be  drawn  from  above  the  sewerage  of  the  city.  For  the  same 
consideration  the  reservoir  was  allowed  to  be  erected  on  Mount  Parnassus  Knob,  about 
300  feet  above  the  level  of  Duck  River.  The  contract  was  made  with  Travers  Daniel,  of 
Clarksville,  Tenn.,  and  the  mayor  and  aldermen  for  the  city  of  Columbia.  The  company 
erected  an  engine  of  almost  100  horse-power,  with  a pumping  capacity  of  1,153,000  gallons 
per  day.  The  reservoir  has  a capacity  of  about  2.000,000  gallons.  The  company  have 
laid  about  six  miles  of  mains,  and  have  forty-four  double-nozzle  fire  hydrants,  for 
which  the  city  pays  $3,000  per  annum.  The  company  have  water  privilege  for  fifty  years, 
but  at  the  end  of  each  ten  years  the  city  has  the  privilege  of  purchasing  the  works  at  a 
price  agreed  upon  by  a board  selected  for  that  purpose. 

June  14,  1883,  a steam  fire  department  was  organized.  It  consists  of  one  steam  fire- 
engine,  one  hose  carriage  and  other  apparatus.  The  company  consists  of  one  captain, 
first  and  second  pipemen,  and  first  and  second  assistant  pipemen,  one  engine  driver,  one 
hose  driver  and  volunteers  not  to  exceed  twenty-five  men.  The  Steam  Fire  Company  and 
the  Columbia  Water  Company  afford  very  ample  protection  against  fire. 

The  Columbia  Gas  Company  was  incorporated  in  1883  by  Henry  Cooper,  A.  W.  Stocked, 
E.  W.  Gamble,  J.  L.  Jones.  H.  D.  Fitch  and  others.  The  exclusive  privilege  for  furnish- 
ing gas  light  to  the  city  was  granted  to  the  company  for  ten  years,  with  some  restrictions. 
It  was  known  as  the  Chess -Car ley  Company.  By  the  contract  the  company  was  compelled 
to  begin  work  within  six  months  and  complete  the  work  within  twelve  months.  The 
company  erected  a reservoir  of  40,000  cubic  feet  capacity,  aud  make  a gas  called  “fixed  oil 
gas.”  There  were  erected  at  first  twenty-five  lamps  of  fourteen  candle-power,  for  which 
the  city  was  to  pay  1 cent  per  hour  while  burning,  and  $3  to  tbe  company  for  each  lamp 
for  keeping  the  same  in  repair.  Some  changes  have  since  been  made  in  the  contract. 
The  city  is  kept  well  lighted.  January  13,  1880,  au  electric  light  company  was  organized 


770 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


and  chartered.  The  company  was  composed  of  J.  B.  Rains,  Calvin  Morgan.  Lucius  Frier 
son,  J.  B.  Childress.  George  L.  Thomas  and  J.  M.  Mayes.  The  company,  however,  did 
not  begin  operations. 

The  difficulty  of  procuring  ice  led  to  the  formation  of  the  Columbia  Ice  Companj'. 
The  charter  was  granted  February  IS,  1SS0,  to  M.  J.  Rusliton,  E.  AW  Gamble,  R.  Holding* 
L.  W.  Black,  J.  M.  Mayes  and  Lucius  Frierson.  The  company  at  once  began  work,  and 
since  its  organization  has  erected  new  buildings  and  procured  new  machinery,  and  are 
now  able  to  supply  all  demands  for  ice.  The  officers  of  the  company  are  Lucius  Frier- 
son, president;  E.  AY.  Gamble,  secretary  and  treasurer,  and  II.  L.  White,  mauager. 

The  Columbia  Cotton  Mill  Company  was  chartered  February  9.  1884,  by  W.  C.  Jones, 
J.  M.  Mayes,  J.  P.  Street,  A.  W.  Stockell,  R.  M.  McKay,  George  Childress  and  G.  T. 
Hughes.  The  capital  stock  is  8100,000.  The  buildings  are  100x300  feet,  one  story  high, 
and  contain  5, OCX)  spindles  and  124  looms,  and  the  machinery  is  driven  by  an  engine  of 
200  liorse-power.  The  directors  of  the  company  own  about  twenty  acres  of  land,  and  on 
this  the  100  operatives  live  in  nice  cottages  erected  for  their  comfort.  The  officers  of  the 
company  are  J.  M.  Mayes,  president:  AV.  C.  Jones,  general  manager  and  treasurer;  George 
Childress,  cashier,  and  C.  T.  Jones,  book-keeper.  The  product  of  the  mills  is  about  6,000 
yards  daily,  consisting  of  sea  island  cotton,  seamless  bags,  cotton  yarns  and  battings.  For 
this  the  company  find  a ready  market. 

The  Maury  County  Building  A Loan  Association  was  organized  in  August,  1S81,  and 
held  its  first  loan  meeting  in  October  of  that  year.  The  officers  were  J.  P.  Street,  presi- 
dent; C.  W.  Witherspoon,  secretary  and  treasurer:  Robert  M.  McKay,  attorne}’;  G.  T. 
Hughes,  E.  W.  Gamble,  S.  G.  Comstock,  Joseph  Towler,  A.  D.  Frierson,  W.  M.  Embry 
and  J.  P.  Street,  board  of  directors.  The  Columbia  Homestead  Building  Association  was 
incorporated  April  17,  1882,  by  W.  J.  Andrews,  C.  C.  Gross,  E.  W.  Carmack,  J.  II. 
Andrews,  A.  Sinclair,  R.  Holding,  S.  G.  Comstock,  W.  A.  McGregor.  Joseph  Towler  and 
W.  R.  Elam.  The  Columbia  Manufacturing  Company  was  chartered  on  August  20, 
1881,  by  J.  M.  Hedge,  G.  D.  Hedge,  W.  C.  Taylor.  Caleb  Taylor  and  L.  Taylor  for  the 
manufacture  of  buckets,  churns,  dishes,  etc.  On  April  17,  1883,  was  chartered  the  Colum- 
bia Horseshoe  Manufacturing  Company  by  W.  J.  Embry,  T.  H.  Watkins,  A.  B.  Rains. 
Lucius  Frierson,  E.  W.  Gamble  and  J.  B.  Herndon,  and  on  January  4,  1884,  a charter  was 
issued  to  the  Columbia  Horseshoeing  Company  on  application  by  A.  B.  Rains,  Lucius 
Frierson,  George  L.  Thomas,  George  Childress  and  J.  P.  Street.  Columbia  is  also  the 
headquarters  of  the  “ Blue  Grass  Cheese  A Butter  Association,”  the  “ Copolquin  Mining 
Company  chartered  in  1877,  the  “ Napier  Iron  Company  ” chartered  in  1879. 

The  Columbia  Jersey  Cattle  Company  was  incorporated  October  16,  1882,  by  Camp- 
bell Brown,  W.  J.  AYebster,  J.  N.  Figures,  II.  P.  Figures,  A.  T.  Brown  and  AY.  S.  Rainey. 
Other  members  have  since  been  added  and  the  company  now  own  some  very  fine  stock. 
The  firm  of  T.  N.  Figuers  A Co.  was  organized  in  1884  for  the  purpose  of  importing  and 
breeding  IIolstein-Friestan  cattle.  Their  stock  are  kept  on  the  “ Oak  Lawn  Holstein 
Farm.”  about  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Columbia.  The  Jersey  Stock  Company 
was  chartered  April  26,  1883,  by  J.  E.  R.  Carpenter,  J.  G.  Bailey,  J.  II.  Howard,  J.  AY. 

. S.  Ridley.  J.  R.  Orr,  AAr.  J.  Embry  and  AY.  A'.  AYilson.  This  compan}r  embraces  some  of 
the  best  stock  men  in  the  county.  The  Maury  Live  Stock  A Agricultural  Association  was 
chartered  November  21,  1879,  by  Campbell  Brown,  Thomas  Gibson,  Ar.  Polk,  AYill  Polk 
and  A.  N.  Akin.  The  company  use  the  old  fair  grounds  and  have  fine  track  for  training 
fast  horses.  Many  of  the  finest  horses  in  the  county  are  wintered  at  the  company’s 
stables.  The  Tennessee  Trotting  Horse  A Breeding  Association  was  incorporated  in  De- 
cember, 1882,  by  AYill  Polk,  V.  L.  Polk,  Campbell  Brown,  G.  AY.  Polk,  J.  E.  R.  Carpen- 
ter and  W.  J.  Embry. 

The  Betliell  Hotel  Company  was  chartered  May  24,  1880,  by  P.  C.  Bethell,  W.  D. 
Bethell,  Lucius  Frierson,  Eugene  Pillow,  J.  M.  Mayes  and  L.  AY.  Black.  The  Bethell  was 
open  for  business  in  May,  1882.  It  is  considered  the  third  house  in  size  and  finish  in  the 
State.  It  has  recently  passed  into  the  hands  of  private  individuals, Messrs. Mayes  A Dodson. 


MALTA  COUNTY. 


771 


The  Columbia  Stock  Yards  was  chartered  in  1SS3,  with  a capital  stock  of  $30,000. 
Its  officers  were  J.  AY.  Howard,  president;  E.  AY.  Gamble,  vice-president;  T.  AY.  Keesce, 
general  manager;  Columbia  Banking  Company,  treasurer,  and  J.  G.  Bailey,  secretary. 
The  company  handle  an  average  of  about  8,000  mules  per  annum.  The  first  four  months 
of  the  company’s  existence  it  handled  over  12,000  head  of  stock. 

The  charter  for  the  “ Exchange  ” was  granted  on  January  22,  1S85,  on  application  by 
AY.  J.  Andrews,  E.  AY.  Gamble,  A.  B.  Rains,  AV.  R.  Elam.  George  AY.  AYilkes,  A.  D. 
Frierson  and  II.  Ilarpold.  The  Exchange  embraces  the  most  substantial  and  energetic 
business  men  of  Columbia,  and  has  for  its  object  and  purpose  the  “collection,  preserva- 
tion and  circulation  of  valuable  information  relating  to  the  business  and  progress  of  the 
city  of  Columbia,  and  its  commercial  connections  and  especially  the  facts  relating  to  the 
manufacturing  and  commercial  interests." 

The  Century  Club  received  its  charter  February  14, 18S4.  Its  officers  are  G.  L.  Thomas, 
president;  Horace  Frierson,  first  vice-president;  Walter  P.  AYoldridge,  second  vice-presi- 
dent, and  Horace  L.  Cooper,  seeretar}'  and  treasurer.  The  Club  has  magnificent  rooms  in 
the  Masonic  Building  and  is  composed  of  nearly  one  hundred  of  the  leading  men  of  the  city. 

A charter  was  granted  the  Cantrell  Light  Artillery  on  June  3,  1SS5,  to  E.  D.  AYilson, 
AY.  A.  Ruttle,  R.  E.  Andrews  and  A.  A.  Hodge,  and  one  or  two  others.  The  officers  are 
E.  D.  AYilson,  captain;  AA\  A.  Ruttle,  first  lieutenant,  and  R.  E.  Andrew's,  first  ser- 
geant. The  Witt  Rifle  Company  was  chartered  on  June  13, 1885,  on  application  by  Ira  C. 
Witt,  AAT.  V.  Thompson.  C.  M.  Gamble,  T.  A.  Thompson  and  R.  C.  Ewing.  The  officers 
are  Ira  C.  Witt,  senior  captain;  AY.  A*.  Thompson,  captain;  C.  M.  Gamble,  first  lieuten- 
ant; T.  A.  Thompson,  second  lieutenant:  Alf  Horsle}',  first  sergeant. 


unuer  me  ia\\  siuveimQ: 


o ota  lc 


e of  Te; 


Columbia,  for  the  purchase  of  800  shares  of  $50  each,  of  stock  in  said  bank.  Notice  was 
given  in  the  paper  for  thirty  days.  Section  27,  of  the  act  provided,  that  when  the  citizens 
of  Maury  County  had  subscribed  $20. 000  a branch  of  the  bank  should  be  opened  in  Colum- 
bia. under  the  same  laws  as  the  State  bank;  it  was  further  provided  that  the  citizens 
might  subscribe  “ as  much  as  they  were  able  to  pay  for:”  and  further,  after  120  days,  if 
the  directors  refuse  to  establish  said  branch  bank,  the  citizens  of  Maury  might  organize  one 
of  their  own.  The  bank  to  be  organized  was  to  be  called  the  “Columbia  Tennessee 
Bank,"  and  to  be  governed  the  same  as  the  Gallatin  bank.  The  directors  were  William 
Frierson,  Samuel  Polk,  Horatio  Depriest,  Dorrel  X.  Sansom,  William  McXiel,  Patrick 
McGuire,  Samuel  McDowell,  William  Bradshaw  and  Joseph  Brown.  The  time  to  which 
they  were  limited  to  start  this  bank  was  January  1,  1820.  This  was  what  was  called  a 
loan  bank,  but  soon  failed.  The  bank  was  organized  April  19,  1819,  by  electing  D.  X. 
Sansom,  president.  The  capital  stock  at  that  time  was  $15,000.  The  results  were  as  above 
stated.  The  Union  Bank  was  established 'in  1832,  and  the  branch  for  Middle  7’en- 
nessee  was  opened  in  Columbia.  This  bank  had  a successful  run  and  its  affairs  were 
not  entirely  wound  up  till  since  the  war.  A branch  of  this  bank  was  opened  in  Colum- 
bia, in  1834,  in  the  building  on  the  south  side  of  the  street  opposite  the  Bethell  House. 
The  Planters  Bank  was  chartered  in  1833,  with  a capital  stock  of  $2,000,000.  The  follow- 
ing were  appointed  to  open  books  for  stock  in  Columbia  on  January  1,  1834:  James 
Walker,  William  XcXeill,  J.  B.  Groves,  D.  P.  Frierson,  E.  AAr.  Dale  and  James  R.  Plummer. 
The  bank  opened  for  business  in  Columbia,  in  1838.  The  building. occupied  was  the  one 
which  now  stands  near  the  Guest  House;  this  bank  was  closed  by  the  war. 

The  Shelby  Savings  Institution  was  organized  under  charter  in  1868:  by  special  act  of 
the  Legislature,  its  name  was  soon  changed  to  the  Bank  of  Columbia.  The  capital  stock 
of  the  bank  is  $100,000,  of  which  $50,000  is  paid  up  capital  and  $50,000  surplus.  The  of- 
ficers of  the  bank  are  W.  P.  Ingram,  president;  Knox  Fleming,  teller;  Leslie  Cullum  and 
J.  E.  Ingram,  book-keepers. 

The  Columbia  Banking  Company  began  business,  in  1869,  as  the  First  National  Bank, 
and  continued  as  such  until  July  21,  1885,  when  it  received  its  charter  as  the  Columbia 
Banking  Company.  The  capital  stock  of  the  company  is  $100, 000,  with  $20,000  surplus. 


? 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  officers  arc  J.  M.  Mayes,  president;  J.  C.  Wooten,  vice-president;  Lucius  Frierson, 
cashier. 

The  Secoud  National  Bank  was  chartered  in  October,  1881 . The  capital  stock  and 
surplus  of  this  bank  is  about  $100, 000.  The  officers  of  the  bank  are  R.  A.  Ogilvie,  presi- 
dent; Robert  M.  McKay,  vice-president;  George  Childress,  cashier.  The  board  of  direc- 
tors are  R.  A.  Ogilvie,  R.  J.  Banguss,  Robert  M.  McKay,  W.  R.  Webb,  A.  D.  Frierson, 
W.  E.  Baird,  F.  J.  Ewing,  and  O.  C.  Owen. 

Columbia  Lodge,  No.  31,  F.  & A.  M..  was  organized  by  a dispensation  from  the  Grand 
Lodge  of  Tennessee,  dated  November  10,  1810.  The  officers  pro  tempore  were  W.  G. 
Dickerson,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee,  W.  M. ; Harry  Hill.  S.  W. ; James  G.  Craig, 
J.  W.;  John  Brown,  S.  and  T.;  Xnthauiel  Ives,  S.  D.;  John  J.  Williamson,  J.  I).,  and  Alfred 
Hunt,  Tyler.  The  lodge  was  opened  in  the  first  degree  of  Masonry  when  the  names 
of  Dowell  N.  Sanson  and  Robert  L.  Cobbs  were  presented,  praying  to  be  initiated.  The 
lodge  considering  an  emergency  existing  proceeded  to  ballot  and  elect  the  candidates  in 
due  form.  The  lodge  was  next  opened  in  the  Second  or  Fellow  Craft  Degree,  when  the 
name  of  Dowell  N.  Sanson  was  entered  and  he  was  passed  to  that  degree.  The  Columbia 
Lodge,  No.  31,  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  in  1827,  with  the  usual  power.  On 
November  12, 1828,  the  lodge  bought  of  M.  D.  Cooper  the  lot  where  the  hall  now  stands 
for  $600.  The  same  had  been  purchased  of  Airs.  R.  G.  Houston  on  May  11,  1827,  by  Mr. 
Cooper.  By  an  act  of  the  Legislature  September  28,  1824,  Peter  R.  Booker,  Patrick  Mc- 
Guire, Pleasant  Nelson,  Henson  Grove  and  E.  W.  Dale  were  appointed  trustees  to  manage 
a lottery  for  raising  a sum  not  to  exceed  $8  000,  to  build  a Masonic  hall  for  Columbia 
Lodge,  No.  31.  The  drawing  took  place  the  first  Monday  in  May,  1825.  The  eapital 
pii/.e  was  $6,000,  and  the  tickets  were  $10.  The  lodge  drew  the  capital  prize,  but  not 
realizing  sufficient  means  a new  scheme  was  gotten  up,  in  which  the  drawing  took  place 
the  first  Monday  in  May,  1826.  The  capital  prize  in  the  second  scheme  was  $3,000,  and 
the  tickets  $3  each.  As  in  the  other  case  the  lodge  drew  the  prize.  The  corner- 
stone of  the  hall  was  laid  with  Masonic  ceremonies  June  16,  1827.  The  building  was 
of  brick,  47x55  feet  and  two  stories  high.  The  building  was  erected  by  Levi  Ketchum 
and  H.  Ward,  and  was  completed  in  1S2S.  The  new  magnificent  hall  was  erected  in  1883, 
and  is  one  of  the  finest  in  the  State.  The  lodge  now  numbers  between  seventy-five  and 
100.  The  following  Grand  Masters  have  been  furnished  by  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  31: 
Mathew  D.  Cooper,  October,  1826-27;  William  E.  Kennedy,  1828-29;  Edmund  Ddla- 
hunty,  1845-46;  Charles  A.  Fuller,  1851-52,  and  again  in  1865;  A.  M.  Hughes,  1853-54. 

De  Molay  Commandery  No.  3,  K.  T.,  was  organized  December  19,  1858.  The 
following  are  the  charter  members:  Lucius  J.  Polk,  E.  C.;  A.  M.  Hughes,  G.;  J.  B. 
Hamilton,  C.  G. ; J.  M.  Towler,' Prelate;  J.  H.  Devereux,  S.  W. ; L.  II.  Hankins,  J.  W. ; 
W.  H.  Whiton,  Recorder;  William  R.  Hodge,  Treas.;  W.  J.  G.  Hunter,  Warden;  S.  H. 
Jones,  S.  B.;  C.  Foster  Williams,  S.  B.,  and  Jesse  Oakes,  Sentinel.  Later  officers  were 
Dr.  Robert  Pillow,  E.  C. ; Robert  M.  McKay,  G. ; S.  D.  F.  McEwen,  C.  G.;  H.  L.  Hendley, 

R.  ; H.  B.  Cochran,  Treas.  The  following  Grand  Commanders  have  been  furnished  the 
Grand  Commandery  of  the  State:  Sir  Charles  A.  Fuller,  in  1859;  Sir  Lucius  J.  Polk,  in 
1860,  and  Sir  J.  M.  Towler,  in  1868-69.  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  3,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  insti- 
tuted October  4,  1841.  The  following  were  the  charter  members:  Lee  Holman,  James  R. 
Shelton,  George  W.  McQuiddv,  Charles  Brandon  and  James  White.  Phinteas  Lodge, 
K of  P.:  J.  H.  Fussell,  C.  C.;  J.  G.  Bailey,  V.  C.;  M.  G.  Frierson,  K.  R.  and  S.; 
J.  J.  Elam;  M.  of  E.  Uniform  Rank:  J.  W.  Fussell.  S.  K.  C.;  J.  G.  Bailey,  L.  C.;  E.  E. 
Erwin,  Treas.,  and  William  Mayes,  Sec.  Knights  of  Honor:  M.  Ruttle,  Dictator;  W.  D. 
Cameron,  V.  D.;  A.  S.  James,  Reporter;  W.  A.  Quarterman,  F.  R.;  J.  P.  Street,  Treas.; 
Dr.  J.  H.  Wilkes,  M.  E.  ; T.  P.  White,  Sentinel;  51.  L.  Frierson,  Guide.  Royal  Arcanum: 

S.  D.  F.  McEwen,  P.  R.;  J.  H.  Dew,  R.;  W.  J.  Dale,  Jr.,  V.  R. ; H.  B.  Cochran,  Sec.;  W. 
F.  Embry,  Collector;  Lucius  Frierson,  Orator;  Dr.  I).  B.  Harlan,  51.  E. ; Horace  Frierson. 
Treas.;  J.  P.  5IcGaw,  Chaplain;  J.  J.  Elam,  Guide.  A.  O.  U.  W. : E.  W.  Gamble,  51.  W. ; 
S.  G.  Comstock,  Recorder;  I.  L.  Cochran,  Overseer;  T.  J.  Fleming,  Financier. 


, 


MAUllY  COUNTY. 


773 


The  beginning  of  newspaper  enterprises  in  Columbia  was  in  the  year  1811.  The  man 
to  whom  the  credit  is  due  was  James  Walker,  a native  of  Kentuc  ky,  but  who  learned  his 
trade  in  Nashville.  lie  was  entrusted  with  a printing  press  by  Mr.  Estin,  his  employer, 
and  began  work  in  Columbia  at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  Mr.  Walker’s  paper  was  called 
the  TTf  sUrn  Chronicle;  this  was  a small  weekly  paper,  and  was  edited  and  managed  by 
Mr.  Walker  for  many  years.  Like  all  papers  at  that  time,  it  devoted  the  major  part  of  its 
space  to  foreign  news  and  incidents  in  remote  parts  of  the  United  States  rather  than  home 
news.  In  1813  the  editor  married  Miss  Jane  M.  Polk,  daughter  of  Maj.  Samuel  Polk,  who 
was  the  father  of  President  James  K.  Polk.  Mr.  Walker  died  in  1S64. 

Andrew  Hayes  purchased  the  press  of  Mr.  Walker  and  edited  the  paper  for  some  time, 
assisted  by  Mr.  Williamson.  About  1S33  the  paper  passed  into  the  hands  of  Hon.  A.  O. 
P.  Nicholson  and  Hon.  Samuel  D.  Frierson,  both  of  whom  made  national  reputations  on 
the  bench  and  in  other  fields  of  usefulness.  The  paper  at  this  time  was  called  The  West- 
ern Mercury.  Gen.  Felix  K.  Zollicoffer  was  for  a time  editor  of  the  Columbia  Observer. 
Associated  with  him  for  a time  was  Field,  the  editor  and  compiler  of  the  Scrap  Book.  On 
January  1,  1839,  this  paper  was  begun,  it  is  believed  by  C.  P.  Bynum.  About  the  begin- 
ning of  1837  a paper  called  the  Southern  Cultivator  was  started  by  David  Clayton.  This 
was  s’lrictly  an  agricultural  paper,  and  was  devoted  largely  to  stock  raising  and  agricult- 
ural associations.  The  Guardian  was  begun  in  1841  by  the  Rev.  F.  G.  Smith,  of  the  Fe- 
male Institute.  Ostensibly  the  paper  was  published  in  the  interest  of  the  school,  but  its 
matter  covered  a wide  field,  and  the  Guardian  was  filled  with  the  choicest  literature  and 
was  widely  circulated.  The  paper  is  still  issued  by  the  Smith  Bros.,  but  rather  as  a vis- 
itor to  old  pupils  and  friends.  Tt.  was  issued  at  first  from  the  office  of  Rosborough  Sz  Kidd, 
of  the  Observer . Other  editors  not  already  mentioned  were  C.  J.  Dickerson,  S.  W. 
Mitchell,  James  O.  Griffin,  John  E.  Hatcher,  J.  J.  McDaniel,  W.  S.  Fleming,  N.  R. 
Wilkes,  James  E.  Johnson,  Hunter  Nicholson  and  W.  L.  Arnell. 

Judge  Stanley  Mathews,  of  the  United  States  Supreme  Court,  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  Columbia  in  September,  1843,  and  resided  in  Columbia  for  some  time,  and  while 
living  in  Columbia  edited  the  Tennessee  Democrat.  The  Columbia  Herald  was  established 
in  1850,  and  with  the  exception  of  one  or  two  short  intervals  has  had  a continuous  exist- 
ence. Another  paper  called  the  Mail  was  consolidated  with  the  Herald,  with  A.  S.  Hors- 
ley as  editor  and  proprietor.  In  1876  the  Columbia  Journal,  owned  and  edited  by  A.  B. 
Upshaw,  and  the  Maury  Sentinel  were  consolidated  and  became  the  Columbia  Herald.  In 
- 1881  the  Columbia  Herald  was  purchased  by  the  Columbia  Herald  Company,  composed  of 
A.  S.  Hendley,  A.  W.  Stockard,  A.  B.  Upshaw,  W.  J.  Embry,  Horace  Frierson,  J.  B. 
Rains,  A.  N.  Akin,  H.  Williams,  H.  B.  Cochran,  J.  M.  Mayes,  E.  AV.  Gamble,  W.  P.  In- 
gram, L.  Marks,  R.  Holdiug,  Joseph  Towler,  J.  Joseph,  J.  P.  Street,  A.  Rosenthal,  W.  P. 
Woldridge,  C.  Brown,  W*C.  Gordon,  W.  R.  Webb,  O.  C.  Owen,  J.  R.  E.  Carpenter,  J. 
W.  S.  Ridley,  W.  J.  Rusliton,  H.  S.  Cooper,  J.  II.  Fussell,  R.  I).  Smith  and  J.  L.  Jones. 
The  president  of  the  company  now  is  E.  C.  McDowell,  and  J.  L.  Jonts  is  secretary.  The 
managers  of  the  paper  are  Horace  S.  Cooper  and  E.  E.  Erwin.  The  Herald  is  on  a sound 
financial  basis,  is  Democratic  in  politics,  but  is  devoted  more  to  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  the  county  than  to  the  discussion  of  partisan  political  questions.  The  Maury 
Democrat  was  established  in  the  summer  of  1882  by  J.  P.  and  J.  F.  Tucker,  both  natives 
of  Maury  County.  Mr.  J.  F.  Tucker  was  for  a number  of  years  local  editor  of  the  H>  raid, 
and  was  for  a time  connected  with  the  Park  City  Times,  of  Bowling  Green,  Ky.  Maj. 
John  T.  Williamson,  a public-spirited  citizen,  has  been  connected  with  the  Democrat  for  a 
number  of  years,  to  which  he  devotes  his  time  and  talents.  The  Democrat  is  a liberal  and 
progressive  paper. 

The  first  settlements  in  and  about  Spring  Hill  began  about  1808.  Abram  Hammond, 
one  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  part  of  the  county,  moved  from  Maryland  to  Kentucky, 
where  he  married  a Miss  Wells;  thence  he  moved  and  settled  within  one  mile  of  where 
Spring  Hill  now  stands.  He  was  the  father-in-law  of  Nimrod  Porter,  who  was  sheriff  of 
the  county  from  1818  to  1842.  Col.  Russell  in  an  early  day  cleared  the  land  where  Spring 


771 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Ilill  now  stands,  and  built  a residence  on  the  eminence  just  above  the  big  spring,  from 
which  the  town  took  its  name.  The  Russell  estate  was  sold  to  Maj.  Winters,  who  sold  it 
to  James  Peters,  from  whom  it  passed  to  his  son,  James  P.  Peters.  Peters’  Camp  Ground 
was  a gift  from  the  elder  Peters,  and  lay  withiu  the  present  limits  of  Spring  Ilill.  This 
was  at  one  time  the  most  popular  Methodist  camp  ground  in  Middle  Tennessee, 'and  was 
the  resort  of  thousands  at  their  annual  gatherings.  Another  very  prominent  one  of  the 
early  settlers  in  this  vicinity  was  Nathaniel  Cheairs,  who  settled  on  the  old  Cheairs  home- 
stead in  1810.  Mr.  Cheairs  came  with  his  good  wife  whom  he  had  married  in  North  Caro- 
lina some  years  before  coming  to  Tennessee.  Mr.  Cheairs  was  the  father  of  eleven  children, 
nine  of  whom  lived  to  manhood  and  womanhood.  Of  these  Col.  Martin  T.  Cheairs,  who 
still  lives,  is  a venerable  and  honorable  representative  of  the  family.  He  is  now  in  his 
eighty-second  year,  and  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  the  in- 
fant State.  John  W.  Cheairs  is  the  father  of  John  W.  Cheairs,  merchant  of  Spring  Hill 
and  the  present  sheriff;  was  for  many  years  a prominent  merchant  of  Spring  Hill.  Maj. 
Nat  F.  Cheairs.  the  younger  brother  of  the  three  still  living,  has  been  all  his  life  an  ex- 
tensive farmer  of  the  neighborhood.  Near  the  same  place  settled  the  families  of  the 
Wades.  Bonds,  Capertons  and  Pointers.  James  Black,  who  lived  near  Spring  Hill,  was 
the  graudfather  of  Hemy  Waterson,  of  the  Courier-Journal,  and  father-in-law  of  Judge 
"Stanley  Mathews,  of  the  supreme  bench,  who  resided  in  Columbia  in  1843-44.  Near  Black 
was  the  magnificent  estate  of  Gen.  Lucius  J.  Polk.  On  Carter’s  Creek  lived  the  Carters, 
Lor  whom  the  creek  was  named.  Among  them  was  Daniel  F.  Carter,  a Revolutionary 
■soldier  and  owner  of  a 5,000-acre  grant.  Near  these  were  the  Hollands.  The  Sandfords, 
Yanceys,  Browns,  Wellses,  Blairs,  Chapmans,  Crawfords,  Stephensons  and  Dunlaps  lived 
•either  south  or  southeast  of  Spring  Hill.  A number  of  very  distinguished  persons  are  na- 
tives of  this  place.  A.  O.  P.  Nicholson,  the  distinguished  judge  and  United  States  senator 
in  1841-42,  was  born  at  Old  Sand  Spring,  where  his  parents  resided.  William  Parkham, 
step-father  of  H.  R.  W.  Hill,  who  became  a merchant  prince  of  New  Orleans,  lived  near  here 
so.  Fields,  the  compiler  of  the  Scrap  Book , was  raised  near  here.  The  first  store 
the  neighborhood  was  owned  by  a man  named  Brewster,  who  was  afterward  the  pioneer 
merchant  where  Mount  Pleasant  now  stands.  His  store  was  on  the  farm  and  on  the  south 
side  of  the  old  Davis  Ford  road,  near  the  residence  of  Abram  Hammonds.  Col.  William 
Mc-Kissack  was  one  of  the  earliest  merchants  in  Spring  Hill;  in  fact  he  began  selling  goods 
there  about  the  time  the  place  came  into  being — about  1825.  Dr.  S.  McKissack.  a 
brother  of  the  above,  was  an  early  settler  and  a son-in-law  of  the  elder  James  Peters,  and 
was  a man  of  wealth  and  influence.  William  Peters  was  one  of  the  earliest  merchants, 
and  for  him  Col.  Israel  McCarroll  was  clerk.  Old  Daniel  Brown  kept  a hotel  or  stand  for 
the  traveling  public  about  one  mile  south  of  Spring  Hill,  near  the  grave-yard  in  M.  T. 
Cheairs’  field.  An  effort  was  made  to  call  Spring  Hill  Petersburg,  in  honor  of  James 
Peters,  but  his  puritanic  ideas  forbade  it,  and  tbe  name  of  Spring  Hill  was  given  it.  Mary 
Doherty,  the  widow  of  George  Doherty,  together  with  her  son-in-law,  George  Bond,  moved 
from  North  Carolina  about  1808,  and  settled  on  a 5,000-acre  grant,  made  by  the  State  of 
North  Carolina  to  her  husband,  George  Doherty,  for  his  services  as  a major  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  The  land  lay  between  Spring  Hill  and  Thompson  Station,  a little  north  of 
Spring  Hill.  On  a creek  near  where  Dr.  Sharber  now  lives  was  a little  mill  at  a very  early 
time,  the  onl}'  one  in  the  vicinity.  About  it  this  tradition  prevails:  “ Maj.  Samuel  Polk, 
father  of  the  President,  in  company  with  several  gentlemen  visited  this  mill  and  examined 
it,  and  when  through  Maj.  Polk  remarked  to  the  others:  ‘A  man  may  fall  down  and  wor- 
ship that  mill  and  not  commit  sacrilege,  because  there  is  no  likeness  of  it  neither  in  the 
heavens  above,  nor  in  the  earth  beneath,  nor  in  the  waters  under  the  earth.’  ” The  first 
water-mill  of  any  character  was  built  by  Isham  Bunch  on  Rutherford  Creek,  and  it  is  still 
in  good  running  order.  He  also  built  a distillery  at  the  same  place.  Maj.  Robert  Camp- 
bell had  a distillery  in  the  same  neighborhood,  as  did  also  Esq.  Black. 

The  first  church  in  this  vicinity  was  built  by  the  Presbyterians  about  1814.  This  was  a 
hewed  log  house,  and  stood  on  the  land  of  Col.  Sanford,  near  where  Jackson  College  stood 


' 


MA CRY  COUNTY. 


i t O 


at  a later  date.  Among  the  leading  ones  engaged  in  the  erection  of  this  house  were  Col. 
Sanford,  Col.  Hugh  Rrowu,  George  Muir,  Samuel  Dunlap,  and  others.  This  house  has 
long  since  been  replaced  by  a substantial  brick  structure.  The  lending  Presbyterian  min 
istcr  in  that  earl}*  day  was  the  Rev.  Duncan  Brown,  whom  many  now  living  have  heard 
with  delight,  also  the  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn. 

The  leader  and  founder  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  vicinity  of 
Spring  Hill,  was  the  Rev.  James  B.  Porter.  The  labors  of  the  Rev.  Porter  were  not  con 
fiucd  to  the  one  church,  but  to  the  establishment  of  this  infant  denomination  throughout 
Middle  Tennessee.  lie  was  active  in  founding  churches  and  in  founding  camp  grounds 
so  popular  in  the  early  history  of  the  church.  At  a very  early  period  the  Methodists  es- 
tablished Peter's  Ground,  before  mentioned.  Among  those  who  labored  for  the  Method- 
ist cause  may  be  mentioned  the  Rev.  Donaldson  Potter,  whose  labors  were  untiring  and 
brought  their  reward. 

The  first  important  school  taught  in  this  vicinity  was  kept  by  William  L.  Williford 
before  1820.  The  school  was  near  Col.  M.  T.  Clieair’s  place.  Here  attended  the  Russclls, 
Cheairs.  Winters,  Nicholsons,  Bonds,  Hammonds,  and  others.  Near  the  same  ground,  a 
short  time  afterward,  was  built  Jackson  College,  which  afterward  became  Union  Semin- 
ary. Spring  Hall  now  contains  Beaclicroft  Academy,  a female  school  conducted  by  Mrs. 
Estes,  aud  the  male  college  of  Prof.  Morton.  The  place  now  contains  a Presbyteriau,  a 
Methodist,  a Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  an  Episcopal  Church;  and  near  there  is  a 
Christian  Church;  also  two  colored  churches,  one  Methodist,  the  other  Baptist.  Business; 
General  stores,  J.  W.  Alexander,  Campbell  A Harman,  W.  A.  Odill;  dry  goods  and  cloth- 
ing, J.  W.  Cheairs;  drug  stores,  Alonzo  McKissack  and  John  Martin;  physicians,  Drs 
J.  O.  Hardin,  J.  W.  Sharber  and  E.  W.  Martin. 

A short  distance  south  of  Spring  Hill,  on  the  railroad,  is  Ewell’s  Station,  and  here  is 
the  well  kuown  Ewell  farm.  Here  lived  the  distinguished  Confederate  general,  Richard 
S.  Ewell,  who  took  up  his  residence  at  this  place  after  the  war  and  who  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  was  devoting  his  energies  to  the  breeding  and  improvement  of  stock.  The  some- 
what romantic  marriage  of  him  aud  his  estimable  wife  and  the  coincidence  of  their 
deaths  are  almost  fit  for  a novel.  At  this  place  now  resides  Maj.  Campbell  Brown,  step- 
son of  the  former.  Maj.  Campbell  Brown  is  the  well-known  breeder  of  fine  stock.  In  the 
Twenty-second  District,  in  addition  to  Spring  Hill  and  Ewell’s,  there  is  Woodlawn  post- 
office,  a beautiful  place  on  the  railroad  and  Neapolis,  the  seat  of  an  academy. 

Santa  Fe  is  near  the  center  of  District  No.  22.  It  is  one  of  the  oldest  settlements  in 
the  county.  The  Indian  title  having  been  extinguished  north  of  the  river  before  they 
were  south  of  it,  settlements  began  there  earlier.  The  following  families  are  said  to  have 
settled  in  the  county  in  1S06:  the  Caughrons,  Brookes,  on  Snow  Creek,  McLeans,  Neeley, 
CiDders,  Griffins,  Mitchells,  Fitzgeralds,  Dotys,  Aydelottes,  Piggs,  Ayers,  Bakers,  Hills, 
Ladds.  Seagraves,  Lockharts.  Owens  and  Edmistons.  In  1807  came  the  Reaves,  Bing- 
hams. Wrens,  Hunters  and  McCrackens.  It  is  said  the  first  white  child  born  on  Snow 
Creek  was  Samuel  H.  Wiliams.  The  first  mill  was  owned  by  Andrew  Mitchell;  this  was 
a horse-mill.  The  first  water-mill  was  owned  by  Spencer  Griffith.  The  first  blacksmith 
was  Thomas  Aydlotte.  Carter  Linsey  was  a smith  and  augur-maker.  The  first  mer- 
chant was  Jonathan  Bullock;  the  first  teacher  was  Richard  Passmore;  Mr.  Hopkins  was 
also  an  early  teacher.  The  fir^t  physician  was  Dr.  Stribbling,  followed  in  order  by  Drs. 
Thomas  W.  and  Samuel  Kilpatrick,  Dr.  Douglas,  Dr.  Nicholas  Scales,  Dr.  Bateman,  Dr.  W. 
W.  Dabney.  Dr.  John  Vestal,  Dr.  Satterfield,  Dr.  L.  B,  Forgey,  Dr.  Samuel  Godwin,  Dr. 
James  Ragsdale  and  Dr.  Sebastian,  all  of  whom  are  now  gone.  The  first  minister  in 
Santa  Fe  was  the  Rev.  John  Crane,  a Methodist,  who  came  there  as  early  as  1807  and  died 
in  1813  and  was  buried  at  Goshen  Church,  the  first  burial  at  that  place.  The  Cumberland 
Church  was  organized  at  Santa  Fe  at  a much  later  date.  It  is  said  Santa  Fe  was  called 
Pinhook  at  first  but  was  changed  later  to  Benton,  but  on  application  for  a postoffice,  an- 
other change  became  necessary  and  it  was  given  its  present  name— Santa  Fe. 

Mount  Pleasant  is  at  the  terminus  of  a branch  of  the  Louisville  A Nashville  Railroad, 


4 it) 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


which  leads  from  Columbia  to  Mount  Pleasant.  The  country  surrounding  Mount  Pleasant 
is  claimed  to  be  the  finest  in  the  State.  To  strangers  visiting  Maury  County  this  question 
is  always  put  . “Have  you  been  out  on  the  Mouut  Pleasant  Pike?*'  Mount  Pleasant  was. 
founded  about  18 'JO.  Old  Father  Hunter,  a famous  bear  hunter  and  Primitive  Baptist 
preacher,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  that  vicinity.  Other  settlers  were  the  McGees, 
Griffiths,  CTaigs,  Coopers,  Mitchells,  Stockards,  Pickards  and  Baileys.  Not  far  from 
tlu>  e were  the  Nixons,  Buckners  and  Grimeses.  The  first  merchant  in  Mount  Pleasant  was 
Lyman  D.  Brewster,  who  moved  from  Spring  Hill  to  that  place  about  18*20.  There  were 
formerly  some  very  large  landed  estates  lying  in  the  vicinity  of  Mount  Pleasant,  but  these 
have  mostly  been  divided  up  into  smaller  farms. 

Among  the  early  business  men  of  Mount  Pleasant  were  Hervey  Hoge,  Lemuel  Long, 
Samuel  P.  Lea,  Messrs.  Willson  Jennings.  Among  tbe  later  ones  were  Henry  A.  Miller, 
Ephraim  Dickson,  Alex  Williams  and  E.  O.  Cross.  Among  the  noted  physicians  are 
noticed  Dr.  Hamilton,  Dr.  Tliorenot  (who  died  of  cholera  in  1834),  Dr.  Sprinkle,  Dr. 
Stockard,  l)r.  Sansom  and  Dr.  Jordan,  who  is  believed  to  be  the  oldest  man  in  the  county, 
and  still  vigorous.  Among  the  later  physicians  are  Dr.  Hunter,  Dr.  Long  and  Dr.  Will- 
iams. Hunter’s  Church,  about  one  mile  south  of  Mount  Pleasant,  is  contemporary  with 
Zion,  and  was  built  about  1810.  The  first  Presbyterian  ministers  here  were  Duncan 
Brown,  Hugh  Shaw  and  John  S.  Frierson.  A new  church  has  since  been  built  at  Mouut 
Pleasant  and  the  membership  of  the  church  transferred  there.  The  early  Methodist  min- 
isters were  John  Akin,  John  Dauiel,  John  Nixon,  Ivesterson  and  Tidwell.  This  denomi- 
nation has  a large  and  flourishing  church  at  Mount  Pleasant.  There  are  also  quite  a 
number  of  Cumberland  Presbyterians  in  this  section,  and  these  people  have- an  old  camp 
ground  and  church  at  Mount  Joy,  on  the  west  fork  of  Bigby,  about  three  miles  from 
Mount  Pleasant.  Good  schools  have  been  maintained  at  Mount  Pleasant  for  more  than  a 
half  century.  Mathew  D.  Cooper  is  said  to  have  taught  school  there  as  early  as  1809-10- 
Further  notice  of  the  schools  of  Mount  Pleasant  and  Mount  Joy  will  be  made  under  the 
head  of  “Schools.”  Cross  Bridge  is  the  name  of  a little  place  about  ten  miles  from 
Columbia,  on  the  Columbia  & Hampshire  Pike.  At  this  place  is  a store,  postoffice  and 
an  academy.  Hampshire  is  a small  village  in  District  No.  15,  and  is  about  fifteen  miles 
west  of  Columbia,  and  is  situated  on  Cathey’s  Creek.  Lands  in  this  neighborhood  were 
settled  iu  1S0T.  The  first  settlers  in  the  neighborhood  were  the  Akins,  Loves,  Farises, 
Whitesides.  Lusks,  Williamses,  Erwins,  Alexanders,  Peytons,  Bells,  Isoms,  Riffles  and 
Burnses.  Hampshire  is  a place  of  some  wealth  and  business.  Game  in  this  vicinity  was 
formerly  very  abundant.  It  is  said  that  the  wife  of  William  Alexander  killed  a deer  with 
a smoothing  iron  in  1808.  Near  Hampshire  on  the  creek  below  were  settled  the  Kennedys, 
Malones  and  Catheys,  the  latter  giving  the  name  to  the  stream.  The  first  Presbyterian, 
church  in  this  neighborhood  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  James  White  Stephenson,  who- 
was  then  pastor  of  Zion  Church.  The  first  church  of  the  Primitive  Baptists  was  organ- 
ized by  the  Rev.  Mr.  McCaleb,  who,  with  the  Rev.  McOonico,  was  the  first  minister  of 
that  persuasion.  The  first  Methodist  preacher  was  the  Rev.  John  Akin.  In  the  Cathey 
neighborhood  are  a Presbyterian  and  a Christian  Church;  the  latter  has  quite  a large  con- 
gregation. The  first  school  teachers  in  the  neighborhood  were  Rev.  John  Akin,  Asoph 
Eiiloe  and  Henry  Young.  Bigby ville  is  about  nine  miles  south  of  Columbia.  The  origin 
of  the  place  dates  about  1834  Or  1835.  The  village  is  quite  small,  and  has  made  little 
progress,  in  a commercial  sense,  for  a number  of  years.  It  was  incorporated  a number  of 
years  ago,  but  in  April,  188*2,  it  surrendered  its  charier.  Settlements  began  in  the  vicinity 
of  Bigbyville  about  1807.  Among  the  early  settlers  were  the  Hendersons,  Reeses,  Alex- 
anders, Smiths,  Matthews,  Ilannas,  McCains,  Perrys.  Scotts  and  Zollicoffers.  John 
J.  Zollicofler,  father  of  Gen.  Felix  K.  Zoliicoffer,  died  on  his  farm  near  Bigbyville,  and 
here,  too,  the  General  was  born.  Frederick  Zoliicoffer,  a brother  of  the  General,  was  one 
of  the  first  merchants  in  Bigbyville.  The  place  contains  the  usual  number  of  business 
houses  of  a place  of  its  size;  also  a Methodist  church  and  a Masonic  ball. 

Not  far  from  Bigbyville,  near  the  head  waters  of  the  Little  Bigby,  is  what  is  calle 


MAUltY  COUNTV. 


t I i 


Southport.  Willi  am  McConnell  is  said  to  have  been  the  first  settler  in  this  vicinity.  He 
built  a tannery  near  where  the  village  stands.  Near  the  place  were  the  McKuights,  Gal- 
loways, Mathewses  and  Ralstons.  Near  here  also  lived  and  died  Obi.  William  Pillow.  The 
Methodists  have  a church  here  ami  the  Christians  have  one  near  the  place.  The  first 
lodge  of  Good  Templars  in  Maury  County  was  organized  at  Southport  by  the  Rev.  Mr 
llensley  in  18(JS.  Near  the  dividing  line  between  Maury  and  Giles  Counties,  at  source  of 
Little  Rigby,  is  a cave  of  considerable  size.  Here  saltpetre  was  obtained  for  the  powder- 
mill  that  first  stood  in  Columbia. 

Williamsport  is  situated  in  the  western  part  of  the  county  on  Duck  River.  The  land 
where  the  town  now  stands  was  entered  by  Edward  Williams  and  a ferry  was  established 
by  him  at  that  place  called  “ Williams’  Ferry. ” The  town  was  laid  out  in  181?  by 
Edward  Williams,  and  being  on  the  river  was  very  naturally  named  Williamsport.  The 
town  was  incorporated  in  1817  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature,  but  the  charter  was  allowed 
to  lapse  after  a time,  but  was  re-incorporated  in  November,  1845,  and  the  charter  amended 
in  1855.  Among  the  early  settlers  in  and  about  Williamsport  were  the  Cooks,  Williamses, 
Pools.Edwardses,  Comptons, Oliphants,  Bullocks  and  Englishes.  Across  the  river  were  the 
Leipers,  Greenfields  and  Colemans.  Hugh  Lciper  gave  name  to  Leiper’s  Creek.  The 
first  physician  of  Williamsport  was  Dr.  James  G.  Smith,  who  came  to  the  county  with  the 
Greenfields.  Dr.  Thomas  Greenfield  came  out  from  Maryland  and  settled  Greenfield 
Bend.  Williamsport  was  in  an  early  day  an  important  shipping  point,  being  on  the  river 
as  it  was.  The  boats  used  were  flat-boats,  keel-boats  and  pirogues.  John  M airhead,  who 
lived  south  of  Gordon’s  Ferry,  and  Samuel  Oliphant  are  said  to  have  built  the  first  flat- 
boat  that  ever  floated  cut  of  Duck  River  to  New  Orleanc  ATo  -t  John  Ru^ock  RjV»«  o 
Cook  and  James  Blakely  are  said  to  have  brought  the  first  salt  from  the  famous  “ saline 
works,”  near  Shawneetown,  111.  This  was  as  early  as  about  1814.  The  first  merchant  in 
Williamsport  was  George  Hicks.  Several  distinguished  business  and  professional  men 
have  lived  in  Williamsport;  among  them  were  Powhattan  Gordon,  Abraham  Church  and 
Dr.  Samuel  S.  Porter.  Although  in  a healthful  section  of  the  country,  Williamsport  was 
scourged  by  cholera  in  1835.  The  town  is  surrounded  by  good  farming  country  and  has 
its  complement  of  churches,  schools,  business  and  professional  men.  In  the  same  district, 
No.  14,  is  a village  or  settlement  called  Saw  Dust  Valley,  the  center  of  a prosperous  com- 
munity. In  this  vicinity  is  the  well-known  old  Methodist  camp  ground  called  Mount  Nebo. 
Near  the  old  camp  ground  is  the  modern  church  of  Mount  Nebo. 

In  the  First  District,  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  county,  is  a settlement  called 
Ivinderhook.  The  particular  place  mentioned  lies  on  the  line  of  the  old  Natchez  Trace. 
The  first  settler  in  that  region  is  said  to  have  been  a man  named  Kersey.  A county  may 
fail  to  name  some  insignificant  place  Boston  or  Charleston,  but  it  never  fails  to  have  a 
Kinderhook. 

On  a branch  of  the  Big  Bigby,  in  the  southwestern  part  of  the  county,  is  New  York. 
It  is  more  the  name  of  a settlement  than  a town.  It  contains  a store,  Scott  Mill,  and  one 
or  two  shops.  Near  the  place  is  a Presbyterian  Church,  and  about  one  mile  from  the 
place  is  a Methodist  Church.  In  the  Eleventh  District  is  a neighborhood  called  Enter- 
prise. There  was  formerly  a store  and  business  shop  and  a mill  there.  The  place  is  too 
far  from  railroad  communication  to  thrive,  although  surrounded  as  it  is  by  fine  lands.  .In 
the  vicinit}'  of  Enterprise  are  a Methodist  and  a Baptist  Church.  Rally  Hill  lies  in  the 
eastern  part  of  the  county,  about  fifteen  miles  from  Columbia.  The  early  settlers  in  this 
district,  the  Twenty -fifth,  were  the  Hardisons,  Boyds,  Peays.  Billingtons,  Strattons, 
Hurts,  Derryberrys,  Smiths,  Hueys,  Foglemans  and  others.  Other  centers  in  the  Twenty- 
fifth  District  are  Glenn's  Store,  where  there  is  also  a postofiice,  Hurt's  Cross  Roads,  Orr’s 
Cross  Roads;  the  latter  contains  an  academy  and  a church,  and  Hardison's  Mill’s.  There 
is  a postoffice  at  the  last  named  place.  In  former  days  the  settlers  about  Bear  and  Flat 
Creeks  were  wont  to  come  to  Columbia  and  meet  their  rivals  from  the  vicinity  of  Culleoka 
and  engage  them  in  the  “ manly  art  ” of  fisticuff.  These  contests  were  often  long  and 
sometimes  bloody,  but  were  simply  tests  of  muscle. 


« 


HISTORY  OK  TENNESSEE. 


77$ 


Among  the  first  settlers  in  the  vicinity  where  Cullcoka  now  stands  was  David  Love, 
who  built  a mill  on  Fountain  Creek.  This  was  long  known  as  Love’s  mill.  Lemuel 
Prewett  settled  at  Cave  llill,  west  of  Cullcoka,  in  1807.  Col.  Joe  Brown  was  another 
early  settler  in  that  locality.  John  Toombs  was  an  early  settler  near  Cullcoka.  lie  once 
built  a distillery  near  the  present  site  of  the  county  poor-house.  Near  Cullcoka  was  the 
old  Pleasant  Grove  Academy;  near  this  is  the  old  Wilkes’  Camp  Ground  and  Church.  A 
short  distance  east  of  Cullcoka  is  a Baptist  Church.  At  the  village  of  Culleoka  is  the  well- 
known  school  of  the  Wells  brothers.  This  school  has  long  since  swallowed  up  the  old 
Pleasant  Grove  Academy.  In  addition  to  this  well-known  school  Culleoka  contains  a 
Methodist  and  a Presbyterian  Church,  a Masonic  hall,  a hotel  and  numerous  business 
houses. 

Hurricane  Switch  lies  six  miles  beyond  Columbia.  The  village  contains  two  or  three 
stores,  a postoffice,  several  shops  and  a Methodist  Church  and  camp  ground.  Pleasant 
Grove  Depot  lies  on  the  railroad,  ten  miles  from  Columbia.  This  place  contains  several 
stores,  a steam  flouring-mill,  a hotel  and  other  buildings.  Campbell’s  Station  lies  three 
miles  beyond  Culleoka,  on  the  railroad.  This  was  named  from  the  family  of  Campbells 
who  settled  there  in  an  early  day.  Among  the  early  settlers  near  there  were  the  Camp- 
bells, Gills,  Davis  Kerr  and  Amis.  Besides  a few  business  houses  there  is  a Christian 
Church  near  Campbell’s  Station.  Formerly  there  was,  near  this  place,  Shane’s  Church 
and  Grave  yard.  Mark  Jackson,  an  old  Revolutionary  soldier,  was  buried  here,  as  well  as 
man}*  of  the  old  settlers. 

By  an  act  passed  November  23, 1S09,  William  Berrvhill.  William  W.  Thompson,  Lnd- 
well  B.  Estes,  Isaac  Roberts,  William  Bradshaw,  Joseph  Brown,  William  Dooley  and 
Samuel  Witherspoon  were  constituted  a body  politic  and  corporate  to  be  known  by  the 
name  of  the  trustees  of  the  Woodward  Academy,  in  the  county  of  Maury.  In  a few  days 
after  Andrew  Henderson  and  Ebenezer  Leath  were  added  to  the  committee  to  act  with 
above  committee.  October  22, 1811,  the  trustees  were  ordered  to  draft  a scheme  for  a lot- 
tery and  publish  the  same.  The  tickets  were  to  be  of  four  classes,  and  the  sum  to  be 
raised  was  not  to  exceed  §5,000.  The  trustees  were  to  enter  bond  with  the  chairman  of 
the  Maury  County  Court  into  a bond  of  double  the  amount  to  be  invested  in  the  lottery, 
and  in  case  the  lottery  failed  the  money  was  to  be  returned  to  the  purchasers  of  tickets 
within  six  years.  It  was  further  ordered  that  when  a sufficient  number  of  tickets  had 
been  sold  notice  should  be  given  for  three  weeks  in  the  Western  Chronicle , and  the  trust- 
ees were  themselves  allowed  to  purchase  tickets  subject  to  the  option  of  the  superintend- 
ent of  the  drawing.  The  act  further  allowed  a small  fee  to  the  trustees  for  their  services. 
Woodward  was  located  a little  east  of  Columbia,  near  what  is  known  as  Burns’  Spring. 
This  institution  was  in  a flourishing  condition  for  many  }Tears.  There  were  no  buildings 
erected  for  Woodward  till  181.5.  November  22  of  that  year  Isaac  Roberts,  Joseph  Brown, 
John  C.  Wormley.  William  Dooley,  John  Mathews,  William  Bradshaw,  Horatio  Depriest 
and  David  Ogilvie,  who  were  then  trustees,  purchased  two  acres  of  land  for  §500.  The 
lot  is  described  as  “lying  ou  the  east  of  Joseph  C.  McDowell,  six  poles  and  nine  links  to 
the  chimney  of  the  house  built  by  Horatio  Depriest,  where  Samuel  Craig  now  lives.” 
Woodward  was  the  only  institution  of  the  kind  for  many  years  in  the  vicinity  of  Colum- 
bia. Here  attended  the-rising  young  men  of  the  community,  among  them  A.  O.  P.  Nich- 
olson. Thomas  J.  Porter,  W.  P.  Martin,  George  W.  Gordon  and  many  other'.  Among 
the  teachers  now  remembered  are  David  Weir  and  Dr.  S.  P.  Jordan,  who  is  still  living 
near  Mount  Pleasant.  Dr.  Jordan  taught  in  Woodward  about  1821. 

It  is  believed  that  Spring  Hill  Academy  was  in  operation  before  the  Manual  of  Labor 
Academy  or  Jackson  College;  in  fact  it  is  claimed  the  latter  succeeded  the  former.  A 
successful  school  had  been  conducted  by  Dr.  Harbin  and  Prof.  Williford  at  Spring  Hill  be- 
fore this  time.  It  is  a matter  of  record  that  Henry  Wade  made  a deed  of  two  acres  of  land 
to  Henry  Pointer,  Henry  L.  Crutcher,  J.  W.  Cheairs,  M.  I).  Thompson  and  Henry 
Wade,  as  trustees  of  Spring  Hill  Female  Academy  on  February  17,  1839. 

On  the  sale  of  the  lands  of  Jackson  College,  or  the  Manual  of  Labor  Academy,  the 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


771> 


originnl  purchase  of  eleven  and  three-fourth  acres  was  retained  and  a school  continued  as 
Union  Seminary.  September  14.  1840,  an  additional  purchase  was  made  by  the  trustees- 
of  Uniou  Seminary  of  fifty-three  acres  of  P.  H.  Junkins,  Robert  Campbell  and  J.  C. 
Mitchell.  Union  Seminary  continued  as  a prosperous  school  for  many  years.  Dr.  Har 
din.  the  president  of  Union  Seminary,  resigned  in  1840,  and  was  succeeded  by  R.  C.  Gar- 
rison. The  other  teachers  were  J.  H.  and  G.  H.  Blair. 

Jackson  College  was  formerly  called  the  Manual  of  Labor  Academy.  On  November 
11.  1830,  James  T.  Sanders  made  a deed  of  eleven  and  three-fourths  acres  of  land  for 
$297.65  to  John  Brown,  Obediah  Jennings,  Ephraim  W.  Foster,  James  T.  Sandford. 
Phillip  Lindsley,  Newton  Cannon,  James  W.  Brooks,  Duncan  Brown,  William  L.  Wilford, 
Robert  Hardin,  G.  M.  Martin,  Thomas  J.  Hall,  Samuel  J.  Calvert,  Hugh  Brown,  John 
Allen.  Mathew  Rhea.  Hugh  Barr,  D.  A.  Smith,  John  White,  John  Hall,  Amzi  Bradshaw, 
Robert  M.  Ewing,  George  Newton,  Daniel  Gilchrist,  James  M.  Linn,  John  Glass,  George 
W.  Ashbridge,  James  Ellet,  Ebenezer  McEwin,  Alexander  Campbell,  David  Wicr,  Thomas 
Ljmch,  Edward  Ward.  James  Campbell,  Benjamin  Carter,  Benjamin  McCullough,  W.  J. 
Frierson,  Thomas  Brown,  William  Leach  and  Moses  Stephens  as  trustees  of  said  institu- 
tion. This  was  chartered  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  on  November  16,  1829,  and 
October  28,  1833,  a purchase  of  2GS  acres  of  land  was  made  on  Rutherford  Creek  for 
$3,874.  The  location  not  suiting  the  trustees,  they  sold  2564  acres  of  the  land  for  $5,336 
to  P.  IT.  and  B.  W.  Junkins.  The  sale  was  made  on  May  8,  1836,  and  the  college  moved 
to  Columbia  and  was  afterward  known  as  Jackson  College.  The  new  college  was’opened 
in  1837.  near  tho.  railroad,  and  continued  in  operation  till  broken  up  by  the  war.  The 
building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1863,  and  has  never  been  rebuilt,  and  the  grounds  have 
been  sold  and  private  residences  erected  thereon.  The  presidents  of  Jackson  College  in 
order  were  Benjamin  Larabee,  Dr.  Sherman.  Dr.  Mack,  B.  Ragsdale,  Joseph  Crawford, 
Dr.  Mack  (a  second  time)  and  Benjamin  F.  Mitchell.  Among  the  prominent  professors 
may  be  mentioned  James  O.  Griffin,  David  Maxwell.  Dr.  C.  N.  Ordway,  McClary  Blair, 
S.  W.  Mitchell  and  O.  H.  P.  Bennett;  the  latter  occupied  the  chair  of  mathematics.  In 
1848  Jackson  College  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Masonic  bodies  of  the  county,  and  was 
managed  by  them,  i.  e.,  Lafayette  Chapter,  No.  4;  Columbia  Lodge,  No.  31;  Benton  Lodge, 
No.  Ill;  Pleasant  Grove  Lodge,  No.  138;  Spring  Hill  Lodge,  No.  124;  Mount  Pleasant 
Lodge,  No.  57,  and  St.  James  Lodge,  No.  105.  The  following  was  the  board  of  trustees: 
W.  R.  Hedge,  R.  Smith,  W.  F.  Moore,  W.  Galloway,  J.  O.  Church,  Edmund  Dillahunty, 
Nathan  Wright,  J.  S.  Campbell.  A.  M.  Hughes,  Hugh  Forgey,  S.  C.  Newell.  J.  N.  Bills, 
A.  J.  Boyd,  Nathaniel  F.  Cheairs,  James  O.  Potter,  J.  O.  Griffith,  William  J.  Hunter,  W. 
W.  Coleman  and  W.  W.  Jassey. 

The  Columbia  Female  Institute  was  begun  in  1835,  but  did  not  become  a chartered 
institution  till  in  February,  1836.  The  building  and  the  early  success  of  this  institute  is 
due  largely  to  the  Rev.  Franklin  G.  Smith  and  his  estimable  wife.  Dr.  Smith  came  to- 
Columbia  from  Lynchburg.  Ya.,  and  began  at  once  to  devote  his  energies  to  the  up  build- 
ing of  the  institute.  The  buildings  were  erected  in  1837-38,  and  were  designed  and  con- 
structed by  Messrs.  Drummond  & Lutterloh,  and  are  a model  of  architectural  beauty  and 
skill  to  this  da}r.  The  institute  stands  on  a four-acre  lot,  and  is  120  feet  front  with  high  tur- 
rets. The  grounds  contain- fine  old  forest  trees,  and  are  well  set  in  blue  grass.  Some  very 
fine  statuary  adorn  the  front  yard  of  the  building.  The  buildings  are  owned  and  controlled 
by  the  Episcopal  Church  of  Tennessee.  Soon  after  its  erection  it  took  a high  position  among 
educational  institutions  of  the  country.  In  1838  the  Rt.  Rev.  Leonidas  Polk,  D.  D.,  was 
its  president.  Evans  Young,  S.  D.  Frierson,  James  Walker,  G.  S.  Skipwitli,  Hillary 
Langtry,  Patrick  McGuire,  Lucius  J.  Polk,  Adlai  O.  Harm  and  P.  R.  Booker  were  trustees, 
and  Rt.  Rev.  James  H.  Otey,  visitor.  The  institute  continued  under  the  immediate  con- 
trol of  Rector  Smith,  who  managed  both  its  educational  and  financial  affairs  till  1852, 
when  a difficulty  arose,  which  caused  the  resignation  of  Rector  Smith.  He  immediately 
began  the  Atheneum  as  a private  enterprise.  The  institute  is  still  in  a flourishing  condi- 
tion, and  has  a large  patronage  from  abroad,  particularly  from  Mississippi  and  Louisiana. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


7S0 


In  the  last  two  decades  the  Rev.  George  Beckett  has  been  at  the  head  of  this  institute. 
He  formerly  had  control  of  a female  school  in  Kentucky.  There  is  an  excellent  corps  of 
teachers  iu  all  the  departments  of  the  institute.  The  course  embraces  all  that  is  usually 
taught  in  an  institute  of  its  kind. 

The  Columbia  Athencum  was  founded  by  the  Rev.  Franklin  G.  Smith  immediately 
after  his  separation  from  the  institute.  The  name  and  fame  of  Dr.  Smith  was  sufficient 
guaranty  for  the  success  of  the  Athcneum  notwithstanding  the  embarrassing  circumstances 
surrounding  its  beginning.  The  school  has  had  an  uninterrupted  course  since  its  founda- 
tion, even  the  ravages  of  war  and  wantonness  of  the  soldiery  were  not  sufficient  to  close  its 
doors.  Mrs.  Smith  for  a time  taught  a few  pupils  alone,  and  thus  prevented  the  appropria- 
tion of  the  buildings  for  hospital  or  other  military  purposes.  The  school  was  .conducted  by 
Rector  Smith  till  his  death  in  1866  and  then  by  his  widow  till  1871,  when  at  her  death  the 
Atheneum  fell  into  the  hands  of  their  sons  Capt.  Robert  D.  Smith,  Dr.  William  A.  Smith 
and  Prof.  Frank  H.  Smith.  The  former  is  its  business  manager.  The  present  manage- 
ment began  under  very  trying  circumstances,  but  by  energy  and  skill  the  Atheneum  is  in 
a very  flourishing  condition.  The  principal  buildings  are  the  Atheneum  proper,  the  Davis 
Hall,  Orient  and  Rectory.  These  buildings  are  surrounded  by  a lot  of  twenty  two  acres  of 
beautiful  lands  covered  with  forest  trees  and  well  set  in  grasses.  The  school  is  divided 
into  these  departments:  the  pestalozzian  or  primary  (one  grade),  the  junior  (four  grades), 
and  the  senior.  The  senior  is  divided  into  twelve  schools  as  follows:  1,  The  school  of 
ancient  languages  and  literature.  2,  The  school  of  modern  languages,  including  the 
German,  Italian,  Spanish,  and  Anglo-Saxon  and  their  literature.  3,  The  school  of  modern 
philosophy.  4,  The  school  of  civil  history.  5,  The  school  of  general  literature.  6,  The 
school  of  elocution.  7,  The  school  of  English.  8,  The  school  of  mathematics.  0,  The 
school  of  natural  philosophy  and  chemistry.  10,  The  school  of  natural  history.  11,  The 
school  of  music,  embracing  instrumental,  vocal  and  harmony.  12,  The  school  of  art.  The 
discipline  and  management  seem  to  be  of  the  highest  character,  and  the  instructions  are 
by  specialists  in  their  respective  departments.  Aside  from  the  large  patronage  from  home 
and  the  States  immediately  surrounding,  a very  large  number  each  year  attend  from  Texas.  - 
The  books  of  the  Smith  Bros,  show  that  since  the  family  began  teaching  in  Columbia 
over  10,000  girls  and  young  ladies  have  received  instructions  from  them  and  over  1.000 
have  graduated.  The  register  for  1884-85  shows  an  enrollment  of  171  pupils.  The  register 
for  1885-86  will  show  an  increased  number. 

The  present  public  school  building  of  Columbia  was  erected  for  the  “ Columbia  Fe- 
male Conference  College,”  under  the  auspices  of  the  Methodist  Church  in  1851-52.  Rev. 

J.  O.  Church  was  its  president,  and  for  a number  of  years  the  school  was  in  a prosperous 
condition.  It  was  largely  patronized  by  the  church  and  by  others.  As  a female  school  it 
was  closed  about  the  beginning  of  the  war.  The  building  was  long,known  as  the  Andrews 
School  Building.  After  the  war  the  Smith  Bros,  of  the  Atheneum  purchased  the  build- 
ing and  converted  it  into  a male  high  school.  It  was  under  the  management  of  Dr.  W. 
A.  Smith  and  Prof.  John  S.  Beecher.  In  1881  the  school  board  purchased  the  building 
from  the  Smith  Bros,  and  remodeled  it  for  the  public  schools.  The  building  cost  about 
$14,000,  and  was  called  Andrew’s  Building  in  honor  of  one  of  Columbia’s  citizens  who  took 
great  interest  in  the  establishment  of  the  public  schools  of  Columbia.  The  schools  were 
under  the  superintendence  of  Prof.  Robert  D’Shiel  Robertson  from  September,  1881,  until 
September,  1884.  Since  that  the  public  schools  have  been  under  the  management  of  Prof. 

S.  M.  Arnell,  who  has  done  much  to  popularize  the  public  school  system.  Like  the  giant 
oak  from  the  little  acorn  the  schools  of  Columbia  have  had  a wonderful  growth.  From  a 
meeting  on  a dreary  winter  evening  in  the  chancery  court  room,  lighted  by  tallow  can- 
dies, the  schools  had  their  origin.  Here  met  James  Andrews,  E.  Kuhn,  D.  T.  B.  Rains, 
Dr.  Theodore  Frierson,  W.  J.  Andrews,  S.  X.  Arnell  and  possibly  one  or  two  others.  At 
the  time  there  was  not  only  great  indifference  if  not  strong  prejudice  against  the  common 
school  system.  The  schools  now  enroll  over  800  pupils,  white  and  black,  and  are  taught  by 
twelve  teachers  besides  the  superintendent.  The  board  has  under  advisement  the  erec- 


MAURY  COUNTY 


t 

l 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


761 


tion  of  a line  building  for  the  colored  schools,  ft  special  appropriation  of  $3,000  liaviug 
been  set  apart  for  that  purpose  by  the  town  corporation.  The  city  of  Columbia  has  been 
quite  liberal  in  its  appropriations  for  its  schools.  The  tax  including  State,  county,  and 
city,  amounts  to  TO  cents  on  the  $100,  or  something  over  $8,000  for  school  purposes,  in 
consequence  of  which  the  schools  extend  over  a period  of  ten  months.  The  course  em- 
braces nine  grades  of  one  year  each,  and  is  intended  to  tit  boys  and  girls  for  the  various 
businesses  of  life. 

The  Robertson  Male  High  School  was  established  September  7.  1885,  by  Robert 
D Sliiel  Robertson,  to  till  a space  between  the  public  school  and  the  college  or  university. 
The  design  at  first  was  to  limit  the  number  of  people  to  twenty-five,  but  the  pressure 
being  so  great  a much  larger  number  was  admitted  and  assistants  employed.  While  the 
school  is  comparatively  a new  institution,  the  varied  experience  of  Mr.  Robertson  in  the 
University  of  Nashville,  three  years  in  the  law  department  of  the  Vanderbilt  University, 
three  years  as  superintendent  of  the  Knoxville  City  schools,  besides  the  work  done  in 
Columbia  ought  to  eminently  fit  him  for  the  work  in  his  male  high  school. 

Ingleside  Academy  has  been  under  the  management  of  Mrs.  S.  B.  Mack  for  a great 
many  years.  It  is  a private  institution,  and  is  devoted  to  female  education.  Mrs.  Mack 
has  been  engaged  in  the  education  of  females  all  her  life,  a work  for  which  she  is  emi- 
nently fitted. 

The  present  sj'stem  of  public  schools  of  the  county  was  organized  in  the  county  in 
1872.  The  county  now  employs  135  teachers,  of  whom  forty-nine  are  male  white,  and 
thirty-eight  are  female  white;  thirty-six  are  male  colored,  and  twelve  female  colored 
teachers.  The  average  length  of  the  school  term  is  about  seventy  days,  although  this  dif- 
fers considerably  in  some  of  the  various  districts.  The  total  amount  of  school  money 
received  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  July  1,  1885,  was:  From  State,  $3,568.70;  from  county, 
$21,502;  from  other  sources,  $6,820.35.  The  scholastic  population  for  the  same  time  was 
male  white,  4,147;  female  white,  3,445;  male  colored,  3,862;  female  colored,  3, 609;  total, 
15,063.  The  enrollment  was  male  whites,  2,488;  females,  2,317;  colored  males,  2,067; 
colored  females,  2,165;  total,  9,037.  The  average  attendance  of  whites  was  3,603;  of  col- 
ored children,  3,174,  making  an  average  attendance  of  6,777.  The  schools  are  divided  into 
incorporated,  consolidated  and  common  school  proper,  and  of  the  last  named  there  is  in 
the  south  district  one  graded  school. 

Mount  Pleasant  Academy  was  built  on  the  lands  of  Elijah  Harbin  in  1835.  The  fol- 
lowing trustees  were  appointed  at  that  time:  Willis  Ridley, John  Dawson  and  Henry  Hays. 
These  were  changed  from  time  to  time  as  occasion  demanded.  Schools  of  high  grade  have 
been  maintained  there  for  over  a half  century.  Among  the  prominent  men  who  have 
taught  here  are  Hon.  William  F.  Ivercheval,  R.  B.  Kercheval,  M.  Ferguson  and  Chan- 
cellor William  S.  Fleming.  For  the  last  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  the  Messrs.  Webb  have 
been  managing  a successful  school  at  Culleoka.  This  is  a school  for  boys,  and  is  known 
far  bej'ond  the  confines  of  the  State.  Under  the  “ four  mile  ” law  the  Culleoka  Academy 
was  incorporated  March  29,  1884.  Those  in  whose  names  the  charter  was  granted  are  J.  L. 
Moore,  J.  M.  Stephens,  W.  H.  Wilkes,  W.  R.  Webb,  Joseph  Love,  C.  Taylor,  J.  J.  Heu- 
lett,  N.  I.  Moore  and  R.  A.  Wilkes.  This  school  is  in  a-  flourishing  condition.  Nebo 
Acadcmj-  was  incorporated  December  19,  1877,  by  W.  W.  Joice,  W.  R.  McKennon,  W.  P. 
Gantt,  L.  King,  George  N.  McKennon,  William  F.  Kinzer  and  George  Whit  Kinzer.  Oak 
Grove  was  built  in  1878  and  chartered  by  Hardin  Mayberry,  Sampson  Liggett,  W.  C.  Lig- 
gett, Samuel  Clymer,  T.  M.  Saveli,  W.  C.  Derryberry,  John  Craig,  II.  Green,  J.  W.  Smee, 
C.  S.  Richerson,  T.  H.  Rieherson  and  R.  W.  Tindell.  Oak  Grove  As  in  the  Third  Dis- 
trict. Cross  Bridges  Academy  was  incorporated  April  5,  1880,  by  C.  Nicholls,  Henry 
Harlan,  A.  Bowen,  J.  C.  Webster  and  J.  L.  Beard.  Spring  Hill  Male  College  was  char- 
tered December  19,  1881.  Those  named  in  the  charter  are  Campbell  Brown,  J.  T.  S. 
Thompson,  W.  C.  Campbell,  J.  W.  Clieairs,  J.  W.  Alexander,  A.  M.  Kissack,  J.  T.  Wade, 
J.  M.  Moore,  Thomas  GibsoD,  A.  M.  Bailey  and  W.  A.  Bailey.  This  is  now  a flourishing 
school,  and  is  under  the  control  of  Prof.  Morton. 


49 


782 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

Bcaehcroft  is  the  female  academy  of  Spring  Hill.  This  large  female  school  is  under 
the  management  of  Mrs.  Estes,  and  is  largely  attended  outside  of  the  State.  A charter  for 
Beachcroft  was  granted  January  11,  1884,  to  M.  C.  Campbell,  Campbell  Brown,  H.  A. 
Brown,  J.  O.  Hardin,  J.  T.  Thompson,  J.  M.  Gray,  J.  AV.  Cheairs,  J.  W.  Alexander,  AY. 
M.  Cheairs,  H.  P.  Wade  and  H.  P.  Pointer. 

Stephenson  Academy  is  a very  old  one  and  was  chartered  in  1848  by  Duncan  Brown, 
James  M.  Arncll,  Leonidas  Polk.  E.  W.  Dale,  J.  S.  Flemming,  J.  B.  Frierson  and  J.  W. 
Frierson,  Cave  Hill.  Cave  Hill  School  was  incorporated  July  9, 1878.  The  men  to  whom 
the  charter  was  given  were  Jerry  C.  Notgrass.  W.  W.  Neeley,  S.  M.  Neeley  and  W.  M. 
Sullivan.  Pleasant  Mound  is  located  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District  and  was  incorporated 
about  the  same  time  as  Cave  Hill.  Mount  Joy  School  was  incorporated  in  June,  1881, 
by  S.  Williams,  P.  C.;  Bailey,  Thomas  Durham,  W.  H.  Bailey,  J.  H.  King,  A.  C.  Sims,  B. 
B.  Craig,  William  T.  McCain  and  T.  P.  Holmes.  Mount  Zion  Academy  was  incorporated 
by  charter  January  1,  1880,  by  W.  T.  Iladley,  P.  H.  Southall,  B.  L.  Mayes,  G.  H.  Fitz- 
gerald, W.  S.  Alderson,  D.  llarling,  S.  E.  Witherspoon  and  W.  T.  Dodson.  In  connec- 
tion with  this  school  is  a chartered  literary  society.  Mount  Zion  is  in  the  Nineteenth  Dis- 
trict and  has  maintained  a school  of  some  kind  for  nearly  three  quarters  of  a century. 
Neapolis  Academy  is  in  the  Twenty-second  District  and  was  incorporated  in  January, 
1880.  The  charter  was  granted  to  W.  A.  Bailey,  E.  A.  Denton,  R.  C.  Allen,  W.  C.  Rad- 
ley and  AY.  T.  Bassham. 

In  addition  to  the  incorporated  schools,  schools  chartered  under  the  “four  mile  ” law, 
there  are  thirteen  consolidated  schools,  schools,  however,  in  which  private  schools  are  taught 
supplementary  to  the  public  schools  There  is  in  the  Ninth  District  a graded  school  of  two 
departments.  The  remaining  schools  are  the  ordinary  count}'  schools.  The  awakening 
of  the  people  to  the  importance  of  an  efficient  school  system  indicates  that  they  believe 
the  common  schools  are  the  “hope  of  our  country.” 

The  Synod  of  Kentucky,  in  October,  1810,  ordered  that  a portion  of  Transylvania  be 
cut  off  and  a new  presbytery  formed  to  be  called  tbe  Presbytery  of  West  Tennessee, 
consisting  of  Rev.  Messrs.  James  AY.  Stephenson,  Samuel  Donald,  Duncan  Brown  and 
Samuel  Hedge.  This  presbytery  was  duly  organized  at  Bethsaida  Church.  March  27, 
1811.  The  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn  and  Rev.  John  Gillespie  were  received  as  members  at 
this  meeting.  Presbyterianism  began  with  the  settlement  of  the  State.  The  following 
churches  had  been  organized  a number  of  years  before  the  Presbytery  of  AYest  Tennessee 
- was  formed:  Bethesda,  Bethsaida,  Rocky  Mount,  Ebenezer,  Swan  Creek,  Sugar  Creek, 
Flat  Creek,  Betherc-i,  Nashville  and  Franklin.  The  one  at  Columbia  was  formed  about 
1811.  The  boundaries  of  AYest  Tennessee  were  minutely  defined  on  the  north  and  east, 
but  on  the  west  they  extended  to  Missouri  and  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  southward  to 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico.  The  old  records  show  that  as  early  as  1S13  the  presbytery  had  its 
missionaries  in  the  Territories  of  Missouri,  Mississippi  and  West  Florida.  So  rapidly  did 
Presbyterianism  grow',  and  the  difficulty  of  attending  so  large  a territory  so  great,  that  the 
Presbytery  of  AYest  Tennessee  soon  became  the  mother  of  those  of  Shiloh,  Mississippi, 
Obion,  Nashville  and  AYestern  District.  Mention  should  be  made  of  Gideon  Blackburn, 
James  W.  Stephenson  and  Robert  Henderson  as  active  members  of  the  presbytery.  The 
Presbytery  of  Columbia  embraces  the  counties  of  Maury,  Giles,  Marshall  and  Lincoln.  It 
has  under  its  care  twenty-five  -churches  with  thirteen  ordained  ministers  and  a member- 
ship of  about  2,000. 

The  first  church  organization  in  Columbia  was  Presbyterian.  The  date  of  the  organ- 
ization is  not  exactly  known  as  the  records  have  been  destroyed,  but  it  was  not  far  from 
the  organization  of  the  county,  i.  e.  1807.  The  church  w*as  organized  by  the  Rev.  Gideon 
Blackburn,  well  known  as  an  eloquent  preacher  and  a classic  teacher  of  Franklin.  The 
first  regular  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Robert  Henderson,  well  known  as  a pulpit  orator, 
teacher  and  scholar.  The  first  brick  church  erected  in  Columbia  was  in  1822-23,  on  the 
same  lot  where  the  church  now  stands.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  this  church  private 
houses  or  the  court  house  were  used  for  church  services.  The  church  membership 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


783 


embraced  many  of  the  leading  families  in  Columbia.  Among  the  early  elders  were  I)r. 
William  McNiell,  John  Thomas.  John  Dodge,  Benjamin  Thomas,  Samuel  McDowell, 
George  M.  Martin.  Mnj.  John  Brown,  John  Frierson,  Dr.  J.  W.  S.  Frierson  and  Dr.  John 
S.  Law.  Dr.  Henderson  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Robert  Hardin  about  1S30,  who  was  also 
for  a time  president  of  Jackson  College  while  it  was  located  near  Spring  Hill.  The  next 
minister  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Scott,  who  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Sherman, 
who  became  the  second  president  of  Jackson  College,  after  its  removal  to  Columbia.  Dr. 
Sherman,  as  is  well  known,  lost  his  life  by  accident  at  Nashville  in  1849.  Rev.  Sherman 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  C.  P.  Wing,  who  remained  till  1843,  when  the  Rev.  William  Mack 
took  charge  and  continued  till  1858.  Dr.  Mack  was  twice  president  of  Jackson  College 
and  was  widely  known  both  as  a minister  and  educator.  Rev.  A.  Ilartpence  succeeded 
Dr.  Mack  in  1858,  and  he  gave  place  to  Rev.  A.  L.  Kline  about  18C0.  Rev.  A.  L.  Kline 
was  succeeded  in  1868  by  Rev.  J.  M.  P.  Otts.  The  Rev.  J.  C.  Mitchell  became  pastor  in 
1873,  and  he  still  has  charge  of  the  church.  The  present  Presbyterian  Church  was  erected 
in  1843,  but  was  remodeled  and  repaired  in  1874.  This  church  is  now  well  furnished  with 
scats  and  has  an  excellent  pipe  organ.  The  church  membership  is  251. 

The  first  Methodist  class  was  formed  in  Columbia  some  time  between  1815  and  1820, 
although  there  were  a few  members  as  early  as  1815.  The  first  class  meeting  was  held  at 
the  house  of  Thomas  White,  on  Embargo  Street.  The  first  church  house  was  built  on 
South  Main  Street,  near  E.  W.  Gamble’s  large  grocery  store.  This  was  a frame  structure 
about  35x50.  According  to  Mrs.  White  the  building  was  erected  in  1818,  although  it  is 
claimed  by  some.  not.  to  have  been  built  till  1821.  This  house  was  changed  to  a dwelling 
and  stood  till  a few  years  ago.  The  first  regular  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  Madden, 
who  came  to  Columbia  in  1820.  A revival  greatly  strengthened  the  church.  Dr.  Madden 
was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Hartwell  H.  Brown  in  1822.  Dr.  Madden  was  recalled  in.  1823 
and  remained  till  1825,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  W.  B.  Beck.  The  first  Sunday- 
school  was  organized  b}'  Dr.  Madden,  in  1823  or  1824.  The  trustees  of  the  first  church 
were  John  Gordon,  Robert  Doak,  Levi  Covey,  James  Gullett,  John  T.  Moore,  Elisha 
Uzzell  and  Edward  W.  Dale.  These  to  a great  extent  represented  the  families  belonging 
to  the  church.  The  trustees  for  the  new  church  were  E.  W.  Dale,  James  R.  Plummer, 
Joseph  Herndon,  Nathan  Vaught,  G.  I.  Voorhies,  Rev.  William  Horsley,  John  H.  Terrill, 
Samuel  A.  Hamner  and  Rev.  H.  H.  Brown.  A new  brick  church  was  erected  in  1836,  but 
this  was  accidentally  destroyed  by  fire  in  1874  and  was  rebuilt  in  a few  years.  The  present 
elegant  structure  is  the  fruit  of  that  work.  Preaching  had  been  held  in  Columbia  some 
time  before  any  church  was  erected.  Preaching  was  had  either  in  the  court  house  or  in 
the  grove.  One  place  remembered  was  the  Atheneum  grounds,  where  the  celebrated 
Lorenzo  Dow  preached.  The  Methodist  is  one  of  the  strongest  churches  in  the  city,  the 
membership  numbering  about  350. 

The  Episcopal  Church  of  Columbia  was  organized  by  the  Rev.  James  H.  Otey,  who 
afterward  became  bishop  in  1829.  The  first  paster  was  Dr.  Stephens,  who  was  a teacher, 
as  was  his  son  and  daughter.  The  first  church  edifice  was  erected  just  back  of  the  Ma- 
sonic Hall.  Tho  present  elegant  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1860-61.  The  church 
has  a membership  of  149.  Rev.  George  Becket,  of  the  Institute,  has  been  rector  this 
church  for  the  last  nineteen  years. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterians  built  their  church  in  Columbia  in  1848,  with  the  as- 
sistance of  the  Odd  Fellows.  The  symbols  of  that  order  are  still  to  be  seen  over  the  doors 
of  the  church.  This  house  is  still  standing,  and  is  in  a good  state  of  preservation. 

The  Baptists  and  Christians  each  have  elegant  brick  churches  on  High  Street.  The 
former  has  a new  building  in  course  of  construction.  The  date  of  the  organization  of 
these  churches  is  later  than  any  of  the  former  mentioned. 

Like  most  all  the  counties  in  Middle  Tennessee,  Maury  was  settled  largely  by  Revolu- 
tionary soldiers  or  their  descendants.  The  population  of  the  county  in  its  early  history 
was  largely  from  North  Carolina,  South  Carolina  and  Virginia.  North  Carolina  gave 
grants  to  her  soldiers  for  military  services  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  These  grants  were 


784 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


located  mainly  in  Middle  Tennessee,  from  which  cause  large  numbers  of  North  Carolina 
soldiers  settled  in  that  part  of  the  State,  and  not  a few  in  Maury  County.  These  grants 
varied  in  size  in  this  county  from  000  acres  to  25.000  acres,  ns  was  the  case  with  Gen. 
Greene’s  grant.  Among  those  who  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  were  Maj.  James  Hol- 
land. who  died  May  1!>,  1823,  at  the  age  of  seventy  two;  he  served  in  the  Legislature  of 
North  Carolina,  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States;  he  was  buried  about  nine  miles 
cast  of  Columbia.  William  Renfro  served  through  the  war,  and  died  in  1S80  at  the  age  of 
ninety-six.  leaving  a number  of  descendants  in  the  county.  Thomas  Wren,  the  ancestor 
of  a large  family,  was  buried  north  of  the  river  on  the  farm  where  he  lived.  James 
White  Stephenson  was  a South  Carolinian,  and  settled  near  Zion,  of  which  church  he  was 
many  years  pastor.  He  was  a distinguished  minister,  educator,  and  a valued  citizen.  Dr. 
Samuel  Mayes  was  a soldier  at  King’s  Mountain,  and  other  important  battles.  He  was  an 
elder  in  Zion  Church,  and  was  buried  at  that  place.  James  Armstrong,  who  was  a mem- 
ber of  Lee’s  Legion,  came  to  Maury  County  in  1807.  He,  too,  was  buried  at  Zion.  .An- 
other soldier  buried  at  Zion  was  David  Matthews,  who  served  under  Gen.  Marion.  Mark 
Jackson  and  Aaron  Reynolds,  two  old  Revolutionary  soldiers,  were  buried,  one  at 
“Shane’s”  grave-yard  and  the  other  in  a private  grave-yard  near  by.  Gen.  Richard  Winn 
was  a soldier  and  officer  from  South  Carolina.  He  served  in  the  Legislature  of  his  native 
State,  also  in  the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  He  was  buried  near  Williamsport.  His 
grave  was  unmarked,  and  until  a few  years  ago  his  burial  place  was  in  question.  Robert 
Caruthers,  an  early  settler  of  the  county,  was  also  a Revolutionary  soldier.  The  princi- 
pal Indian  fighters  were  Col.  William  and  Gideon  Pillow  and  Col.  Joseph  Brown.  These 
men  are  distinctly  mentioned  in  the  settlement  of  Middle  Tennessee  by  Putnam.  Col. 
Brown  had  been  a prisoner  among  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and  having  learned  their  lan- 
guage he  became  an  effective  guide  against  them  afterward.  He  served  as  a guide  against 
the  Indians  in  the  expedition  against  Nickajack.  In  later  years  lie  became  a distinguished 
Presbyterian  minister.  Pillow  killed  the  Indian  chief  Big  Foot  in  an  expedition  against 
the  Indians.  In  the  Creek  war  of  1S12-14.  Col.  Pillow  commanded  a company,  and  was 
severely  wounded  at  Talladega.  Both  Pillow  and  Brown  died  in  the  count}'  at  the  age  of 
nearly  one  hundred  years.  Cols.  Roberts  and  Gordon  were  also  distinguished  leaders  in 
that  campaign.  Among  the  last  survivors  of  that  campaign  were  Col.  Roberts,  M.  Cooper, 
Maj.  John  D.  Fleming  and  G orge  Donelson. 

On  the  outbreak  of  the  first  Seminole  war  in  1817,  Capt.  John  Gordon  raised  a spy 
company  which  he  commanded  in  that  war.  It  is  well  known  in  this  war  the  climate  and 
hardships  were  far  more  destructive  than  the  bullet  and  tomahawk  of  the  Indians.  The 
last  survivors  of  that  war  were  T.  S.  Pickard  and  David  Hamilton.  Soon  after  the  massa- 
cre of  Maj.  Dade  and  his  men  in  the  Walioo  Swamp,  and  the  killing  of  Gen.  Thompson  on 
December  28,  1833,  Gov.  Cannon  called  for  volunteers.  Two  companies  were  raised  in 
Maury  County;  one  commanded  by  William  J.  Frierson  was  raised  in  the  vicinity  of  Tien 
and  Bigbyville,  and  the  other  was  commanded  by  Capt.  John  B.  Hamilton  and  later  by 
George  Lipscomb.  This  company  was  recruited  mainly  in  the  neighborhood  of  Cathey 
Creek.  These  companies  were  attached  to  the  First  Regiment,  of  which  A.  F.  Bedford 
was  chosen  colonel;  T.  II.  Cahal,  lieutenant-colonel:  Powhattan  Gordon,  major  First 
Battalion,  and  A.  C.  Goff,  major  of  Second  Battalion;  W.  G.  Dickinson,  surgeon  and  xY. 
n.  Brown,  assistant  surgeon.  The  company  commanded  by  Capt.  Frierson  consisted  of 
101  or  102  men  and  Capt.  Hamilton’s  company  contained  103  men.  The  only  loss  sustained 
by  these  companies  was  one  man  who  died  of  measles  and  a negro  belonging  to  J.  M.  S. 
Mayes,  who  was  killed  by  accident.  Mr.  Mayes  is  believed  to  be  the  only  survivor  of  that 
war  now  in  the  county.  The  powder-horn  carried  by  him  is  now  in  possession  of  the  His- 
torical Society.  A full  report  of  this  campaign  is  given  elsewhere. 

In  the  war  with  Mexico  in  1816—17,  the  call  for  troops  was  so  quickly  filled  that  but  a 
small  portiou  of  those  volunteering  were  accepted.  Several  companies  were  tendered  the 
State,  but  one  only,  Capt.  Albert  G.  Cooper’s  company,  was  accepted.  This  was  a cavalry 
company  and  was  attached  to  the  regiment  of  which  J.  E.  Thomas  was  colonel,  Richard 


MAT  BY  COUNTY. 


785 

Allison,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Richard  Waterhouse,  major.  Gen.  Gideon  J.  Pillow, 
of  Maury  County,  commanded  a brigade  in  that  war.  lie  was  at  Matamoras,  Vera  Cruz, 
Cerro  Gordo,  where  he  was  wounded;  also  in  the  battles  near  the  City  of  Mexico.  In  that 
war  as  given  under  that  head,  he  made  a national  reputation  for  skill  and  gallantry. 

In  the  war  between  the  States  Maury  was  slow  to  sever  the  ties,  but  when  in  her 
whole  force  was  thrown  on  the  side  of  the  South.  On  May  0,  1S61,  the  county  court  ap- 
propriated *1,000  for  the  benefit  of  the  families  of  soldiers  who  were  then  iu  the  service. 
This  was  to  be  distributed  by  the  justices  in  their  respective  districts.  By  the  report 
of  October  7 it  is  shown  that  *1.349.00  had  been  thus  expended.  This  sum  was  clis 
tributed  in  the  various  districts  in  sums  varying  from  *1  to  *539.29.  A tax  of  10  cents 
on  each  *100  was  levied  for  the  purpose  of  keeping  up  this  aid.  In  the  call  for  55,000 
men,  2,500  of  whom  were  for  active  service,  the  county  promptly  furnished  her  quota. 
Home  guard  companies  in  each  of  the  twenty-five  districts  were  quickly  enrolled  and  or- 
ganized by  the  selection  of  their  officers.  Space  prevents  our  giving  these  officers  and 
men.  On  May  20,  1801,  the  court  decided  that  the  home  guards  should  serve  without  pay 
as  it  was  the  duty  of  “all  good  citizens  to  serve  in  times  of  peril  free  of  charge.” 

The  first  regular  troops  for  the  service  from  this  county  were  Company  B,  of  the  Sec- 
ond Confederate.  This  regiment  was  organized  May  5,  1861,  at  Nashville,  by  electing  W. 
B.  Bate,  colonel;  D.  L.  Goodall,  lieutenant-colonel;  William  Doak,  major:  William  Driver, 
adjutant;  M.  W.  Clusky,  assistant  quartermaster;  J.  A.  Moore,  assistant  commissary- ser- 
geant; Dr.  T.  J.  Kennedy,  surgeon  and  Rev.  D.  Joseph  Cross,  chaplain.  The  regiment 
was  moved  to  Lynchburg,  Va.,  where  it  was  soon  after  mustered  into  the  Confederate  serv- 
ice by  Gen.  E.  Kiiby  Smith.  Company  B was  made  up  at  Columbia  and  joined  the  reg- 
iment at  Nashville.  The  captains  of  Company  B were  John  G.  Anderson,  John  A. 
Mackey  and  Edmund  O’Neil.  The  roll  of  honor  of  Company  B is  J.  M.  Cathron,  died  at 
Fredricksburg,  July  16.  loGl;  John  E.  Sharber,  died  at  Stafford  Court  House;  John  W.  Gee, 
killed  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  August  30,.  1S62;  William  Edwards  died  at  Columbus,  Miss.  A 
full  sketch  of  this  regiment  is  given  elsewhere. 

‘ The  Third  Tennessee  Infantry  contained  three  companies  from  Maury  Count}',  viz.: 
Conpanies  C,  E and  F.  Company  C contained  an  aggregate  of  119  men.  The  following 
were  its  commissioned  officers:  Captains,  I).  F.  Wade  and  R.  T.  Cooper;  first  lieutenant, 
J.  D.  Moss;  second  lieutenant,  Johnson  Long;  junior  second  lieutenant,  W.  S.  Jennings. 
Company  E,  from  both  Maury  and  Williamson,  contained  100  men;  captains,  N.  F. 
Cheairs  and  H.  P.  Pointer;  first  lieutenant,  Campbell  Brown;  second  lieutenant,  Thomas 
Tucker;  junior  second  lieutenant,  J.  T.  S.  Thompson.  Company  F contained  ninety-eight 
men.  The  officers  were  G.  W.  Jones,  captain;  J.  B.  Murphy,  first  lieutenant;  B.  G.  Dar- 
den, second  lieutenant;  John  T.  Williamson,  junior  second  lieutenant.  John  C.  Brown 
was  elected  colonel  of  the  regiment;  Thomas  M.  Gordon,  lieutenant-colonel;  N.  F. 
Cheairs,  major,  and  T.  M.  Tucker,  adjutant.  The  roll  of  honor  of  Company  C was  thirty- 
six  men  ; of  Company  E eight  men,  and  of  Company  F was  sixteen  men.  This  is  not  a 
true  index  of  the  losses  of  each,  but  is  given  as  the  only  available  record.  A complete 
bistory  of  this  entire  regiment  is  found  elsewhere. 

The  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry  was  made  up  largely  from  Maury  County,  six 
companies  in  all.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Camp  Maury,  near  Nashville,  December  12, 
1$61.  It  was  soon  divided  into  detachments  and  sent  to  guard  the  Cumberland  and 
Tennessee  Rivers  and  railroad. bridges  in  the  vicinity  of  and  leading  to  Forts  Henry  and 
Donelson.  Upon  the  approach  of  the  Federals  the  regiment  was  concentrated  at  Fort 
Henry.  In  the  retreat  upon  Fort  Donelson  the  regiment  lost  its  clothing  and  baggage. 
A detail  was  sent  from  each  company  to  collect  supplies.  In  the  surrender  of  Donelson 
the  regiment  lost  360  men.  The  field  officers  were  sent  to  Fort  Warren,  Massachusetts; 
the  line  officers  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  but  on  the  1st  of  May  were  sent  to  Johnson’s  Island, 
Lake  Erie;  the  enlisted  men  were  sent  to  Camp  Douglas,  Illinois,  but  in  August  they  were 
sent  to  Vicksburg  and  exchanged.  The  sick,  those  on  furlough,  and  tho-c  on  detached 
duty  were  not  captured,  but  were  consolidated  into  a new  organization.  T . these  were  at- 


’ 


■ 


HISTORY  01'  TENNESSEE. 


780 

t ached  n few  new  companies,  and  the  whole  took  the  name  of  Nixon’s  Forty-eighth,  or  the 
little  Forty-eighth.  This  body  was  attached  to  Geu.  E.  Kirby  Smith’s  corps,  and  took 
part  in  the  whole  of  the  Kentucky  campaign,  taking  a prominent  part  in  the  battle  of  Rich 
mond.  Ky.  It  was  with  the  Army  of  Tennessee  at  Perryvillc,  on  October  8,  and  at  Mur 
freesboro,  Tenn.,  at  the  close  of  the  year.  Its  conduct  was  such  as  to  receive  special  men- 
tion by  its  brigade  and  division  commanders. 

After  the  exchange  of  those  captured  the  regiment  was  reorganized  at  Jackson,  Miss. 
An  election  of  officers  resulted  in  the  re-election  of  W.  M.  Voorhees,  colonel;  A.  S.  Godum, 
lieutenant-colonel;  A.  J.  Campbell,  major.  Field  officers,  line  officers  and  non-commis- 
sioned officers  were  sent  home  to  recruit.  Capts.  Howard  and  Love’s  companies  had  been 
attached  to  the  Third  Tennessee,  and  were  encamped  at  Holly  Springs.  These  were  or- 
dered to  Port  Hudson  in  October,  and  December  27  they  were  joiued  b}'  their  old  com- 
rades. who  had  been  exchanged,  and  many  recruits.  They  were  now  reunited.  The  reg- 
iment formed  a part  of  Gen.  S.  B.  Mr.xcy’s  brigade.  The  regiment  was  at  the  bombard 
ment  of  Port  Hudson  on  the  nights  of  the  13th  and  14th  of  March,  by  Farragut’s  fleet. 
The  regiment  left  Port  Hudson  May  3,  1S63,  to  assist  in  the  campaign  against  Grant 
around  Vicksburg.  On  the  fall  of  Vicksburg  the  regiment  was  sent  to  the  Gulf  Depart- 
ment, where  it  did  guard  duty  from  Mobile  to  Pascagoula.  The  regiment  was  sent  to 
Dalton,  Ga.,  in  November,  and  again  sent  to  Mobile,  in  which  department  it  remained  till 
ordered  to  join  the  Army  of  Tennessee.  It  united  with  that  army  May  27,  at  New  Hope 
Church,  near  Marietta,  Ga.  Before  being  sent  to  this  department  Gen.  Maxey  had  been 
transferred  to  the  Trans-Mississippi  Department,  and  the  brigade  placed  under  Gen. 
Quarles.  In  the  meantime  Maj.  A.  J.  Campbell  bad  died,  and  Capt.  J.  D.  Howard  had 
been  promoted  to  major.  The  regiment  took  part  in  the  battles  of  New  Hope  Church, 
Lost  Mountain,  Kenesaw,  Peach  Tree  Creek  and  around  Atlanta.  The  regiment  was  a 
part  of  Loring’s  division  of  Polk’s  corps.  After  the  death  of  Polk  it  was  in  the  division 
of  Walthall  of  Stewart’s  corps.  The  regiment  met  with  frightful  losses  on  the  28th,  los- 
ing more  than  half  its  men.  The  regiment  was  soon  detached  to  protect  the  railroad, 
which  was  threatened  by  the  Federal  cavalry.  The  regiment  was  under  the  command  of 
Lieut. -Col.  A.  S.  Godum.  There  was  some  severe  fighting  around  Love  joy  Station  and 
Jonesboro,  in  which  the  regiment  met  with  loss,  but  inflicted  severe  punishment  upon  the 
enemy.  The  regiment  was  with  Hood’s  advance  into  Tennessee,  and  on  its  arrival  in 
Maury  County  the  men  were  allowed  a three  days’  leave  of  absence,  in  consequence  of 
which  the  regiment  escaped  the  battle  of  Franklin  and  doubtless  many  escaped  death 
there.  Capts.  Love  and  Tomlinson  have  furnished  the  following  account  of  the  action 
of  the  regiment  at  Nashville,  for  Dr.  Lindsley’s  work:  “ Early  in  the  morning  of  Decem- 

ber 15  Capt.  Love  was  put  in  command  of  a force  to  complete  a fort  on  Hood’s  left,  on  the 
Granny  White  Pike.  About  noon  he  was  ordered  to  report  to  his  regiment  near  by,  and  a 
detail  from  Quarles’  brigade,  under  Maj.  T.  E.  Jamison,  was  sent  to  occupy  the  work. 
Scarcely  bad  the  brigade  moved  away  before  a strong  cavalry-  force  attacked  the  fort,  but 
was  driven  away  with  great  loss.  Shortly  they  were  attacked  by  infantry.  Our  men  stood 
heroically;  many  of  them  were  barefooted  in  the  snow,  and  when  overpowered,  fought 
with  clubbed  muskets.  Sergt.  William  Trousdale.  Charley  Jones  and  Lieut.  Maclin  cut 
their  way  out  and  joined  their  commands  that  night;  Maj.  Jamison  was  severely  wound- 
ed in  the  thigh  and  captured  aqd  sent  as  a prisoner  to  Fort  Delaware,  where  he  was  kept 
till  August.  1865.  Our  brigade  took  position  behind  a stone  wall;  soon  the  enemy  cap- 
tured another  fort  in  our  front  and  turned  our  guns  upon  us,  and  a brigade  of  the  enemy 
was  rapidly  moving  on  our  flank.  We  fell  back  in  good  order  through  a recently  plowed 
field.  Here  Capt.  J.  P.  Churd  had  his  leg  shot  off.  The  next  day  we  occupied  an  ex- 
posed space  to  the  right  of  Finley’s  brigade,  with  no  protection.  The  Federal  line  was 
within  seventy  yards  of  us  and  we  were  compelled  to  lie  down,  as  the  least  exposure  was 
sure  to  result  in  death.  All  day  long  we  could  see  the  Federals  encircling  us.  We  saw 
our  line  give  way  on  the  hill  above  us.  Soon  the  Federals  had  full  possession  of  the  fort; 
then  our  whole  line  gave  way.”  The  regiment  formed  a part  of  the  rear  guard,  under 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


7S7 


Forrest,  in  Hood’s  retreat.  It  took  part  in  the  severe  skirmish  near  Pulaski,  where  a Fed- 
eral battery  was  captured.  The  regiment  joined  Bragg’s  forces  at  Kingston,  X.  C. ; a de- 
tachment under  Capt.  Love  took  part  in  an  engagement  there.  The  regiment  then  went 
to  Goldsboro,  thence  to  Bentonville,  where  it  fought  its  last  engagement.  It  surrendered 
March  19,  18G5. 

For  the  Ninth  Battalion  Maury  County  furnished  Companies  A,  B and  E.  This  bod}’ 
was  organized  in  December  at  a camp  near  Nashville.  The  officers  of  Company  A were 
J.  N.  Walker,  captain;  E.  N.  II.  Foster,  first  lieutenant;  Frank  .1.  McLean,  second  lieu 
tenant;  Joe  A.  Irvine,  junior  second  lieutenant.  The  officers  of  Company  B were  R.  N. 
Moore,  captain;  T.  L.  Porter,  first  lieutenant;  J.  B.  Galloway,  second  lieutenant;  W.  II. 
McFalls,  junior  second  lieutenant.  The  officers  of  Company  E.  were  J.  H.  Akin,  captain: 
A.  B.  Biffle,  first  lieutenant;  A.  A.  Kennedy,  second  lieutenant;  A,  J.  Pugh,  junior  second 
lieutenant.  The  field  and  staff  officers  were  George  Gantt,  lieutenant-colonel;  B.  W.  Por- 
ter, major;  Hunter  Nicholson,  adjutant.  On  the  reorganization  in  September,  18G2,  George 
Gantt  was  re-elected  lieutenant-colonel;  J.  II.  Akin,  major,  W.  Y.  Thompson,  adjutant. 
The  Ninth  lost  by  sickness  and  by  ballets  of  the  enemy  380  men.  For  a full  account  of 
the  Ninth  Battalion  see  elsewhere.  Two  batteries  of  artillery  and  some  detached  com- 
panies make  up  the  men  furnished  by  Maury  County,  in  all  twenty-one  companies. 


WULLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


fTTITE  surface  of  the  county  in  the  Basin  is  generally  undulating,  rising  in  some  places 
± into  high  bluffs  or  knobs  several  hundred  feet  in  height.  The  water-shed  is  from 
southeast  to  northwest.  One  range  of  hills  or  elevated  lands  rises  in  Rutherford  County. 
neaT  Stewart’s  Creek,  and  extends  southwesterly,  but  gradually  sinks  into  a level  a short 
distance  from  Franklin.  The  waters  from  the  northern  slope  of  this  range  flow  into  Mill 
Creek,  so  named  from  its  early  and  numerous  mills  thereon.  This  drainage  extends  over 
the  fertile  lands  of  the  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  Districts.  The  higher  lands  afford  ex- 
cellent timber  of  cedar  and  other  valuable  timbers.  Separating  the  Thirteenth  and 
Twenty-first  from  the  Twelfth  and  Twenty-second  Districts  is  Duck  River  Ridge,  which 
is  the  water-shed  between  the  waters  of  Big  Harpeth  and  the  head  waters  of  Rutherford 
and  Flat  Creeks.  The  principal  drainage  of  the  county,  however,  is  by  the  Harpeth  and 
its  branches.  This  embraces  a very  large  portion  of  the  county.  The  Big  Harpeth  enters 
the  county  at  College  Grove,  near  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county,  and  leaves  it  near 
the  northwestern  part.  Not  far  from  Mount  Carmel  rises  West  Harpeth,  a stream  which 
flows  almost  parallel  with  Big  Harpeth,  but  unites  with  it  a short  distance  northwest  of 
Franklin.  Each  of  these  streams  receives  small  tributaries,  the  largest  and  best  known 
being  Leiper’s  Creek,  which  enters  West  Harpeth  not  far  from  Hillsboro.  Within  the  val- 
ley of  these  small  rivers  is  seen  some  very  fine  country.  It  is  even  questioned  if  it  can  be 
surpassed  anywhere.  Formerly  it  was  densely  covered  with  heavy  forest  trees  or  a rank 
growth  of  cane.  A short  distance  beneath  the  surface  is  a bed  of  limestone,  but  the  soil 
along  the  river  is  a rich,  black  loam,  capable  of  supporting  a luxuriant  growth  of  all  the 
cereals  knowrn  to  the  temperate  climate,  as  well  as  other  vegetable  products,  nor  has  the 
cultivation  of  these  been  w anting,  for  the  late  statistics  show  Williamson  to  afford  the  larg- 
est yield  of  wheat  of  any  county  in  the  State. 

Little  Harpeth,  which  flows  near  the  well  known  Hollow  Tree  Gap,  drains  a much 
smaller  amount  of  laud  than  the  other  Harpeth,  but  none  the  less  rich.  South  Harpeth 
cuts  its  way  through  the  Rim  or  highlands  in  the  extreme  western  part  of  the  county. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


783 


This  is  bordered  by  high  hills  and  precipitous  rocks,  with  an  ever-changing  bed.  This 
feature  of  these  rivers  is  noticeable  within  the  recollections  of  men:  they  are  much  wider 
than  formerly  and  not  so  deep;  their  rise  is  much  higher  and  quicker  than  formerly,  and 
their  subsidence  is  much  more  rapid.  The  name  Ilarpeth  is  said  to  have  originated  from 
two  noted  outlaws,  who  had  their  headquarters  on  Big  Ilarpeth.  Their  names  were  Harp, 
and  from  their  size  were  designated  Big  and  Little  Harp.  After  bidding  defiance  to  the 
law  and  force  for  many  years  they  were  at  last  brought  to  punishment.  The  couutry 
lying  along  the  South  Ilarpeth  is  quite  broken  and  is  sparsely  settled.  Covering  a large 
portion  of  districts— first,  second,  third  and  sixth — is  a heavy  growth  of  timber  almost  in 
its  primitive  luxuriance.  In  some  portions  of  the  count}'  there  is  a sandy  soil,  from  which 
there  is  a heavy  growth  of  cedar,  and  in  other  parts  there  is  a fine  growth  of  white  oak. 
Fine  springs  abound  in  almost  every  part  of  the  county;  these,  with  the  fine  grasses 
grown,  make  this  an  excellent  stock-raising  county,  to  which  attention  has  been  largely 
attracted  since  1871 . Besides  the  numerous  other  springs  the  county  abounds  in  various 
medical  springs.  These  are  known  as  Smith’s  Springs,  Cayce’s  Spring,  and  the  best 
known  of  these  now  is  the  Fernvale  Spring,  owned  by  J.  B.  McEwen.  Analyses  of  the 
water  of  the  last-named  spring  have  been  made  by  several  eminent  chemists.  These  all 
show  the  water  to  possess  high  medical  properties. 

A comparison  of  the  amouut  of  cereals  grown  in  Williamson  County  in  1870  and  in 
18S5  will  show  the  rapid  increase  in  these  products,  and  also  the  amount  of  these  products 
grown  in  the  county.  The  product  of  corn  in  bushels  in  1870  was  1.010,448;  of  wheat, 
227,294;  of  rye,  4,662;  of  oats,  99,933;  of  barley,  10,536.  The  corresponding  cereals  in 
1685  were  as  follows:  Indian  corn,  in  bushels,  1,439,44b;  wheat,  315,966;  rye,  2,265;  oats, 
585,522;  barley,  499.  The  number  of  domestic  animals  for  the  same  years  were  as  follows: 
The  number  of  horses  and  mules  for  1870  were  10,314:  cattle,  6,988;  sheep,  15,226;  hogs, 
41,703.  The  same  animals  in  1885  were  as  follows:  Horses  and  mules,  11,412;  cattle, 
12,906;  sheep,  15,809:  hogs,  43,132. 

In  regard  to  the  first  settlers  of  Williamson  County,  there  is  an  interesting  tradition; 
in  fact  it  must  be  traditional  in  part,  at  least,  as  Haywood,  Ramsey  and  Putnam  do  not 
give  it.  It  is  to  the  effect  that  in  1797  three  men,  named,  respectively,  Graham,  Brown 
and  Tindel,  accompanied  by  a negro  and  a dog,  went  out  on  an  exploring  expedition  to 
the  vicinity  about  Franklin.  The  men  were  absent  some  time,  and  did  not  return,  neither 
any  tidings  of  them.  A party  was  sent  in  search  of  the  men  but  no  trace  of  them  was 
found  until  their  arrival  at  Hollow  Tree  Gap,  where  the  party  met  the  dog  in  a half 
starved  condition.  True  to  the  instincts  of  his  nature  the  dog  led  the  party  to  where  lay 
the  remains  of  his  masters.  It  seems  the  party  had  found  traces  of  a bear,  which  they 
had  followed  some  distance  from  their  course  before  they  came  up  with  the  animal.  The 
bear  was  killed  and  the  party  had  encamped  ou  the  spot.  Attracted  by  the  firing  upon  the 
bear  or  by  the  camp  fire,  a party  of  Indians  found  the  lonely  party  and  surrounded  the 
camp  and  killed  the  entire  number.  Fate  was  generous  enough  to  make  these  men  fight 
desperately  and  slay  several  times  their  number  of  Indians.  The  faithful  dog  had  kept 
vigil  over  his  dead  companions  until  driven  away  by  hunger. 

The  Iudian  titles  being  extinguished  north  of  Duck  River  very  early  settlers  begau  to 
enter  the  territory  of  Williamson  before  1800.  David  McEwen,  of  Statesville,  1ST.  O., 
with  several  families,  moved  to  Nashville  in  1796,  but  owing  to  t lie  disturbances  by  the  In- 
dians, did  not  proceed  on  their  journey  till  1798.  In  that  year  Mr.  McEwen  passed  through 
Hollow  Tree  Gap  and  on  to  Roper’s  Knob,  where  he  settled.  Mr.  McEwen  was  the  father 
of  a large  and  influential  family  that  has  been  prominent  in  Williamson  County  since  its 
inception.  William  Demumhane,  son  of  Capt.  Demumhane,  the  pioneer  settler  of  Nash- 
ville, was  born  at  the  mouth  of  Mill  Creek,  on  the  Cumberland.  Leaving  his  parents 
when  quite  young  he  passed  through  the  wilderness  of  woods  and  canebrakes  and  settled 
near  College  Grove,  wheje  he  became  a wealthy  planter. 

Mr.  Sledge,  who  came  to  the  county  about  the  time  of  Dc  Munbreun, brought  only  his 
wife  and  a few  household  utensils  on  a pack-horse,  and  settled  near  Peytousville.  Here  he 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


78D 


lived  several  years  under  a temporary  shelter.  Samuel  Crockett,  John  Wilson  and  JUivid 
McEweti,  mentioned  above,  had  each  settled  and  built  a cotton-gin  before  ISO  1.  as  appeals 
from  Dr.  Ramsey.  In  1798  Andrew  Goff.  William  McEwen,  George  Neeley  and  a number 
of  others  settled  on  Spence’s  Creek.  Thomas  H.  Perkins  and  Mr.  McConnico  settled  at 
the  fork  of  the  West  and  Big  Harpeth  Rivers  about  1810.  About  the  same  time  came 
Matthew  Johnson  and  William  Edmondson.  Thomas  Spence,  Daniel  McMahan  and 
Thomas  Williamson  each  settled  ou  the  creek  bearing  the  name  of  the  former  in  18oo. 
Ewen  Cameron  is  said  to  have  built  a house  in  Franklin  in  1797.  Abram  Maury,  upon 
whose  land  the  city  of  Franklin  was  built,  and  Thomas  Me  Kay,  at  whose  house  the  first  court 
was  held,  were  both  resideuts  before  1800.  Byrd  Hamlet,  who  settled  near  Xolensville, 
has  the  credit  of  having  raised  the  first  hogshead  of  tobacco  iu  Middle  Tennessee.  The 
following  persons  had  made  settlements  previous  to  1800,  the  most  of  whom  were  con- 
nected with  the  county  officially:  James  Buford,  James  Scurlock,  Nicholas  Perkins,  Ed- 
mond Wall,  Chapman  White,  Solomon  Brent,  Stephen  Childress,  William  Hulme.  William 
Smith,  Sion  Hunt,  Robert  Caruthe'rs,  R.  P.  Currin,  Richard  Hightower,  James  Neeley, 
John  Harness  and  many  others.  Joel  Parish  was  one  of  the  first  to  erect  a mill  on  Har- 
peth; he  was  also  prominently  connected  with  other  business  interests  of  the  county. 
The  increase  of  population  of  the  county  for  the  first  decade  is  remarkable,  the  popula- 
tion in  1810  amuonting  to  over  13,000,  while  in  1S00  it  was  numbered  by  the  hundreds. 
The  county  in  1810,  however,  embraced  a much  larger  area  thau  now. 

The  act  establishing  Williamson  County  passed  the  General  Assembly  October  26. 
1799.  The  territory  was  cut  of?  from  Davidson  County,  and  embraced  the  following 

i J - . ? . . n .* ? .4  . ^ . a * - . - i . . .1 , i*  .i  . A tv.  i . r -r  \ _ . : a 

uuuuaauc5.  Licijuuuui'  ‘at  it  pumt  10113  poicb  uutr  llOIlu  01  me  uw  t-niug  nuuse  oi  \J a \ 1 u 

McClory  on  the  waters  of  Little  Harpeth,  running  thence  east  two  miles  and  one  hundred 
and  four  poles;  thence  south  sevent}'  degrees,  east  sixteen  miles  and  two  hundred  and 
seventy  poles:  thence  due  south  to  the  Indian  boundary  line;  thence  with  said  line  west- 
erly to  the  Robertson  County  line;  thence  north  with  said  line  to  a point  due  west  of  the 
mouth  of  Little  Harpeth;  thence  in  a direct  line  to  the  mouth  of  the  Little  Harpeth; 
thence  along  said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning,  to  be  known  as  Williamson  County.” 
The  county  was  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  Williamson,  of  North  Carolina.  John  John- 
son, Sr..  Daniel  Perkins,  James  Buford,  William  Edmousou  and  Capt.  James  Scurlock 
were  appointed  commissioners  to  select  a site  for  the  county  seat  and  to  erect  a court 
house,  jail  and  stocks.  Henry  Rutherford  and  John  Davis  were  appointed  to  run  the 
boundary  line  where  not  sufficiently  designated  by  nature. 

By  the  same  act  of  the  General  Assembly  establishing  Williamson  Count}'  and  ap- 
pointing the  commissioners  for  the  town  of  Franklin,  the  commissioners  were  empowered 
with  authority  to  reserve  two  acres  of  ground  for  a Square,  on  which  they  were  to  erect 
a court  house.  This  building  was  erected  some  time  between  the  erection  of  the  county 
and  establishing  the  seat  of  justice  for  the  same  and  the  year  1801.  The  order  for  its  erec- 
tion. the  size,  dimensions,  cost  or  contractors  are  not  matters  of  record;  however,  the 
county  court  met  in  regular  session  November  3,  1800,  in  the  “new  court  house.”  This 
house  was  a square  brick  building,  and  stood  in  the  center  of  the  Public  Square.  This 
building  was  a very  substantial  structure  and  served  for  a court  house  until  1857.  The 
first  steps  taken  for  the  erection  of  the  new  building  was  April  1, 1855,  by  the  appointment 
of  John  S.  Clay  brook,  John  B.' McEwen,  Samuel  Farmer  and  C.  W.  Davis  as  a committee 
to  investigate  the  needs  of  the  county.  This  committee  made  its  report,  and  a new  com- 
mittee, with  full  power  to  contract  for  and  let  the  new  court  house,  was  appointed.  This 
committee  consisted  of  John  W.  Miller,  T.  F.  Atkinson,  John  S.  Claybrook,  Park  Street 
and  B.  B.  Irvin.  July  1,  the  lot  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  Square  was  purchased  of 
Ferdinand  Stitt  for  *81,000;  the  court  at  the  same  time  appropriated  8*3,000  to  commence 
work  on  the  house.  Other  appropriations  followed  from  time  to  time  as  the  work  pro- 
ceeded. The  present  house  is  a plain  brick  structure  with  stone  basement.  The  portico 
is  supported  by  long,  heavy  iron  columns.  The  offices  are  supplied  with  substantial  fire- 
proof vaults  for  the  records.  The  work  on  the  court  house  not  being  entirely  completed 


700 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


when  (he  war  broke  out  and  the  neglect  during  that  period  required  the  expenditure  of 
$3, (WO  iu  repairs  in  1807.  This  was  done  through  a committee  of  R.  S.  Hallow,  J.  B.  Mr- 
Ewen  and  S.  S.  House.  Prison  bounds  for  insolvent  debtors  were  established  in  1803. 
The  bounds  were  described  as  “Beginning  at  the  the  ‘race  path/  thence  up  Main  Street 
and  running  so  as  to  include  John  White’s  Mill;  thence  to  include  the  court  house,  jail 
ami  down  Main  Street,  and  back  to  the  place  of  beginning.” 

The  first  jail  was  a rude  structure,  and  stood  on  the  Square  near  the  market  house. 
This  was  a very  insecure  jail,  as  prisoners  were  frequently  taken  elsewhere  for  safe  keep- 
ing. Steps  were  taken  October  8,  1S1G,  for  the  creation  of  a new  jail,  and  a committee  of 
Robert  P.  Currin,  Charles  McIntyre,  II.  Pet  way,  Stephen  Childress  and  W.  T.  Perkins 
was  appointed,  whose  duty  it  was  to  sell  the  old  jail  and  market  house,  and  to  purchase  a 
more  desirable  lot  within  the  corporate  limits.  To  aid  in  the  erectiou  a jail  tax  equal  to 
the  State  tax  was  levied.  A new  jail  was  accordingly  erected,  which  was  composed  of 
wood  and  brick,  near  where  the  present  one  stands.  In  November,  1828,  a committee  of 
II.  L.  White,  E.  T.  Collins  and  William  Johnston  made  the  following  report:  “We  find 
that  William  Clark,  jailer,  and  his  family  have  conducted  themselves  so  ridiculous  and 
have  also  become  a nuisance  to  their  neighbors,  and  on  his  family’s  account  we  have 
thought  proper  to  remove  the  said  Clark  and  substitute  Joel  Childress  in  his  place/’  The 
committee  found  that  the  jail  was  considerably  out  of  repair,  that  the  famil}'  part  of  said 
jail  was  open  and  torn  to  pieces,  and  the  “whole  requires  considerable  work  and  consid- 
erable improvement,  which  we  believe  to  be  of  considerable  importance  to  the  county.” 
This  jail  stood  till  1858,  when,  April  19,  a new  committee  was  selected,  whose  duty  it  was 
to  report  on  the  propriety  of  building  a new  jail.  This  committee  was  composed  of 
John  B.  McEwen,  John  31.  Winstead  and  Samuel  Farmer.  The  committee  recommended 
that  a new  jail  of  stone  and  brick  should  be  built.  The  committee  visited  the  Nashville 
jail  and  got  all  the  information  they  could,  and  flattered  themselves  that  “we  will  have  a 
first-rate  jail.”  The  dimensions  of  the  new  jail  were  to  be  40x46  and  24  feet  high.  There 
were  to  be  two  cells  below  and  two  above,  and  two  passages  through  the  building  each 
10x40  feet.  The  whole  building  was  to  be  fire-proof.  The  contract  was  let  to  Robert  H. 
Bradley  for  the  aggregate  sum  of  $8,000,  to  be  completed  July  18,  1859,  which  time  was 
afterward  extended  to  January  1,  1860. 

Previous  to  1829  the  poor  of  the  county  were  farmed  out  to  the  lowest  bidder  and 
allowances  made  for  them.  On  Octobers,  1829,  a committee  of  John  Thompson,  Jabez 
< _ Owen,  William  Ditto.  Robert  McCutchen,  G.  Marshall  and  David  C.  Ivinnard  reported 
that  they  had  bought  of  Andrew  L.  Andrews,  a tract  of  forty  acres  of  land  for  $350,  a 
tract  of  tw'enty  acres  from  Mark  L.  Andrew's  for  $90,  and  contracted  with  Mark  L. 
Andrew’s  to  erect  and  improve  the  buildings  on  the  land  purchased  of  Andrew  L. 
Andrews,  to  the  amount  of  $350.  In  1840  W.  S.  Webb,  Mike  Kinnard  and  R.  W.  Robison, 
a poor-liouse  committee,  bought  additional  lands  to  the  amount  of  about  550  acres.  At 
the  August  term,  1S67,  a committee  consisting  of  Park  Street,  W.  A.  Rodgers  and  John  31. 
Winstead  were  appointed  a committee  to  enquire  into  the  propriety  of  selling  a portion 
of  the  poor-farm.  The  report  was  to  the  effect  that  the  county  owned  more  land  than 
was  profitable.  Six  small  tracts,  amounting  in  the  aggregate  to  130  acres,  w'ere  sold. 
These  wTere  purchased  by  S.  S.  Short,  Thomas  Short,  J.  B.  Gray,  G.  W.  Davis,  H.  S. 
Reynolds  and  II.  Hanks,  respectively.  The  purchases  amounted  to  the  sum  of  $2,750. 
The  farm  yet  contains  413  acres  of  good  land,  and  has  good  buildings  thereon  and  is 
managed  with  little  expense  to  the  county. 

The  date  of  the  building  the  first  market  is  rather  an  uncertain  quantity,  as  no  order 
for  tbe  erection  can  be  found  further  than  the  general  order  given  to  the  commissioner  of 
Franklin  for  the  erection  of  a court  house,  market,  jail  and  stocks.  As  the  others  w ere 
built  during  the  first  year  of  the  present  century,  it  is  presumed  the  market-house  w'as  also 
built  then,  as  frequent  orders  w’ere  given  for  its  government  in  the  first  years  of  the  pres- 
ent century.  This  was  not  on!}'  the  place  of  sale  for  provisions  of  all  kinds,  but  also  of 
public  sales  of  various  kiuds  of  property,  such  as  slaves,  goods,  chattels,  etc.  Within 


' 


WILLIAM  SO  N CO  UN  TV. 


791 


Ibis  also  was  the  pillory,  a favorite  mode  of  punishment  for  criminals  previous  to  the  pas- 
sage of  the  penitentiary  law  in  1829.  This  market-house  stood  till  1831.  when,  on  January 
4.  “on  motion  it  was  ordered  by  the  county  court  that  the  mayor  ami  aldermen  be  per 
nutted  to  erect  a market-house  ou  the  Square  of  the  town  of  Franklin,  or  any  other  build 
ing  they  think  forthe  general  good  of  the  public,  but  the  sheriff  is  hereby  instructed  to  see 
that  all  rubbish  is  removed  from  the  Square  and  streets.”  This  house  stood  till  the  Square 
was  cleared  of  public  buildings  in  1858,  when  the  old  court  house  and  market  were  re 
moved  from  the  Square. 

Members  of  the  State  Legislature:  Senate — Robert  Weakley,  1801-05:  Chapman 
White,  1S05-07:  N.  T.  Perkins,  1807-00:  Thomas  H.  Benton,  1809-11;  Newton  Cannon. 
1811-15;  Amos  Johnson,  1815-17;  John  Bell,  1817-19;  Joel  Parrish,  1819-21:  Sterling  Brown, 
1821-25:  Newton  Cannon,  1827-29:  Robert  Jetton,  1829-85:  Barela}'  Martin,  1835-41;  W. 
H.  Sneed,  1S41-45;  Abram  Maney  and  J.  W.  Richardson,  1845-51;  W.  C.  J.  Burrus,  1851- 
53:  P.  O.  X.  Perkins,  1853-57:  W.  L.  McComico,  1857-59:  J.  W.  Richardson,  1859-00:  A. 
W.  Mess,  1S65-66;  W.  Y.  Elliott,  1867-GS;  D.  M.  McFall,  1868-70;  T.  F.  P.  Allison,  1871-73; 
A.  T.  Boyd,  1875-77:  W.  D.  Fullerton,  1877-79;  T.  F.  Perkins,  1879-81. 

House , 1801-05;  Chapman  White,  1803-05;  Abram  Maney,  1805-07;  Moses 

Frierson.  1807-11;  Amos  Johnson,  1811-15;  William  Martin,  1815-21;  Abram  Maney,  Jr., 
1821-25;  Samuel  Perkins.  1825-27;  Newton  Cannon,  1829-31:  R.  C.  Foster,  1831-35;  M.  P. 
Gentry,  1S35-39:  R.  C.  Foster,  1839-43:  A.  P.  Maney,  1843-44;  S.  Venable  and  R.  W.  H. 
Bcstick,  1845-46:  J.  Robison  and  F.  Hardeman,  1847-48;  E.  Thompson  and  P.  G.  S.  Perkins, 
1S49-50:  David  Campbell,  1851-53;  Frank  Hardeman,  1853-55;  C.  W.  Beale,  1855-57;  W. 
L.  McComico.  1857-58:  W.  E.  Ewing.  1859-60;  J,  W.  Richardson.  1864-65:  D.  W.  McFall. 
1865-67;  Atha  Thomas,  1868-69;  Samuel  Perkins,  1875-76;  F.  M.  Lavender,  1877-79:  T.  E. 
Haynes,  1879-83. 

At  the  February  term,  1800,  the  county  court  ordered  the  following  roads  to  be  laid  off 
and  cut  out.  Daniel  McEwen  was  to  oversee  the  road  from  Franklin  to  Hollow  Tree  Gap. 
and  the  road  was  ordered  to  be  called  the  Hollow  Tree  Gap  road.  All  persons  living  on 
the  south  side  of  the  ridge  and  north  of  Big  Harpeth  were  ordered  to  assist  in  clearing  the 
road.  The  first  State  case  in  the  county  grew  out  of  this,  but  the  case  was  quashed  when 
it  was  shown  that  McEwen’shelp  failed  to  assist  him.  William  Edmunson,  William  Mar- 
shall, John  Cummings,  Patrick  McCutchen,  William  McGaugh,  John  Jordan,  John  Bu- 
chanan aud  William  Walker  were  ordered  to  lay  off  the  road  from  the  mouth  of  Arring- 
- ton’s  Creek  to  Franklin.  Robert  Caruthers,  John  Ried,  John  Slocum.  Henry  Walker. 
Richard  Puckett  and  Jesse  Weathier  were  ordered  to  cut  out  the  road  from  Robert  Car- 
utbers’  to  Franklin,  and  to  the  place  where  the  commissioners’  trace  crosses  the  Big  Har- 
peth. This  road  is  what  was  called  the  Commissioners’  Trace  road  and  connected  with 
what  was  known  as  the  Commissioners  road  or  Natchez  trace.  The  Buford’s  Ford  road 
was  cut  out  by  George  Neely.  Joseph  Porter,  John  McKinney,  Samuel  McClary  and 
David  Long.  This  road  extended  from  Franklin  to  Buford’s  Ford  on  the  Little  Harpeth. 
The  road  from  Hollow  Tree  Gap  to  the  Davidson  County  line  by  way  of  Joseph  White's 
whs  cut  out  by  direction  of  David  White  and  “all  those  living  on  the  west  side  of  the  road 
as  far  down  the  Little  Harpeth  as  the  Plum  Orchard  and  the  headwaters  of  Beech  Creek” 
were  ordered  to  assist.  The  McCutchen  Creek  road  was  marked  out  by  Samuel  McCut- 
chen, Samuel  Edmunson,  Ephraim  Brown,  M.  German,  John  McKay,  Thomas  Owens  and 
James  Scott.  This  road  extended  from  McCutchen  Creek  aud  the  Big  Harpeth  to 
Franklin. 

Natchez  trace,  the  old  government  road,  entered  the  county  from  the  south  near  old 
Harpeth  Church,  and  passed  a little  east  of  Beechville  postoflice:  thence  south  through 
Districts  Nos.  7 and  6;  thence  through  No.  3 by  way  of  Hillsboro;  thence  into  No.  2 a little 
west  of  Boston  and  out  of  the  county  a little  east  of  White  Oak  postoflice. 

The  first  efforts  for  a railroad  to  Franklin  were  in  November,  1831,  when  books  were 
■opened  to  receive  subscriptions  for  what  was  then  called  the  Nashville,  Franklin  A 
Columbia  Railroad,  but  no  success  was  made  till  the  charter  was  granted  to  the  Tennessee 


■ 


HISTOHY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


792 


and  Alabama  Railroad  in  1832.  The  first  road  asked  for  $200,000  to  be  raised  by  subscrip- 
tion iu  shares  of  $25  each.  Books  were  opened  at  Franklin  and  other  points  ou  the  line. 
The  company  reserved  the  privilege  of  terminating  the  road  at  Mouut  Pleasant,  Columbia. 
Spring  Hill  and  Franklin.  The  following  persons  were  made  a committee  on  subscrip- 
tion- Thomas  Park.  R.  G.  Foster,  John  Marshall,  J.  \Y.  Morton,  D.  B.  Cliffe,  J.  II.  Wil- 
son, S.  S.  Mayfield,  J.  II.  Bond,  R.  Ogilvie,  S.  I).  Foster,  W.  P.  Martin,  A.  Kinnard  and 
E.  Thompson.  The  next  call  for  assistance  was  made  in  January,  1853.  It  was  for  $100,- 
000  of  stock  to  be  taken  by  the  county.  The  election  was  held  February  12,  1853,  under 
act  of  1853  granting  the  right  to  continue  to  take  stock  iu  railroads.  This  also  failed 
whcu  the  company  again  asked  assistance  to  the  amount  of  $2,500  of  the  couuty  Septenr 
her  11, 1855.  The  same  amount  was  also  asked  from  the  city  of  Franklin.  These  amounts 
were  received  b}'  the  company.  The  road  was  not  completed  to  the  Alabama  line  till  1850. 
On  May  1,  1871,  it  was  leased  for  a period  of  .thirty  years  by  the  Louisville  Sc  Nashville 
Company,  under  whose  management  it  is  now  controlled. 

The  Franklin  Turnpike  was  chartered  in  November,  1830.  The  first  installment  of 
stock  was  called  for  November  10,  1831.  The  call  was  for  $2.50  on  each  share  to  be  paid 
to  Shadrack  Myers  and  W.  S.  Childress.  The  road  extended  from  Nashville  to  Franklin, 
and  was  built  by  Messrs.  Black  &L)ve.  The  charter  was  granted  for  the  Franklin  Sc 
Columbia  Pike  in  1832.  Thomas  Peeples  had  charge  of  the  construction  of  a part  of  this 
road.  The  Nolensville  Pike  was  built  in  1S41  of  which  II.  Blackman  was  president  at  that 
time.  The  county  is  now  well  supplied  with  pikes.  The  Nolensville  Pike  is  fifteen  miles 
iu  length;  the  Nashville  Sc  Franklin  ten  miles;  the  Frauklin  Sc  Spring  Hill,  fifteen 
miles;  the  Farmington,  tnn  Trulls;  the  Carter’s  Creek,  ten  miles;  the  Wilson  Sc  Ilarpeth, 
ten  miles;  the  Franklin  Sc  Louisburg,  ten  miles;  and  the  Hillsboro,  ten  mdes.  These 
are  in  good  condition  and  afford  excellent  means  of  transit  from  one  part  of  the  county  to 
another.  Instead  of  the  civil  districts,  as  now  represented,  the  county  previous  to  1834 
was  separated  into  militia  companies,  and  over  each  company  was  a captain  appointed  by 
the  county  court  and  for  each  captain’s  company  was  appointed  a tax  lister.  The  county 
•was  at  first  divided  into  three  divisions.  The  listers  for  these  divisions  were  Daniel  Per- 
kins, James  Scurlock  and  Chapman  White.  In  1801  the  divisions  had  increased  to  tbe 
companies  of  Capts.  Dooley,  Nelson,  Nolen,  Crockett,  Mauey,  Moore  and  McMay.  The 
divisions  for  1802  were  Capts.  Crockett,  McMullen,  Hall,  Gordon,  Hill,  Morton,  Cannon 
and  Dooley  ; for  1803  there  were  Capts.  Hill,  Cannon,  Morton,  Crockett,  McMullen,  Kear- 
ney, Gordon,  Dooley  and  Hall.  In  1805  the  officers  were  Capts.  Nolen,  Wilson,  McEwen, 
Dooley,  Ogilvie,  Williams,  Harden,  Walker,  Miller,  Collins,  Louis,  Stone  and  Tenipler. 
The  heads  ofcompanies  in  180S  were  Capts.  Hargrave,  McEwen,  Templer,  Mayfield,  Stone, 
Neeley,  Sparkman,  Buford,  Kelly,  McKay,  Harden,  Fitzpatrick,  Ogilvie,  Wilson,  Nolen, 
M.  Johnson  and  William  Johnson.  In  1810  there  were  Capts.  Shannon,  Stone,  Estes, 
Sparkman,  McKay,  Wartman,  Cooke,  Patton,  Crawford,  Park,  Lawrence,  Dunn,  Robert- 
son, Simmons,  Buchanan,  Edmuston,  Neeley,  Ralston  and  Clifton.  The  officers  in  1815 
were  Capts.  Gantt,  Simpson,  Auglin,  Dalton,  Wells,  Carson,  Hooker,  Ridley,  Mebaner, 
McCory,  Johnson,  Madden  and  Reeves.  These  went  ou  increasing  as  population  in- 
creased. In  1822  there  were  Capts.  Johnson,  Hill,  Peper,  Dancey,  McEwen,  Thompson, 
Bate,  Orman.  Stacey,  Bateman,  Garrett,  Culbert,  Fox,  Stanfield,  Hall,  McLain,  Stanford, 
Munu,  Brooks,  Timberville,  Webb,  Price  and  Boyd.  The  captains  in  1834  were  Whit- 
field, Childress,  Foster,  Atkison,  Porter,  Manley,  Peach,  Williamson,  Fleming,  McMannis, 
Fox,  Adams,  McEwen,  Thomas,  Matthews,  Wallace,  Jones,  Crockett,  Joice,  Hampson, 
Perkins,  Shannon,  Jackson,  Warren,  Pickard,  Shepard,  Hill  and  Nicholson. 

Under  the  new  constitution  the  divisions  were  numbered  according  to  the  ordinal 
number's,  viz.:  First,  Second,  Third,  and  so  on  to  Twenty-fifth.  The  justices  presiding 
in  1836,  when  the  new  constitution  went  into  force,  were:  No  1,  Frederick  Ivy;  No.  2, 
Thomas  Powell;  No.  3,  O.  I).  Moffitt:  No.  4,  Joseph  Burnett;  No.  5,  I.  W.  Briggs;  No.  6, 
R.  A.  Hunt;  No.  7,  J.  S.  Breathitt;  No.  8,  John  J.  McKay;  No.  9,  Holland  White:  No. 
10,  George  Lang;  No.  11,  Daniel  Bauglin;  No.  12,  William  Crutcher;  No.  13,  Mike  Kin- 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


793 

nard;  No.  14.  G.  AV.  Hunt;  No.  lo,  Horatio  MeNisli;  No.  10,  J.  A.  Holland;  No.  17.  James 
Andrews;  No.  IS,  John  Bostich;  No.  10,  R.  AV.  Robinson;  No.  20,  M.  Marable;  No.  21, 
J.  W.  M.  Hill;  No.  2*3,  John  Hall;  No.  28,  J.  W.  Carson;  No.  24,  John  Richardson;  No. 
25.  S.  B.  Robinson.  The  work  of  the  division  of  the  districts  was  not  reported  to  the 
court  till  February  4.  1830.  The  following  persons  were  designated  by  the  General  As- 
sembly for  laying  oil  the  county  into  districts  of  convenient  size:  Richard  Hill,  .Tames 
AV.  Carson,  Isaac  Ivy,  Michael  Ivinnard  and  John  L.  McEwen.  The  commissioners,  be- 
fore proceeding  to  make  the  division,  qualified  before  Gilbert  Marshall,  a justice  of  the 
peace  in  Williamson  County.  The  committee  found  that  the  county  contained  3,000 
voters,  and  on  that  basis  divided  the  county  into  twenty-five  districts.  After  making  the 
divisions  the  commissioners  designated  the  following  as  the  places  of  election  in  the  re- 
spective districts;  John  Graham’s,  in  No.  T.  Thompson  Davis’,  in  No.  2;  John  Adams’,  in 
Hillsboro,  in  No.  3.  Joseph  Yates’,  at  the  Sulphur  Springs,  in  No.  4;  Janies  Southall's,  in 
No.  5;  Robert  Hill’s,  in  No,  6;  AVilliam  Leaton’s,  in  No.  7;  Mrs.  Gracy  Goff’s,  in  No.  8; 
court  house,  in  No.  0:  Douglass’  Camp  Ground,  in  No.  10;  M.  M.  Andrews’,  at  Pinkney’s 
postoffice,  in  No.  11;  Horton’s  Camp  Ground,  in  No.  12;  Andrew  Campbell’s,  at  “Snatch- 
ett,”  in  No.  13;  Mrs.  Holland  Davis’,  in  No.  14;  Alexander  Smith’s,  in  No.  15;  John  M 
AA’instead’s,  in  No.  10;  Sutherland  M.  Camp’s,  in  No.  17;  H.  P.  Bostick’s,  in  No.  18;  Ja- 
son AArinsett’s,  in  No.  19;  Dr.  AVilliam  S.  AATebb’s,  in  No.  20;  AATilliam  Munbreun’s,  in 
No.  21;  Isaac  Smith's,  in  No.  22;  Chestly  AA'illiam’s,  in  Manchester,  in  No.  23;  Allen  N. 
McCord’s,  in  No.  24;  and  Robertson  & Ransom’s,  in  Versailles,  in  No.  25.  The  number 
of  districts  changed  from  time  to  time  to  suit  the  varying  population,  the  whims,  or  the 
conveniences  of  the  people.  The  boundary  lines  have  been  frequently  changed.  The 
number  of  districts  was  first  twenty-five;  in  1864  the  number  was  twenty-three,  and  in 
1865  it  was  raised  to  twenty-four,  at  which  it  remained  till  1869,  when  it  was  reduced  to 
twenty- two,  at  which  it  has  since  remained. 

The  court  of  pleas  and  quarter  sessions  was  established  February  26,  1799,  while  the 
General  Assembly  was  in  session  at  Knoxville.  The  court  first  met  on  the  first  Monday 
in  February,  1800,  at  the  house  of  Thomas  McKay,  in  the  town  of  Franklin.  The  court 
continued  to  meet  here  till  November  3,  1800,  when  the  session  was  opened  in  the  court- 
house. The  first  justices  holding  court  were  John  Johnson.  Sr.,  James  Buford,  James 
Scurlock,  Chapman  AA'hite  aud  Daniel  Perkins.  James  Seurlock,wlio  had  previously  qual- 
ified before  a justice  of  Davidson  County,  proceeded  to  administer  the  oath  to  the 
others.  The  court  organized  by  electing  Scurlock  chairman,  but  after  the  organi- 
zation he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Chapman  AVliite.  The  court  then  pro- 
ceeded to  elect  a clerk,  when  N.  P.  Hardeman  was  chosen  and  gave  bond  in  the 
sum  of  -$5,000.  Edmund  Hall  was  chosen  the  first  sheriff,  and  gave  bond  in  the  sum  of 
$10,000.  Chapman  AVhitc  was  made  register;  Francis  Hall,  solicitor;  Joseph  Porter, 
ranger;  Joel  AA'illiams  aud  John  Harness  were  chosen  constables;  Henry  Rutherford 
was  made  first  surveyor;  AVilliam  AVliite,  AA’illiam  Ashton  and  David  Logan  were  made 
“searchers  or  patrolers”  from  Parrish’s  mill  darn;  Big  Harpeth  to  the  mouth  of  AVest 
Harpeth:  thence  up  to  the  dividing  ridge;  Ed  Ragsdale  and  Spencer  Buford  for  the  re- 
maining part  of  the  county. 

The  following  constituted  the  first  jury:  James  Scott,  Samuel  McCutchen,  Samuel 
Edmunson,  Ephraim  Brown,  James  Hopkins,  Richard  Hightower,  Andrew  Goff,  James 
Neeley,  George  Neeley,  Joseph  Parke,  Thomas  McKay,  George  Stringham,  William  Ed- 
munson, Henry  AA’alker,  Isaac  Baleman,  Reuben  Parke,  Joseph  Stevens,  James  McComieo, 
Peter  Edwards,  Samuel  McCrary,  David  McKinney  and  Henry  Childress.  The  jury  for 
the  superior  court  of  the  Mero  District  consisted  of  Henry  Rutherford,  David  McEwen, 
Thomas  McKay,  Abram  Maury  and  Richard  Hightower.  The  tax  listers  were  Daniel 
Perkins,  who  had  that  territory  “north  of  the  dividing  line  between  Big  and  Little  Har- 
peth, thence  up  Little  Harpeth  to  Richard  Hightower’s  aud  the  Davidson  County  line,” 
Janies  Scurlock  all  “cast  of  the  commissioner’s  trace”  and  Chapman  AVb ite  “all  west  of 
the  commissioner’s  trace.”  Patrick  McCutchen  appeared  the  first  day  and  recorded  his 


794 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


stock  mark  as  a “crop  and  slit  in  the  right  ear  and  a half  under  crop  in  the  left.”  William 
Marshall  had  an  “underbit  in  each  ear.”  The  first  State  case  was  the  State  vs.  David  Mc- 
Ewen,  for  which  the  grand  jury  returned  a “true  bill,”  but  on  May  0,  1800.  the  ease  was 
marked  “presentment  quashed.”  In  May,  1800,  Seth  Lewis,  Jessee  Wharten.  Joseph 
Herndon  and  John  Dickinson  were  admitted  as  attoruej's,  and  John  McNutt  was  made 
solicitor  pro  tem.  On  November  3.  1800,  Frances  Hall  offered  his  resignation  as  solicitor, 
and  Joseph  Herndon  was  appointed  in  his  place.  Edmund  Hall  also  resigned  his  office  as 
sheriff,  and  Henr}r  Childress  was  appointed  in  his  place.  The  court  allowed  Hall  £30  for 
ex  officio  services  as  sheriff.  Bennet  Searcy,  who  became  circuit  judge  a short  time  after, 
was  admitted  before  the  Williamson  bar  in  February,  1S01,  and  William  Smith  at  a little 
later  date.  Henry  Rutherford  was  allowed  £24  for  running  the  line  between  Williamson 
and  Davidson  Counties.  In  1803  Parry  W.  Humphreys  and  G.W.  L.  Manns  became  attor- 
neys, and  Thomas  Stewart,  who  became  the  first  circuit  judge,  resigned  as  solicitor,  and 
was  succeeded  by  Peter  R.  Booker.  Mr.  Booker  soon  after  moved  to  Columbia,  and 
finally  quit  practice  for  business.  In  1807  there  was  a trial  before  the  county  court  of 
Nelly,  a slave  of  Mr.  K.  Holcomb,  for  the  murder  of  her  child.  The  jury  was  composed 
of  James  Hicks,  Sion  Hunt,  Thomas  W.  Stockett  (a  justice  and  owner  of  slaves),  John 
Johnston,  Robert  Caruthers,  John  Soppington  and  David  Justice,  owner  of  slaves.  The 
jury  found  her  guilty  as  charged  in  the  indictment,  and  ordered  that  she  should  be  re- 
manded to  jail  till  Friday,  March  20,  1807,  when  she  should  be  taken  to  some  convenient 
place  near  the  town  of  Franklin,  “with  a good  and  sufficient  rope  hung  by  the  neck  until 
dead,  dead,  dead,  and  may  the  Lord  have  mercy  on  her.”  A motion  for  an  appeal  was 
overruled.  Felix  Grundy  and  Thomas  H.  Benton  first  appear  on  the  records  here  as  at- 
torneys. From  180S  to  1811  or  1812,  the  name  of  Benton  is  connected  with  more  cases 
than  any  other  lawyer.  In  1808  Henry  Martin  was  indicted  for  stealing,  but  found  not 
guilty  as  to  the  charge,  but  was  fined  the  cost  of  the  prosecution.  At  the  April  term,  1810, 
L.  P.  Montgomery,  I.  Johnston  and  J.  W.  Eaton  were  admitted  as  attorneys,  aud  Jacob 
Garrett  was  fined  £10  for  improper  conduct  and  “treating  the  court  contemptibly.” 

The  circuit  court  was  authorized  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  November  16, 
1809,  entitled  an  act  establishing  a circuit  court  and  a supreme  court  of  errors  and  appeals. 
By  order  of  the  General  Assembly  of  November  14,  1811,  Thomas  Stuart  became  judge  of 
the  Fourth  Judicial  Circuit  of  “law  and  equity.”  By  the  same  act  the  judge  was  com- 
pelled to  be  a resident  within  his  circuit.  Judge  Stuart  received  the  oath  of  office  before 
Justice  Robertson  in  the  court  house  in  Nashville.  Judge  Stuart,  the  well-known  judge 
and  accomplished  scholar,  was  a resident  of  Williamson  County  near  Franklin.  He 
served  from  the  organization  of  the  court  till  1S36.  The  officers  of  the  court  were  William 
Hulme,  sheriff;  William  Smith,  clerk,  with  Felix  Grundy,  R.  B.  Sappington,  Thomas 
Smith  and  Henry  Childress,  as  bondsmen.  Alfred  Balch  was  the  first  solicitor  before  this 
court.  The  following  attorneys  appeared  and  took  the  oath  on  March  24,  1810:  Felix 
Grundy,  T.  II.  Benton,  Peter  R.  Booker,  John  Reed  and  Nicholas  Perkins.  The  court 
announced  this  rule,  “ that  on  the  first  day  the  trial  of  issues  should  be  proceeded  with  as 
they  appear  on  the  docket  and  are  called,  and  on  the  second  day  suitors  shall  be  compelled 
to  try  or  continue  all  issues  at  law  except  cases  of  ejectment.”  The  sheriff  returned  the 
following  as  the  regular  jury  panel:  Jacob  Garrett,  John  Witherspoon,  Henry  Cook,  Dan- 
iel Perkins,  Thomas  McEwen,  Sion  Hunt.  George  Hulme,  Sherwood  Greer,  Nicholas 
Scales,  John  II.  Eaton,  James  Bruff,  Archibald  Lytle,  Newton  Cannon,  John  Bos  ick, 
James  Allison,  Guilford  Dudley,  Burwell  Temple,  John  Crawford,  William  Neeley, David 
Dickson,  Stephen  Childress,  Samuel  Perkins,  William  Bond,  Richard  Hightower,  Berry 
Nolen,  Charles  Boyles,  Hendley  Stone,  Thomas  Alexander,  John  Wilson,  Samuel  Morton, 
Thomas  Simmons,  William  Anthony,  R.  P.  Currin,  Thomas  Wilson,  Collin  McDaniel, 
Thomas  Gooch.  Thomas  Garrett  and  N.  T.  Perkins.  The  following  was  the  first  grand 
jury:  Stephen  Childress,  William  Boyd,  N.  T.  Perkins,  Hendley  Stone,  James  McEwen, 
Samuel  Morton,  Sr.,  Guilford  Dudley,  Sherwood  Greer,  William  Anthony,  Thomas 
Gooch,  John  Bostick,  Sion  Hunt,  Archibald  Lytle  and  David  Perkins. 


WILLI  A M SON  COU  N T Y. 


705 


The  first  case  tried  ou  appeal  was  a suit  of  Thomas  Talbott  against  John,  Thomas  and 
James  Wilson  and  Robert  and  James  Patton  in  a suit  for  debt  for  $3, ‘200.  The  suit  was 
begun  in  the  county  court  on  July  IS,  ISO?.  The  plain  till  got  judgment  for  §800.  In 
November,  1810,  Walter  L.  Fountain  and  John  Hardeman  were  admitted  as  attorneys. 
The  trial  of  David  Magness,  Perry  Magness  and  Jonathan  Magness  for  the  murder  of 
Patten  Anderson  was  begun  November  14,  1810.  The  jury  was  composed  of  Henry- 
Cook,  James  Gideon,  James  Hicks,  Samuel  McCutchen,  R.  Parks,  Andrew  GoiT,  Robert 
McLellau,  Thomas  Ridley,  James  Hartgrove,  R.  Puckett,  Tom  Berry  and  Thomas 
Walker.  The  jury  found  David  Magness  not  guilty  of  “ wilful  murder,”  but  guilty  of 
“ malicious  slaying,”  and  for  sentence  ordered  that  he  should  be  branded  in  the  left  hand 
with  the  letter  “ M,”  and  to  lay  in  jail  till  costs  of  suit  were  paid.  At  the  first  term  of 
1811,  Nathaniel  W.  Williams  appeared  as  judge  by  “ mutual  agreement  ” with  Judge 
Stuart.  W.  W.  Cook  and  J.  Haskell  became  attorneys  before  the  bar  on  May  2,  1811. 
Joseph  Venable  was  charged  with  “feloniously  stealing,  taking  and  carrying  away  ” from* 
Samuel  Rodgers  twelve  Spanish  milled  dollars  of  the  value  of  twelve  dollars  current  cash 
of  the  United  States,  and  one-fourth  of  a milled  dollar  of  the  value  of  25  cents.  He  was- 
fouud  “not  guilty  ” of  the  above  amount,  but  was  found  guilty  of  taking  one-half  dime 
of  the  value  of  5 cents,  and  for  punishment  received  ten  lashes  on  the  bare  back  immedi- 
ately. The  first  term  of  court  in  1812  was  opened  by  Judge  Roane,  and  in  1S13  by  Judge 
John  F.  Jack.  Thomas  Moore  brought  suit  against  Thomas  Miles  for  slander,  and  by  a 
jury  was  awarded  §75.  Alfred  Balch  brought  suit  for  the  State  against  Samuel  Roll  for- 
stealing  a woolen  great  coat,  who  received  for  sentence  twenty  lashes  upon  the  bare  back. 

At  the  November  term  Judge  Bennett  Searcy  presided,  and  John  Binkley  and  James 
Gordon  made  oath  that  they  desired  to  become  citizens  of  the  United  States.  At  the 
May  term  the  court  adopted  the  following  rules:  First.  On  the  first  day  of  each  term 
trials  shall  be  proceeded  with  as  they  stand  on  the  docket,  and  are  called,  but  no  suitor 
shall  be  compelled  to  try  or  continue  any  suit  of  trespass  or  ejectment.  Second.  On  the 
second  day  suitors  shall  be  compelled  to  try  or  continue  cases  as  they  stand  on  the  docket. 

In  1816  Binkley  Donaldson  was  arraigned  for  the  murder  of  James  Skell}',  but  was- 
found  guilty  onl}'  of  “felouiously  slaying.”  He  prayed  the  benefit  of  the  clergy  and  was- 
ordered  to  be  brought  before  the  bar  of  the  court  and  branded  with  the  letter  “M”  in  the 
left  hand.  Martin  Gurley  and  James  Bramblet  -were  convicted  of  horse  stealing  and 
received  thirty-nine  lashes  upon  the  bare  back,  were  branded  “ H.  T.”,  and  were  compelled 
to  stand  in  the  pillory  two  hours  each  day  for  three  days,  were  rendered  infamous  and- 
sentenced  to  jail  for  six  months.  During  the  years  1817-19,  Judges  Nathaniel  W. 
Welhams,  Joseph  McMinn  and  Jacob  C.  Isack9  were  upon  the  bench.  John  Hardeman* 
was  tried  for  horse  stealing,  but  when  brought  before  the  court  would  not  say  anything, 
pretended  that  he  could  not  talk.  The  court  found  that  he  acted  in  a “rude,  vulgar  and 
profane  manner,”  and  that  his  manner  was  not  caused  by  the  “visitation  of  God.”  He 
was  ordered  to  be  set  in  the  pillory.  The  punishment  did  not  seem  very  effective,  as  he- 
still  refused  to  talk.  The  first  divorce  suit  was  filed  in  1821  by  Sally  Merrett  against  James 
Merritt;  however  the  prayer  of  the  plaintiff  was  not  granted.  April  14,  1823,  John  A. 
Murrell  was  fined  §50  for  “riot.”  John  A.  Murrell,  James  Murrell  and  William  Murrell- 
were  bound  in  the  sum  of  §200  to  keep  the  peace,  on  the  oath  of  Thomas  Merritt.  The 
former  was  also  under  indictment  for  horse  stealing,  which  case  wras  taken  to  Davidson 
County  on  a change  of  venue  in  1827.  This  was  the  celebrated  John  A.  Murrell,  so  well- 
known  as  a thief,  robber  and  murderer,  but  who  turned  an  evangelist  in  his  latter  days. 
Indictments  for  “ gaming”  were  first  returned  in  February,  1825.  At  that  time  there  were 
eighteen  returned  against  Joel  Childress,  Archibald  Smith,  William  Clark,  Felix  Staggs 
and  others.  Each  -were  fined  §5  and  costs.  The  following  is  a list  of  attorneys  practicing 
before  the  Williamson  bar  in  1825:  N.  P.  Perkins,  James  H.  Maney,  R.  C.  Foster,  N.  P. 
Smith,  C.  S.  Olmsted,  Thomas  Washington,  Samuel  Houston,  Jesse  Greer,  James  P. 
Clark,  John  Bell,  Andrew  Hays,  Felix  Grundy,  P.  H.  Dailey,  David  Craighead,  M.  W. 
Campbell,  A.  P.  Maney,  William  Thompson,  William  McGee,  John  Thompson,  Wr.  G. 


- 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


90 


Hunt.  AY  i Hi  am  Hadley,  G.  W.  Campbell  and  G.  S.  Verger.  Previous  to  the  passage  of  the 
“penitentiary  law”  in  1829,  criminals  were  punished  by  branding  or  whipping  rather 
than  by  hues  and  imprisonment.  Joel  Watkins  was  found  guilty  of  feloniously  slaying 
Aaron  Curtis,  and  was  branded  with  the  letter  “M.”  in  the  presence  of  the  court.  John 
Hart  for  horse  stealing  was  given  twenty  lashes  on  the  bare  back  “well  laid  on.”  branded 
in  the  hand  with  ”11.  T.”  ordered  to  stand  in  the  pillory  two  hours  for  three  days,  given 
six  months  in  jail,  and  be  rendered  infamous  and  pay  costs  of  his  prosecution.  George 
Sandford  was  fined  $*-250  for  forgery,  at  the  same  time  Daniel  Crenshaw  for  stealing  a “ gray 
mare  ” from  X.  Wold  ridge  received  a similar  punishment  to  Hart  a9  above.  John  Walker 
was  whipped  and  fined  for  counterfeiting.  Warner  Metcalf  got  the  full  penalty  for  horse 
stealing,  including  branding,  pillory,  jail,  fine,  whipping  and  rendering  infamous.  Sep- 
tember 11,  1831,  Francis  Smith  was  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for  two  years  for  steal- 
ing a “dark  colored  surtout  cloth  coat,  one  fur  hat  and  a branded  handkerchief”  of 
W.  M.  Wright.  This  was  the  first  sentence  to  the  penitentiary. 

On  October  12,  1830,  the  following  agreement  for  deed  to  land  was  made  between  It. 
P.  Curriu.  W.  B.  Lewis,  Levi  Colbert.  James  Colbert,  George  Colbert,  James  Brown.  W. 
McGilvey,  Isaac  Alberson,  “To  Keel  Ka  Ishto  Ke  yo  Katubler,  Ishtokecha  Imme  haul  le  tubbe 
Ishto  y<i  tubbe  A7i  te  Ko  tea.  In  he  yo,  Chitubbe.  Immo  mo  la  Tubbe , Hush  ta  ta  be,  In  no 
wa  Ka  die,  Oh  hd  r.ubb,  kin  hi  chi  tubbe,  Im  mo  la  Subbe and  J.  M.  McClish, representative 
of  the  Chickasaw  nation  of  Iudians.  McClish  lived  at  one  of  the  fords  of  Duck  River, 
and  was  a half-breed.  McKilvey  was  also  a half-breed.  It  is  believed  this  record  has 
never  been  disputed.  The  following  attorneys  were  admitted  at  the  dates  mentioned: 
Thomas 


' C,  1 CkBUill 


-j unit  jiajuu,  JA.U iiust.  ioou;  .ucxauaer  naraiu, 


1831;  Preston  Hayes,  February,  1832;  John  Marshall,  1832;  Robert  Weldon,  August,  1831, 
and  George  Collinsworth,  February,  22,  1833.  J.  W.  Perkins  was  admitted  Februar}' 10, 
1834:  Nicholas  Perkins  March  16,  1836;  Charles  Scott  and  Richard  Ha}',  March  13,  1837. 

The  Legislature  in  the  winter  of  1835-36  made  some  changes  in  judicial  circuits,  in 
consequence  of  which  Williamson  became  a part  of  the  Sixth  rather  than  the  Fourth  Cir- 
cuit, and  January  25,  1836,  Judge  William  V.  Brown  appeared  on  the  bench  in  place  of 
Judge  Stuart.  Judge  Brown  remained  on  the  bench  till  he  was  succeeded  by  Judge 
Thomas  Maney  in  1842.  As  a mark  of  an  epoch  in  financial  circles  in  1838,  there  were 
twenty-five  suits  against  individuals  brought  b}'  the  Union  Bank  of  Tennessee,  eighteen 
by  the  Planters’  Bank  and  thirteen  by  the  Union  Bank.  The  attornej'S  between  1840 
and  1850  were  J.  L.  McEwen,  P.  G.  S.  Perkins,  T.  S.  Foster,  J.  B.  McEwen,  William 
McAllister,  Humphrey  Marshall,  R.  C.  Foster,  David  Campbell,  Haj’nes,  Hay,  Murfree, 
Figures,  Venable,  Ewing,  Nicholson,  Alexander,  Allen  Reed  and  Fauntleroy. 

In  the  earlier  period  of  the  bar  the  most  distinguished  men  were  Thomas  H.  Benton 
and  John  Bell.  The  latter  was  born  February  18, 1797.  and  came  to  Franklin  in  1816,  and 
was  sent  to  the  State  Senate  in  1817,  and  was  a presidential  candidate  in  1860.  Ilis  popu- 
larity is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  carried  the  State  by  a handsome  majority.  Judge 
Thomas  Stuart  occupied  the  bench  the  remarkable  period  of  twenty. seven  years — 1809  to 
1836.  For  clearness  of  insight,  liberality  of  construction  and  uprightness  of  decision  he 
had  few  superiors.  At  a later  date  were  such  meu  as  N.  P.  Smith,  Nicholas  Perkins,  Peter 
N.  Smith,  Richard  L.  Andrews,  Richard  Alexander,  R.  W.  H.  Bostick,  R.  C.  Foster 
(“Black  Bob  ”),  M.  P.  Gentry  and  Humphrey  Marshall.  In  1842  Thomas  Many  became 
circuit  judge  in  place  of  Judge  Brown,  which  position  he  held  till  1S54,  when  he  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Nathaniel  Baxter.  Among  the  lawyers  immediately  before  the  war  were  C.  A. 
Harris,  J.  P.  Campbell,  E.  Baxter.  R.  M.  Ewing,  M.  L.  McComico,  E.  T.  Andrews,  R.  F. 
Hill,  AY.  S.  McLemore,  E.  C.  Cook,  J.  B.  McEwen,  S.  Venable,  A.  Ewing,  David  Camp- 
bell, J.  Marshall,  R.  C.  Foster  and  W.  B.  Bate;  the  latter,  as  attorney-general,  resigned 
July  26.  1857,  and  was  succeeded  by  W.  S.  McLemore.  The  last  court  before  the  war  met 
March  10,  1862,  with  Judge  Baxter  in  the  chair,  II.  Hill,  sheriff,  and  M.  L.  Andrews,  clerk. 
The  last  jury  called  consisted  of  Zachan’ah  Green,  AY.  A.  Rodgers,  Matthew  Meacham, 

* These  Chickasaw  names  are  quoted  verbe/im  et  literatim  from  the  records. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


797 


John  Fitzgerald,  L.  J.  Johnson,  J.  B.  Gray,  II.  B.  Temple,  Thomas  Brown,  G.  W.  Arm- 
strong, W.  B.  Hulme,  Alexander  Moss,  W.  A.  McKay,  John  W.  Miller,  F.  G.  Ratcliff,  M 
11.  Page,  M.  M.  Andrews,  William  Jones,  J.  E.  Tulloss,  T.  II.  Oder,  .1.  C.  Owen,  II.  B 
Fly,  E.  J.  Green,  C.  S.  Bostick,  W.  1).  Patton,  J.  B.  Lane  and  J.  W.  Neely.  On  April  4, 
1863,  Mark  L.  Andrews  made  this  entry:  “The  Federal  army  being  in  possession  of  the 
-court  house,  I was  not  able  to  open  court.”  The  first  court  after  suspension  by  the  war 
was  opened  by  Judge  M.  M.  Brien,  who  presented  his  certificate  from  Gov.  Andrew  John- 
son on  July  12,  1804.  On  July  31,  1871.  very  touching  resolutions  were  offered  on  the 
death  of  Hon.  S.  S.  House.  The  committee  consisted  of  David  Campbell,  Jesse  Wal- 
lace, J.  B.  McEwen,  W.  S.  McLemore.  H.  II.  Cook  and  T.  S.  Perkins.  It  is  questionable 
if  any  bar  and  bench  in  the  State  has  fuVuished  more  able  or  accomplished  representation 
than  that  of  Williamson  County.  Of  the  latter,  the  full  measure  has  been  filled  by  Judge 
.W.  S.  McLemore  and  Chancellor  W.  S.  Flemming. 

A large  number  of  the  old  settlers  of  the  county  took  up  military  claims  of  grants 
made  by  North  Carolina  to  her  Revolutionary  soldiers.  It  was  of  this  element  that  the 
country  was  largely  peopled.  As  late  as  1832  the  following  Revolutionary  pensioners  were 
living  in  Williamson  County:  James  Turner,  William  Watkins,  Moses  Lindsey,  R.  Gra- 
ham, D.  McMahon,  Patrick  Campbell,  George  Neeley,  Robert  Guthrie,  Isaac  Ferguson, 
John  Andrews,  Thomas  Razius,  Alex  Lister,  Charles  Allen,  Thomas  Cook.  Benjamin 
Ragsdale,  David  Joey,  George  Hulme,  Joseph  Witherington,  Roger  Mallory,  Robert  Par- 
rish, John  Beavert,  Jacob  Grimmer,  John  Pearce,  Henry  Cook  and  William  Kennedy. 

In  the  Creek  war  of  1812-14  a call  was  made  for  troops  to  assemble  at  Nashville  De- 
cember 10,  in  addition  to  those  that  had  been  sent  by  way  of  Fayetteville.  These  men 
were  to  be  transported  down  the  river  in  boats.  Owing  to  delay  in  procuring  supplies  and 
transportation  the  men  did  not  embark  till  January  7.  The  entire  force  consisted  of  over 
2,000  men.  Col.  John  Coffee  commanded  a cavalry  force  of  670  men.  Col.  William  Hall, 
of  Sumner  County,  commanded  one  of  the  regiments,  and  Col.  Thomas  H.  Benton,  of 
Williamson,  the  other.  The  force  amounted  to  1,400  men.  The  cavalry  went  overland  to 
Natchez.  The  detachments  by  water  met  the  cavalry  force  at  Natchez  February  15,  and 
both  were  held  there  by  Gen.  Wilkinson,  awaiting  orders,  till  March  4,  when  they  were 
ordered  home,  as  their  services  were  not  deemed  necessary. 

The  Seminole  war  broke  out  in  1817;  it  was  almost  a continuance  of  the  Creek  war  of 
a few  j’ears  earlier.  After  some  pretty  severe  fighting  a treaty  was  made  with  the  Indians 
at  Moultrie  Creek  September  18,  1823,  by  the  stipulations  of  which  the  Indians  were  to  be 
restricted  to  a reservation.  This  treaty  was  never  satisfactory  to  the  Indians  and  difficul- 
ties occurred  in  1828-29,  and  finally  another  treaty  was  made  by  Col.  Gadsden  at  Payne’s 
Landing,  May  9,  1832,  by  which  the  Seminoles  were  to  be  set  on  a reservation  with  the 
Creeks.  A difficulty  occurred  between  Gen.  Thompson  and  Osceola,  a Seminole  chief, 
for  which  Osceola  was  imprisoned  in  Fort  King  for  six  dajTs.  Burning  with  revenge 
Osceola  waylaid  Gen.  Thompson  near  Fort  King  and  killed  him  December  28,  1835.  On 
the  same  day  Maj.  Dade,  with  over  100  men,  was  waylaid  in  the  Wahoo  Swamp  and  the 
entire  party  massacred.  Pursuant  to  a call  of  the  governor  two  regiments  of  troops  were 
called  for  to  serve  against  the  Seminoles.  One  company  was  recruited  from  Williamson 
County,  of  which  Joel  A.  Battle  was  chosen  captain:  the  lieutenants  were  Gabriel  Matlock 
and  Hollingsworth.  These  men  were  enlisted  for  six  months,  and  were  attached  to  the 
Second  Regiment.  They  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Fayetteville.  The  regiment  was 
organized  by  the  election  of  William  Trousdale,  colonel;  J.  C.  Guild,  lieutenant-colonel; 
Joseph  Meadow,  major  of  First  Battalion,  and  William  L.  Washington,  major  of  Second 
Battalion.  Dr.  D.  Smith  was  made  regimental  surgeon,  and  J.  P.  Grundy  became  adjutant 
of  the  regiment.  The  Second  Regiment  was  composed  of  the  companies  from  Sumner, 
Smith,  Wilson,  Davidson,  Robertson,  Dickson  and  Williamson  Counties.  This  regiment 
was  brigaded  with  the  First  Regiment,  under  Col.  J.  B.  Bedford.  The  brigade  was  com- 
manded by  Gen.  Robert  Armstrong.  The  command  left  Fayetteville  July  4 for  the  seat 
of  war.  For  a history  of  the  campaign  see  another  part  of.  this  volume. 


50 


70S 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  success  of  the  Texans  in  gaining  their  independence,  their  sufferings  and  indig- 
nities at  the  hands  of  the  Mexicans  were  such  as  to  excite  the  deepest  sympathy  of  the 
Americans.  On  the  call  for  troops  to  fight  the  Mexicans  the  enthusiasm  was  unbounded. 
It  became  a question  as  to  who  should  be  permitted  to  go.  Nearly  every  county  had  its 
political  club  at  the  opening  of  the  war,  and  these  largely  volunteered  their  services.  So 
many  offered  their  services  that  only  a portion  could  be  accepted.  The  Bethesda-Clay 
Guards  not  only  offered  their  services,  but  also  to  furnish  their  own  horses.  But  few  of 
these  were  accepted.  Those  who  were  received  were  mustered  into  service  at  Franklin  by 
Gen.  Bradley.  Only  about  a half  dozen  men  went;  of  these  Moses  Carter,  now  living 
in  Franklin,  was  one.  Only  one  or  two  more  are  still  living. 

On  the  issues  of  1800  the  people  were  almost  a unit  for  the  maintenance  of  the  integ- 
rity of  the  Union.  The  presidential  vote  in  1800  was  797  for  Breckcnridge;  1,587  for  Bell, 
and  32  for  Douglass.  The  vote  clearly  indicates  the  feeling  of  the  people  at  that  time. 
A meeting  was  called  for  December  28,  1860,  to  beheld  January  11,  1801.  to  take  into  con- 
sideration the  state  of  the  Union.  This  was  called  for  by  W.  L.  McComico,  S.  H.  Barley 
and  J.  A.  McNutt.  The  committee  on  resolutions  consisted  of  A.  W.  Moss,  J.  J.  Fogg,  S. 
S.  House,  TV.  L.  Huff,  N.  J.  Haynes,  J.  TV.  Xgely  and  S.  H.  Barley.  The  meeting  ex- 
pressed great  love  for  the  Union,  thought  the  South  had  great  cause  for  complaint,  but 
did  not  believe  in  secession,  and  resolved  that  on  the  following  day  the  stars  and  stripes 
should  be  unfurled  from  the  summit  of  the  court  house.  Flags  were  brought  forth  at  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  county.  The  Franklin  Review  and  Journal  in  speaking  of  the  action 
of  the  people  of  South  Carolina  in  passing  ordinances  of  secession,  said:  “The}*  have 

been  taught  to  hate  the  Union.  If  every  demand  was  granted  they  would  not  willingly 
return  to  the  Union.  * * * They  ask  us  to  follow  them  like  sheep  follow 

their  leader,  but  we  must  not  suffer  them  to  drag  us  out  of  the  Union.” 

The  country  was  rapidly  drifting  into  war,  and  the  county,  true  to  its  teachings,  was 
soon  prepared  to  follow*  the  fortunes  of  the  State.  By  an  act  of  the  special  session  of  the 
Legislature  in  April,  1861,  the  county  court  met  May  20,  and  made  a levy  of  4£  cents  on  each 
$100  for  a relief  fund  for  the  families  of  volunteer  soldiers.  The  justices,  by  unanimous 
voice,  agreed  to  give  their  own  per  diem  till  January  following  for  the  same  cause.  The 
county  judge  was  ordered  to  issue  script  to  be  sold  to  the  Planters’  Bank  of  Franklin  for 
cash  to  be  used  for  the  immediate  relief  of  families.  The  home  guards  w*ere  organized  in 
the  various  districts,  John  M.  "Winstead  being  chosen  general  commanding. 

The  first  regularly  organized  body  of  troops  from  Williamson  County  "was  the  Will- 
iamson Greys.  This  body  constituted  Company  D,  of  the  First  Tennessee.  This  regiment 
was  composed  of  Companies  A,  B,  C,  E and  F,  of  Nashville;  Companies  G and  H,  of 
Maury;  I,  of  Rutherford,  and  K,  of  Giles.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  May  2,  1861,  by  electing  George  Maney,  colonel;  T.  F.  Sevier,  lieutenant-colonel: 
A.  M.  Looney,  major;  R.  B.  Snov*den,  adjutant;  W.  L.  Xichol,  surgeon;  J.  B.  Buist,  as- 
sistant surgeon;  S.  H.  Ransom,  assistant  quartermaster,  and  George  W.  Menees.  assistant 
commissary  surgeon.  After  organizing  the  regiment  was  ordered  into  Camp  Harris  at 
Allisona;  here  it  remained  a short  time  and  w*as  then  sent  to  Camp  Cheatham,  in  Robert- 
son County.  The  regiment  spent  some  time  in  drill  and  was  then  ordered  to  West  Virginia. 
It  served  under  Gens.  Lee  and  Loring  till  December,  1801,  when  it  was  sent  to  Winchester 
to  report  to  Stonewall  Jackson.  The  regiment  was  ordered  to  Knoxville  February  2, 
1862,  and  soon  after  was  ordered  to  Corinth,  where  it  arrived  in  time  to  take  part  in  the 
battle  of  Shiloh.  The  regiment  w*as  in  the  campaign  through  Kentucky  and  in  fact  in  all 
the  important  engagements  in  Tennessee  and  the  Atlanta  campaign.  Company  D w*as 
commanded  by  Capt.  James  P.  Hanna.  In  April,  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  Lieut.  John 
L.  House  became  major,  and  Lieut.  Oscar  Adkison  became  captain.  The  roll  of  honor 
of  Company  D,  as  far  as  is  known,  consists  of  William R.  Hughes,  McNairy  J.  Thompson, 
William  B.  Campbell  and  Thomas  A.  Anthony;  all  killed  October  8,  1862,  at  Pcrryville, 
Ky.  A complete  history  of  the  First  Tennessee  is  given  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Company  E,  of  the  Third  Regiment  was  partially  made  up  in  Williamson  County.  The 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


ri)9 


officers  of  this  company  consisted  of  N.  F.  Cheairs,  captain;  II. P.  Pointer,  first  licutenuut; 
Campbell  Brown,  second  lieutenant;  Thomas  Tucker,  third  lieutenant.  The  regiment 
was  organized  at  Lynuvillc,  Giles  County,  May  10,  1861.  The  roll  ' of  honor  of  Com- 
pany E consists  of  W.  T.  Chatman,  killed  at  Fort  Donelson  February  13.  1SG2;  T.  M. 
Golden,  died  in  prison  April,  1862;  W.  J.  I,.  Johnson,  died  at  Bowling  Green;  M.  V. 
Sharp,  died  at  Camp  Trousdale;  J.  T.  Thompson  and  W.  W.  White  died  at  Camp  Douglass; 
J.  T.  Lamb,  died  at  Nashville  in  October,  1 SO  1 , and  W.  A.  Polk,  killed  at  Shiloh.  (See 
State  History  for  sketch  of  the  Third  Regiment.) 

Battle’s  regiment,  the  Twentieth,  was  organized  at  Camp  Trousdale  in  the  early  part 
of  June,  1861.  The  regimental  officers  from  Williamson  Count)’  were  Moses  B.  Carter, 
lieutenant-colonel;  Dr.  I).  B.  Cliff,  surgeon;  John  Marshall,  quartermaster;  Alex  Winn, 
adjutant;  John  Edmonson,  chaplain,  and  E.  L.  Jordan,  wagon-master.  Company  B of 
the  Twentieth  was  recruited  at  Nolcnsville  and  vicinity.  The  first  officers  were  Joel  A. 
Battle,  captain;  W.  M.  Clark,  first  lieutenant;  T.  B.  Smith,  second  lieutenant;  W.  II. 
Mathews,  third  lieutenant.  On  the  election  of  Battle  to  the  colonelcy  Lieut.  Clark  was 
chosen  captain.  In  1862  Capt.  Clark  was  made  regimental  surgeon  on  the  capture  of  Dr. 
D.  B.  Cliff.  At  the  appointment  of  Capt.  Clark,  T.  B.  Smith  became  captain.  He  after- 
ward rose  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  and  was  wounded  in  the  head  by  a sabre  stroke 
after  he  had  surrendered  at  the  battle  of  Nashville.  From  the  effects  of  this  wound  he 
became  insane.  In  Ma)’,  1862,  Orderly  Sergt.  J.  F.  Guthrie  was  elected  captain,  who 
was  soon  after  made  major,  and  was  killed  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  August  31,  1864.  The  roll 
of  honor  of  Company  B was  Eugene  Street,  N.  M.  Johnson,  D.  G.  King  and  J.  G.  Nevins 
killed  at  Chickamauga;  Robert  Peel  and  William  Kellom,  at  Murfreesboro;  W.  S.  Battle, 
at  Shiloh;  George  Keith,  at  Fishing  Creek;  W.  A.  Hay,  at  Baton  Rouge,  and  N.  C.  Peay, 
at  Dalton,  Ga.  Those  who  died  of  disease  were  G.  A.  Jenkins,  William  McClarion,  B. 
Poke,  J.  H.  Potts,  J.  N.  Potts  and  Robert  Walden.  It  should  have  been  stated  that  on 
the  reorganization  C.  S.  Johnson  was  elected  first  lieutenant;  W.  J.  Murray,  second  lieu- 
tenant, and  T.  C.  Williams,  third  lieutenant.  On  the  promotion  of  Capt.  Guthrie,  John- 
son became  captain;  McMurray,  first  lieutenant,  and  Williams,  second  lieutenant; 
also  George  Pea  became  lieutenant  near  the  close  of  the  war.  The  company  roll 
showed  153  men  enrolled  from  first  to  last,  and  only  seven  men . at  the  surrender  at 
Greensboro,  N.  C.  Company  D.  was  made  up  in  the  vicinity  of  Triune  and  College 
Grove.  The  officers  of  this  company  were  William  P.  Rucker,  captain;  Fred  Clay- 
brook,  first  lieutenant; Pinkston,  second  lieutenant,  and  A.  Hatcher,  third  lieu- 

tenant. Capt.  Rucker  resigned,  but  went  out  again  and  was  killed  in  Forrest’s  attack 
on  Fort  Donelson  in  1863.  Lieut.  Claybrook  was  elected  captain,  and  soon  after  became 
major,  but  was  killed  at  Horses  Gap.  P.  G.  Smithson  was  next  made  captain.  The 
dead  of  this  company  were  A.  B.  Gee,  J.  G.  Crutcher,  J.  W.  P.  Kent,  G.  H.  Murray, 
J.  M.  Smith,  B.  W.  Yeargin,  J.  B.  Buckman,  E.  A.  Austin,  T.  P.  Couch,  W.  J.  Col- 
lett, W.  R.  Hall,  W.  H.  Merritt,  C.  R.  Moxly,  E.  T.  Pinkston,  H.  H.  Russell,  D.  T. 
J.  Woods  and  J.  H.  Tucker.  Company  H was  recruited  in  Franklin  and  vincinity. 
M.  B.  Carter  was  elected  captain,  but  was  promoted  to  lieutenant-colonel.  F.  De 
Graffenried  then  became  captain.  He  was  succeeded  by  N.  W.  Shy,  who  passed 
the  grades  of  major,  lieutenant-colonel  to  colonel,  and  was  killed  at  Nashville.  Thomas 
Caruthers  was  next  chosen  captain,  and  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  Company  II  lost 
J.  L.  Andrews,  Benjamin  Armstrong,  Daniel  Butt,  J.  S.  McAllister,  J.  G.  Boyd,  W.  E. 
Boyd,  J.  H.  Alexander,  F.  M.  Andrews,  N.  J.  Davis,  E.  T.  Edney,  K.  S.  Edncy,  B.  M. 
Givens,  H.  P.  Harrison,  F.  D.  Ham,  H.  King,  W.  C.  Prichard,  Thomas  Puett,  J.  D. 
Prichard,  T.  J.  Sellers.  Thomas  Talley,  F.  A.  Truett.W.  E.  King,  A.  W.  Ivy,  C.  N.  Shel- 
ton, H.  Sawyers,  T.  W.  Stephens,  N.  Newcomb,  J.  T.  White,  F.Wray  and  T.  J.  York.  A 
complete  history  of  the  Twentieth  Regiment  is  given  elsewhere. 

The  Thirty-second  Regiment,  of  which  Capt.  Ed  C.  Cook  s company  was  a part,  was 
organized  in  1861.  The  company  left  Franklin  October  14, 1861,  for  Nashville.  The  offi- 
cers of  the  company  were  Ed  C.  Cook,  captain;  Jake  Morton,  first  lieutenant;  R.  F. 


■ 


800 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


McCau),  second  lieutenant,  and  Thomas  Hanks,  third  lieutenant.  The  regimental  officers 
of  this  regiment  were  E.  C.  Cook,  colonel;  William  I*.  Moore,  lieutenant-colonel;  W.  .1. 
Broivnlow,  major;  Calvin  Jones,  adjutant;  John  T.  Shepard,  quartermaster;  James  F. 
Grant,  surgeon;  James  F.  Finley,  chaplain.  A sketch  of  this  regiment  is  given  in 
another  part  of  this  work. 

A company  was  raised  in  Williamson  County  for  Holman’s  battalion  by  Capt.  Jacob 
T.  Martin  in  August,  1802.  The  company  consisted  of  140  men.  The  commissioned  offi- 
cers were  J.  T.  Martin,  captain;  Thomas  Banks,  first,  lieutenant;  David  S.  Chaney,  second 
lieutenant;  A.  S.  Chapman,  third  lieutenant.  The  battalion  consisted  of  four  companies 
and  was  organized  at  Columbia  October  15.  1862,  by  Maj.  I).  W.  Holman.  The  battalion 
after  drilling  for  a time  was  attached  to  Gen.  Wheeler’s  command. 

Capt.  Thomas  F.  Perkins,  a youth  of  eighteen,  entered  the  service  in  June,  1861.  lie 
became  first  lieutenant  of  a battery,  and  did  good  service  at  Fort  Donelson,  where  the 
command  was  captured.  Capt.  Perkins  made  his  escape  and  returned  to  Williamson 
County,  where,  in  July.  1862.  he  raised  a company  of  cavalry  consisting  of  sixty-five  men. 
This  became  Company  I of  Douglass’  battalion.  The  commissioned  officers  of  this  com- 
pany were  Thomas  F.  Perkins,  captain;  John  C.  Bostick,  first  lieutenant;  Richard  Clous- 
ton,  second  lieutenant;  Malachi  Kirby,  third  lieutenant.  February  20,  1863.  Holman’s 
and  Douglass’  battalions  were  consolidated,  and  became  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry. 
The  history  of  these  two  bodies  is  given  under  that  regiment. 

Company  G of  the  Third  Cavalry  was  organized  May  25.  1862,  aud  mustered  into  the 
Confederate  service  May  26.  The  officers  of  this  company  at  the  organization  consisted 
of  James  W.  Starnes,  captain;  W $.  McLemore,  first  lieutenant;  Thomas  Allison,  second 
lieutenant;  G.  Harris,  third  lieutenant.  This  regiment  was  a part  of  Dibrell’.s  brigade  of 
Wheeler’s  cavalry  corps.  Company  G left  for  the  front  October  10.  Other  companies, 
as  organized,  were  the  following:  Light  Dragoons,  William  Ewing,  captain;  Burke  Bond, 
first  lieutenant;  T.  S.  House,  second  lieutenant.  Capt.  J.  W.  Hill’s  company,  of  which 
J.  T.  Wilson  was  first  lieutenant;  Samuel  Lea,  second  lieutenant,  and  W.  T.  Wade,  third 
lieutenant.  Capt.  John  A.  Wilson’s  company,  of  which  X.  H.  Lamb  was  first  lieutenant; 
John  A.  Cathey,  second  lieutenant,  and  W.  J.  White,  third  lieutenant. 

For  generations  to  come  Franklin  will  be  pointed  out  as  the  place  of  a terrible  con- 
flict on  November  30,  1864,  between  the  Confederate  forces  under  Gen.  John  C.  Hood,  aud 
the  Fcderals  under  Gen.  Schofield.  The  Federals  were  composed  of  the  Fourth  and  a part 
of  the  Twenty- third  corps,  the  former  commanded  by  Gen.  Stanley  and  the  latter  by  Scho- 
field. Schofield,  being  the  senior  officer,  gave  directions  to  the  whole  command.  The  ob- 
ject of  the  Federals  was  to  fall  back  as  slowly  as  possible  so  as  to  give  Thomas  time  to 
concentrate  his  forces  at  Nashville.  The  object  of  Hood  in  forcing  the  Federals  to  a stand 
was  to  defeat  them  in  detail — Schofield  first  and  Thomas  last.  Hood’s  army  was  composed 
of  the  corps  of  Lieut. -Gens.  Lee  and  Stewart  and  the  corps  of  Maj. -Gen.  Cheatham.  The 
Federal  Army  had  arrived  on  the  night  of  the  29th  and  on  the  30th,  and  being  so  hard 
pressed  were  compelled  to  give  battle  to  save  their  trains.  The  Big  Harpeth  makes  a bend 
around  Franklin  in  the  shape  of  a horseshoe,  and  from  point  to  point  of  this  the  Federals 
liad  thrown  up  hastily  constructed  but  very  strong  works  and  well  covered  b}T  artillery. 

Hood’s  lines  were  arranged  with  Stewart’s  Corps  on  the  right,  Cheatham’s  on  the  left  - 
and  the  cavalry  under  Forrest:  on  the  flanks,  the  main  body,  however,  being  under  For- 
rest in  person  on  the  right.  Onl}'  a portion  of  Lee’s  corps  became  engaged;  that  of  John- 
son’s division  on  the  left. 

According  to  Hood’s  own  words  his  orders  were  “to  drive  the  enemy  at  the  point  of 
the  bayonet  into  and  across  the  Big  Harpeth  River,  while,  if  successful,  Gen.  Forrest  was  to 
cross  the  river  and  attack  and  destroy  his  trains  and  broken  columns.”  At  4 P.  M.  the  lines 
advanced  to  the  attack.  Hardly  in  the  annals  of  military  pageantry  was  a sight  more 
grand  than  the  steady  march  of  these  hostile  columns.  The  Federal  outposts  quickly  fell 
back  to  their  mainline.  Here  with  them  it  was  a question  of  life  or  death.  The  advanc- 
ing columns  were  soon  met  by  a storm  of  shot  and  shell — grape  aud  canuister  and  mus- 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


SOI 


ketry,  the  roar  of  which  seemed  to  make  the  earth  itself  tremble.  The  eontlict  was  of  the 
most  desperate  character  and  became  hand  to  hand;  columns  driven  back  reeling  and  stag- 
gering only  went  to  return,  if  possible,  with  more  desperation.  From  -1  P.  M.  till  late  at 
night  the  battle  raged.  AY  lien  the  morning  sun  arose,  it  found  the  Confederates  masters 
of  the  gory  field.  In  evidence  of  the  terrible  conflict  it  may  be  said  that  Hood's  report 
shows  his  loss  to  have  been  about  4,500.  Among  the  killed  or  mortally  wounded,  were 
Maj.-Gen.  P.  R.  Cleburne.  Prig. -Gens.  Strahl,  Carter,  Granbuiy  and  John  Adams:  while 
Maj.-Geu.  Brown,  Brig. -Gens.  Manigault,  Quarles,  Cockrell  and  Scott  were  wounded  and 
Ilrig.-Gen.  Gordon  was  captured.  Although  nearly  a quarter  of  a century  has  passed  since 
the  conflict,  many  marks  arc  still  visible.  Between  2,000  and  2,700  Confederates  are 
sleeping  in  the  Confederate  cemetery  near  the  scene  of  this  coutiict. 

On  the  organization  of  Williamson  County,  in  1790,  the  Legislature  appointed  a board 
of  town  commissioners  consisting  of  Samuel  Crockett,  Charles  McAllister,  David  Fig- 
ures, John  Sappington  aud  E.  Cameron,  whose  duty  it  was  to  select  a site  for  a county  seat 
to  be  called  Franklin;  to  procure  a tract  of  land  for  that  purpose  either  by  purchase  or 
donation.  It  was  their  duty  to  erect  a court  house,  jail  and  stocks.  The  Public  Square, 
consisting  of  two  acres,  was  donated  to  the  commissioners  by  Peter  Perkins,  on  condition 
that  the  count}'  scat  should  be  located  at  Franklin.  The  name  was  given  to  the  place  in 
honor  of  Dr.  Benjamin  Franklin.  The  town  was  surveyed  and  laid  out  in  1800  by  Henry 
Rutherford,  who  was  chosen  county  surveyor  in  February  of  that  year.  The  plat  con- 
sisted of  between  100  and  200  lots.  The  most  of  the  lands  on  which  the  city  of  Frank- 
lin now’  stands  were  entered  by  Abram  Maury. who  gave  name  to  the  sister  county  Among 
the  purchasers  of  lots  in  1S01  and  1803  were  William  Campbell,  J.  B.  Porter,  S.  Moore, 
Thomas  Harmon,  Samuel  McClary,  Ephraim  Brown,  Robert  Harmon,  Ew’en  Cameron, 
William  Smith,  Samuel  Chapman,  Peter  Edwards,  James  Hicks,  Samuel  Mitchell,  Alex- 
ander Myers  and  John  McKay. 

The  first  house  is  said  to  have  been  built  in  Franklin  in  1797  by  Ewen  Cameron.  The 
court  house,  as  stated  elsew’liere,  was  built  in  the  spring  and  summer  of  1800.  Thomas 
McKay,  at  whose  house  the  first  court  met,  w’as  a resident  at  that  time.  Other  settlers 
followed  in  rapid  succession.  Benjamin  White  built  an  ordinary  on  the  lot  adjoining, 
where  Air.  Gault  now  lives,  in  1803.  This  old  building  still  stands  though  in  a very  dilapida- 
ted condition.  He  with  his  sons  became  the  owners  of  a tavern,  wagon  yard,  wagon  shop, 
blacksmith  shop,  butcher  shop  and  gunsmith  shop.  Alexander  Myers  and  Phillip  Many 
obtained  tavern  license  in  1803.  Ordinaries  or  taverns  were  supposed  to  afford  food,  feed 
and  drinks.  The  following  were  the  rates  established  by  the  county  courts:  breakfast, 
dinner  and  supper,  each  25  cents;  one-half  pint  of  whisky,  12|  cents;  one-half  pint  of 
peach  or  apple  brandy,  124  cents;  one-half  pint  of  rum  or  gin,  37|  cents;  one  horse  feed, 
12£  cents.  Other  tavern  keepers  during  the  first  decade  were  Henry  Lyon  and  Stephen  Bar- 
field.  The  bridge  across  the  Harpeth  was  sold  byN.  Scales,  Thomas  Edmundson,  S.  Green, 
R.  Puckett,  D.  McEwen,  James  Boyd,  S.  Buford  and  George  Hulme  to  W.  Witherspoon, 
Jacob  Gantt,  John  Witherspoon,  Benjamin  Nolen,  Thomas  McKinney  and  John  Black- 
man on  April  S,  1805.  In  1820  the  contract  for  paving  the  Public  Square  -was  let  to  Stephen 
Childress,  John  Watson  and  Hinchey  Petway  for  §1.600.  The  mone}r  was  raised  by  a 
levy  on  the  county  for  §1,200,  and  on  the  town  for  §400  additional. 

The  act  of  incorporation  passed  the  General  Assembly  October  9,  1815.  The  act  reads 
as  follows:  ‘‘That  the  town  of  Franklin,  in  the  county  of  Williamson,  and  the  inhabi- 
tants thereof  are  hereby  constituted  a body  politic  and  corporate  by  the  name  of  the 
mayor  and  aldermen  of  the  town  of  Franklin,  aud  shall  have  perpetual  succession,  and 
by  their  corporate  name  may  sue  and  be  sued,  * * * and  may  use  a town 

seal.”  It  was  given  power  to  employ  night  watches,  establish  streets,  restrain  gambling, 
regulate  amusements,  establish  and  regulate  markets,  fire  companies,  and  other  measures 
for  the  benefit  of  the  town.  The  act  provided  for  the  election  of  mayor  and  aldermen 
and  other  town  officers.  The  following  are  given  as  the  limits  as  included  in  the  char- 
ter; “ Beginning  in  the  center  of  the  old  Natchez  road  where  a small  branch  crosses  the 


802 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


same,  about  130  yards  from  the  margin  of  said  town;  thence  in  a direct  line  to  Big  Hnr- 
peth  River,  so  as  to  include  the  house  where  Nicholas  Perkins,  Jr.,  now  lives;  thence  down 
the  middle  of  said  river  with  its  meanders  to  the  mouth  of  Sharp’s  branch;  thence  up 
said  branch  until  it  receives  another  small  stream  on  the  east  side;  thence  up  that  small 
branch  to  the  beginning;  provided  that  no  land  or  lots  of  ground  included  within  the 
above  described  bounds  shall  be  subject  to  pay  a greater  tax  to  said  corporation,  etc.,  etc.” 
Amendments  were  made  to  the  charter  in  1833,  in  1836,  in  1S37  and  in  1832.  The  by-laws 
of  Franklin  were  passed  in  1S2S  while  Nicholas  Perkins  was  mayor  and  Thomas  B.  White 
was  recorder.  Many  of  these  have  since  become  inoperative,  and  many  have  been  repealed. 
Among  the  many  laws  passed  was  one  requiring  every  owner  of  a private  house,  store- 
room or  office  to  procure  a leather  bucket  sufficient  to  hold  two  gallons  of  water;  the 
same  was  to  have  the  owner’s  name  placed  thereon,  and  to  be  hung  in  a convenient  place 
for  use  in  case  of  fire.  All  free  male  inhabitants  in  the  city  under  the  age  of  fifty-five 
were  organized  into  a fire  company,  under  the  command  of  a captain  and  four  masters. 

From  a copy  of  the  Western  Weekly  Review,  published  in  1831,  the  following  business 
cards  are  found.  G.  W.  Neeley  had  a cabinet  shop  at  the  north  end  of  Main  cross  street 
near  Perkin’s  tan-yard.  James  C.  Karr  also  had  a cabinet  shop  two  doors  above  the 
Franklin  Inn.  This  inn  was  what  is  now  the  Elliott  House;  this  was  kept  by  T.  L.  Robiuson. 
A boot  and  shoe  store  was  kept  by  A.  C.  C.  Carter,  father  of  Moscow  Carter.  Hugh  Duff 
was  a painter  and  glazier;  he  was  noted  for  his  wit,  and  “was  a fellow  of  infinite  jest.” 
William  Cayce  kept  a jewelry  store  on  Main  Street.  John  E.  Gadsev  and  Phillip  A. 
Yancey  each  were  carpenters  and  joiners.  The  female  school  was  taught  by  Mrs.  Moore. 
The  corporation  school  and  Harpeth  Academy  were  managed  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Otey  and  J. 
A.  M.  E.  Stuart.  Tailor  shops  were  managed  by  William  Anderson  and  Peter  W.  Crouch, 
Porter  & Haffey.  Samuel  L.  Graham  and  John  S.  Allen.  A book  store  was  kept  by  J.  II. 
McMahan  and  J.  Hogan,  Jr.  The  Franklin  Hotel  was  kept  by  Mrs.  Smith,  and  the  “Old 
Bell  Tavern”  by  Thomas  Miller  & Co.  General  stores  were  kept  by  H.  P.  Bostick, 
McComico  & Hamner,  Joseph  W.  Baughn  & Co.,  B.  S.  & E.  S.  Tappan  and  C.  G.  Olm- 
sted. A music  store  was  kept  by  John'D.  McAllister,  a tin  and  coppersmith  shop  by  S. 
N.  Sharp,  and  a grocery  store  by  M.  C.  Cayce.  Perkin  & White  kept  hardware  and  cutlery. 
The  leading  blacksmiths  were  S.  Vaughn  and  G.  W.  Lane.  The  fire  company  was  under 
command  of  Thomas  Park.  An  ordinance  was  passed  excusing  firemen  from  militia  duty. 
The  Independent  Blues  was  a militia  company  of  Franklin  for  man)*  years  of  which  com- 
pany E.  S.  Tappan  was  captaiu  and  James  Park  orderly  sergeant.  This  company  took 
part  in  the  reception  given  to  Gen.  Lafayette  on  his  visit  to  Nashville.  Before  this  time 
there  had  been  a blue  dye  factory  owned  by  Alexander  McCowen.  The  name  of  this  has 
been  perpetuated  in  Indigo  Street.  There  had  also  been  a nail  factory,  but  this  closed 
operations  about  1820,  and  a brewery  kept  by  the  Daws  Bros.  The  following  attor- 
neys were  living  in  Franklin  at  this  time;  G.  W.  & R.  C.  Foster,  John  Marshall,  P.  N.  & 
N.  E.  Smith,  G.  W.  Campbell,  John  Bell,  J.  S.  Jones.  N.  P.  Perkins.  J.  Swanson.  C. 
A.  Harney  and  W.  H.  Wharton.  It  is  shown  by  record  that  in  1833  Franklin  con- 
tained a population  of  1,500;  academies,  2 female  and  3 male;  4 churches;  3 clergymen; 
8 physicians;  7 lawyers;  4 taverns;  5 blacksmith  shops;  6 bricklayers;  10  carpenters;  1 cab- 
inet workman;  1 gunsmith;  2 hatters;  3 saddlers:  4 shoe-makers;  3 silversmiths;  3 tailors; 
2 tanners;  1 tinner;  2 wagoners  and  13  merchants.  On  January  1,  1815,  a contract  was 
entered  into  between  John  Sample,  Robert  P.  Currin  and  llinchey  Petway,  by  which  they 
purchased  of  Henry  Cook  twelve  acres  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  Big  Harpeth,  upon 
which  they  erected  a factory  for  the  manufacture  of  cotton-bagging,  etc. 

By  an  act  of  Legislature,  October  21,  1831,  a lottery  was  chartered  at  Franklin  for 
the  purpose  of  buying  a town  block.  There  were  2,024  tickets,  which  were  to  be  sold  at 
£5,  making  a total  sum  of  $10,120.  The  capital  prize  was  $2,000.  The  committee  on 
management  was  composed  of  R.  P.  Currin.  Thomas  Hardeman,  C.  G.  Olmsted  and  E. 
Breathitt.  The  tickets  were  put  on  sale  at  Hogan  & McMahon's  book  store.  The  fond 
hopes  of  the  citizens  were  never  realized,  as  the  lottery  did  not  prove  a success.  Races 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


803 


at  the  Fair  view  Course,  owned  by  John  Sweeny,  in  1831,  drew  out  the  following  horses 
on  the  first  day:  Mr.  Meek’s  Dart,  Mr.  Pankey’s  Division,  Mr.  Rice's  Alley  Conqueror;  the 
second  day  there  were  Pankey’s  Nelly-hoe;  People’s  Graytail,  Sneed’s  Rappahannock  and 
Thwcatt’s  gelding.  The  sweepstakes  premium  was  8200.  There  was  also  a sweepstakes 
premium  for  two-year  olds  of  twenty  barrels  of  corn.  On  July  4,  1831,  there  was  a 
celebration  at  Reader’s  Spring.  The  committee  of  arrangements  was  composed  of  J. 
Park,  W.  II.  Crouch,  B.  R.  White,  P.  Perkins  J.  Moore  and  A.  McGan.  Among  the 
prominent  men  living  in  Franklin  at  that  time  were  Newton  Cannon,  W.  G.  Childress, 
Thomas  Hardeman,  Nicholas  Perkins,  Abram  Maury,  William  Martin,  Christopher  Mc- 
Ewen  and  John  L.  McEwen. 

The  principal  business  men  between  1840-o0  were:  Dry  goods  stores — J.  W.  Baughn. 
J.  II.  Otey,  George  Seabright  and  A.  & W.  Park.  Drugs — MePhailt  A English.  Boot  and 
shoe  store — Brown  A Littleton.  Carriages — H.  Eelbeck  and  R.  G.  Richardson.  Blacksmiths 
— Brock  & Cody.  Physicians — Drs.  S.  S.  and  A.  J.  Mayfield,  R.  Glass,  Reid  A Perkins 
and  Dr.  Crockett.  Business  men  from  1850  to  1860:  Drygoods — Horten  A Carl,  J.  R. 
Hunter,  L.  F.  Beech,  House  A Bro.,  Snyder  A Frizzell,  Shauner,  Broliam  A Co.  Drug 
store — F.  S.  Wooldridge.  Merchant  tailors— Cummings  A Byers,  A.  W.  Moss,  Hyerone- 
mus  A Craig.  Livery  stables — J.  Iv.  A C.  R.  Richardson,  Neely  A Haynes.  Grocery 
stores — S.  II.  Bailey,  J.  M.  Case3r.  Carriage  shop — W.  G.  D.  Boelims.  Furniture — R.  H. 
Teal' A Toon.  Iron  works — John  Pugh,  T.  P.  Pugh  A C.  B.  Beech.  Produce  dealers — 
Beale  A Toon,  Spencer,  McCoy  A Co.  and  M.  S.  Ro\*ce.  Book  store — Thomas  Parkes. 
Cabinet  shop — Courtney  A Karr.  Business  men  immediateh'  following  the  war:  Drjr 
goods— Joe  Frankland  A Co.,  M.  Kaufman,  J.  M.  Graveriy,  J.  G.  Bliss,  T.  L.  Owen  and 
J.  A M.  House.  Drug  Stores — W.  G.  Clouster,  Crutcher  A Handy.  Groceries,  harness, 
etc.,  etc. — A.  C.  Yauglm,  J.  L.  Parkes,  Bostick,  Moreley  A Rozell.  Groceries — J.  J.  Pur- 
year  A R.  R.  Hightower,  Cook  A Westerfiel.  Tinware — James  Merrill.  Furniture — J. 
C.  Karr. 

The  present  business  is  as  follows:  Drygoods  and  general  stores — Smithson,  Kennedy 
Haynes  A Co.,  Theo.  Owen,  Neely  A Campbell,.  Joseph  Frankland,  Frank  Adle,  A.  Tlior- 
ner  and  Julius  Dietrich.  Groceries — Reynolds  A Wilson,  J.  W.  Bennett,  Will  Cody,  F.  Eel- 
beck,  Newton  Cannon,  John  Atwood,  Hearn  A Haynes,  Ed  Haynes  and  Mrs,  John  Mor- 
ton. Drug  Stores — Beech  A Son,  Thomas  Bums  and  — White.  Agricultural  implements — 
C.  V.  Holdeman  A Co.  and  W.  A.  Johnson  A Co.  Harness,  Saddlery,  etc. — A.  J.  Dennis 
A Co.  and  James  Russell.  Book  store — Emma  Eddy.  Liver}r  stables — Yaughn  A Son, 
John  Blackburn  and  Charles  Moss.  Hotels — Parrish  House  and  Elliott  House.  Flour- 
ing-mills — The  mill  owned  by  J.  B.  Lillie,  built  in  1ST0  at  the  head  of  Main  Street,  was 
built  at  a cost  of  about  $50,000,  and  has  a capacity  of  about  300  ban-els  per  day;  the  Atlas 
Mills  were  built  in  1882  by  Hamilton,  Vaugh  A Turley;  the  mill  of  Y.  M.  Rezer  was  built 
the  same  year. 

A branch  of  the  Union  Bank  of  Tennessee  was  established  in  Franklin  in  1832.  The 
stock  allowed  for  the  bank  was  $200,000.  To  give  an  estimate  of  the  amount  of  business 
done  by  this  bank  in  its  early  history  it  is  shown  that  March  4,  1835,  there  were  discount- 
ed $26,000,  and  more  that  $80,000  were  offered.  This  bank  continued  in  operation  till  it 
was  closed  by  the  operations.of  the  war.  The  First  National’ Bank  of  Franklin,  the  only 
banking  concern  in  the  place,  is  on  a good  financial  basis  and  is  well  managed. 

Hiram  Lodge,  No.  7,  F.  A A.  M.,  was  originally  Lodge  No.  55,  and  was  instituted 
under  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina.  Authority  was  granted  by  Robert  Williams, 
Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  of  Ancient  York  Ma- 
sons. The  delegates  to  the  Grand  Lodge,  which  met  at  Knoxville  December  2,  1811,  were 
Archibald  Potter,  Stephen  Booker  and  John  A.  Rodgers.  At  this  meeting  a Grand  Lodge 
for  the  State  of  Tennessee  was  organized,  and  Hiram  Lodge,  No.  55,  now  became  Hiram 
J^odge,  No.  7,  of  the  Grand  Lodge  of  Tennessee.  The  present  lodge  building  was  erected 
some  time  between  1818  and  1825.  The  commandery  at  Franklin  is  called  DePaven.  No. 
11,  and  consists  of  thirteen  members.  Its  officers  are  J.  L.  Parkes,  E.  C.;  Altha  Thomas, 


fc(U 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

G.;  T.  F.  Perkins,  C.  G.;  J.  P.  Hanues,  P.;  Burke  Bond,  S.  W.;  J.  P.  Hamilton,  J.  \V7? 
I).  B.  Cliffc.  Treas. ; T.  A.  Pojh1,  R.;  J.  II.  Rolffs,  S.  B. ; W.  Jones,  Sword  B.;  A.  Truett.' 
Warden;  E.  T.  Wells,  Sentinel;  Altha  Thomas,  J.  P.  Banner  and  J.  L.  Parkes,  Past  Com- 
manders. 

The  date  of  the  foundation  of  a paper  in  Franklin  is  a matter  of  some  uncertainty. 
It  was  some  time  near  1820,  but  neither  the  exact  date  nor  its  fouuder  is  known.  In  1881 
the  paper  was  called  the  Western  lf\ekly  Review  and  was  owned  by  J.  H.  McMahan  and 
J.  Hogan,  Jr.  and  was  edited  by  Thomas  Iloge.  of  East  Tennessee.  Soon  after  the  now 
venerable  Don  Cameron  became  editor.  In  185-2  the  name  of  the  paper  became  The  Re- 
view and  Journal.  Don  Cameron  sold  the  paper  and  N.  J.  Haynes  and  D.  L.  Balch  with 
S.  P.  Hildreth,  editor.  In  1858  Edwin  Paschall  became  editor  for  a very  short  time  and  was 
succeeded  by  Hildreth  again.  Judge  W.  S.  McLemore  was  editor  a short  time  in  1800  and 
to  June  13,  1801,  when  Mr.  Haynes  became  editor  and  proprietor.  In  1S65  it  was  owned  by 
N.  J.  Haynes  A Son  and  in  1870  by  Haynes  A Bro.,  with  Burk  Bond  as  editor.  In  a 
short  time  T.  E.  Haynes  alone  became  editor  and  proprietor.  In  1873  Haynes,  Andrew 
& Co.  became  owners,  with  T.  Dick  Bullock  as  editor.  Mr.  Bullock  was  out  for  a time 
but  returned  again  in  1876  when  Haynes  A Andrews  became  editors  aud  proprietors.  On 
accepting  the  postmastership  under  the  present  administration,  Mr.  T.  E.  Haynes  retired 
from  the  paper  and  Mr.  M.  L.  Andrews  became  sole  manager.  The  Review  and  Journal 
is  one  of  the  oldest,  if  not  the  oldest  paper  in  the  State  with  an  unbroken  management. 
It  has  always  been  a clean,  high-toned,  consistent  paper.  It  is  well  edited  and  is  good 
authority  on  Democratic  doctrines. 

Thompson  Station  is  located  about  seven  miles  south  of  Franklin,  in  District  No.  4. 
It  is  the  principal  shipping  point  for  that  section  of  the  count}'  over  the  Louisville  A 
Nashville  Railroad.  The  place  contains  from  100  to  200  inhabitants.  The  station  contains 
several  stores,  a cotton-gin  and  other  business  houses;  also  a Methodist  and  a Christian 
Church.  Historically  this  place  is  known  by  several  very  severe  engagements  fought  near 
it  in  the  late  war.  Brentwood  is  a station  on  the  Louisville  A Nashville  Railroad  near 
the  line  between  Williamson  and  Davidson  Counties.  It  is  beautifully  situated  and  con- 
tains several  business  houses,  a postoffice,  shops  and  a Methodist  Church.  A severe  skir- 
mish was  fought  here  in  Hood’s  retreat  from  Nashville.  Nolensville  is  situated  on  the 
head  waters  of  Mill  Creek  in  District  No.  17.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  one  of  the  oldest 
families  in  the  county.  It  is  surrounded  by  an  excellent  farming  country.  Nolensville 
dates  back  in  the  thirties.  The  pike  leading  to  Nashville  from  Nolensville  was  built  in 
the  latter  part  of  the  thirties  and  the  beginning  of  the  forties.  Nolensville  has  a large 
number  of  business  houses  for  a place  of  its  size.  It  also  has  a graded  school  of  three  de- 
partments and  a postoffice.  There  is  an  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge  also  a Masonic  Lodge  —a  Blue 
Lodge  and  Chapter.  Triune  is  the  name  of  a neighboring  postoffice  in  District  No.  18. 
It  is  on  the  pike  leading  from  Nolensville  to  College  Grove.  This  is  the  seat  of  a church 
and  has  a consolidated  school  and  a cotton  -gin  near  by.  This  place  is  situated  near  the 
head  waters  of  Wilson’s  Creek,  a tributar}7  of  the  Big  Harpeth.  Near  the  corners  of  Dis- 
tricts Nos.  14,  IS  and  20,  is  a postoffice  called  Arrington.  On  Big  Harpeth,  near  the 
county  line  is  situated  College  Grove.  This  has  long  been  a pleasant  neighborhood  and 
the  seat  of  an  excellent  school.  It  now  contains  a school  of  three  departments,  a Presby- 
terian and  a Methodist  Church.  * On  Grove  Creek  in  the  same  district  is  Jordan  Store  post- 
office.  In  the  southeast  corner  of  the  county,  in  District  No.  22,  is  Reed’s  Store  postoffice. 
Bethesda  postoffice  is  situated  near  the  center  of  District  No.  12  in  a thickly  settled  neigh- 
borhood. There  has  been  a church  at  the  place  since  1830.  There  is  also  an  academy  and 
one  or  two  business  houses. 

It  is  a matter  of  record  that  in  1836  Peytonsville  was  called  Snatchett.  or  as  the  public 
now  have  it — Snatch.  Its  name  originated  in  the  fact,  it  is  said,  that  one  individual  owed 
another  £10,  and  the  creditor  being  unable  to  collect  the  debt  seized  the  opportune  mo- 
ment and  snatched  the  money  from  the  unsuspecting  debtor.  One  of  the  first  settlers  at 
this  place  was  Andrew  Campbell.  Peytonsville  now  contains  one  store,  a postoffice  and  a 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


805 


blacksmith  shop.  It  also  contaihs  a Methodist  Church  built  in  1857,  and  a Christian 
Church  of  recent  construction.  There  is  also  a Masonic  hall,  Lod.se  No.  337,  F.  «fc  A.  M.  . 
other  neighborhoods,  points  and  postoffices  arc  Williamsburg  in  the  Fourth  District;  Bos- 
ton postoffice.  White  Oak  postoffice  in  the  Second,  and  Lciper's  Fork  or  Hillsboro  post- 
office  in  the  Third.  Hillsboro,  or  Hillsborough  as  formerly  spelled,  is  an  old  settlement; 
James  Adams  was  an  early  resident  at  that  place.  In  the  First  are  Christiana  postoffice, 
Basin  Springs  postoffice  and  Smith’s  Springs;  in  the  Fourth  is  West  Harpeth  and  in  the 
Seventh  is  Beecliville. 

Harpeth  Academy  was  authorized  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1807,  under  the  laws 
passed  for  encouraging  popular  education.  The  trustees  appointed  for  Harpeth  were 
Abram  Maury,  Daniel  Perkins,  Nicholas  T.  Perkins,  G.  MeComico,  Albert  Russell,  Ste- 
phen Childress,  William  Neeley,  Charles  Bavles,  Robert  P.  Currin  and  John  Hardeman. 
The  first  steps  toward  building  were  taken  in  February,  1810,  when  the  above  trustees 
purchased  eighty  square  poles  from  William  McRay.  This  land  lay  between  one  and  two 
miles  from  Franklin  near  the  Ball  estate.  From  its  vicinity  to  Harpeth  River  it  was  called 
the  Harpeth  Academy.  On  November  4,  1817,  an  act  was  passed  making  not  less  than  rive 
trustees  a quorum,  and  added  to  the  number  of  trustees  William  Smith,  Andrew  Campbell, 
John  Watson,  John  Bell  and  John  White.  The  growth  of  Franklin  brought  about  the 
necessity  of  greater  facilities  for  schools  and  a desire  to  have  the  school  nearer  town.  Ac- 
cordingly Harpeth  Academy  was  sold  to  Randel  McGavack  in  1823,  and  a new  site  pur- 
chased on  Main  Street  consisting  of  ten  acres  of  ground. 

This  building  stood  till  it  was  destroyed  by  the  soldiers  during  the  war.  Perhaps  the 
most  noted  teacher  in  the  early  history  of  Harpeth  was  the  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn.  Many 
distinguished  educators  taught  in  Harpeth  ; also  many  very  distinguished  sons  of  William- 
son County  were  educated  there. 

Harpeth  L'nion  Female  Academy  was  established  in  1S28.  In  that  year  a deed  to  the 
grounds  was  made  by  Newton  Cannon  to  Samuel  Perkins,  W.  S.  Webb,  T.  D.  Porier,  John 
Bostick  and  Newton  Cannon  as  trustees  for  the  academy.  This  school  was  managed  with 
success  many  years.  In  February,  1837,  Lot  No.  134  in  Franklin  was  purchased  and  the 
foundation  laid  for  the  Frauklin  Female  Academy. 

The  Franklin  Female  Institute  was  founded  in , and  was  successfully  managed  till 

broken  up  by  the  war.  This  institution  was  founded  as  a stock  concern  and  was  managed 
by  a board  of  trustees.  It  was  mainly  under  the  control  of  the  Presbyterians.  On  the 
organization  of  the  public  schools  under  the  present  s}’stem  the  institute  building  became 
to  be  used  as  the  public  school  building.  These  schools  are  under  the  management  of 
Superintendent  Wallace,  who  has  brought  them  to  a high  state  of  proficiency.  The  aver- 
age length  of  terms  is  ten  months.  A regular  course  is  maintained  and  the  graduates  are 
well  qualified  for  the  various  duties  of  life. 

In  1848  Moses  Cates  sold  a quantity  of  land  to  John  Mather al,  Joseph  Daus,  J.  Wv 
Allen  and  James  Hardgrave  for  a house  for  a school  and  religious  worship.  This  was  on 
the  Big  Harpeth  near  William  Armstrong’s.  A church  and  school  w'as  built  on  Murfree’s 
Fork  of  Anderson’s  Big  Spring  at  about  the  same  time.  This  was  built  on  the  lands  of 
John  Pope  and  Samuel  Akin.  John  Moore  and  James  Patten  were  made  trustees. 

The  first  trustees  of  Owen  Hill  Female  Academy  were  appointed  November  22,  1850. 
They  were  William  Burner,  W.  M.  M.  Huley,  J.  P.  Allison,  E.  L.  Jordan,  J.  B.  Wilson, 
J.  Jordan  and  G.  C.  Kiuman.  A public  school  was  built  on  the  lands  of  Thomas  Bu- 
chanan, in  1848.  The  trustees  were  S.  S.  Bradley,  F.  W.  Jordan  and  Robert  Carothers  A 
schoolhouse  was  built  on  Nelson  Creek  in  1837.  The  first  trustees  appointed  wrere  Nelson 
Fields,  G.  Vernon,  David  Hampton,  William  Fields,  Henry  Jenkins  and  A.  Carmichael. 

College  Grove  was  founded  in  1861.  It  is  still  a very  flourishing  school.  Its  first 
trustees  were  W.  Jordan,  W.  W.  Healey,  A.  G.  Scales,  J.  L.  Casey  and  J.  P.  Allison. 

The  public  school  system  as  organized  under  the  new  constitution  was  put  into  oper- 
ation in  1872.  It  was  several  years  before  their  efficiency  became  very  marked  owing  to  a 
lack  of  sehoolhouses  and  funds  for  paying  teachers.  Aside  from  private  schools  or 


80C 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


schools  disconnected  with  the  public  school  system  the  schools  of  Williamson  are  divided 
into  graded  schools,  consolidated  schools  and  ungraded  common  schools.  The  graded 
school  as  here  used  means  schools  in  which  the  teacher  has  succeeded  in  arranging  pupils 
in  classes  with  regard  to  their  advancement  and  kinds  of  text-books  without  reference  to 
the  number  of  rooms  in  the  building  in  which  schools  are  taught.  The  ungraded  schools 
arc  those  in  which  the  teacher  has  not  succeeded  in  eliminating  text-books  of  different 
kinds  from  the  school,  in  consequence  of  which  pupils  pursue  the  same  studies  of  the 
same,  advancement,  but  liaviug  different  text-books  require  different  classes.  The  consol- 
idated schools  are  those  in  which  the  expenses  of  management  are  met  by  the  public  funds 
and  by  private  subscription.  The  benefit  derived  from  consolidated  schools  is  that  the 
school  terms  are  made  much  longer.  The  most  of  the  consolidated  schools  are  incorpor- 
ated under  the  “four  mile  law;”  the  result  of  which  is  that  whisky  is  driven  from  the 
'County  except  in  incorporated  towns.  In  the  following  schools  three  teachers  are  em- 
ployed: Trinity,  Xolensville,  Owen’s  Station  and  College  Grove.  The  following  schools 
are  consolidated  schools:  Trinity,  Xolensville,  College  Grove.  Owen’s  Station,  Triune. 
Forest  Hill,  Hillsboro,  Douglas  Church,  Mount  Carmel,  Perkins’  School  and  Boyd’s  Mill 
School.  From  the  superintendent’s  report  for  both  1884  and  1885  it  is  learned  that  the 
scholastic  population  in  1885  was  male,  white,  2,880;  colored,  2,154;  female,  white,  2,704: 
colored,  2,070.  Total  scholastic  population  for  18S4,  9,874.  The  same  for  1885  shows 
males,  white,  2,997:  female,  2,790;  colored,  male,  2,245,  female,  2,168.  Total  of  both. 
10,200.  As  a comparison  the  scholastic  population  for  1839,  which  of  course  did  not  include 
colored,  was  only  4,456.  Out  of  the  above  enumeration  the  total  enrollment  of  whites  and 
colored  foi  1884  was  5,529,  and  the  daily  attendance  was  3.376.  The  same  item  for  1885 
shows  an  enrollment  of  5,204,  and  a daily  attendance  of  3,444.  The  total  number  of  white 
schools  for  1884  were  51;  colored,  20.  The  number  for  18S5  was  54  and  28,  respectively. 
The  total  length  of  schools  in  days  in  1884  was  108,  and  in  1885,  as  per  report,  104.  The 
total  amount  of  funds  expended  for  1884  was  817,764.90;  for  1-885  it  was  $20,683.21.  Of 
these  amounts  there  was  expended  for  teachers’  salaries  for  18S4  $11,610.75,  and  in  1885 
-$13,557.35.  The  schools  of  Williamson  County  are  growing  in  efficiency  and  favor. 

The  Tennessee  Female  College  of  Franklin  was  founded  in  1856.  One  of  the  princi- 
pal men  engaged  in  establishing  this  school  was  John  Marshall.  A magnificent  building 
was  erected  and  able  instructors  were  employed.  The  school  soon  took  a high  rank 
among  the  educational  institutions  of  the  land.  The  school  has  had  a continuous  and 
prosperous  course  except  for  a brief  period.  The  school  fin  all}’  fell  into  the  hands  of  Bis- 
hop Hargrove,  of  the  Methodist  Church.  The  buildings  were  recently  purchased  by  Prof. 
Edgerton,  who  has  been  conducting  a successful  school  in  all  the  departments  for  the  last 
year.  In  March,  1886,  the  beautiful  buildings  were  consumed  by  fire,  to  the  great  mis- 
fortune of  Prof.  Edgerton  and  the  community.  The  school  was  transferred  to  a large 
private  house,  where  the  school  year  was  finished.  The  school  for  1886  closed  with  the 
“Thirty-sixth  Annual  Commencement,”  at  which  nine  young  ladies  were  graduated.  It 
is  a pleasing  fact  to  know  that  the  arrangements  have  been  consummated  for  the  rebuild- 
ing of  this  institute,  and  it  will  again  open  for  work  in  September,  1886. 

The  Baptist  Church  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  church  organized  in  the  county, 
as  a record  of  Harpeth  Baptist  Church  is  found  in  1803.  It  is  claimed  it  was  built  in  1800. 
It  is  known  to  the  public  as  Old  Harpeth  Church.  Among  the  first  members  of  this  church 
were  Andrew  Golf  and  wife.  This  old  church  stood  about  four  miles  from  Franklin. 
Liberty  is  the  name  of  another  Baptist  Church  in  the  county.  This  also  was  standing  as 
oarly  as  1803.  and  how  mnch  earlier  is  unknown.  Owing  to  a division  this  very  popular 
branch  Las  been  greatly  -weakened  in  this  county.  The  division  on  the  question  of  mis- 
sions led  to  the  two  branches  known  as  Old  or  Primitive  Baptists  and  the  Missionary 
Baptists.  There  was  formerly  a Baptist  Church  in  the  Perkins’  neighborhood,  but  it  no 
longer  stands.  The  Baptist  Church  in  Franklin  was  organized  in  1839,  and  an  excellent 
brick  church  erected  in  1849.  From  lack  of  numbers  preaching  is  not  maintained  regu- 
larly by  this  denomination. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


SOT 


The  Presbyterian  Church  at  Franklin  was  organized  January  8,  1811,  by  Rev.  Gideon 
Blackburn.  The  elders  chosen  at  this  time  were  Alexander  White,  Samuel  Moore.  E. 
Hamilton  and  Robert  Harris.  There  were  at  that  time  forty-six  lay  members  and  an 
addition  of  seventeen  was  made  the  same  year  and  thirty-seven  in  1812.  Dr.  Blackburn 
remained  in  charge  of  the  church  except  the  interval  of  1817  till  1824.  In  1817  Rev.  David 
Wise  was  called  to  the  charge.  The  first  report  to  Presbytery  in  1813  showed  a member- 
ship of  ninety-three.  Dr.  Blackburn  only  gave  from  one-fourth  to  one-half  his  time  to 
the  church  at  Franklin.  In  1818  Dr.  Blackburn  and  Rev.  J.  T.  Hamilton  both  worked  on 
4he  charge.  On  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Blackburn  his  sou.  Rev.  J.  X.  Blackburn,  had 
•charge  of  the  church  a number  of  years.  In  1826  Rev.  Rob  Henderson  was  employed, 
who  gave  three-fourths  of  his  time  to  the  church  at  Franklin.  In  1832  Rev.  R.  II.  Lilly 
was  employed;  about  this  time  there  were  twenty-six  additions  to  the  church.  Rev.  M. 
M. Marshall  took  charge  in  1834  and  remained  till  1837, when  he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  A.  II. 
Desheii.who  remained  till  1S40.  In  1840  R.  A.  Garrison  became  pastor  and  served  till  1843. 
The  church  at  that  time  numbered  132  communicants.  The  following  were  the  elders  who 
•for  their  long  service  are  mentioned  : A.  Park,  T.  F.  Adkison,  William  O'X.  Perkins  and 
Don  Cameron.  In  1843  Rev.  A.  X.  Cunningham  became  pastor  and  served  till  1858,  when 
he  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Ira  Morey,  who  resigned  and  died  in  1864.  Among  the  pastors 
Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn  is.  perhaps,  best  known.  Many  distinguished  men  as  lay  mem- 
bers here  belonged  to  this  church.  Gilbert  Marshall  served  as  clerk  of  the  session  from 
1824  to  1852.  This  church  suffered  the  misfortunes  of  the  war,  and  after  the  battle  of 
Franklin  this  house  was  taken  as  a hospital  by  the  Federals,  during  which  time  it  was 
-greatly  damaged.  The  first  pastor  after  the  war  was  the  Rev.  W.  L.  Rosser.  The  first 
•church  built  in  the  place  was  built  by  the  Presbyterians,  around  which  many  historic 
-events  cluster.  The  present  church  edifice  at  “ Five  Points  ” was  erected  in  1842. 

In  addition  to  the  church  at  Franklin,  the  Presbyterians  have  an  old  established 
organization  at  Little  Harpeth:  also  one  at  the  ridge  called  Ridge  Church. 

The  Cumberland  Presbi'terian  Church  in  Franklin  was  organized,  in  1871,  with  seven- 
teen or  eighteen  members,  by  the  Rev.  Gill,  of  Kentucky.  The  members  worshiped  at 
•other  churches  till  1876,  when  they  erected  a very  elegant  church  on  Main  Street  at  an 
outlay  of  nearly  $S,000,  but  of  value  of  nearlj’  $10,000.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  with 
Masonic  ceremonies  and  the  dedicatory  sermon  preached  June  3,  1876.  This  is  one  of  the 
ifinest  churches  in  the  city.  This  denomination  is  not  strong  numerically,  yet  the  regular 
church  services  are  kept  up. 

The  first  Cumberland  Church  built  in  the  county  was  erected  at  Mount  Carmel  on  the 
Lewisburg  Pike  about  ten  or  twelve  miles  from  Franklin.  October  27,  1827,  Allen  Bugg 
made  a deed  to  three  and  one-half  acres  of  land  to  T.  E.  Kirkpatrick,  C.  Walker,  Xewton 
Wall  and  W.  W.  Bond,  as  trustees  of  the  Cumberland  Church.  The  old  house  has  long 
-since  been  replaced  by  a new  one.  There  is  still  a good  organization  maintained  at 
Mount  Carmel. 

At  a very  early  period  in  the  history  of  Cumberland  Presbyterianism  a church  was 
huilt  near  where  Pleasant  Hill  now  stands.  This  was  a Union  Church  built  by  the  Meth- 
odists and  Cumberlands,  but  it  soon  after  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Methodists.  The 
.ground  was  deeded  by  Moses  Cator  to  Stephen  Stockett  and  G.  W.  Armstrong.  X.  Mitchell 
and  Joseph  Manley.  There  is  still  a good  congregation  at  Pleasant  Hill. 

Hills  Camp  Ground  was  an  old  Cumberland  camp  ground.  The  families  of  David 
and  Robert  Hill  and  William  Byres  were  members  of  the  congregation  at  this  place.  The 
•camp  grounds  were  established  about  1832.  Huts  were  built  and  an  open  court  or  an 
arbor  was  arranged  for  the  worshipers.  There  were  at  one  time  115  professors  of  religion 
-at  this  place  and  sixty  at  another.  A house  of  worship  was  afterward  built  at  Hills. 

The  church  at  McKa}'  was  built  mainly  through  the  efforts  of  William  and  John 
McKay.  It  was  built  about  1855  and  has  a beautiful  location  and  is  in  a prosperous  condi- 
tion. West  Harpeth  Church  was  built  on  lands  deeded,  in  April,  1857,  to  J.  Adams,  G.W 
Alayberry  and  J.  B.  Carl,  as  trustees  of  West  Harpeth.  The  leading  families  belonging  to 
West  Harpeth  were  the  Binghams  and  Grays. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


80S 

Moore’s  Chapel  was  built  through  the  instrumentality  of  Mrs.  Moore.  This  building 
was  erected  about  1830.  There  is  a Cumberland  Presbyterian  parsonage  and  a strong 
church  at  Bellview  about  nine  miles  from  Franklin  on  the  Murfreesboro  Pike.  This  is  one 
of  the  strongest  congregations  in  the  county.  The  pastor  of  Bellview  usually  preaches  to- 
the  congregation  at  College  Grove,  where  there  is  an  organization  but  no  house  of  wor- 
ship belonging  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians.  The  Cumberland  Presbyterians  also 
have  organizations  at  Pleasant  Dale,  Boiling  Springs  and  Nolensville. 

The  beginning  of  Methodism  in  Williamson  County  dates  back  to  near  the  beginning 
of  the  present  century.  The  first  conference  held  in  Franklin  was  on  October  20,  1816, 
the  presiding  bishops  being  Robert  R.  Roberts  aud  Enoch  George.  This  was  held  in  a 
schoolhouse  near  where  the  old  Methodist  Church  afterward  stood.  Among  the  early 
members  were  Thomas  Olds,  wife  and  daughter;  William  Johnson  and  wife,  Sarah;  Will- 
iam Davis,  Mrs.  Foster,  Henry  Eelbeck,  Caleb  Maury  and  wife,  William  Manning  and 
sons,  Mrs.  Abram  Maury  and  Mrs.  James  Park.  The  first  church  built  in  Franklin  was 
built  on  a lot  deeded  by  James  Russell  to  J.  W.  McConan,  E.  T.  Collins,  James  Park,  Rob- 
ert Davis,  H.  R.  W.  Hill.  Hugh  McCabe,  William  Johnson,  Richard  Swanson  aud  T.  L. 
Douglas  on  September  18,  1827,  as  trustees.  This  was  a brick  bouse,  and  stood  on  what 
was  formerly  called  Water  Street,  near  Mill  Street.  The  Methodists  of  Franklin  now  have 
an  elegant  house  of  worship,  aud  maintain  a pastor  and  own  a parsonage.  Their  report 
shows  a membership  of  367,  and  they  have  a Sunday-school  of  155  pupils.  This  church  has 
given  to  foreign  missions  within  the  last  year  $253.55,  and  pays  its  pastor,  Rev.  J.  E.  Har- 
rison, a salary  of  $1,000. 

Douglas  Circuit  consists  of  four  churches:  Thompson  Station,  Bethel,  Colis  Chapel 
and  Douglas.  Douglas  Church,  near  the  old  Douglas  Camp  Ground,  was  built  in  1853. 
The  trustees  at  that  time  were  L.  Henderson,  J,  Hughes,  J.  Cove,  J.  W.  Williams,  Joseph 
Barnett,  P.  M.  Hughes  and  Frank  Hardeman.  The  old  camp  ground  was  established 
about  1827,  and  in  1836  was  made  a voting  precinct.  The  total  strength  of  the  circuit 
in  membership  is  386,  and  Sunday-school  pupils  175.  This  circuit  has  contributed  $152.35 
to  foreign  missions,  and  pays  its  pastor,  Rev.  W.  B.  Lowry,  a salary  of  $650,  and  owns  its 
parsonage. 

College  Grove  Circuit  contains  two  churches.  The  pastor  is  Rev.  J.  A.  McFerrin. 
The  total  membership  of  the  two  churches  is  230.  The  pastor  is  furnished  a parsonage 
and  receives  a salary  of  $600.  The  circuit  has  furnished  $80  to  missionary  funds,  and  has 
120  Sunday-school  pupils. 

Brentwood  Circuit  has  two  churches:  Brentwood  and  Johnson  Station,  with  a mem- 
bership of  258,  and  of  Sunday-school  pupils  110.  It  owns  a parsonage  and  pays  its  pas- 
tor a salary  of  $400,  and  contributed  last  year  $128  to  the  missionary  fund.  The  first 
church  at  Brentwood  was  built  in  1S57.  The  trustees  were  Robert  Reams,  T.  H.  Oden, 
S.  B.  Frost,  D.  L.  Drake  and  Stephep  Tucker. 

The  Bethesda  Circuit  has  four  churches  and  a membership  of  384,  and  130  Sunday- 
school  scholars.  The  churches  have  given  $128.95  to  foreign  missions  withiu  the  last 
year.  They  own  their  own  parsonage  and  pay  their  pastor,  Rev.  H.  O.  Moore,  $380. 
Bethesda  is  one  of  the  old  churches  of  the  county.  The  first  church  was  built  in  1839. 
The  trustees  were  W.  Lavender,  John  McCurdy,  Mark  L.  Andrews,  H.  H.  Horton,  J. 
Fisher,  H.  G.  Padgett,  J.  L Morris,  II.  C.  Horton  and  Blythe  Spratt. 

Harpeth  Station  Circuit  has  two  churches.  It  has  a membership  of  244,  has  139  Sun- 
day-school pupils,  contributes  $116.25  to  foreign  missions  and  pays  its  pastor,  R.  P.  Ran- 
som, $400.  Harpeth  was  built  in  1847.  Its  trustees  were  Gideon  Ratcliff,  Richard  Swan- 
son, Richard  Reed,  Sandford  Allen,  Phillip  Burgh,  Isham  Lamb  and  H.  B.  North. 

Pope  and  Mount  Zion  Circuit,  of  which  Rev.  John  Burnett  has  charge,  has  a member- 
ship of  175,  has  thirty  Sunday-school  pupils,  pays  its  pastor  a salary  of  $250,  and  has  given 
$45  the  last  year  for  the  missionary  cause.  The  church  at  Pope’s  is  an  old' organization. 
Its  first  trustees  were  Samuel  Akin,  John  Moore  and  James  Patton, 

The  Nolensville  charge  contains  three  churches,  under  charge  of  Rev.  W.  T.  Rowland, 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


SOI) 


•who  receives  a salary  of  $450.  The  membership  of  this  charge  number  864,  and  Sunday 
school  pupils  180,  who  h aye  contributed  to  the  missionary  fund,  $136.55. 

The  Bethlehem  and  White  Circuit  consist  of  two  churches  under  R.  K.  Travis,  with 
a membership  of  003  and  forty-two  Sunday-school  pupils.  These  churches  have  con 
tributed  $30.75  to  missions,  and  pay  their  pastor  a salary  of  $400. 

..Feruvale  Circuit  contains  four  churches  under  Rev  J.  W.  Kitchen,  whose  salary 

is  $105.  The  mission  fund  of  this  charge  is  $5.  The  number  of  membership  is  310; 
Sunday-school  pupils,  130.  There  are  in  the  county  10  pastors,  05  churches,  6 par- 
sonages, and  a membership  of  2,901.  The  following  is  a list  of  the  elders  given  in  order: 
M.  Lindsey,  B.  McHenry.  T.  L.  Douglas,  William  McMahan,  Rob  Paine,  James  McFerriu, 
Louis  Garrett,  James  McFerriu,  G.  1).  Taylor,  T.  L.  Douglas,  II.  E.  Pitt,  A.  L.  P.  Green. 
A.  F.  Driskiil,  A.  S.  Riggs,  A.  L.  P.  Green,  W.  Bun-,  R.  P.  Ranson,  R.  K.  Hargrave,  J. 
W.  Hill  and  T.  A.  Kesley.  Early  pastors  were  A.  Monroe,  William  Adams,  R.  AY.  Morris, 
Thomas  Madden,  II.  H.  Brown,  Rob  Paine,  R.  Ledbetter,  F.  P.  Scruggs  and  J.  B. 
McFerrin. 

The  first  preaching  by  the  Christians  in  Williamson  County  was  in  September,  1833, 
by  Revs.  A.  Craig  and  Joel  AndersoD.  Soon  after  this  the  county  was  visited  by  the  cele- 
brated Alexander  Campbell.  A meeting  of  several  days  duration  was  held  by  Revs. 
Absalom  Adams  and  Tolbert  Fanning,  at  which  there  were  fifteen  professions  and  an 
organization  of  seventeen  members  effected.  There  was  not  much  change  in  numbers  till 
1837,  when  Rev.  Tolbert  Fanning  settled  in  Franklin  and  remained  till  1841.  In  that  year 
James  C.  Anderson  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  Franklin,  and  soon  after  there  was  an 

_ J A : A ’ , f .*1 X L T~  lOlOD.r,  \ ^ v^Y . AT. .i?  ik-  TU  r> 

iuumiuu  ui  auuut  umt^  mcuu/uc.  il -10  m. » . uc  *uut  jc,  ui  me  McMem  iveserve, 

Ohio,  was  called  to  take  charge  of  the  church,  and  remained  about  one  year.  Several 
meetings  were  held  in  1844  by  Revs.  Wharton  and  Jones,  of  Nashville,  and  seven  additions 
were  made  to  the  church;  also  on  April  15  of  that  year  Rev.  W.  J.  Barbee  became  pastor. 
In  the  year  1844  the  church  w as  visited  by  Revs.  Ferguson,  Smith  and  Jones.  Notwith- 
standing the  difficulties  in  presenting  and  establishing  the  new  doctrine  it  soon  took  a 
deep  hold  upon  the  minds  of  the  people.  Unfortunately,  some  domestic  difficulties  em- 
barrassed the  church  for  a time,  yet  in  1845  the  membership  at  Franklin  numbered  100 
members,  48  males  and  52  females.  Worship  was  generally  held  in  private  houses  till 
1851,  when  an  elegant  church  was  erected.  At  a church  meeting  held  April  18,  1849,  it  was 
resolved  to  erect  a house  of  worship,  and  voluntary  subscriptions  were  offered  at  once  for 
about  $1,500.  The  house  is  a brick  structure  about  40xG0  feet,  and  is  elegantly  furnished. 
A baptistry  has  recently  been  added  to  the  building.  The  names  of  the  Campbells,  the 
Craigs,  the  Kirkpatricks,  Cayces,  Bennetts,  are  closely  connected  with  the  interest  of  the 
Christian  Church.  The  membership  of  this  popular  denomination  is  now  about  340. 

The  church  at  Leiper  For  k,  or  Hillsboro,  was  organized  about  1840.  Among  the  early 
ministers  there  was  Rev.  A.  Morse,  who  preached  there  in  1843.  Owing  to  a difficult)1- 
between  him  and  some  of  the  members  he  did  not  long  remain.  This  is  now  a very 
strong  and  flourishing  congregation.  The  Christians  have  a good  church  at  Thompson 
Station,  the  organization  dating  back  to  about  1845.  The  Thompsons  and  Hamiltons  were 
leading  members  of  this  church.  Boston  also  is  one  of  the  oldest  organizations  in  the 
county-.  There  is  also  a large  church  at  Owen’s  Chapel,  a church  at  Berea,  built  in  1880, 
and  a new  house  of  worship  at  Peytonsville,  erected  in  1885-86.  They  also  have  a church 
building  and  an  organization  at  Riggs,  Cross  Roads,  and  a church  organization  at  South 
Harpeth  and  Hill's  Chapel.  This  influential  denomination  has  a membership  of  from 
1,200  to  1,500  in  the  county. 

The  St.  Patti's  Episcopal  Church,  of  Franklin,  was  organized  August  25,  1827,  at  the 
Masonic  Hall.  The  following  were  elected  wardens  or  vestrymen:  Thomas  Maney,  senior 
warden;  Thomas  Hardeman,  junior  warden;  William  Anderson,  B.  S.  Tappan  and  Peter  N. 
Smith, vestrymen.  Rev.  J.  H.  Otey  was  chosen  first  rector,  which  position  lie  held  till  No- 
vember 23,  1835,  at  which  time  he  resigned.  Steps  were  taken  in  1831  for  the  erection  of  a 
church  edifice,  for  which  purpose  B.  S.  Tappan  and  Thomas  Hardeman  were  chosen  a 


810 


HISTORY  or  TENNESSEE. 


committee  on  building.  The  committee  was  instructed  to  proceed  to  the  erection  of  a 
building  if  the  same  could  be  done  at  a cost  not  to  exceed  $2, (XX).  The  matter  was  dropped 
uutil  1834,  when  a new  committee,  consisting  of  Messrs.  Dickson,  Hardeman  and 
Baldwin,  were  ordered  to  proceed  with  the  building,  the  church  in  the  meantime  having 
received  $350  from  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  The  corner-stone  of  the  church  had 
been  laid  on  Tuesday,  June  2$,  1831,  by  Rev.  Bishop  Meade,  of  Virginia. 

On  the  resignation  of  Rector  Otcy,  Rev.  N.  Watson  Monroe  was  called,  followed  by 
H.  T.  Leacock,  and  he  by  W.  P.  Sanders,  and  he  by  L.  S.  Sherwell.  J.W.  Rogers  was 
called  in  1845,  and  Rev.  A.  S.  Royee  in  1854.  Rev.  E.  Bradley  became  rector  in  1800, 
and  remained  till  August,  1873,  when  Rev.  G.  N.  James  became  rector.  On  the  death  of 
Rector  James,  August  16,  1881,  Rev.  Charles  M.  Gray  was  called  aud  took  charge  Jan- 
uary S,  1882.  In  1870  a neat  rectory  was  built  adjoining  the  church  edifice.  The  num- 
ber of  communicants  of  the  church  is  not  large. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


GEOGRAPHICALLY  speaking  Rutherford  County  occupies  the  exact  center  of  the 
State,  and  almost  the  exact  renter  of  Middle  Tennessee.  Few  it  any  vertical  sec- 
tions of  any  great  depth  have  been  made,  and  it  is  believed  no  record  has  been  kept.  The 
county  embraces  an  area  of  over  500  square  miles,  the  outcrop  being  blue  limestone  and 
shales.  It  is  what  geologists  term  lower  Silurian.  It  is  probable  that  the  depth  of  this 
formation  extends  from  500  to  1,000  feet  with  occasional  thin  strata  of  other  formations. 

The  soil  of  this  county  is  exceedingly  fertile,  being  either  of  a black  or  brownish  red 
color;  the  latter  color  is  doubtless  due  to  the  iron  oxides  contained  in  it.  Although  there 
are  many  places  where  the  ground  is  apparently  covered  with  stone,  yet  by  careful  hus- 
bandry there  are  few  places  that  cannot  be  made  to  yield  a rich  harvest  to  the  careful  and 
industrious  husbandman.  Fields  that  have  been  cultivated  for  nearlj-  a century,  and  are 
apparently  worn  out  by  the  cultivation  of  corn  and  cotton,  are  soon  reclaimed  by  a few 
years’  growth  of  red  clover,  or  by  seeding  in  the  blue-grass  make  excellent  grazing  lands. 

The  native  growth  of  timber  embraces  almost  every  kind  grown  in  the  temperate  cli- 
mate. The  native  trees  that  are  valuable  in  the  markets  arc  oak,  hickory, walnut,  poplar  and 
cedar,  vast  quantities  of  the  latter  being  shipped  to  all  parts  of  the  county,  and  until  within 
the  last  few  decades  was  almost  the  exclusive  article  of  produce  for  the  market,  aud 
it  is  still  more  largely  cultivated  than  any  other  one  thing,  yet  large  quantities  of  wheat 
and  corn  are  raised.  The  production  of  these  three  articles  is  almost  marvelous  in  some 
instances  with  a suitable  season.  The  intelligent  farmer  has  learned  the  necessity  of  a 
rotation  in  crops  for  the  improvement  of  the  land  and  to  guard  against  over  production  in 
some  articles  and  the  necessary  consequence — dull  prices  for  that  article.  His  crops  are 
now  more  varied,  more  wheat  and  corn  and  pasture  lands.  This  brings  about  a necessity 
for  more  stock,  and  such  is  now  seen.  The  county  is  now  largely  engaged  in  breeding 
fine  horses,  cattle  and  sheep.  These  are  bringing  rich  rewards  to  those  so  engaged.  Large 
quantities  of  rye,  oats,  barley,  tobacco,  potatoes,  hay,  peas,  beans,  wool,  butter  and  cheese 
are  also  produced.  The  product  of  the  orchard  and  garden  embraces  everything  from  the 
smallest  and  sweetest  berry  to  the  finest  apple.  The  quantity  is  only  limited  by  the  effort 
of  the  producer. 

The  east  fork  of  Stone  River  enters  this  county  near  Reddyville  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  county  and  flows  almost  in  a northwest  direction  through  its  entire  course.  Tt 
forms  a part  of  the  boundary  line  between  Districts  Nos.  17  and  19;  from  19  it  receives 
Andrew  and  McKnight  Creeks  as  tributaries.  At  the  corners  of  Districts  Nos.  17,  19 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


811 


and  52,  it  receives  Cripple  Creek  (named  from  an  accident  befalling  a man  while  crossing 
it)  as  a tributary;  this  with  its  branches  rises  mainly  in  District  No.  22.  Stone  River- 
passes  through  the  central  part  of  District  No.  22,  and  near  the  western  part  receives  Cave 
Creek  from  the  south  and  Bradley  Creek  from  the  north.  The  last  named  with  Stone 
River  forms  the  boundary  line  between  Districts  Nos.  22  and  15.  Near  the  central  part  of 
District  No.  21  it  receives  Bushman  Creek.  Stone  River  then  forms  the  boundary  line 
between  Districts  Nos.  15  and  5 on  the  north,  and  Districts  Nos.  22,  21,  9 and  C on  the 
south,  where  it  unites  with  the  west  fork  of  Stone  River. 

The  west  fork  enters  this  county  near  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county,  and  forms 
a part  of  the  boundary  between  Districts  Nos.  21  and  25;  at  the  northern  extremity  of  Dis- 
trict No.  25  it  receives  the  waters  of  Long  Creek,  which  is  the  boundary  line  between  Dis 
trict  No.  25  on  the  east  and  Districts  Nos.  20  and  11  on  the  west.  The  main  stream  forms 
the  boundary  between  Districts  Nos.  18  and  11;  near  the  center  of  District  No.  11  it 
receives  the  waters  of  Lytle  Creek,  and  near  the  center  of  District  No.  11  it  receives  a 
tributary  of  its  own  name.  The  head  waters  of  the  last  named  is  called  Dry  Fork.  "West 
fork  passes  through  Districts  Nos.  13  and  9;  near  Florence  Station  it  receives  the  waters- 
of  Armstrong  Creek,  the  two  branches,  east  and  west  fork,  unite,  and  form  one  stream 
near  Jefferson.  The  river  passes  out  of  the  county  in  a northwest  direction;  from  the 
south  on  the  boundary  of  Districts  Nos.  6 and  2 it  receives  Stewart  Creek.  Stone  River 
was  discovered  and  explored  as  far  as  Jefferson  by  Gen.  Uriah  Stone  and  four  men  in 
1794.  It  was  for  Stone  that  the  river  was  named.  Other  streams  in  the  county  were 
named  in  honor  of  prominent  families. 

Previous  to  17.90  the  Indians  held  undisputed  sway  in  this  county.  The  old  irace- 
leading  from  Nashville  to  Chattanooga  is  yet  to  be  seen.  Along  this  route  the  Choctaws, 
Chickasaws,  and  particularly  the  Cherokees,  held  undisputed  sway  from  time  immemorial. 
Soldiers  sent  out  by  Gen.  Robertson  went  as  far  as  Black  Fox  Camp  Spring  in  1793.  In 
1794  Orr’s  expedition,  sent  out  by  Gen.  Robertson,  followed  the  trace  by  way  of  Murfrees- 
boro, and  September  7,  1794,  camped  near  Black  Fox’s  Spring.  This  expedition  extended 
as  far  as  Nickajack,  where  the  Indians  were  defeated.  Few  Indian  troubles  occurred  after 
that  time.  The  first  settlers  in  the  county  were  mainly  from  Virginia  and  North  Carolina. 
Those  coming  from  Virginia  came  mainly  by  water  by  way  of  the  Ohio  and  Cumberland 
Rivers;  those  coming  from  North  Carolina  over  the  mountains  ou  pack-horses.  The  par- 
ent State,  North  Carolina,  as  an  inducement  to  have  the  lands  on  the  “Cumberland  ” set- 
tled up,  offered  640  acres  to  each  head  of  a family  who  would  live  upon  the  land;  hence 
the  large  number  of  640-acre  grants. 

Samuel  Wilson,  grandfather  of  Col.  Jetton,  is  said  to  have  visited  the  vicinity  of  Jef- 
ferson as  early  as  1788-89,  and  marked  out  lands.  He  soon  after  returned  with  his  family 
and  settled  at  Wilson  Shoals  on  Stone  River.  He  has  the  honor  of  having  planted  the 
first  corn  within  the  forks  of  Stone  River;  also  of  having  killed  the  last  elk  in  the  county, 
near  Murfree  Spring.  He  left  a large  and  respectable  family  and  died  in  1827,  and  was 
buried  with  the  honors  of  war  near  where  the  United  States  Cemetery  now  is.  Thomas 
Nelson,  Thomas  Howell  and  William  Adkinson  settled  near  Stewart  Creek.  Col.  Robert 
Weakley  and  Robert  Bedford  each  owned  grants  at  the  confluence  of  the  east  and  west 
forks  of  Stone  River.  These  lands  were  taken  up  previous  to  1800.  It  was  largely 
through  the  influence  of  these  two  men  that  the  first  seat  of  justice  was  located  at  Jeffer- 
son. William  Nash,  who,  with  Col.  Weakley,  surveyed  the  line  separating  Rutherford 
from  Davidson,  is  said  to  have  owned  the  first  store  in  the  county.  It  was  he  who  admin- 
istered the  oath  of  office  to  the  justices  of  the  first  county  court.  Nimrod  Menifee  settled 
the  land  now  marked  by  the  United  States  Cemetery.  The  place  is  marked  by  two  historic- 
events,  one  the  opening  of  the  second  year  of  the  county  courts,  and  the  other,  fifty-seven 
years  later,  within  a few  days,  the  opening  of  the  second  year  of  the  war  and  with  it  one 
of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  modern  times.  Robert  Overall  settled  near  Overall  Creek,  to- 
which  his  name  was  given.  His  family  has  been  prominent  in  the  history  of  the  county 
siuce  its  inception. 


812 


HISTORY'  OF  TENNESSEE 


Another  early  settler  in  that  vicinity  was  Capt.  Richard  Ransom,  who  came  from 
North  Carolina  in  IS  1 0 ami  settled  near  the  head  of  Overall  Creek.  Rev.  James  Row- 
man  was  another  settler  in  that  vicinity,  and  was  one  of  the  early  ministers  of  the  Pres- 
hyteriau  Church.  Each  of  the  last  was  the  head  of  a large  family  Charles  Ready  settled 
near  Ready ville,  to  which  his  name  was  given,  lie  settled  in  the  county  about  1800,  aud 
was  one  of  the  seven  justices  that  constituted  the  first  court  in  Rutherford  County:  also 
he  was  one  of  the  seven  commissioners  to  select  a new  county  seat,  appointed  by  the  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  October,  1811.  Of  all  these  he  was  last  to  die.  Thomas  Rucker,  au 
other  one  of  the  seven  justices,  lived  between  Murfreesboro  and  Jefferson;  his  place  came 
in  one  vote  of  beiug  made  the  county  seat,  instead  of  Murfreesboro.  Richard  Sanders 
and  family  came  from  North  Carolina  about  1806,  aud  settled  on  Stone  River,  in  the 
neighborhood  called  “Raleigh.”  In  the  same  vicinity  were  the  Floyds,  Brashears, 
Wights  and  Goodloes.  Murfreesboro  marks  the  settlement  of  Capt.  William  Lytle. 

The  great  natural  feature  of  this  count}'  caused  more  good  mills  to  be  erected  at  an 
early  day  than  was  the  case  in  other  places.  A few  tread-mills  were  established  in  the 
county,  but  the  vast  majority  of  the  mills  were  propelled  by  water-power.  Thomas 
Rucker  built  a mill  on  liis  place  called  the  “Cave”  Mill  in  1709.  Louis  Anthony’s  mill 
was  built  ou  Stone  River,  adjoining  Henry  Gilliam’s  place,  in  1804.  Cumming’s  and 
Smith  mills  each  existed  at  the  beginning  of  1804.  John  M.  Tilford  built  a grist  and 
saw-mill  on  the  west  fork  of  Stone  River,  near  the  Salem  Pike,  in  1814-15;  a distillery 
was  added  to  this  later.  Samuel  Tilford  built  a mill  on  the  east  fork  in  1815.  David 
Dickman  built  a mill  on  the  west  fork  in  1809,  and  in  the  same  year  James  Rucker  built 
a cotton-gin.  the  first  in  the  county.  Rates  then  were  fixed  by  law  as  follows;  Dinner.  25 
cents;  supper  and  breakfast,  20  cents  each;  lodging.  84  cents:  horse,  w'ith  corn  or  oats  and 
fodder,  334  cents;  oats,  per  gallon,  84  cents;  whisky,  one-half  pint,  124  cents;  peach  bran- 
dy, one-half  pint,  124  cents;  French  brandy,  rum  or  wine,  one-half  pint,  50  cents.  The 
following  kept  ordinaries  previous  to  1820:  William  Mitchell,  William  Nash,  Harvey 
Pope,  Charles  O’Flynn.  Hugh  Good,  James  Hill,  William  Hansbrough,  W.  R.  Hearn, 
Thomas  Mayfield,  Peter  Williams,  William  Rather  and  T.  Goodrich. 

It  is  claimed  that  William  Nash  started  the  first  trade-store  in  the  county.  This  was 
near  Jefferson  about  1803.  The  usual  stock  iu  trade  consisted  of  a few  articles  of  dry 
goods,  some  groceries,  a little  powder  and  lead  and  the  inevitable  barrel  of  whisky. 
Money  being  scarce  a system  of  exchange  was  instituted.  Large  ox  hides  were  rated  at 
about  $4;  inferior  ones  proportionately  less:  wolf  scalps,  at  $2. 50  each,  receivable  for 
taxes;  deer  skins.  50  cents;  deer  “saddles,”  50  cents  per  pair:  ’coon  skins,  25  cents  each. 
These,  with  other  produce,  were  sent  to  New  Orleans  by  flat-boat,  a journey  requiring  a 
month  or  more  to  complete.  Dollars  were  frequently  cut  iuto  halves  or  quarters  and 
given  for  change,  hence  two  “bits,”  four  “bits,”  etc.  Food  consisted  solely  of  the  prod- 
uct of  the  farm  and  forest.  A little  corn  was  raised,  and  either  eaten  as  hominy  or  made 
into  an  indifferent  meal,  and  then  into  bread.  Turkey,  deer  and  elk  abounded:  hogs  were 
allowed  to  run  at  large,  and  when  wanted  were  hunted  down  and  shot;  clothing  was 
made  of  the  coarsest  homespun.  A maid  dressed  after  the  fashion  of  the  day  looked  as 
lovely  to  her  rustic  lover,  though  dressed  iu  a homely  garb,  with  cheeks  aglow  with 
health,  as  does  now  the  belle  of  fashion,  in  her  silks  and  jewels,  to  her  gay  suitor. 

Articles  of  household  furniture  were  simple  and  plain.  Gourds  and  cows’  horns  were 
dressed,  and.  with  a handle  adjusted,  were  used  for  drinking  vessels.  Stills  were  as 
numerous  as  the  mills,  aud  the  whisky  barrel  as  common  as  the  meal  tub.  Instead  of  the 
social  “glass”  of  the  more  refined  society,  they  were  simply  asked  to  take  a “horn,”  i.  e. 
a drink;  hence  the  origin  of  the  expression  “take  a horn.”  Dr.  Thomas  Norman  was 
born  on  the  night  following  the  completion  of  the  survey  of  the  county,  which  had  been 
assigned  to  'William  Nash  and  Col.  Robert  Weakley,  consequently  he  was  the  first  child 
born  in  Rutherford  County. 

Black  Fox  Camp  Spring  was  a marked  place  during  the  Indian  troubles.  There  is  a 
beautiful  tradition  of  the  celebrated  Black  Fox,  who.  when  he  was  overpowered  by  his 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY 


. 


ltUTH  Kb  FORD  COUNTY. 


813 


enemies,  rather  than  fall  into  their  hands,  leaped  into  the  spring  with  his  arms  and  sank 
from  sight.  The  story  would  have  been  incomplete  had  he  not  come  to  light  again,  ami 
the  tradition  that  buried  him  brought  him  out  alive  at  Murfrec  Spring.  About  three  miles 
from  Murfreesboro  is  the  old  Bradley  race  track,  which  was  a famous  resort  for  sportsmen 
since  1820.  Col.  Robert  Smith  was  a prominent  figure  in  those  races.  Betting,  card  play- 
ing, and  the  usual  accompaniment  were  common  at  those  races.  Near  this  old  race  track 
is  the  old  Indian  dauce  ground,  which  is  a circular  track  dug  out  of  the  earth  and  rock. 
Neither  history  nor  tradition  tells  of  its  origin. 

As  the  law  now  is,  counties  having  a population  of  between  7.000  and  10,000  must  be 
divided  into  7 civil  districts;  those  between  10,000  and  15,000  into  12  districts;  those  be- 
tween 15,000  and  20,000  into  15  districts;  those  having  from  20,000  to  25,000  into  17  districts; 
those  having  from  25,000  to  30,000  into  20  districts,  ar.d  those  above  30,000  have  25  districts. 
These  are  numbered  by  the  ordinal  numbers.  Previous  to  the  constitutional  convention 
in  1834  the  districts  were  named  from  prominent  families,  as  Sanders,  Ready,  May  and 
Murphy  Districts.  The  first  divisions  were  made  in  1804.  The  county  was  then  divided 
into  three  divisions.  Thomas  Rucker,  John  Howell  and  Thomas  Mitchell  were  ordered  to 
make  the  divisions.  The  first  was  made  by  a line  along  the  west  fork  of  Stone  Hiver  to 
the  most  westerly  branch  to  the  Indian  ‘‘trace  /’  thence  along  the  “trace”  to  the  Wilson  Coun- 
ty line;  thence  along  the  county  line  to  Smith's  mill;  thence  on  a line  to  Cummings’  mill; 
thence  to  the  place  of  beginning.  The  second  contained  all  west  of  the  river  to  the  western 
boundary.  The  third  all  north  of  the  road  leading  from  Smith’s  and  Cummings’  mill  and  east 
of  Stone  River.  James  Rucker,  James  Howell  and  William  Lytle  were  appointed  cotton 
inspectors,  each  for  his  own  warehouse  or  district.  Tobacco  inspectors  were  appointed  after 
the  manner  of  cotton  inspectors.  Polls  were  listed  and  taxes  assessed  in  the  various  parts  of 
the  count}*  by  the  justices  of  the  respective  districts.  The  heads  of  families,  when  not  over 
age,  were  enrolled  into  militia  companies,  and  they  were  listed  by  companies.  The  first  of 
this  kind  was  in  1805,  when  Justice  John  Hill  listed  Capt.  John  Smith’s  company;  William 
Nash  listed  Capt.  Samuel  McBride’s  company;  W.  M.  Searsev,  W.  W.  Searsey’s  company; 
William  Lytle,  Capt.  John  John's  company;  William  Smith,  Capt.  O.  M.  Benge’s  com- 
pany, and  Charles  Ready,  Capt.  Alexander  McKnight’s  company.  These  companies  varied 
with  the  population.  In  1806  the  captains  of  companies  were  as  follows;  C’apts.  Alex  Mc- 
Kniglit,  Peter  Noe,  R.  Ready,  Henry  McCoy,  Nimrod  Junkins,  William  Robinson,  Thomas 
Y ardley,  W.  M.  Searsey,  W.  A.  Sublett,  Samuel  McBride  and  John  Smith.  The  districts 
mentioned  above  have  been  subject  to  many  changes  since  1S34,  as  well  as  before  that 
time,  this  depending  upon  the  whims  and  conveniences  of  the  people.  The  county  court 
every  few  years  makes  a slight  change  in  these,  so  many  having  been  made  that  it  would 
be  too  tedious  to  follow  all.  The  usual  price  paid  for  listing  up  to  1834  was  $20  to  each 
lister.  In  1818  the  captains  of  companies  were  Webb,  Miller,  Doaks,  Ganaway,  Sublett, 
Morris,  Cook.  Fox,  Thomas,  Robertson,  Gilfins,  Todd,  Welton,  Moore,  Haley,  Hubbel. 
Carson,  Patton,  McKnight,  Thomas  Harris,  Elliott  and  A.  Harris.  In  1821  the  number 
bad  increased  to  twenty  three  companies,  ancPin  1824  to  twenty-six.  The  number  in- 
creased yearly  till  1833,  when  the  number  had  reached  thirty-six  companies.  They  were 
as  follows:  Capts.  McGregor,  Stevens,  Saunders,  Clement,  Finney,  Ridley,  Ferguson. 
Blair,  Traylor,  Murphy,  Harris,  Barlow,  McLean,  Norman,  Parrish,  Blanton,  Hicks,  Lil- 
lard,  Edwards,  Osborn.  Thomas,  Mather,  Smith,  Bird,  Ivy,  Hale,  Newman,  Rowland, 
Hoover,  Robertson,  Fowler,  Knox,  Prewitt,  Yourie,  Barnett  and  Brown.  From  this  time 
on  the  respect  and  enforcement  of  the  militia  laws  gradually  grew  into  neglect. 

This  county  was  organized  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  then  in  session  at  Knox- 
ville, October  25,  1803,  but  the  courts  for  the  county  were  not  organized  till  January 
3,  1804.  The  county  was  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  Rutherford,  of  North  Carolina,  who! 
was  known  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  also  in  contests  with  the  Indians  within  the! 
confines  of  this  county.  It  will  not  seem  strange  that  the  county  should  have  been  named \ 
in  honor  of  a North  Carolinian,  when  it  is  remembered  that  previous  to  1796,  Tennessee  : 
was  a part  of  that  territory.  Rutherford  County  was  formerly  included  in  Davidson  and  $ 

51 


81 1 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Williamson  Counties.  The  dividing  line  was  “on  the  extreme  height  of  the  ridge  between 
Mill  Creek  and  Stone  River;  thence  southwardly  to  the  eastern  boundary  of  Williamson; 
thence  with  the  line  of  Williamson  to  the  southern  boundary  of  the  State;  thence  with  the 
State  line  east  to  the  corner  of  Wilson  County  ; thence  with  the  Wilson  County  line  north  to 
the  corner  of  Wilson;  thence  with  the  line  of  Wilson  GA°  west  to  the  southwest  corner  of 
Wilson;  thence  a direct  course  to  the  mouth  of  Sugg  Creek;  thence  a direct  line  to  the 
place  of  beginning;  that  the  county  so  laid  off  on  the  east  and  southeast  of  the  waters  of 
Stone  River,  etc.,  be  kuown  and  distinguished  by  the  name  of  Rutherford.” 

The  same  act  that  created  the  county  also  ordered  the  county  board  (justices)  to  meet 
in  Ma,rch,  June.  September  and  December  annually.  Rutherford  County  was  declared  a 
part  of  Mero  District.  By  an  act,  November  7,  1803,  Samuel  Weakley  and  William 
Nash  were  appointed  to  fix  the  boundary  line  between  Davidson  and  Rutherford  Coun- 
ties. By  an  act,  August  3,  1804,  John  Hill.  Frederick  Barfield,  Mark  Mitchell,  Alexander 
McBright  and  Peter  Legrand  were  appointed  to  select  a central  site  for  a seat  of  justice 
for  the  new'  county.  They  were  to  receive  by  purchase  or  donation  forty  acres  of  land 
upon  which  they  were  to  erect  or  cause  to  be  erected  a “ court  house,  prison  and  stocks;” 
to  lay  out  a town  to  be  named  by  the  commissioners;  lots  were  to  be  sold  at  auction  to 
the  highest  bidder;  lots  were  to  be  advertised  in  the  Tennessee  Gazette,  and  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  sale  to  be  used  in  the  building  of  the  court  house,  jail  and  stocks.  On  De- 
cember 3,  1S07.  Bedford  County  was  cut  off  from  Rutherford,  thus  reducing  the  latter  to 
the  constitutional  limits.  Minor  changes  were  made  in  1815,  1837,  1843,  1844,  1848,  1851. 
1852,  1854,  1856,  I860,  1867,  1868.  1870,  1871,  1877,  1879  and  1883. 

The  above  named  board  selected  a site  within  the  forks  of  Stone  River  for  a county 
seat.  TLe  town  was  regularly  laid  out  having  about  150  town  lots  and  a Public  Square  on 
which  was  erected  a good  brick  court  house  which  stood  till  1835.  The  town  was  named 
Jefferson.  The  following  prison  bounds  were  established:  “Beginning  at  the  junction  of 
the  east  and  west  fork  of  Stone  River  running  up  the  west  fork  of  said  river  at  low  water 
mark  to  the  first  cross  street;  thence  south  to  the  south  boundary  of  Main  Street:  thence 
east  with  said  boundary  so  as  to  include  the  Public  Square  to  a post  ten  poles  below'  Mitch- 
ell’s ordinary  on  the  south  boundary  of  said  street;  thence  north  to  the  lowT  water  mark 
of  the  east  fork  of  Stone  River;  thence  dowm  the  same  to  the  place  of  beginning.” 
Norton  Green  was  appointed  overseer  of  the  streets  and  Public  Square.  The  following 
were  among  the  first  purchasers  of  lots  in  Jefferson:  Peter  Cook,  Theophilus  Cannon, 
Joseph  Bennett,  William  Carlisle,  Harrison  Gilliam,  John  Bell,  Samuel  Bell,  Daniel  Fer- 
guson, J.  A.  Lewis,  George  Douglas,  Robert  Weakley,  William  Howell,  Thomas  Stone, 
H.  H.  Harris,  Norton  Green  and  Mark  Mitchell,  who  kept  the  first  ordinary  in  the  place. 
The  rich  farming  lands  surrounding  Jefferson  and  river  transportation  gave  it  a prospect  of 
becoming  an  important  commercial  emporium  at  no  distant  day.  Some  very  distinguished 
men  attended  court  at  Jefferson,  amoug  whom  w’ere  Felix  Grundy  and  Thomas  H.  Benton. 
Dissatisfaction  arose  as  to  the  location  of  Jefferson  as  a seat  of  justice;  a more  central  loca- 
tion was  desired. 

October  17,  1811,  the  Legislature  appointed  Charles  Ready,  Hugh  Robinson,  Hans 
Hamilton,  James  Armstrong,  Owen  Edwards,  Jesse  Brashears  and  John  Thompson  com- 
missioners to  select  a permanent  seat  of  justice  for  the  count}'.  They  were  directed  to 
have  due  regard  to  good  water  and  a central  location.  Sixty  acres  of  land  w'ere  to  be  pro- 
cured by  purchase  or  donation.  A struggle  w'as  made  to  secure  the  seat.  Ready  ville 
Ruckers  place.  Black  Fox  Spring  and  Capt.  William  Lytles’  place  were  offered.  The 
commissioners  visited  the  various  places  mentioned.  Charles  Ready  prepared  a sumptuous 
dinner,  the  Rev.  Henderson  delivered  an  address,  toasts  were  drank  and  strong  efforts 
w’ere  made  to  have  Rucker’s  place  chosen  The  commissioners  were  also  entertained  by 
Lytle,  where  the  vote  was  taken  on  his  proposition  to  donate  sixty  acres  of  land  south  of 
“ Murfree  Spring  Branch  ” to  the  commissioners.  The  vote  stood  Robinson,  Hamilton, 
Edwards  and  Thompson — four  in  favor  of  Lytle’s  offer.  The  opposition  led  by  Ready  had 
Armstrong,  Brashears  and  Ready — three  votes  in  favor  of  Rucker’s  place.  Such  was 
their  chagrin  at  their  defeat  that  they  refused  to  sign  the  deeds  to  the  lots  sold. 


1 


R U T 1 1 E R FO  R L)  CO  U N X V . 


S15 


All  of  the  original  deeds  simply  boar  the  names  of  Hugh  Robinson,  Hans  Hamilton, 
John  Thompson  and  Owen  Edwards.  The  only  reserve  made  in  the  deed  was  a mutual 
understanding  that  Lytle  should  have  one  lot  redeeded  to  him.  This  was  accordingly 
done  and  the  commissioners  gave  the  lot  on  the  southeast  corner  of  the  Square.  The  land 
now  in  the  hands  of  the  commissioners  was  a part  of  the  lands  originally  entered  by  Will- 
iam Lytle  and  Archibald  Lytle.  The  sale  of  lots  was  advertised  in  the  Knoxville  and 
Nashville  Gazette  to  begin  on  June  12,  1812.  The  lots  sold  at  auction  and  were  disposed 
of  rapidly.  George  Smith  received  Lots  12  and  15  for  $116.25.  Other  purchasers  were 
Dauiel  Dickinson,  William  Lytle,  Samuel  Wilson.  Henry  Tratt,  Robert  Jetton.  John  M. 
Tilford,  Wilson  Kerr,  Bennett  Smith,  James  Henderson.  Blackman  Coleman,  Fred  Bar- 
field,  Hezekiah  Cartwright,  William  Bowen.  Hugh  Montgomery  and  Abe  Thompson. 
The  commissioners  as  soon  as  a site  was  fixed  were  to  effect  the  removal  of  records  to  the 
new  site.  Two  acres  of  ground  near  the  center  of  the  seat  were  to  be  reserved,  on  which 
were  to  be  built  a court  house  and  stocks,  and  another  lot  near  was  for  a jail.  The  pro- 
ceeds of  the  sale  of  lots  were  for  the  erection  of  the  buildings  above  mentioned.  The  act 
of  January,  1812,  ordered  the  commissioners  to  report  to  the  county  court;  also  allowed 
the  commissioners  pay  for  services  rendered,  and  ordered  the  records  removed.  By  an  act 
of  November  15,  amending  an  act  of  October  17, 1811,  the  name  of  the  new  county  seat 
was  changed  from  Cannonsburg  to  “Murfreesborough.”  An  act  of  October  15, 1813,  made 
Joel  Childress,  Joel  Dyer,  J.  M.  Telford.  Abram  Thompson,  Alex  Carmichael,  B.  Gana- 
way  and  Blackman  Coleman  commissioners  of  Murfreesboro.  This  act  was  repealed  in 
September,  1813,  and  seven  others  were  elected  by  the  people.  An  act  of  November  5, 
1813,  ordered  elections  to  be  held  at  Murfreesboro  instead  of  Black  Fox  Camp;  they  were 
also  to  be  held  at  Ready ville  and  at  James  Johnson's  house. 

The  first  court  house  built  in  the  county  was  at  Jefferson.  This  house  was  built  in 
1804-05.  It  was  cf  brick  and  was  built  at  a cost  of  between  $2,000  and  $3,000,  and  stood 
till  1835  or  1836,  when  it  was  sold.  It  was  erected  by  the  commissioners  of  Jefferson — Peter 
Legrand,  Mark  Mitchell,  John  Hill,  Alex  M.  Wright,  Fred  Barfield  and  James  Sharp.  In 
1S12  a new  court  house  was  erected  on  the  present  site  of  the  court  house  on  the  Public 
Square  in  Murfreesboro.  This  seems  to  have  been  a very  indifferent  house,  as  in  March, 
1818,  the  court  appointed  Bennett  Small,  John  Hoover  and  John  Edwards  commissioners 
to  repair  the  same.  For  this  purpose  a tax  of  124  cents  on  each  100  acres  of  land.  25  cents 
on  each  house  and  lot,  25  cents  on  each  stud  horse,  25  cents  on  each  black  poll.  12?  cents 
on  each  white  poll,  and  $10  on  each  billiard  table  was  levied.  This  house  was  burned  in 
1822,  and  a call  session  in  August  of  1822  granted  premiums  for  a new  levy  of  taxes  for 
the  purpose  of  building  a new  house. 

On  September  11,  1822,  the  trustees,  Robert  McCombs,  J.  S.  Jetton,  Henry  Goodloe, 
Jacob  Wright,  David  Abbott,  Sol  Beasley,  John  Smith,  John  Dickson,  Alex  McEwen, 
O.  N.  Crocket,  Benjamin  Johnston,  John  Edwards,  Jacob  Wright,  John  Alexander  and 
J.  Williams  levied  a tax  of  374  cents  on  each  100  acres  of  land,  75  cents  on  each  town  lot, 
25  cents  on  each  free  poll,  50  cents  on  each  black  poll,  twice  the  season  for  each  stallion, 
$10  on  each  four  wheel  pleasure  carriage,  $5  for  each  tw'o-wlicel  carriage  and  $10  for  each 
ordinary  where  liquors  were  sold.  They  were  ordered  to  pledge  the  taxes  thus  levied  for 
the  years  1823,-1824  and  1825,  after  deducting  costs  of  collection,  to  the  Nashville  Branch 
Bank  of  Murfreesboro  for  tlie  purpose  of  raising  $6,000  for  the  erection  of  a new  court 
house.  In  case  the  money  was  not  furnished  by  the  bank  the  commissioners  had  power  to 
procure  it  on  the  most  advantageous  terms  elsewhere.  The  money  was  accordingly  raised 
and  a brick  building  erected  in  due  course  of  time.  This  house  stood  until  the  present 
substantial  structure  was  erected,  in  1859.  The  present  building  was  erected  at  a cost  of 
about  $50,000.  The  committee  which  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  propriety  of 
building  a new  court  house  was  appointed  January  3,  1S59,  and  was  composed  of  V.  D. 
Cowan,  F.  Henry,  W.  T.  Lytle,  George  Smith  and  E.  A.  Keeble.  The  committee  reported 
that  a new  court  house  was  necessary,  and  the  court  made  the  old  committee  a building 
committee  with  enlarged  powers.  The  present  fence  around  the  court  house  was  erected 
in  1867,  at  a cost  of  nearly  $4000,  and  the  court  house  was  furnished  with  gas  in  1874. 


816 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  first  prison  bonds  have  already  been  described.  There  were  four  persons  impris- 
oned for  debt.  Stocks  were  also  built  at  Jeffcrsou,  where  persons  were  bound  hand  and 
foot  for  lighter  offenses. 

A whipping  post  was  also  erected  on  the  corner  of  the  Square  for  the  punishment  of 
graver  offenses.  Samuel  McBride,  the  sheriff,  demanded  of  the  court  a suitable  jail  for 
prisoners  in  his  possession.  A temporary  jail  was  erected  at  the  organization  of  the  court, 
but  he  was  now  accommodated  with  a better  oue.  On  moving  the  county  seat  to  Mur- 
freesboro a new  jail  was  built  by  the  commissioners  of  Murfreesboro  ou  College  Street,  a 
little  north*  of  the  present  jail.  This  building  was  of  brick,  two  stories  high  and  was 
erected  by  Mr.  Dickson.  This  building  was  used  as  a jail  till  185*2.  when  it  was  sold  to 
William  Spence  for  $700.  On  October  4.  1850,  Mr.  J.  Lidsey,  W.  II.  Helms,  B.  Clayton. 
J.  E.  Promgoole,  X.  W.  Carter  and  John  Burke  were  appointed  a committee  to  investi- 
gate the  needs  of  the  county  in  regard  to  the  jail.  The  committee  reported  the  old  jail 
unfitted  for  repairs  and  that  a new  one  was  necessary.  The  contract  for  the  new  jail,  on 
the  preseut  site,  was  let  to  Thomas  J.  Bulgett  September  11,  185*2.  The  total  cost  of 
the  building  was  $7,984,  with  some  unfinished  work  on  the  outside. 

Previous  to  the  passage  of  the  acts  of  1826-27  by  the  General  Assembly,  the  poor, 
whom  we  always  have  with  us,  were  kept  at  private  houses  and  allowances  were  made  by 
the  court  for  their  care  under  the  head  of  a “ poor  woman  ” or  a “ pauper.”  On  Novem- 
ber 17,  1S2S,  the  board  of  justices  appointed  John  Fetcbcr,  Rob  Miller,  James  C.  Mitchell. 
Thomas  Powell  and  H.  D.  Jameson,  as  commissioners  “ to  select  and  locate  an  institu- 
tion” for  the  poor.  The  sheriff,  U.  S.  Cummins,  was  ordered  to  give  notice  of  such 
action.  February,  1829,  they  reported  that  they  had  decided  lo  pur  chase  100  acies  of 
land  within  eight  miles  of  Murfreesboro.  It  bad  been  decided  to  purchase  a farm  of  100 
acres  of  land  and  to  build  a brick  house,  and  the  commissioners  accordingly  levied  a tax 
on  land  and  on  white  and  black  polls  for  that  purpose.  On  August  17,  1829,  the  com- 
missioners purchased  100  acres  of  land  where  “ John  Alexander  (deceased)  lived”  for 
$400,  aud  in  their  report  stated  that  it  would  not  be  necessary  to  rebuild  as  $100  worth  of 
repairs  would  give  ample  accommodations.  The  report  of  the  commissioners  was  received 
and  met  the  approval  of  a majority  of  the  justices.  The  farm  lay'  ou  Cripple  Creek, 
within  seven  miles  of  Murfreesboro. 

The  Nashville,  Chattanooga  & St.  Louis  Railway  was  completed  from  Nashville  to 
Murfreesboro  in  1851.  A large  subsidy  iu  the  form  of  stock  was  voted  by  the  State,  and 
large  sums  were  given  by  private  citizens.  Among  those  most  influential  in  building  the 
road,  outside  of  the  county,  were  Gov.  James  C.  Jones,  Col.  V.  K.  Stevenson  and  the 
distinguished  Robert  Y.  Hayne,  of  South  Carolina.  So  eager  were  the  people  for  the  road 
that  they'  seemed  to  vie  with  each  other  as  to  who  should  donate  most  liberally  toward  the 
road.  The  first  passenger  coach  over  the  road  from  Nashville  arrived  on  the  4th  of 
July,  1851.  Flowers  and  festoons  decorated  the  little  city,  and  a dinner  and  speeches 
commemorated  the  great  event.  A new  world  of  business  was  opened  up — a communica- 
tion between  the  manufacturing  cities  of  the  North  and  the  rich  fields  and  seaboard 
cities  of  the  South.  The  road  extends  through  the  county  a distance  of  nearly  thirty 
miles,  entering  near  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county*  at  Lavergne  and  passiug  out  near 
the  southeast  part  of  the  county  at  Fosterville.  This  road  is  one  of-  the  best  and  most 
profitable  thoroughfares  of  the  country. 

The  first  turnpike  in  the  county  was  the  Nashville,  Murfreesboro  & Shelbyville  Pike. 
The  charter  was  granted  in  1831,  and  the  work  was  immediately  begun.  The  State  gave 
aid  to  the  amount  of  one-half,  and  the  remainder  was  soon  furnished  by*  individuals. 
Commissioners  were  appointed  and  the  road  was  surveyed  and  ready  for  work  in  a short 
time.  John  and  James  Holmes,  two  energetic  and  somewhat  eccentric  Irishmen, obtained 
the  contract  for  ten  miles  of  the  road  toward  Nashville.  Ground  was  broken  July*  4, 
1832.  Feasting,  toasting  and  speech  making  were  indulged  iu  on  account  of  the  great 
event.  They  were  “wined  and  dined”  and  lauded  over  their  enterprise.  Subsequently' 
these  contractors  completed  five  miles  more  of  the  road  toward  Shelbyville.  The  road  was 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


8J7 


completed  and  gates  erected  and  ready  for  business  in  18 12.  The  report  of  the  pike 
superintendent  for  1S33  shows  an  old  balance,  gate  receipts,  etc.,  to  the  amount  of 
$10,315.50,  disbursed  on  repairs  and  dividend  $8,008.60,  leaving  a balance  on  hand  of 
$2,106.90.  and  the  road  in  good  condition.  The  Cumberland  tfc  Stone’s  River  Pike  was 
chartered  by  the  Legislature  in  1800,  and  work  soon  after  begun.  Thomas  Buckley  con- 
tracted for  the  fir*t  three  aud  one-half  miles  from  Murfreesboro  for  $1,800.  one-half  paya- 
ble in  bonds*  After  many  dilliculties  this  road  was  completed  and  is  now  one  of  the  best 
in  the  county.  The  Murfreesboro  & Manchester  Pike  was  chartered  about  the  same  time 
as  the  latter,  the  State  giving  aid  in  each  case;  the  receipts  for  this  road  for  the  last  year 
were  $2,408.50,  no  report  of  expenditures  of  the  road  are  at  hand.  The  Woodbury  Pike 
was  chartered  in  1S51.  The  receipts  for  this  road  for  the  year  ending  January',  18S6, 
were  $3,087.70;  expenditure,  $3,511.21,  being  an  excess  of  $423.51. 

The  Wilkcrson  Cross  Roads  Pike  show  receipts  of  $936.90;  disbursements  of  $1,054.63, 
being  an  excess  of  $117.73.  This  road  was  chartered  in  1858  and  built  by  the  Wilkerson 
Turnpike.  Company.  The  road  is  reported  iu  good  condition.  The  Murfreesboro  & 
Salem  Road  is  reported  in  good  conditiou  with  receipts  at  $1,767,  and  expenditures  the 
same.  The  superintendent’s  report  shows  the  Eaglesville  & Salem  Road  to  be  in  good  con- 
dition, the  receipts  for  the  year  being  $1,233.34;  disbursements  $1,019.50,  leaving  a balance 
of  $213.S4.  The  receipts  for  the  Eagleville,  Unionville  & Shelbyville  Pike  were  $1,086.75; 
expenditures  for  repairs,  $649.82  with  a balance  of  $436.93.  The  Murfreesboro,  Liberty 
via  Lascassas  Road  receipts  were  $1,633.10;  the  expenditures  $1,809.74,  being  an  excess  of 
$165.64.  The  Murfreesboro  & Brady ville  gave  receipts  of  $1,793. IS,  and  called  for 
$1,560.78  expenditures,  with  a surplus  of  $232.50.  The  receipts  for  the  Jefferson  & Las- 
cassas Road  were  $1,208.71;  expenditure  not  given.  The  Murfreesboro  & Liberty  Road  via 
Hall’s  Hill,  received  at  its  gates  $1,088.40  and  disbursed  $900,  the  remaining  surplus  still 
to  be  used  in  repairs.  From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  the  county  is  well  supplied  with 
pikes.  It  is  doubtful  if  any  county  in  the  State  can  boast  of  as  many  and  as  good  pikes  or 
more  efficient  and  accommodating  officials. 

The  Rutherford  County  Medical  Society  wa*  organized  in  Murfreesboro,  June  1,  1852, 
with  the  following  membership:  Drs.  B.  W.  Avent,  S.  B.  Robison,  J.  W.  Richardson,  M. 
Ransom,  B.  H.  Bilbro,  B.  S.  Wendel,  J.  J.  Abernathy,  W.  T.  Baskette,  L.  W.  Kuight.  T. 
C.  Black,  W.  C.  Martin;  R.  J.  Powell,  G.  W.  Burk,  and  H.  H.  Clayton.  The  following 
-were  chosen  for  officers  for  the  first  year:  J.  W.  Richardson,  president;  J.  E.  Wendel, vice- 
president;  E.  D.  Wheeler,  recording  secretary;  S.  B.  Robison,  corresponding  secretary,  and 
B.  W.  Avent,  treasurer.  The  object  of  the  society  was  the  discussion  of  the  theory  and 
practice  of  medicine  and  the  collateral  sciences.  The  code  of  ethics  of  the  American  Med- 
ical Association  was  adopted  for  the  government  of  the  society.  The  regular  meetings 
are  on  the  first  Thursdays  of  May  and  November  of  each  year.  The  following  essays  and 
reports  have  been  read  before  the  Society  and  nearly  all  published  in  the  Nashville  Journal 
of  Medicine  and  Surgery.  In  1852,  Cholera  Infantum,  by  W.  T.  Baskette;  Statistics  of  Fifty 
Cases  of  Typhoid  Fever,  by  S.  H.  Wood;  A Case  of  Amaurosis,  by  II.  H.  Clayton.  In 
1853,  Paratitis  followed  by  Meningitis,  by  L.  W.  Knight;  Sanitation,  by  S.  B.  Robison; 
Reports  of  Cases  of  Dysentery,  by  B.  II.  Bilbro;  Congestion  of  the  Brain,  by  R.  S.  Wendel. 
In  1857,  Croup,  by  L.  M.  Mason.  In  1858,  “Intersusception”  of  the  Bowels,  by  “R.  S.  Wen- 
del; Veratrum  Yiride  by  T.  S.  Smith;  Acute  Mania  Treated  by  Chloroform,  by  B.  W. 
Avent;  Case  of  Puerperal  Fever,  by  M.  Ransom.  In  1859,  A Case  of  Spinal  Abcess,  by  J. 
B.  Murfree.  In  1859,  Syphilis,  by  L.  M Wasson;  Abortion  among  Negroes,  by  J.  II. 
Morgan;  Blood-letting,  by  J.  B.  Murfree.  In  1867,  Indications  for  Stimulants,  by  J.  W. 
Richardson;  In  1868,  Cholera  Infantum,  by  S.  B.  Robison.  In  1872,  Syphilis,  by  J.  B. 
Murfree.  In  1S74,  Quinia  Sulphatis,  by  II.  II.  Clayton.  In  1S77,  Dysentery,  by  W.  E. 
Yourie;  Cholera  Infantum,  byP.  C.  Coleman;  Embolism,  and  Thrombosis,  by  G.  D.  C’ros- 
thwait;  Diphtheria,  by  T.  D.  Miller;  Cholera  Infantum,  by  John  H.  Whiter,  Diphtheria, 
by  R.  N.  Knox;  Stricture  of  the  Urethra,  by  FI.  J.  Warmuth;  Erysipelas  by  William 
Freeman;  Ostitis,  by  M.  B.  Murfree;  Malaria,  by  J.  II.  Dickson;  Bright’s  Disease,  by  G. 


. 


8 IS 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


AY.  Overall,  and  Tuberculosis,  by  R.  N.  Knox;  the  two  latter  in  1878.  Dysentery,  by  M 
H.  Bonner:  Cholera  Infantum,  by  A.  AY.  Mauire  iu  1884.  Puerperal  Fever,  by  W.  E.  You 
rie.  The  following  are  the  officers  for  18S6:  William  Whitsen.  president:  J.  J.  Rucker, 
vice-president;  M.  II.  Bonner,  corresponding  secretary;  J.  B.  Murfree,  secretary  and 
treasurer.  Other  members:  M.  Ransom.  II.  H.  Clayton.  R.  S.  Wciulel.  J.  F.  Rucker,  R. 
B.  Haines,  J.  E.  Manson,  T.  J.  Elam.  B.  M.  White,  T.  J.  Bennet.  J.  H.  White,  J.  F. 
By rn,  M.  E.  Neeley.  J.  M.  Dill,  W.  E.  Yourie,  R.  X.  Knox,  L.  1).  Miller,  R.  W.  Reed. 
A.  W.  Mainre,  A.  P.  McCullough.  William  Freeman.  W.  C.  Martin,  J.  AY.  Davis,  H.  J. 

Warmuth,  J.  N.  Bridges, Dyke.  S.  X.  Crosthwait;  II.  Yeargan;  S.  D.  Crosthwait; 

W.  Hoover,  AY.  H.  Lytle,  AY.  I).  Robison,  J.  H.  Dickson. 

The  Tennessee  Central  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Association  purchased  excellent 
grounds  in  1SGS.  and  erected  suitable  buildings  for  the  association  and  held  several  semi- 
annual fairs,  at  which  there  were  fine  displays  of  live-stock,  products  of  the  field,  orchard 
and  garden:  also  exhibits  of  the  mechanical  and  fine  arts.  From  some  unknown  cause 
the  enterprise  was  not  a financial  success,  and  for  a number  of  years  the  count)"  was  with- 
out a fair.  In  18S4  the  Rutherford  Fair  Association  purchased  the  grounds  and  buildings 
of  the  Tenucssce  Central  Fair  Association  for  $5,000.  The  grounds  lie  on  the  Nashville, 
Chattanooga  A St.  Louis  Railroad  and  the  Shelbyville  Turnpike  Road,  one  mile  south  of 
Murfreesboro,  and  embrace  thirty  acres  of  land.  The  track  is  one-half  mile  in  length  and 
sixty  feet  wide,  and  within  is  the  show  ring  which  is  encircled  by  the  amphitheater.  The 
first  fair  under  the  present  management  began  September  24,  1884,  and  continued  iu  ses- 
sion four  days.  The  officers  at  that  time  were  Col.  X.  C.  Collier,  president;  James  A. 
Moore,  first  vice-president,  auu  Frank  Avent,  recording  secretary.  So  successful  was  the 
management  that  a dividend  of  10  per  cent  was  declared  the  first  year.  Still  greater  was 
the  success  in  1885,  as  a dividend  of  15  per  cent  was  declared,  leaving  a reserve  divi- 
dend of  0 per  cent  still  on  hand.  The  association  point  with  just  pride  to  its  almost 
marvelous  success  since  its  organization.  All  the  departments  usually  represented  at 
fairs  were  well  represented  at  the  last,  besides  one  in  equestrianism  for  ladies.  The 
officers  for  1885  were  Col.  X.  C.  Collier,  president;  Col.  John  S.. Gooch.  Col.  W.  D.  Robi- 
son and  A.  AA\  Blackman,  vice-presidents;  Frank  Avent,  permanent  secretary;  John  E. 
Richardson,  recording  secretary,  and  A.  M.  Overall,  treasurer.  The  Tennessee  State  Trot- 
ting Horse  Breeders’  Association  held  its  first  meeting  on  the  grounds  of  the  Rutherford 
County  Fair  Association.  Several  of  the  leading  members  of  the  County  Association  are 
also  members  of  the  State  Association. 

The  market  house  building,  though  distinctl)7-  a part  of  the  town,  is  mentioned  here  as 
if  was  used  for  public  purposes.  The  building  stood  on  the  north  side  of  the  Square,  near 
the  public  well.  It  was  built  by  the  first  town  commissioners  in  1815.  It  was  simply  a 
shed  20x40  feet,  standing  on  brick  pillars  and  divided  into  stalls.  January  1,  1830,  Jona- 
than Huggins  secured  the  contract  for  enlarging  and  improving  the  building.  This  was 
the  common  place  of  auction  sales  by  constables,  sheriffs,  etc.,  of  negroes  and  other  prop- 
erty. The  building  was  destroyed  during  the  war. 

Tire  following  are  the  county  officers:  Sheriffs— Samuel  McBride,  1804-00:  O.  II. 
Benzer  1806-13:  U.  S.  Cummins,  1813-34;  G.  S.  Crockett,  1834-36;  AATilliam  P.  Watkins, 
1836-42;  AYilliam  B.  Lillard.  1842-48;  J.  M.  Tompkins,  1848-52;  A.  M.  McKnight,  1852-56; 
AY.  X.  Mason,  1856-60;  * *'  A.  Jones,  1865-61;  G.  S.  AYebb,  18GT-70;  Ed  Anold, 

1870-76;  Richard  Ransom,  1876-82;  Benjamin  Baley,  1882-86.  County  court  clerks — Jo- 
seph Herndon.  1804-13;  Blackman  Coleman.  1813-24;  John  R.  McLaughlin,  1824-34: 
R.  S.  Morris,  1834-44;  John  Woods,  1844-56;  John  Jones,  1856-60;  J.  D.  AYilson,  1865-70; 
J.  O.  Osliu,  1870-78;  AY.  D.  Robison,  1878-86.  Registers — William  Mitchell,  1804;  * * 

John  Spence,  1819-23;  M.  G.  Reeves,  1824-3G;  John  AYoods,  1830-44:  A.  T.  Reeves,  1844-54; 

G.  W.  Holden,  1854-58;  B.  F.  AYharton.  1858-70;  Hardy  Murphy,  1870-78:  J.  B.  Jetton,  1878- 
| 86.  Circuit  court  clerks — AYilham  Ledbetter,  1819-34:  Richard  Ledbetter,  1834-36;  Samuel 

H.  Hodge,  1836-40;  D.  D.  Wendcl,  1846-61  (on  the  organization  in  1816  D.  D.  Wendel  was 
made  both  circuit  and  criminal  court  clerk,  which  he  held  till  the  war);  M.  L.  Fletcher. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


819 


1S64-70;  J.  B.  Fowler,  1870-78:  Peyton  Randolph,  1878-SG.  Chancellors— L.  M.  Bram- 
blett,  1830-42:  B.  L.  Ridley.  1842-02:  J.  P.  Steele,  1864-72;  A.  S.  Marks,  1872-7S:  ,1.  AV. 
Burton,  187S-83,  Ed  Hancock,  1883-80.  Chancery  clerks — White  Jetton,  1830-40;  G.  S. 
Crocket,  1841-42;  G.  D.  Crosthwait,  1842  18;  D.  D.  Wendel,  1848-62;  Peyton  Randolph, 
1864-80.  Chairmen — William  Vincent:  Silas  Reed;  John  Fletcher,  1848;  Joseph  Liiulsej', 
1S4S-68;  John  Woods,  1808-80.  Postmasters  at  Murfreesboro— Joel  Childress,  1812-17; 
David  Wendel,  1817-39;  D.  B.  Mallory,  1839-52;  E.  B.  McLean,  1852-50;  J.  M.  Leather- 

man,  1856-60;  W.  R.  Butler.  1860-62;  William  Burt,  1864;  George  Booker, ; J.  W. 

Wilson,  1871-85;  Frank  White,  1880. 

First  District — A.  H.  Smith,  T.  H.  Carter;  Second — N.  W.  Mason,  J.  S.  Gooch;  Third 
— H.  II.  T.  Carter,  H.  Gregory;  Fourth— J.  W.  Hall,  L.  A.  Rogers;  Fifth — W.  A.  Rushing, 
A.  M.  Jones;  Sixth— J.  L.  Barber,  H.  H.  Macon;  Seventh — G.  W.  Smith,  J.  L.  Anderson; 
Eighth — R.  S.  Brown,  J.  T.  Wilson;  Ninth — Z.  T.  Dismukes,  J.  E.  Stockard;  Tenth — G. 
W.  Burns,  W.  W.  Lamb;  Eleventh — J.  S.  Webb,  W.  M.  Rucker:  Twelfth — C.  A.  Hill, 
AT.  L.  Leathers;  Thirteenth — J.  T.  McKinley,  AL  M.  Henry,  A.  G.  Tompkins;  Fourteenth 
— AT.  C.  Westbrook,  A.  AV.  Leathers;  Fifteenth — J.  S.  Allen,  AVilliam  Hunt;  Sixteenth — 
AAr.  S.  Rhodes,  Samuel  Vaught;  Seventeenth — D.  M.  McKnight,  AY.  G.  Malthis;  Eighteenth 
— John  AYoods,  AAr.  J.  Knox;  Nineteenth — P.  M.  Puryear,  B.  R.  Bivens;  Twentieth — AL  S. 
Lynch,  J.  I).  Gilmore;  Twenty-first — E.  B.  Fathera,  B.  T.  Johnson;  Twenty- second — A\T. 
A.  Jones,  J.  T.  Brown:  Twenty-third — F.  A.  AIcKnight,  C.  A.  AIcKnob:  Twenty-fourth — 
John  Gum,  A.  F.  Summers;  Twenty-fifth— G.  C.  Dromgoole,  J.  H.  White. 

From  official  information  it  is  learned  that  the  railroad  business  alone  at  Alurfreesboro 
amounts  to  £3U, out)  in  passenger  trallic  ancl  £50,000  annually  in  freight,  with  about  £5,000  ad- 
ditional at  Lavergne,  Florence,Christiana  andFosterville/  Of  10,000  or  12,000  bales  of  cotton 
raised  in  the  county  6,000  or  7,000  are  shipped  by  rail,  and  in  addition  there  are  shipped 
1,000  car  loads  of  cedar  lumber,  200  of  hogs,  100  of  horses  and  mules,  50  of  cattle,  100  of 
wheat,  200  car  loads  of  other  grains  and  500  car  loads  of  miscellaneous  freight. 

The  first  court  in  Rutherford  County  met  at  the  house  of  Thomas  Rucker  January  3j 
1804,  this  being  the  first  Alonday.  The  “commissioners  of  the  peace”  were  Col.  John 
Thompson,  Peter  Legrand,  Thomas  Rucker,  John  Howell,  Charles  Ready  and  John  Hill, 
to  whom  the  oath  of  office  was  administered  by  William  Nash,  till  this  time  a resident  of 
Davidson  County.  The  first  act  of  the  court  was  the  appointment  of  Samuel  AIcBridet 
sheriff,  who  gave  bond  in  the  sum  of  £12.000,  and  Joseph  Herndon  was  made  clerk.  AVill- 
iam Alitchell  was  appointed  register;  John  Howell,  ranger,  and  Joseph  Boyer,  John  An- 
thony, AAT.  Ramsey  and  AVilliam  Alartin,  constables.  Thomas  Overton  and  JohnR.  Bowen 
were  admitted  as  attorneys.  The  sheriff  returned  the  first  grand  jury  as  follows:  Alex 
McCulloch,  foreman:  Henr\r  Davis.  George  Ransom,  J.  AI.  AVright,  Sr.,  Joe  Nichols,  Samuel 
Campbell,  Dauiel  Williams,  AVilliam  Felton,  Samuel  Wilson,  Thomas  Nelson,  James  Whit- 
sett,  J.  Clark,  James  Lindsey,  AVilliam  Gammel.  John  Smith,  John  Kimbro,  Simon  Aliller, 
Alark  Alitchell,  John  Sullivan,  Robert  Smith,  C.  Harmon,  Thomas  Alitchell.  James  AIc- 
Gahah,  James  Hill  and  James  Oliphant.  At  the  close  of  the  first  quarter  session  the  court 
adjourned  to  meet  in  April  at  the  “forks  of  Stone  River.”  At  this  court  Bennett  H. 
Henderson  was  admitted  as  an  attorney,  and  Parry  AV.  Humphreys  was  made  solicitor  for 
the  county.  The  court  continued  to  meet  at  the  forks  of  Stone  River  (Jefferson;  till 
January,  1805,  when  the  first  session  of  that  year  was  held  at  the  house  of  Simon  Aliller, 
situated  about  five  miles  north  of  Alurfreesboro.  At  this  court  there  were  present  the 
“Worshipful”  Thomas  Rucker,  John  Howell,  John  Hill  and  Thomas  Thompson.  This 
court  appointed  Robert  T.  N.  Smith,  revenue  collector,  who  reported  forty-six  bodies  of 
land  subject  to  double  taxation  from  failure  to  report  the  same  for  taxation;  these  bodies 
of  land  varied  in  size  from  100  to  3,000  acres.  The  July  term  of  court  again  met  at  the 
forks  of  Stone  River  in  1805.  The  court  fined  C.  Dement  £l  for  “ contemptuous  behavior 
of  court, ” also  the  first  ad  quad  damnum  suit  was  tried.  This  suit  was  brought  by  Henry 
Gilliam  against  Lewis  Anthonjr,  who  had  erected  a mill-dain  on  Stone  River,  but  twelve 
“good  and  lawful  men”  said  that  Gilliam  was  entitled  to  no  damage.  Pending  the  erectiou 


820 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


of  the  court  house  at  Jefferson.  which  had  been  selected  as  a county  seat,  the  court  met 
from  this  time  till  April,  1806,  at  Nimrod  Menifee’s,  near  the  National  Cemetery;  while  at 
Menifee’s  Rucker,  Thompson  and  Ready  held  court.  This  court  allowed  Samuel  McBride 
$40  for  services  as  sherilT,  Herndon  $50  as  clerk,  and  Bowen  $30  as  solic  itor  for  1804.  In 
April,  1S0G,  court  again  met  at  Jefferson  in  the  court  house.  John  M.  Taylor  and  Eli 
Talbot  were  admitted  as  counsellors  at  law  at  this  term,  and  Parry  W.  Humphreys  was 
made  solicitor  for  the  county  at  a salary  of  $30  per  annum. 

On  his  resignation,  in  1805,  Peter  Brooker  was  appointed  to  till  the  same  ofllce.  The 
court  allowed  Joseph  Henson  the  privilege  of  building  a grist-mill  on  the  east  fork  of 
Stone  River.  James  Hamilton  was  lined  by  this  court  for  beating  E.  Grady.  John  II. 
Bowen  was  made  a solicitor  for  the  year  ISOS.  Abel  Russel  was  lined  $50  for  slandering 
William  Hamilton,  and  Peter  Legrand  got  $10  for  an  assault  upon  Peter  Anderson. 
Thomas  Rucker  received  a $600-judgment  against  Col.  Edward  Bradford  for  false  impris- 
onment. The  case  grew  out  of  some  supposed  misdemeanor  on  the  part  of  Rucker  at  a 
militia  drill,  in  which  he  incurred  the  displeasure  of  Bradford,  who  ordered  Rucker’s  neck 
placed  between  two  rails  of  a fence  and  he  was  kept  there  to  await  the  pleasure  of  the 
Colonel.  On  his  release  he  brought  suit  against  Bradford  for  false  imprisonment  with  the 
above  judgment.  Soon  after  both  became  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  as  brothers 
the  debt  was  forgiven.  William  Bowen  was  fined  $5  for  an  assault  upon  Bird  Hurst,  and 
Samuel  Rogers  $9*2  for  a like  offense  against  William  Collier,  and  in  a counter  suit  Collier 
received  a judgment  of  $375  against  Rogers  for  slander.  David  Ferguson  was  assessed  25 
cents  for  slandering  J.  P.  H.  Lemon,  and  the  court,  that  it  might  not  be  too  severe  on 
Ferguson,  divided  costs  between  plaintiff  and  defendant.  Henry  Davis  was  fined  61  cents 
for  beating  John  Thompson  “contrary  to  the  form  aud  statutes  made  and  provided.” 
William  Edwards  was  assessed  $7  for  a like  assault  upon  Johu  Barker.  In  the  court  at 
Jefferson  William  B.  Robinson,  Henry  Minor  and  Thomas  II.  Benton  were  admitted  to  the 
bar.  The  latter  is  said  to  have  pleaded  his  first  case  at  Jefferson.  He  was  at  this  time  a 
resident  of  Franklin,  Williamson  County.  He  represented  Rutherford  and  Williamson 
in  the  State  Senate  in  1809.  His  record  as  a statesman  and  senator  from  Missouri  for 
thirty  years  is  well  known. 

In  1807  Felix  Grundy  was  admitted  as  an  attorney.  He  was  a noted  criminal  lawyer, 
and  was  well  known  in  political  circles.  He  was  a member  of  the  Legislature  while  at 
this  place,  and  was  for  many  years  a United  States  senator  from  this  State.  Bennet  Smith 
was  made  cotton  inspector  in  1807,  and  in  1808  he  became  solicitor  for  the  county,  which 
position  he  held  for  a number  of  years.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a man  somewhat  eccentric 
in  his  ways,  a man  of  strong  likes  and  bitter  dislikes.  He  was  a lawyer,  farmer  and 
financier. 

The  development  of  the  county  demanded  a higher  court.  By  an  act  of  the  Legisla- 
ture Rutherford  was  made  a part  of  the  Fourth  Judicial  District,  and  the  Hon.  Thomas 
Stuart,  nicknamed  “old  sorrel,”  was  qualified  for  the  position  as  judge  January  2,  1810; 
John  Coffee  was  made  clerk,  and  Alfred  Balch,  solicitor-general.  Each  held  his  commis- 
sion from  Gov.  Willie  Blount.  Each  of  the  above  became  well  known  in  the  county. 
The  first  grand  jury  impaneled  by  the  circuit  court  consisted  of  J.  L.  Armstrong,  foreman; 
John  Hill,  John  Smith,  Joe  Morton,  James  McKnight,  L.  Davis,  John  Wallace,  A.  McCul- 
loch, John  N.  Reed,  E.  B.  McCoy,  Joseph  Barton,  Charles  Ready  and  Peter  Legrand. 
The  first  regular  jury  was  composed  of  Hans  Hamilton,  John  Sharp,  Allen  Hill,  Joseph 
Dickson,  Thomas  Hubbard,  J.  L.  Jetton,  James  Whitsett,  J.  Rucker,  Rob  McComb, 
George  Brandon,  William  Nash  and  Daniel  Marshall.  It  was  in  this  court  that  case 

wherein was  plaintiff  and defendant,  the  point  in  dispute  being  a hide 

taken  to  the  tan-yard,  the  amount  involved  at  the  time  being  about  $2.50.  It  was  con- 
tinued in  court  till  cost  amounted  in  all  to  about  $3,000.  At  the  first  quarter  sessions  in 
1813,  Ezekiel  McCoy,  Daniel  Bowman,  J.  S.  Jetton,  Fred  Barfield  and  S.  Jetton,  “ Wor- 
shipful Justices  Esquires”  were  present. 

A negro  named  “Jess”  was  found  guilty  of  “house  breaking”  on  the  property  of  E. 


IIUT1I E R 1'OR  1 > CO  U X T V. 


821 


Ward,  and  was  sentenced  to  execution  September  8,  1818.  He  wus  sent  to  Nashville  to- 
await  the  day  of  execution.  This  was  duly  carried  out  at  the  appointed  time.  According 
to  the  superstition  of  the  time  bits  of  the  hangman’s  rope  were  in  great  demand  as  a talis- 
man against  many  ills  that  human  flesh  was  heir  to.  The  October  term  of  court  allowed 
Mathew  McClanahan  $29  for  his  services  on  the  above  occasion,  and  William  Neugeut, 
James  Miller  and  William  Knight  were  each  allowed  $2  as  guards  for  the  prisoner;  and 
Samuel  Williams.  A.  Miller  and  James  Lowell  were  each  allowed  50  cents  as  witness  fees. 

As  a reminder  of  old  times  Samuel  Richardson  was  allowed  $8  for  wolf  scalps,  and 
Joseph  Welton  S3  for  one  scalp.  At  the  October  term  of  1813  to  facilitate  business  the 
justices  were  divided  into  four  divisions  as  follows:  The  first  year  was  composed  of  Will- 
liam  Nash,  Moses  Bellah,  Solomon  Beeslcy,  George  Wetou,  J.  S.  Jetton,  Thomas  Berry, 
David  Allen,  John  Tutton,  James  Whiteside,  John  Edwards,  J.  D.  Irwin,  James  Gilles- 
pie and  William  Lock;  the  second,  Fred  Barfield,  Robert  Bedford,  Hugh  Robinson,  Will- 
iam Mankiu,  A.  M.  Erwin,  J.  Millford,  Thomas  Hoover,  J.  Smith,  J.  L.  Ambrose,  W.  H. 
Davis,  Owen  Edwards,  T.  A.  Cannon;  the  third,  John  Hill,  John  Henderson,  Thomas 
Nash,  John  Miller,  Sam  Campbell,  Henry  Goodloe,  John  Dickson,  Rob  Wanniek,  E.  B. 
McCoy,  George  Simpson.  Rob  McCombs  and  James  McKnight;  the  fourth,  W.  W.  Sear- 
scy,  Abe  Johns,  H.  M.  Henderson,  Jacob  Knight,  John  Barter,  L.  Davis,  Dan  Bowman, 
G.  W.  Banton,  H.  Hamilton,  W.  Edwards,  J.  S.  Jetton  and  James  Sharp.  In  a suit  of  the 
State  against  Samuel  Wilson  for  an  offense  against  its  dignity,  Wilson  was  fined  the  sum 
of  1 cent.  Thomas  Wilson  was  arraigned  for  petit  larceny,  “ whereupon  Thomas  threw 
himself  upon  the  country  and  the  attorney  prosecuting  did  the  like;”  then  came  a jury  of 
“good  and  lawful  men"  as  follows:  Mathew  Hirst,  William  Stokes,  John  Johns,  Larken 
Johnston,  Samuel  Kilbro,  James  Devore,  James  Cantheron,  John  Williams,  John  Hill, 
Thomas  Harris  and  Samuel  Mallery,  who,  being  tried  on  their  oaths,  said  the  defendant 
was  guilty,  and  affixed  his  punishment  at  ten  days  in  the  common  jail,  and  that  he  should 
be  taken  to  the  Public  Square  and  there  receive  one  lash  upon  the  bare  back.  The 
“ gaol”  not  being  considered  safe  he  was  taken  to  Nashville  for  imprisonment.  Black- 
man Coleman  was  allowed  §40  for  taking  the  tax  list  and  Bennet  Smith  §50  as  solicitor 
for  1813.  In  1814  Daniel  Sullivan  was  fined  §5  for  failing  to  obey  a scire  facias,  also  $•> 
for  gaming,  and  Joseph  Young  received  §5  for  contempt  of  court.  John  Lowery  and  J. 
W.  Peak  received  §1  each  for  forfeiture  of  recognizance.  James  Caruthers  was  allowed 
§29.75  for  taking  Thomas  Wilson  to  the  Nashville  “gaol.”  A.  Sharp  was  fined  $245  for 
seduction,  and  William  Blair  $250  for  a like  offense.  October  15,  1815,  Alexander  Patter- 
son was  fined  $10  for  petit  larceny,  and  in  addition  received  ten  lashes  upon  the  bare  back 
at  the  whipping  post  on  the  Public  Square,  and  was  sent  to  jail  till  the  fine  was  paid. 
John  Foss,  Y.  Robertson,  Thomas  Noclard,  Elizabeth  Balle  and  M.  Martin,  by  throwing 
themselves  upon  the  “grace  and  mercy”  of  the  court  -were  each  fined  1 cent.  In  1818  M. 
Battin  was  placed  in  the  scales  of  justice  and  was  found  wanting  to  the  extent  of  G£ 
y^nts  for  neglect  of  duty  as  overseer  of  the  road.  P.  Wilson  and  N.  T.  Perkins  were 
'^each  given  nominal  fines  for  tilts  at  v i et  annis.  James  Maxwell  was  indicted  for  the 
murder  of  Caleb  Hewett,  and  was  fined,  but  was  released  on  taking  the  “insolvent  debt- 
or’s oath.” 

At  the  June  term  of  court  in  1818  it  was  ordered,  first,  that  witnesses  shall  be  questioned 
by  one  lawyer  on  a side  only;  second,  that  questions  for  continuance  shall  be  argued  by 
one  attorney  alone  on  a side;  third,  sheriffs  shall  have  jurymen  ready  for  those  accused; 
fourth,  no  motion  on  appeals  should  be  heard  unless  made.  In  1813  the  court  ordered  B. 
Coleman  to  have  a county  seal  made,  which  wras  executed  by  Benjamin  Liddon,  for  which 
the  court  allowed  $10. 

In  1819  a man  named  Thurman  was  tried  for  horse  stealing  and  found  guilty,  and 
according  to  the  hrw  and  custom  of  the  time  was  condemned  to  be  executed.  The  day 
was  set  and  the  time  arrived.  The  prisoner  w as  seated  on  his  own  coffin  and  driven  in  a 
cart  to  the  place  of  execution,  near  where  Soule’s  College  now  stands.  People  thronged 
the  place,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Henderson  delivered  the  funeral  sermon,  and  pointed  out  the  evils 


822 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


of  n sinful  life:  the  hands  were  pinioned,  nud  the  sheriff,  U.  S.  Cummins,  was  about 
adjusting  the  noose  when  Daniel  Graham,  secretary  of  state,  appeared  and  stayed  the 
proceedings  by  reading  to  the  Sheriff  a reprieve  for  the  prisoner  who  was  remanded  to  jail. 

In  18*21  began  a series  of  suits  between  the  Nashville  Branch  Bank  and  Benjamin  Tratt,cf 
at.,  which  continued  in  court  several  years.  In  1S24  John  Bishop  was  arraigned  for  petit  lai 
ccny,  and  the  jury,  Simpson  Harris,  Hugh  Porter,  James  Covington.  George  Moore,  Will- 
iam North,  I).  M.  Jarnett,  'William  Bynum,  W.  Anderson,  W.  Maury,  A.  Blackman  and  E 
Wood,  found  him  guilty,  and  fixed  his  punishment  at  ten  days  in  jail  and  five  lashes  upon 
the  bare  back.  This  observation  may  not  be  out  of  place  here:  At  this  time  there  was  no 
penitentiary  in  the  State.  Punishment  was  inflicted  by  standing  in  stocks,  by  the  whip- 
ping-post, the  branding-iron,  imprisonment  in  jail  and  sometimes  by  clipping  the  ear. 
Persons  were  made  infamous  by  branding  the  mark  indicating  the  crime  of  the  guilty  one. 
as  “T”  for  thief,  *‘M”  for  murder.  These  punishments  were  not  inflicted  as  marks  of 
brutality  by  the  court,  but  were  looked  upon  as  marks  of  justice  inflicted,  and  while  the 
lash  was  being  applied  to  the  quivering  muscles  and  the  scathing  branding-iron  to  the 
quivering  flesh,  the  court  could  cooly  proceed  with  business. 

In  1S23  R.  E.  Green  was  fined  $5  for  assault  aud  battery;  David  Thompson,  1 cent, 
official  negligence  as  road  overseer;  Henry  Bedford  and  William  Leech  each  got  1 cent 
for  riot.  In  1831  Spencer  Hazlett  was  fined  $5  for  assault  and  battery;  W.  Featherston, 
$5,  and  P.  Featherston  1 cent,  for  similar  offenses.  II.  Ramsej*  was  fined  $2  and  three 
months  in  jail  for  “ malicious  mischief.”  S.  R.  McLaughlin  turned  into  the  treasury  $800 
as  back  taxes  for  1823-24.  In  1833  H.  D.  Thompson,  William  MoTOy.  Samuel.  Patterson 
and  Joseph  Cheatham  were  each  fined  $5  for  “presentments  for  gaming,”  Besides  those 
already  mentioned  the  following  attorneys  had  been  admitted  to  the  bar:  Thomas  Over- 
ton,  F.  H.  Johns,  Jesse  Wheaton.  B.  H.  Henderson,  R.  S.  Carutliers,  Rob  Hawkins,  R.  M. 
Bute,  II.  C.  Whiteside,  D.  W.  Dickman,  E,  A.  Keeble  and  Alfred  Johns.  The  most  of 
these  men  became  well-known  attorneys.  “Malicious  mischief,”  affrays,  extortion  were 
common  offenses  at  this  time.  Twelve  “good  and  lawful  men”  ordered  the  sheriff  to  in- 
flict. a punishment  of  twenty  lashes  upon  the  bare  back  of  Isaiah  Lester  for  petit  larcery. 
On  January  15,  1827,  the  death  of  Judge  John  Haywood  was  ordered  spread  upon  record, 
and  each  member  of  the  bar  was  requested  to  wear  crape  upon  the  left  arm  for  a period 
of  thirty  days. 

John  W.  Childress  was  appointed  attorney-general,  pro  tem .,  for  the  year  1827. 
Indictments  for  riot  were  found  against  Samuel  Green,  Samuel  Wilson,  Moses  Baum  and 
Thomas  Baum,  and  a fine  of  $10  was  assessed  against  each,  while  William  Hicks  and 
Thomas  Alexander  were  each  fined  nominal  sums  for  keeping  “tippling  houses.”  Again 
in  1827-28,  punishments  by  whipping  were  inflicted — one  of  thirty  lashes  upon  Henry 
Adams,  and  one  of  five  lashes  and  three  days’  imprisonment  upon  Willis  Cooper.  In  1829 
a case  was  tried  in  the  Rutherford  Circuit  Court,  known  as  the  “ Harding  Case,”  brought 
from  Maury  County  on  a change  of  venue.  This  was  something  of  a family  quarrel,  in 
which  two  parties  were  killed,  aud  a father  and  son  were  tried  as  accessories  to  the  crime 
alleged  to  have  been  committed  by  two  sons  who  had  fled  the  country.  The  prominence 
of  the  families  made  the  case  an  exciting  one.  After  an  exciting  trial  of  some  time  the 
defendants  were  acquitted.  - 

A further  division  of  the  labors  of  the  county  court  was  made  in  1836  by  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  chancery  court.  Judge  L.  M.  Bramblet  was  elected  first  chancellor.  He 
served  with  credit  to  himself  and  the  county  from  1836  to  1842.  Bramblet  was  succeeded 
on  the  bench  as  chancellor,  in  1842,  by  Judge  B.  L.  Ridley,  who  served  with  credit  and 
marked  ability  till  the  court  *was  suspended  by  the  war.  Judge  Ridley  was  a man  of  moral 
as  well  as  personal  courage,  and  when  the  war  came  up  he  entered  the  service.  After  the 
close  of  the  war  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law,  which  he  continued  till  his  death.  In 
1838  a negro  named  “ Charles  ” was  arrested  for  rape.  The  evidence  was  wholly  circum- 
stantial but  seemed  pretty  clear,  and  on  the  strength  he  was  tried,  convicted  and  executed. 
There  was  astroug  suspicion  at  the  time  that  he  was  not  the  guilt}'  party.  Later  a negro 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


823 


was  executed  in  Mississippi  for  a similar  crime,  nud  while  under  sentence  of  death  owned 
to  have  committed  the  crime  in  Rutherford  for  which  Charles  was  hanged. 

Another  subdivision  in  matters  of  litigation  was  made  by  the  establishment  of  a crim- 
inal court.  Tiiis  was  done  in  1846.  The  district  of  this  court  included  Davidson  and 
Rutherford  Counties— being  the  same  as  now.  The  lion.  William  K.  Turner,  of  Nash 
ville,  was  made  judge  of  this  court.  He  held  the  office  from  the  formation  of  the  court 
until  the  court  was  discontinued  on  account  of  the  war.  Judge  Turner  is  described  as  a 
man  firm,  earnest,  clear,  prompt  and  sound  in  his  decisions,  but  plain  and  easy  in  manner. 

Iu  1848  Sarah,  a slave,  was  executed  by  order  of  the  court.  This  was  done  by  the 
sheriff,  J.  M.  Thompson,  for  which  the  court  allowed  him  the  sum  of  §12.30;  other  allow- 
ances, for  grave,  coffin  and  gallows,  amounted  to  a total  of  §20.25.  A destruction  of  all 
the  circuit  and  criminal  court  records  during  the  war  renders  a detailed  account  of  the 
transactions  of  these  courts  impossible. 

The  couuty  court  was  partially  reorganized  in  June.  1864,  while  under  control  of  the 
military  authorities.  But  little  work  was  done  by  this  court.  The  criminal  court  was 
reorganized  at  the  July  term.  1864;  the  Hon.  T.  X.  Frazier  was  made  judge  and  M.  L. 
Fletcher,  clerk.  Owing  to  the  occupation  of  the  court  house  for  other  purposes,  the  court 
first  met  in  the  Odd  Fellows’  hall,  but  afterward  moved  to  the  Masonic  hall.  The  results 

•of  the  war  brought  a new  feature  into  the  courts,  i.  e.:  “Staters. col.,  Hog 

Stealing,  etc.”  The  chanceiy  court  was  reorganized  at  this  time;  Judge  J.  P.  Steele  pre- 
siding, with  J.  M.  Tompkins,  clerk  and  master.  On  the  death  of  the  Hon.  Charles  Ready, 
who  had  been  prominent  before  the  public  for  fifty-three  years,  the  entire  bar  attended 
his  funeral  iu  a body.  J.  M.  A vent  and  W.  H.  Washington  were  appointed  a committee 
to  report  the  memorial  of  his  death  to  the  criminal  court:  Gen.  J.  B.  Palmer,  E.  H.  Ewing 

and Burton,  to  the  supreme  court;  H.  P.  Keeble  and  B.  L.  Rielley,  to  the  county 

court;  J.  L.  Cannon  and  G.  S.  Ridley,  to  the  circuit  court;  J.  D.  Richardson  and  J.  M. 
Childress,  to  the  chancery  court. 

A personal  mention  of  each  member  of  the  bar  or  judge  on  the  bench  will  not  be 
made;  but  be  this  said,  the  Rutherford  County  Courts,  in  all  their  branches,  have  been 
-characterized,  from  the  beginning  to  the  present,  by  men  of  culture,  abilit}r  and  refine- 
ment. The  highest  judicial  seat  nor  the  presidential  chair  have  not  been  too  high  to  be 
reached  either  by  her  native  or  adopted  sons.  Neither  the  halls  of  Congress  nor  the  ju- 
dicial ermine  have  ever  been  disgraced  by  one  of  her  children. 

Many  of  the  old  Revolutionary  soldiers  settled  in  Rutherford  County  after  the  admis- 
sion of  Tennessee  into  the  Union,  on  grants  from  the  State  of  North  Carolina.  Among 
them  may  be  mentioned  the  Gilbraiths,  Grants,  Halls,  Hills,  Murfrees,  Hubbards. 
Joneses,  Rutledges  and  others.  Many  of  them  became  pensioners  after  the  passage  of  the 
act  of  Congress,  of  1832,  for  their  relief.  In  the  Creek  war  of  1812-14,  related  elsewhere, 
a large  number  of  troops  went  from  Rutherford  County,  although  it  is  believed  no  regu 
larly  organized  company  was  sent.  Col.  Henderson,  who  is  accredited  to  thiscount}*,  was 
killed  in  a skirmish  near  the  city  of  New  Orleans.  In  the  second  Seminole  war,  which 
broke  out  in  1836,  Rutherford  County  furnished  two  companies,  Capt.  Yoakum’s  and  Rob- 
-ert  Jetton’s.  These  men  enlisted  under  the  call  for  2,500  men  to  serve  six  months.  These 
men  were  attached  to  the  Second  Regiment,  which  was  organized  at  Fayetteville,  about 
June  16,  1836,  by  electing  William  Trousdale,  colonel:  J.  C.  Guild,  lieutenant-colonel, 
Joseph  Meadows,  first  major;  William  Washington,  second  major.  These  two  regiments 
were  formed  into  a brigade,  of  which  Robert  Armstrong  was  elected  brigadier-general. 
The  troops  left  Fayetteville,  the  place  of  rendezvous,  on  July  4,  and  proceeded  direct  to 
-Columbus,  Ga.  The  history  of  this  expedition  is  given  under  the  second  Seminole  war. 
In  184G,  on  the  outbreak  of  the  Mexican  war,  great  numbers  offered  their  services  to  the 
State  and  Government.  Two  political  companies  from  Rutherford  tendered  their  services 
at  once,  the  one  commanded  by  Capt.  Mitchell,  called  the  Spring  Blues,  and  the  other  by 
Capt.  Childress.  The  latter  only  was  accepted.  These  men  were  not  accepted  till  the 
second  call,  and  consequently  did  not  see  very  active  service. 


. 


824 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  sentiment  of  Rutherford  was  strongly  opposed  to  secession  or  separation  till  the- 
climax  of  the  political  issues  was  reached,  when  the  people  slowly  yielded,  and  in  time 
became  earnest  supporters  of  the  Confederate  Government.  The  first  regiment  raised  in 
this  county  for  the  Confederate  service  was  the  Second  Tenncesee  Infantry.  The  regi- 
ment was  composed  of  ten  companies,  averaging  120  men  each;  two  of  these  companies,  A 
and  F,  were  from  Rutherford  County.  The  captains  of  Company  A were  S.  N.  White, 
John  A.  Butler.  Thomas  G.  Butler  and  James  T.  C.  McKnight.  The  captains  of  company 
F were  Thomas  D.  White,  W.  I).  Robinson  and  William  II.  Newmau.  At  its  first  or- 
ganization William  B.  Bate  was  chosen  colonel;  David  L.  Goodall,  lieutenant-colonel; 
William  R.  Doak,  major.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Nashville,  May  5.  and  was  or- 
dered to  Virginia.  It  was  mustered  into  the  Confederate  service  May  12,  at  Lynchburg, 
by  Gen.  E.  Kirby  Smith.  The  field  and  stall  officers  were  W.  B.  Bate  and  W.  D.  Robin- 
son, colonels;  I>.  L.  Goodall  and  John  A.  Butler,  lieutenant-colonels;  William  R.  Doak, 
major;  T.  J.  Kennedy  and  Alexander  Erskine,  surgeons;  J.  H.  Erskine  and  T.  L.  B. 
Brown,  assistant  surgeons;  Joseph  Cross  and  G.  T.  Henderson,  chaplains:  M.  W.  Cluskcy 
and  W.  H.  Rhea,  quartermasters;  W.  T.  Driver  and  W.  J.  Hale,  adjutants.  The  com- 
plete account  of  this  regiment  is  given  in  the  State  history. 

The  credit  of  raising  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  is  due  largely  to  Gen.  J.  B.  ‘Palmer, 
of  Murfreesboro.  At  the  outbreak  of  hostilities  Maj.  Palmer,  as  he  was  then  called,  was 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Murfreesboro,  and  was  a man  very  much  opposed  to- 
secession,  a doctrine  which  he  opposed  with  all  his  force  and  logic.  He  said,  however,  if 
the  worst  came  to  the  worst  he  was  with  his  native  State  The  determination  of  Maj. 
Palmer  to  volunteer  led  vast  numbers  of  his  neighbors  and  companions  to  enlist  with  him. 
The  following  companies  were  raised,  principally  in  Rutherford  County;  Maj.  Palmer’s 
own  company,  B.  G.  Woods’  company  and  B.  F.  Webb’s  company.  The  history  of  this- 
reginient  is  best  told  in  the  language  of  Gen.  Palmer  himself.  The  regiment  was  organ- 
ized on  the  11th  of  June,  1861,  at  Camp  Trousdale,  Tennessee,  by  the  election  of  J. 
B.  Palmer  colonel,  A.  G.  Carden,  lieutenant-colonel,  S.  W.  Davis,  major.  It  contained 
ten  companies,  commanded  respectively  by  Capts.  M.  R.  Rushing,  J.  W.  Roscoe,  William 
R.  Butler,  H.  J.  St.  John,  G.  H.  Lowe,  B.  F.  Webb,  J.  B.  Matthew’s,  B.  G.  Woods,  A.  G. 
Carden  and  W.  J.  Grayson.  Col.  Palmer's  staff  consisted  of  R.  P.  Crockett,  quarter- 
master, with  rank  of  captain;  Thomas  Wood,  commissary,  with  same  rank;  Dr.  John  Pat- 
terson, surgeon;  J.  W.  Gowau,  assistant  surgeon;  Janies  W.  Roscoe,  adjutant,  with  the- 
rank  of  first  lieutenant;  James  S.  Baxter,  sergeant-major.  The  first  battle  in  w’hicli  the 
regiment  participated  wTas  at  Fort  Donelson,  where  after  much  suffering,  hard  and  gal- 
laut  fighting,  it,  with  the  garrison  and  army  under  command  of  Gen.  Floj’d,  was  cap- 
tured on  February  16,  1862.  Col.  Palmer  and  other  field  officers  were  imprisoned  at  Fort 
Warren,  Boston  Harbor.  The  staff  and  company  officers  were  confined  at  Johnson’s- 
Island,  Lake  Erie,  and  the  privates  at  Camp  Douglas,  Illinois.  All  the  men  and  officers 
were  exchanged  in  September,  1862,  wiien  the  regiment  wTas  reorganized  by  an  act  of  the 
Confederate  Congress.  J.  B.  Palmer  was  again  elected  colonel;  W.  B.  Butler,  lieutenant- 
colonel;  W.  H.  Joyner,  major;  John  W.  Douglas,  adjutant.  This  reorganization  took 
place  September  26. 1862,  at  Jacksoa,  Miss.  This  regiment  from  the  beginning  to  theclose- 
of  the  war  belonged  to  the  famous  command  known  at  part  of  the  time  as  Brown’s,  and 
subsequently  as  Palmer’s  brigade;  by  its  latter  name  it  wras  surrendered  at  Goldsboro, 
X.  C.,  May  2,  I860,  on  the  terms  agreed  upon  by  Gens.  Joe  E.  Johnston  and  William  T. 
Sherman.  As  a regiment,  it  wras  commanded  by  its  first  colonel,  Palmer,  till  his  promo- 
tion to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general  in  1804.  The  Eighteenth  participated  in  the  great 
battles  of  Fort  Donelson,  Murfreesboro  (Stone’s  River),  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Moun- 
tain and  Missionary  Ridge.  It  participated  in  all  the  engagements  in  the  Atlanta  cam' 
paigu.  It  made  the  campaign  into  Tennessee  after  the  fall  of  Atlanta,  doing  active  ser- 
vice at  all  points.  After  the  defeat  of  Gen.  John  B.  Hood  before  Nashville,  this  was  one- 
of  the  regiments  of  Palmer’s  brigade  which,  with  other  choice  troops,  covered  Hood’s- 
retreat  from  Middle  Tennessee  across  the  Tennessee  River.  This  rear  guard  was  under 


HUTHKHFOHD  COUNTY. 


825 


Maj.-Gcn.  Walthall,  the  ranking  officer,  and  consisted  of  his  own  division  and  the  bri 
gados  of  Gens.  Palmer  and  Fealherston  and  sonic  cavalry  forces.  After  this  Palmer  s 
brigade  was  ordered  to  North  Carolina  under  Gen.  Johnston,  under  whose  direction  th< 
battle  of  Bentonville,  in  that  State,  was  fought..  In  this  light  Palmer’s  brigade  was  made 
the  directing  column,  and  it  distinguished  itself  so  highly  as  to  be  handsomely  compli 
mented  by  Gen.  Stevenson,  the  division  commander,  in  a “general  order.”  This  was  the 
last  fight  of  the  Eighteenth.  The  regiment  was  discharged  in  May,  1805,  which  closed  its 
arduous  ami  brilliant  career  of  patriotic  duty  and  service  foraperiod  of  a little  more  than 
four  memorable  years.  At  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  Gen.  Palmer,  then  colonel,  was 
wounded  three  times;  in  the  celebrated  Breckinridge  fight  on  January  2.  1803.  He  received 
a Minie-ball  through  the  calf  of  the  leg,  one  through  the  shoulder,  and  a shell  wound 
on  the  right  kuce,  though  he  did  not  leave  the  field  till  the  close  of  the  engagement,  and 
then  brought  oil  his  regiment  in  good  order.  He  was  next  severely  wounded  at  Cbieka- 
mauga,  from  which  he  has  never  recovered.  He  was  also  slightly  wounded  at  Jonesboro 
and  at  Bentonville. 

The  Twentieth  Tennessee  Regiment  was  known  as  Battle’s  regiment,  and  was 
organized  at  Camp  Trousdale  near  the  Kentucky  line.  Joel  A.  Battle  was  elected  colonel: 
M.  B.  Carter,  lieutenant-colonel;  Patrick  Duftie,  major;  Dr.  D.  B.  Cliff,  surgeon;  J.  H. 
Morton,  assistant  surgeon;  Johu  Marshall,  quartermaster;  M.  M.  ITinkle,  commissary; 
Alex  Winn,  adjutant;  John  Edmonson,  chaplain.  The  only  company  from  Rutherford 
in  the  regiment  was  Company  E.  John  S.  Gooch  was  elected  captain  of  the  company  at 
the  age  of  nineteen,  and  was  severely  wounded  at  Fishing  Creek.  At.  the  reorganization  of 
the  army  lu  May,  Capt.  Gooch  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel  at  the  age  of  twenty.  Col. 
T.  B.  Smith,  of  the  regiment  was  only  twenty-two.  Col.  Gooch  was  compelled  to  resign 
in  a short  time,  and  was  succeeded  by  F.  M.  Lavender.  On  the  promotion  of  Col.  Gooch. 
William  Ridley  was  chosen  captain  of  Company  E.  and  remained  with  the  company 
during  its  term  of  service.  Capt.  Ridley  received  a severe  scalp  wound  at  Missionary 
Ridge;  Lieut.  Crosswaite  was  killed  at  Murfreesboro,  and  Lieut.  Peyton  at  Chickamauga. 
A full  history  of  the  regiment  is  given  elsewhere.  Man}*  other  companies  and  parts  of 
companies  were  recruited  in  Rutherford  County,  hut  their  history  is  closely  interwoven 
with  other  regiments. 

The  battle  of  Murfreesboro  began  December  31, 1S62,  and  ended  January  2,  1803. 
The  Confederate  forces  numbering  about  35,000  men  were  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Bragg,  whose  right  was  under  Gen.  Breckinridge,  center  under  Gen.  Polk,  and  left  under 
Gen.  Hardee.  The  Federals  according  to  Rosecrans,  then  commander,  numbered  37,977 
infantry,  3,200  cavalry  and  2,223  artillery.  Rosecrans’  right  confronting  Hardee,  was  com- 
manded by  Gen.  McCook,  the  center  by  Gen.  George  H.  Thomas,  opposite  Polk,  and  the 
left,  opposite  Breckinridge,  was  commanded  by  Gen.  T.  L.  Crittenden.  Bragg  anticipating 
Rosecrans’  intention  of  attacking  his  own  right,  hurled  Hardee  with  irresistible  force  upon 
McCook, RosecransTight,  and  crushed  it.  By  night  Rosecrans  had  lost,  including  stragglers, 
one-fourth  his  army  and  a large  portion  of  his  artillery.  Ilis  right  wing  was  almost  at  right 
angles  to  its  position  in  the  morning,  but  it  had  been  so  strengthened  as  to  be  impossible 
to  drive  it  further.  The  battle  so  far  had  been  largely  in  favor  of  the  Confederates. 
January  1 was  a day  of  comparative  quiet  save  on  occasional  artillery  duel  and  some  skir- 
mishing. On  January  2 shirmishing  opened  about  8 o’clock  and  grew  warmer  as  the  day 
advanced;  the  tide  rolled  toward  the  right.  At  about  3 P.  M.  the  picket  firing  began, 
which  was  the  signal  for  the  celebrated  charge  made  by  Breckinridge  on  the  right.  Per- 
haps no  more  gallant  charge  is  recorded  in  history  than  this  one  led  by  Breckinridge 
and  his  gallant  subordinates,  They  swept  everything  before  them,  crossed  the  river  and 
seemed  ready  to  crush  Rosecrans’  left,  as  had  been  done  by  his  right,  but  he  had  skil- 
fully massed  fifty-eight  pieces  of  artillery  heavily  supported  by  infantry.  Upon  this  unseen 
enemy  the  troops  rushed,  but  were  compelled  to  fall  back  with  much  loss.  The  night  was 
passed  with  anxious  -watching,  and  the  following  day  Bragg  slowly  began  to  fall 
back,  leaving  the  field  in  the  hands  of  the  Federals.  Bragg’s  loss  was  reported  by  him  at 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


S‘20 


10.000;  Rosecrans’  loss  was  1,533  killed,  7,245  wounded,  besides  6,273  prisoners.  On  the 
ground  where  the  battle  was  fought  is  now  a National  cemetery,  where  were  gathered  the 
dead  bodies  from  the  various  points  and  buried  there.  The  number  thus  buried  amount  to- 
about  6,000.  Near  Murfreesboro  is  a Confederate  cemetery,  where  now  sleep  2,000  Con- 
federate soldiers. 

The  city  of  Murfreesboro  was  founded  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed 
October  17,  1811,  although  no  lots  were  purchased  nor  houses  erected  until  in  June,  1812. 
The  town  was  originally  called  Cannonsburg,  in  honor  of  Gov.  Cannon,  but  by  au  act  of 
November  19,  1811,  amendatory  to  the  act  of  October  17,  1811.  the  name  was  changed  to 
••  Murfreesboro.”  This  name  was  given  in  honor  of  Col.  Hardy  Murfree,  who  was  a Rev- 
olutionary soldier  and  held  lands  in  the  vicinity  under  military  grant  from  North  Carolina. 
His  claim  as  well  as  many  others,  were  signed  by  “Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  Esq.,  our 
governor,  captain-general,  and  commandcr-in-cliief;”  such  an  array  it  would  seem  would 
make  the  title  perfect.  As  is  elsewhere  mentioned,  Joel  Childress,  Joel  Dyer,  John  M.  Til- 
ford,  Abraham  Thompson,  Carmichael,  B.  Sanaway  and  Blackman  Coleman,  were 
appointed  commissioners  (aldermen)  of  Murfreesboro.  These  constituted  the  first  town 
board  or  council,  the  former  commissioners  having  nothing  to  do  with  the  government. 
The  above  act  was  repealed,  September  28.  1815.  and  seven  commissioners  were  chosen 
by  the  people.  Previous  to  this,  November  5,1813,  the  election  precinct  at  Black  Fox  Camp- 
was  ordered  moved  to  Murfreesboro.  On  November  19,  1813,  all  money  in  the  hands  of 
the  commissioners  from  the  sale  of  lots,  after  paying  these  expenses,  was  ordered  turned 
over  to  the  town  board  for  the  benefit  of  the  town. 

The  act  incorporating  the  town  of  Murfreesboro  passed  the  General  Assembly  October 
17,  1817.  It  was  declared  that  the  citizens  of  the  town  of  Murfreesboro,  of  the  county  of 
Rutherford  and  State  of  Tennessee  were  a body  corporate  and  politic  with  authority  to 
sue  and  be  sued,  etc.  The  town  was  organized  with  a mayor  and  aldermen.  Annual 
elections  were  ordered  to  he  called  by  the  sheriff  on  the  first  Monday  in  January.  On  Oc- 
tober 13,  1818,  Isaac  Hilliard  and  Mary  Moore,  his  wife,  of  Halifax  County,  N.  C., 
legatees  of  Col.  Hardy  Murfree,  deeded  Lots  46  to  70  inclusive,  except  Lots  53  and  65, 
to  the  “Citizens,  owners  and  Occupiersof  certain  Lotts  or  parcelsof  land  ” in  the  town  of 
Murfreesboro.  This  w as  done  for  a love  of  the  people  of  the  place,  a desire  to  make  their 
titles  perfect  and  for  the  remembrance  of  Col.  Murfree  in  the  name.  On  December  26, 
1837,  Isaac  Hilliard's  enlargement  was  incorporated,  containing  Lots  1 to  24  inclusive.  A 
further  addition  was  made  to  the  city  January  10,  1851.  On  December  C,  1860.  Bennett 
Smith  deeded  a lot  near  the  Presbyterian  Church  to  the  city.  On  December  12,  1865,  the 
city  limits  w*ere  extended  three-quarters  of  a mile  from  the  Public  Square.  Town  officers: 
The  first  town  officers  elected  were  Joshua  Haskell,  mayor,  but  he  resigned  and  David 
Wendel  w as  chosen  in  his  place;  Burrell  Gannawa}’,  Nicholas  Tilford,  T.  C.  Watkins,  Will- 
iam Barfield,  Charles  Niles  and  G.  A.  Sublett,  aldermen;  William  Ledbetter,  recorder; 
Benjamin  Blankenship,  town  constable.  Other  mayors,  David  Wendel,  1819;  Robert 
Purdy,  1820;  Henry  Holmes,  1821;  William  R.  Rucker,  1822-23;  John  Jones,  1824;  William 
Ledbetter,  1825;  S.  R.  Rucker,  1826;  William  Ledbetter,  1827;  John  Smith,  1828:  Edward 
Fisher,  1829;  John  Smith,  1830;  John  C.  Moore,  1881;  Charles  Ready,  1832;  Charles  Niles, 
1833;  Marman  Spence,  1834-3$;  Edward  Fisher,  1836;  L.  II.  Carney,  1837;  E.  A.  Iveeble, 
1838;  Edward  Fisher.  1839;  G.  A.  Sublett,  1840;  B.  W.  Farmer,  1841-42;  II.  Yoakum, 
1843;  Wilson  Thomas,  1844;  B.  W.  Farmer,  1S45-40;  John  Leiper,  1847-48;  Charles 
Ready,  1849-53;  F.  Henry,  1854;  E.  A.  Keeble,  1855;  Joseph  B.  Palmer,  1856-59;  .John 
W.  Burton,  1860-G1;  J.  E.  Dromgoole,  1862;  * * * R.  D.  Reed, 

1865-66;  Charles  Ready,  1867;  E.  L.  Jordan,  18GS--69;  T.  B.  Darrach,  1870;  J.  A.  January, 
1871;  J.  B.  Collier,  1872-73;  Dr.  J.  B.  Murfree.  1874—75 ; H.  H.  Kerr,  1876:  H.  II.  Clayton, 
1877;  N.  C.  Collier,  1878-79:  J.  C.  Clayton,  1880-84;  E.  F.  Burton,  1882-83;  J.  M.  Overall, 
1884-85;  H.  E.  Palmer,  18S6.  Police  officers:  A.  G.  Miller,  city  marshal;  G.  W.  Myers, 
R.  E.  Beard  and  R.  M.  Nelson. 

The  town  as  originally  surveyed  by  Hugh  Robiusou,  contained  seventy  lots  each  150 


. 


KUTHLKF0K1)  COUNTY. 


827 


feet  square,  being  numbered  from  the  northwest  corner  to  the  northeast  from  one  to  twelve 
inclusive.  The  Legislature  passed  eighteen  rules  and  regulations  to  govern  the  town 
while  under  the  first  town  board.  In  1813  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  act  for  the  • 
relief  of  the  seven  commissioners  of  Murfreesboro  against  auy  claims  that  might  arise 
against  them  while  they  were  discharging  their  official  duties.  Capt.  William  Lytle  built  a 
mill,  blacksmith  shop  aud  afterward  a cotton-gin  near  Murfreesboro  in  1808.  The  first  house 
was  built  within  the  corporate  limits  of  the  town  in  1811.  A.  Carmichael  built  the  first  tavern 
in  Murfreesboro  near  the  "Pump  Spring."  Col.  Joel  Dyer  moved  his  tavern  from  Jeffer- 
son to  Murfreesboro  in  1812;  this  building  stood  till  burned  in  1854.  Col.  Robert  Jetton 
built  a tavern  on  South  Main  Street  of  cedar  logs,  that  stood  till  burned  in  1833.  J. 
Renshaw  also  built  a tavern  near  the  southeast  corner  of  the  Public  Square.  Porter  & 
Spence  moved  their  dry  goods  store  from  Jefferson  to  Murfreesboro -in  1813.  The  town 
was  now  growing  rapidly.  A public  warehouse  was  built  near  the  creek  on  Main  Street 
in  1S13.  All  cotton  aud  tobacco  had  to  be  placed  in  some  one  of  the  three  houses  in  the 
county  for  inspection  before  sale.  W.  A.  Sublett  and  L.  Mathews  were  made  inspectors 
in  1S13.  The  fees  for  opening  and  recooperage  was  about  $1.30  per  hogshead  for 
tobacco  and  cptton  in  a similar  ratio.  On  November  13,  1817,  J.  Haskell  deeded  Lots  71 
aud  72  to  Bradley  Academy.  In  ISIS  the  market  house  was  built,  which,  with  some  im- 
provement stood  till  destroyed  by  the  soldiers.  Hugh  Cabell  was  made  sealer  of  weights 
and  measures  for  the  town  and  county.  The  rates  fixed  were  for  a bushel  measure  50  cents; 
pecks,  25  cents:  half  pock,  12^  cents;  gallon,  half  gallon  and  two  quarts,  25  cents.  In  1818  the 
town  well  was  ordered  begun,  but  was  not  finished  till  1824;  owing  to  a destructive  fire  all 
wooden  chimneys  were  ordered  pulled  down,  auu  brick  or  stone  substituted  instead.  Also 
a fire-watch  of  twelve  men  were  put  on  duty.  The  Subletts  were  allowed  $98  for  printing 
the  town  ordinances  in  1818.  Stumps  were  ordered  removed  from  the  streets.  Few  build- 
ings at  this  time  were  adorned  with  paint.  The  first  brick  bouse  erected  in  town  was 
built  this  year  by  John  M.  Telford,  west  of  where  the  present  National  Bank  now  stands. 

Drs.  TV.  R.  Rucker,  James  Maney,  Henry  Holmes,  J.  King  and  L.  P.  Yandell  were  dis- 
tinguished early  practitioners.  Lawyers— S.  H.  Laughliu,  Samuel  Anderson,  S.  R.  Ruck- 
er, TV.  Brady,  Andrew  Childress,  J.  R.  Martin,  Charles  Ready,  John  Bruce,  John  Has- 
kell, P.  W.  Humphreys  and  I.  H.  Bute.  Visiting  attorneys — Rob  Butler,  John  Bell,  J.  II. 
Eaton,  Andrew  Jackson  and  Felix  Grundy.  Merchants— David  Wendel,  Joe  Spence,  Hill, 
Snell  & Co.,  M.  Spence,  Silas  Loik,  C.  O’FJynn,  C.  R.  Abbott.  Falls  & Christy,  David 
Lineau,  John  Smith,  J.  C.  Moore  A Co.,  J.  Currin,  Benjamin  Elder  and  Charles  Gugger. 
Saddlers — Charles  Niles, TV.  Gardner, A.  S.  & J.  Davidson.  Tailors — Reuben  Bolles,  Peter 
Campbell,  Samuel  Parrish,  Samuel  Jones.  Hatters — Alfred  Miller,  A.  Staffer,  Christopher 
Hist.  Cabinet  workmen — James  Cricklow,  Ed  Fisher,  Samuel  Patton.  Chair-makers — 
E.  A.  Cochran,  Isaac  C.  Brown.  Carpenters— Capt.  J.  Jones,  George  Anderson,  J.  Mc- 
Dermott. Blacksmiths — William  Gilliam,  John  Kennedy,  William  Blanton,  P.  Parker. 
Boot  and  shoe-makers — Willis  Barker,  B.  Kennedy,  J.  Jones.  Tanners — V.  Cowan,  Rob 
Jetton,  J.  Bone.  Wagon-makers — William  R.  Icemeyer,  J.  D.  Scrape.  Tinner — Lewis. 
Sperry.  Tavern-keepers— James  Vaughn,  R.  Smith,  Gen.  Robert  Purdy,  TV.  C.  Emmett. 
Gunsmiths — Ed  Elam,  George  Baltes.  Brick  and  Plasterers — J.  Fletcher,  T.  Montague. 
Jewelers— A.  Liddon,  who  made  the  county  seal,  and  TV.  Manchester.  Milliners— Mrs.  A. 
Staffer,  Miss  S.  Warren.  TVool-carder — Isaac  C.  Brown. 

The  first  General  Assembly  met  in  Knoxville  May  28,  1797,  and  continued  to  meet 
there  till  1813,  when  it  changed  to  Nashville  and  remained  tiff  September  15, 1815,  at  which 
time  it  again  assembled  at  Knoxville,  but  was  changed  to  Murfreesboro  September  19, 
1819.  It  continued  to  meet  at  Murfreesboro  tiff  early  in  January,  1826,  since  which  time 
its  sessions  have  been  in  Nashville.  The  biff  for  fixing  a permanent  seat  of  government 
was  called  up  October  4,  1843.  The  vote  at  the  third  readiugin  the  House  stood:  Yeas,  40; 
nays,  34.  In  the  Senate,  on  motion  of  Senator  W.  II.  Sneed,  for  Rutherford  and  William- 
son Counties,  the  vote  on  the  question  of  locating  the  state  capital  at  Murfreesboro  stood 
eleven  for  and  fourteen  against.  On  reconsideration  October  10,  1813,  the  biff  was  carried 


. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


828 


iri  favor  of  Nashville.  During  the  session  while  in  Murfreesboro  the  Assembly  met  in  the 
court  house,  the  representatives  using  the  lower  lloor  and  the  senators  the  upper  lloor. 
A call  session  was  held  August,  1822,  but  the  court  house  having  been  burned,  the  ses- 
sion was  held  in  the  Presbyterian  Church;  the  lower  house  met  on  the  first  floor  and  the 
■Senate  in  the  gallery.  On  the  assembly  of  the  Legislature  at  this  place.  Gov.  McMinn  took 
his  scat  ns  governor,  and  James  McDowell  was  elected  doorkeeper.  During  the  session  of 
1823  Gen.  'William  Brady  was  chosen  speaker  of  the  House. 

The  acts  were  printed  on  a press  owned  by  the  State.  This  was  brought  from  Nash- 
ville, and  the  work  was  done  in  a house  on  College  Street.  The  year  1823  marked  the  first 
appearance  of  a “Dutchman” — Hoffman  byname — into  the  town.  He  was  a baker  by 
trade,  and  the  novelty  of  the  man  was  as  great  as  the  ginger  eake>  he  sold.  Another  his- 
toric character  of  this  period  was  Peter  Jennings,  a free  negro,  who  had  served  during  the 
Revolutionary  war,  and  for  such  service  was  awarded  a pension.  At  tins  period  Murfrees- 
boro afforded  two  military  companies,  one  of  seventy-five  men,  the  Murfreesboro  Volun- 
teers, commanded  b}*  Capt.  G.  S.  Crockett;  the  other,  the  Murfreesboro  Sentinels,  com- 
manded by  Capt.  Russel  Dance,  afterward  by  J.  C.  Abbot,  and  still  later  by  Capt.  John 
Childress.  The  former  company  took  part  in  the  reception  given  to  Gen.  Lafayette  at 
Nashville  in  1825.  A great  semi-centennial  celebration  was  held  July  4.  1826,  at  Mur- 
free’s  Spring  uuder  the  auspices  of  the  Sentinels.  There  was  a parade  by  the  company,  and 
speeches  made  by  M.  Rooker  and  others.  A committee  visited  the  Hermitage,  and  invited 
the  hero  of  New  Orleans  to  visit  Murfreesboro  January  15,  1828,  the  thirteenth  anniver- 
sary of  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  The  invitation  was  accepted.  Dr.  William  R.  R ack- 
er was  president  on  this  occasion,  and  G.  A.  Subleit,  vice-president.  Great  preparations 
were  made,  and  a large  and  enthusiastic  assembly  greeted  him.  A magnificent  banquet 
was  spread,  and  the  beauty  and  chivalry  of  the  place  did  honor  to  the  occasion.  Thirteen 
regular  toasts  were  drank,  and  responded  to  with  grace;  twenty-four  additional  were 
offered.  A poem  was  prepared  and  read  for  the  occasion.  “There  was  a sound  of  rev- 
elry by  night,”  and  the  reception  closed  with  a magnificent  ball.  At  this  time  the  popula- 
tion of  Murfreesboro  was  955,  and  the  revenues  for  the  town  but  $355.81. 

In  1831  the  Washington  Cotton  Factory  was  started  by  Mr.  Lowery;  this  had  a horse 
head-wheel  for  motive  power.  From  the  success  of  this  a new  compaii}*  was  formed,  con- 
sisting of  Messrs.  Masterson,  Christy,  Lowery  & Johnson.  A large  second-hand  engine 
and  machinery  was  placed  in  position,  the  whole  at  a cost  of  about  $25,000.  It  was  an  un- 
fortunate financial  investment.  It  soon  passed  into  the  hands  of  Dr.  James  Maney.  then 

to  Watson,  next  to  Moore  A Cox,  and  then  to  Field  for  $4,000.  William  Somer- 

ball  finally  purchased  the  entire  business  for  $1,500. 

In  1833  a report  was  made  to  the  citjr  council  on  the  feasibility  of  establishing  a sys- 
tem of  water-works.  A favorable  report  was  made  and  the  estimated  cost  was  $1,000.  It 
was  proposed  to  raise  the  water  from  the  Sand  Spring  in  large  tubs,  to  be  conveyed  to 
the  top  of  Capitol  Hill  upon  a wooden  railway;  the  same  to  be  elevated  by  horse  power. 
The  water  was  to  be  led  from  Capitol  Hill,  by  cedar  tubes,  into  an  air-tight  tank  in  the 
court-yard  square;  thence,  by  hydrants,  to  the  places  of  business.  The  work  was  com- 
pleted and  the  Rose  Water- Works  were  set  in  operation.  After  a short  time  they  were 
found  to  be  a failure.  The  first  drug  store  was  started  by  H.  H.  Treadaway,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  square,  in  1837;  another  was  soon  after  started  by  Avent  & Carney,  which  was 
afterward  sold  to  J.  II.  Nelson.  The  first  grocery  store  was  started  by  Jacob  Decker  in 
1837;  a large  carriage  factory  was  started  the  same  year  by  H.  Osborn  & Co.  Other  jew- 
elers than  those  mentioned  were  F.  Garland,  James  Reed,  A.  O.  II.  P.  Sehorn,  R.  D. 
Reed,  William  Roulet  and  J.  Lukins.  In  1850  a new  drug  store  was  started  by  John 
McDermott;  a hardware  and  grocery  store,  by  John  0.  Spence;  a book  store,  by  R.  D. 
Reed;  a second  book  store  was  owned  by  Craig  <fc  Fletcher,  which  was  sold  to  Fowler  & 
Davis.  The  livery  stables  at  this  time  were  owned  by  Todd  A Carnahan,  Todd  & Barkley. 
A carriage  shop  was  run  by  R.  & S.  Smith.  The  Cedar  Bucket  Factory  was  started  by  J. 
C.  Spence  in  1854. 


. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


829 


The  Rio  Mills  were  erected  in  1855  by  W.  S.  Huggins  A Co.  The  building  was  a large 
four-story  brick,  and  was  run  by  two  twenty-five  horse-power  engines,  and  had  a capacity  of 
about  200  barrels  of  tlour  per  day.  The  whole  cost  about  §25,000.  These  mills  were  sold  to 
William  Spence,  who.  in  1860,  added  a distillery,  and  at  this  place  fed  many  hogs.  These 
mills  were  used  by  the  armies  during  the  war  and  were  greatly  damaged.  1855  was  noted 
for  the  great  fire  in  this  city,  in  which  the  City  Hotel,  as  well  as  many  other  buildings, 
was  burned.  The  first  gas-works  were  built  in  this  city  in  1857.  Mains  were  laid  and  the 
business  was  started  by  making  gas  from  resin  oil  and  cotton  seed,  but,  the  war  interfer- 
ing, the  matter  was  not  fully  tested.  The  opening  of  the  war  made  Murfreesboro  a great 
military  camp.  The  troops  enlisted  were  usually  sent  to  Camp  Trousdale  for  instruction. 
The  first  appearance  of  Federals  in  the  place  was  March  7,  1802,  and  on  the  10th  Gen. 
Mitchell  took  formal  possession  of  the  place.  July  13,  1802,  he  made  his  celebrated  raid 
upon  the  town,  capturing  a large  number  of  prisoners.  This  strange  coincident  occurred 
during  the  engagement:  In  the  attack  upon  Maney  Springs  21  Federals  were  killed  and 
no  Confederates;  in  the  attack  upon  the  court  house  23  Confederates  were  killed  and  no 
Federals;  in  the  fight  at  the  river  2 on  each  side  were  killed.  After  the  battle  of  Stone 
River  the  city  was  again  in  the  hands  of  the  Federals,  they  having  taken  possession  Jan- 
uary 4,  1863.  All  the  churches  and  the  colleges  were  used  as  hospitals  for  the  sick  and 
wounded,  first  by  the  Confederate,  afterward  by  the  Federal  Army.  In  1800  the  Cedar 
Bucket  Factory  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Stone  River  Utility  Works.  It  was  started 
in  the  old  cotton  factor)*,  but  has  since  moved  to  its  present  building.  April  15,  1SG9, 
marks  llie  era  of  the  “great  fire,"  in  which  a large  number  of  business  houses  were 
destroyed. 

Business  of  1870:  Attorneys — Charles  Ready,  H.  P.  Keeble,  J.  B.  Palmer,  J.  C.  Can- 
non, B.  L.  Ridley,  G.  S.  Ridley,  E.  H.  Ewing,  E.  D.  Hancock,  B.  F.  Lillard.  R.  Beard,  F. 
R.  Burrus,  J.  E.  Dromgoole,  J.  M.  Avent,  J.  W.  Burton,  T.  B.  Darrach,  J.  I).  Richard- 
son, J.  W.  Childress  and  J.  A.  Leiper.  Physicians — G.  D.  Cisthwait,  J.  B.  Murfree,  W.  C. 
Cook,  J.  E.  Weudel,  M.  Ransom,  L.  M.  Knight,  W.  D.  Robinson,  R.  S.  Wendel,  H.  H. 
Clayton,  W.  Whitson  and  X.  H.  Lytle.  Dentists — A.  Hartman  and  S.  H.  Bears.  Hotels 
—City  Hotel,  J.  A.  Crocket;  and  Planters,  W.  A.  Rapp.  Dry  goods— Rosenthal  & Bro.. 
T.  C.  Goodrich,  E.  Rosenfeld,  W.  Smith.  J.  Allen,  Miles  A McKinley,  Rich  & Wright, 
Eagleton  A Byrn,  Tobias  A Bro.  and  A.  G.  Rosenfeld.  Drug  stores — J.  McDermott,  J.  W. 
Xelson  and  William  Wendel.  Bakers  and  confectioners — H.  'Raymond,  G.  S.  McFad- 
den and  H.  Osborn.  Saddlers  and  harness-makers — John  Kelley,  Mosby  A Co.  and  J.  II. 
Boehms.  Grocers — L.  Burgsdorf,  Lane  A Crichlow,  J.  S.  McFadden,  J.  I.  C.  Haynes, 
Henry  Elliott,  James  Tompkins,  Collier  A Eagleton,  James  A Collier,  R.  X.  Ransom, 
Smith  A Hodge,  Jetton  A Clayton,  Pearce  A Abbott,  John  Barber,  H.  H.  Kerr,  Carney  A 
Ransom  and  W.  A.  Ransom.  Stoves  and  tinware — Daniel  Kelley.  Hardware — Street,  An- 
drews A Co.,  T.  B.  Ewbanks.  Milliners  and  dress-makers — Mrs.  McDougaland  Mrs.  R.W. 
January.  Jeweler — William  Roulet.  Commission  merchants — Reed  A Tally,  Leiper  A 
Menifee.  Lumber  dealer — William  A.  Ransom.  Coal  dealer — Rob  Martin.  Marble  and 
stone — David  Xeugent.  Blacksmiths — W.  J.  McKnight,  X.  C.  Blanton.  Carriage  factories 
W.  G.  Garrett,  Thomas  Spain,  Bock  A Walter. 

Present  business:  Dry  goods— B.  F.  Paty  A Co.,  T.  Tobias,  J.  Frank  A Co.,  M.  Hirsh 

A Co.,  Moses  Henlein,  I.  Rosenfeld,  M.  Xathan  A Co., Fleishman.  Grocers — Spain 

A Co.  (also  grain  and  seeds),  Henderson  A Co.,  H.  Arnold,  B.  B.  Kerr,  Butler  A Dum- 
wright,  J.  M.  Overall,  M.  Rosenfeld,  Bell  A Huggins,  Haynes,  Hollenell  A Co., McFadden 
A Son,  Todd  A Morgan,  John  Johnson,  J.  B.  White,  J.  Osborn.  Groceries,  grain,  cot- 
ton and  produce — William  Mitchell,  Hodge  A Smith,  Clayton  A Overall  A Co.  Grain 
dealer — W.  F.  Leiper.  Grain  and  machines — D.  H.  Tally.  Drug  stores — William  Wen- 
del, J.  Xelson,  J.  T.  Merchant,  H.  H.  Kerr,  J.  Kerr.  Hardware— Street,  Burns  A Co., 
Xelson  Ivy.  Harness  and  saddlery — Street,  Burns  A Co.,  J.  Mosby.  Buggies  and 
carriages— Adam  Bock,  George  Walter,  W.  B.  Garrett.  Wagons — Rob  Blanton,  V.  Dill. 
Stoves  and  tinware — Cautherin  A Xorth, Beard  A Co.  Jewelers — W.  R.  Bell.  W.  B.  Paty. 


52 


- 





HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


830 


Hook  stores — O.  P.  Hill,  W.  B.  Smith.  Grist-mills— J.  A.  Hansom,  Belmont  Mill  Co., 
Murfreesboro  Mill.  Cotton-gins— Huusom  & Co.,  J.  T.  B.  Wilson,  D.  H.  Talley,  White 

. Cedar  Bucket  Factory — Stone  River  Utility  Works.  Lumber  dealers— W.  B. 

Enrthman  & Co..  Kirkpatrick  «&  Hanson.  Liverymen— J.  H.  Allen,  Roberts  A Oslin,  W. 

R.  Fox.  James  MclCnight.  Hotels — Miles  House,  New  Ready  House.  Gas-works 

Collins.  Butchers — W.  B.  Jones, Mathew  Nelson.  Milliners — Mrs.  L.  Gilford,  Mrs.  Bettie 
Shelton.  Dress-makers — Miss  Nannie  Prim,  Mrs.  P.  Hooper.  Opera  house — Jordon  & 

Elliott.  Tannery Smith.  Professional  attorneys — Palmer  & Palmer,  A vent,  Avent 

A Smith.  Ed  Hancock,  Ridley  & Richardson,  H.  P.  Keeble,  Burrus  & Woods,  Cannon  &> 
Son,  P.  P.  Mason,  Sheafe  & Smithson,  E.  L.  Jordan,  Jr.,  B.  L.  Ridley,  B.  F.  Lilliard, 
Ervin  Burton  and  R.  Beard.  Physicians — Wendel  & Wendel,  C.  C.  Clayton,  J.  B.  Mur- 
free  and  Dr.  Burns.  Dentists — Alexander  Hartman  and  J.  Bryan. 

A new  industry  is  the  Stone  River  Creamery,  started  in  1884.  This  establishment  is 
now  in  successful  operation,  using  about  4, 000  pounds  of  milk  per  day.  Financially,  the 
town  has  always  been  solvent;  morally, the  grade  is  high;  intellectually, it  has  few  superiors. 
It  educated  one  President  and  gave  him  a wife,  and  has  been  socially  intimate  with 
several.  It  has  recently  furnished  a prominent  character  in  the  field  of  letters,  Charles 
Egbert  Craddock — Miss  Mary  Murfree. 

The  charter  granting  the  Murfreesboro  Tennessee  Bank  was  issued  November  15, 
1817.  The  capital  stock  was  $400,000,  divided  into  shares  of  $50  each.  The  limit  of  the 
bank  was  to  run  till  January  1,  1841,  with  the  option  of  closing  sooner,  if  thought  best  by 
the  directors.  The  directors  were  John  Fisher,  Joshua  Haskell,  Samuel  P.  Black,  John 
Ciopper,  E.  B.  Clark,  Benjamin  McCulloch,  Joel  Childress,  Nicholas  Tilforu,  Vv  iillaui 
Barfield,  John  Smith  and  Edmond  Jones.  The  officers  elected  were  Benjamin  McCulloch, 
president;  Samuel  P.  Black,  cashier.  The  bank  began  business  on  the  north  side,  but 
afterwTard  built  a house  of  their  own  on  the  northeast  corner  of  the  Square.  Business 
with  the  bank  was  continued  about  five  years  when  the  directors  began  closing  the  busi- 
ness. On  the  closing  of  the  bank  loan-agencies  were  established  in  its  stead.  The  agents 
of  these  often  enriched  themselves  at  the  expense  of  their  creditors.  In  1838  the  Bank  of 
Tennessee  was  established.  Branches  of  the  bank  were  opened  in  the  leading  cities.  The 
capital  stock  of  this  bank  was  $5,000,000.  These  branch  banks  took  notes  at  a discount, 
which  were  made  payable  on  the  installment  plan.  Notes  or  tickets  on  the  bank  were  also 
issued  for  a time.  The  stringency  of  the  money  market  at  that  time  made  these  banks  a 
great  relief  to  the  business  world.  A branch  of  the  Planters’  Bank  was  established  in 
Murfreesboro  in  1859,  with  J.  W.  Childress,  president,  and  William  Ledbetter,  cashier. 
The  bank  continued  in  successful  operation  till  the  war,  when  the  capital  was  moved  to 
Nashville.  After  the  close  of  the  war  the  business  of  the  bank  was  closed  out. 

The  Exchange  Bank  was  established  in  the  summer  of  1852,  under  the  free  banking 
system  by  William  and  Joseph  Spence.  The  bank  was  started  with  a capital  stock  of 
$50,000,  hut  was  afterward  increased  to  $100,000.  The  bank  did  a prosperous  business  till 
1857,  when  by  some  improper  management  the  bank  became  embarrassed  and  suspended 
for  a time,  but  resumed  business  again  in  1858,  hut  was  permanently  suspended  in  a short 
time.  Much  loss  and  dissatisfaction  grew  out  of  the  management  of  this  institution. 

The  First  National  Bank  was  established  in  March,  1869,  with  a capital  stock  of 
$100,000.  The  first  board  o‘f  directors  were  J.  B.  Kimbro,  W.  N.  Doughty,  J.  W.  Rich- 
ardson, J.  R.  Collier,  J.  R.  Dillon,  J.  E.  Dromgoole,  J.  B.  Palmer,  W.  A.  Ransom,  M.  L. 
Fletcher,  W.  B.  Lillard  and  A.  M.  Alexander.  The  officers  were  J.  B.  Kimbro,  president; 
W.  N.  Doughty,  vice-president;  J.  B.  Collier,  cashier.  In  July,  1871,  the  capital  stock 
was  increased  to  $160,000,  and  in  March,  1872,  J.  B.  Kimbro  died  and  was  succeded  by  J. 
W.  Childress  as  president.  In  1879  Collier,  the  cashier,  died  and  was  succeeded  by  H.  H. 
Williams,  the  present  cashier.  J.  W.  Childress  resigned  in  January,  1880,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  E.  L.  Jourdan.  In  1877  the  capital  stock  was  reduced  from  $160,000  to  $100,- 
000,  at  which  it  now  stands,  with  $50,000  surplus.  The  present  board  of  directors  are  E. 
L.  Jordan,  J.  B.  Palmer,  J.  M.  Avent,  J.  M.  Haynes.  Joseph  Ransom,  R.  C.  Blackman, 
N.  C.  Collier,  J.  W.  Sparks,  J.  T.  Byrn,  J A.  Moore  and  George  Beasley. 


RUTH ER FOR D CO U N T V . 


831 


The  Stone  River  National  Hank  was  organized  May  1,  187*2.  The  directors  were  \Y. 
N.  Doughty,  J.  P.  Rice,  W.  K.  Hutler,  W.  C.  Eagleton,  T.  C.  Goodrich,  Theodore  Smith. 
J.  I.  C.  Haynes,  D.  P.  Wendel  and  C.  B.  Huggins.  The  officers  were  William  Mitchell, 
president;  D.  D.  Wendel,  cashier,  and  0.  13.  Huggins,  teller.  The  capital  stock  was  $50.- 
(HX).  The  present  officers  are  William  Mitchell,  president;  A.  M.  Overall,  vice-president, 
and  J.  B.  Fowler,  cashier.  The  board  of  directors  are  William  Mitchell,  A.  M.  Overall, 
Alex  Hartman,  J.  I.  C.  Haynes,  W.  X.  Doughty,  C.  IT.  13yrn,  J.  II.  Reed,  Horace  E 
Palmer,  W.  C.  Harrison,  Jr.,  W.  Barton  and  C.  M.  Holden.  The  Stone  River  National 
Banking  Company  was  organized  May  1,  1872,  with  a capital  stock  of  $50,000.  The  of- 
ficers were  W.  N.  Dought}’,  president;  D.  D.  Wendel,  cashier,  and  C.  B.  Huggins,  teller; 
directors:  J.  P.  Rice,  W.  R.  Butler,  W.  C.  Eagleton,  T.  C.  Goodrich.  J.  I.  C.  Haynes  and 
Theodore  Smith.  The  present  officers  are  William  Mitchell,  president;  A.  M.  Overall, 
vice-president;  J.  B.  Fowler,  cashier.  Directors:  William  Mitchell,  A.  M.  Overall,  Alex 
Hartman,  J.  I.  C.  Haynes,  W.  X.  Doughty,  C.  H.  Byrn,  J.  H.  Reed,  H.  E.  Palmer,  W.  C. 
Harrison,  Jr.,  W.  Barton  and  C.  M.  Holden. 

The  first  newspaper  ever  published  in  Murfreesboro  was  The  Courier.  The  initial 
number  of  this  little  sheet  made  its  appearance  June  16,  1814.  It  was  issued  from  the  of- 
fice on  the  corner  of  Vine  and  Lebanon  Streets,  by  G.  A.  and  A.  C.  Sublett.  The  Courier 
was  like  other  papers;  at  times  it  gave  the  news  rather  than  the  expression  of  opinions. 
The  press  was  one  of  the  Franklin  style,  not  unlike  that  on  which  was  printed  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence.  Mail  service  was  furnished  once  a week  at  this  time,  but  to 
facilitate  exchanges  private  carriers  carried  papers  to  Nashville.  The  Weekly  Times  was 
established  in  Murfreesboro  in  1837,  and  was  the  organ  of  the  Democratic  party.  It  was 
C edited  b}’  Thomas  Hpgan.  The  Tennessee  Telegraph  said:  ‘‘The  union  of  the  Whigs 
for  the  sake  of  the  Union/’  Its  motto  signified  its  politics.  It  was  edited  by  E. 
J.  King.  This  editor,  like  the  modern  editor,  saw  the  salvation  of  the  country 
depended  upon  the  support  of  his  paper  and  his  party.  The  National  Vidette 
was  established  by  G.  A.  Sublett  in  Murfreesboro  in  1828.  It  favored  the  election  of 
Andrew  Jackson  for  President  in  opposition  to  John  Quincy  Adams.  It  was  an  “anti- 
administration” paper.  The  Murfreesboro  News  was  established  in  1859  by  A.  Watkins, 
and  was  edited  by  G.  T.  Henderson,  a3  a neutral  political  paper,  but  in  1852  it  was 
changed  to  a Democratic  paper.  The  paper  was  ably  conducted  by  Mr.  Henderson  till  it 
was  suspended  on  account  of  the  war,  the  type  and  press  having  been  destroyed  by  the 
Federal  Army.  The  Telegraph  was  the  Whig  organ  of  the  county  and  was  edited  first  by 
T.  Taylor  and  afterward  by  R.  S.  Northcott.  This  paper  continued  till  the  war.  The 
Murfreesboro  News  was  again  started  by  Mr.  Henderson  in  January,  1866,  and  was  contin- 
ued till  1878,  when  it  was  sold  to  other  parties.  The  News  is  now  owned  and  edited  by  W- 
C.  Frost,  a young  and  vigorous  writer,  who  is  conducting  the  paper  in  a very  successful 
manner.  The  Free  Press  was  started  in  1878  by  G.  T.  and  R.  K.  Henderson.  It,  as  well 
as  the  News,  is  Democratic  in  politics  yet  conservative  on  all  matters  in  regard  to  opinion. 
The  pages  of  The  Free  Press  show  that  the  Messrs.  Henderson  kne  v how  to  edit  a paper. 
The  Gold  Eagle  is  the  organ  of  the  colored  people.  It  was  begun  in  January,  1886,  but 
suspended  publication  until  the  middle  of  February  on  account  of  machinery.  The  paper 
is  a seven  column  edition  and  is  edited  by  Dr.  B.  Andrew  Franklin.  It  is  issued  from  the 
office  of  Russell  A Ransom, 

The  scourge  of  cholera  first  threatened  the  place  in  1832,  but  fortunately  did  nothing 
more  than  to  frighten  the  inhabitants.  A general  clearing  up  and  fumigating  of  the  foul 
place  was  beguu.  The  cholera  went  away  only  to  gather  strength  for  its  return  in  1835, 
when  it  came  like  a terror  in  all  its  horrors.  Men  and  women  frightened  fled  from  their 
homes  as  though  they  were  pursued  by  a devastating  army;  business  was  suspended; 
relief  committees  were  formed;  G.  J.  Cain,  a prominent  merchant,  died;  Gen.  William 
Brady,  a prominent  lawyer  and  candidate  for  Congress,  succumbed  to  the  disease;  Dr.  A. 
Hartwell,  who  did  yeoman  service  for  the  sick,  was  himself  attacked  and  died.  A com- 
mittee of  young  men,  James  and  John  Holmes,  D.  D.  Wendel,  William  Spence,  W.  T. 


' 


832 


HISTOKY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Leiper,  John  Leiper,  Robert  Loik.  Samuel  Eagleton  and  James  W.  Hamilton  were  formed 
to  act  as  nurses  and  attend  the  needs  of  the  sick,  and  right  nobly  was  the  work  done.  The 
women,  too,  did  their  share.  Providing  coflins,  digging  graves  and  nursing  the  sick  took 
all  their  atteniton.  The  town  seemed  depopulated  by  the  disease  and  fright.  Soon  the 
destroying  angel  raised  its  wings  and  tied,  but  sadness  was  left  in  nearly  every  household. 

Mount  Moriah  Lodge,  No.  18.  was  chartered  in  the  year  1817,  on  petition  of  F.  N.  W. 
Burton,  M.  B.  Murfree,  B.  F.  McCulloch,  John  Lytle,  A.  C.  Sublett  and  John  L.  Jetton. 
The  lodge  met  on  the  north  side  of  the  Public  Square  in  their  room  till  about  the  year 
1833,  when  the  discredit  attached  to  the  order,  by  the  community,  caused  it  to  suspend 
after  a prosperous  existence  for  more  than  a dozen  years.  After  the  excitement  above 
mentioned  had  died  away  the  lodge  again  reorganized  in  1840.  They  met  for  a time  in  a 
room  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Square,  then  on  the  west  side  in  a room  on  the  third 
floor  of  a building:  this  room  and  eoutents  were  burned  in  1859.  The  lodge  next,  procured 
new  regalias  and  filled  a room  on  the  east  side  of  the  Square.  This  lodge  was  compelled 
lo  suspend  during  the  wrar,  but  was  soon  after  reorganized,  and  now  has  a membership  of 
about  fort}'  members.  The  present  ofilcers  arc  William  Mitchell,  W.  M. ; T.  H.  Woods, 
S.  W.;  George  Walter,  J.  W.;  J.  H.  Alleu,  Treasurer;  J.  T.  McKinley,  Secretary;  .J.  R. 
Thompson,  Chaplain;  J.  J.  McKuight,  S.  D.;  J.  C.  Dunn,  J.  D. ; W.  F.  Leiper,  S.;  J.  W. 
Wigg,  T. 

Murfreesboro  Commandery,  No.  10,  was  chartered  May  13,  1870,  and  was  organized  by 
V.  E.  Sir  David  Cook  assisted  by  Sir  Knights  A.  B.  Martin  and  Alex  W.  Wick,  of  Bald- 
win Commandery,  No.  7.  The  first  officers  were  Sir  J.  B.  Palmer,  E.  C.  ; Sir  J.  D.  Rich- 
ardson. O , and  Sir  J.  B.  Murfree,  C.  G.  The  officers  for  1880  arc  W.  F.  Leiper,  E.  C., 
John  Bell,  Jr.,  G. : William  Mitchell,  C.  G.;  W.  D.  Robinson,  P. ; II.  C.  Jackson,  S.  W. ; 
Richard  Beard,  J.  W. ; H.  W.  Kerr,  Treasurer;  William  Ledbetter,  R.;  Charles  King,  S.  B. ; 
H.  Weakley,  S.  B.:  T.  M.  King,  W.  Past  Commanders:  J.  B.  Palmer,  J.  D.  Richardson, 
J.  B.  Murfree,  T.  H.  Woods  and  H.  H.  Kerr. 

Stranger  Rest  Lodge,  No.  14,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  instituted  December  25,  1845,  with  the 
following  charter  members:  J.  N.  Champion,  Andrew  Donaldson,  J.  A.  Harrison,  S.  A. 
Bivens  and  R.  G.  Buchanan.  On  December  27  W.  W.  Earthman  became  a member,  the 
oldest  now  living.  Funds  paid  to  Grand  Lodge  since  its  inception,  $16,570.51;  relief 
funds,  $3,389.65.  Two  fires  within  the  last  decade  have  made  a report  on  the  orphans’  edu- 
cational fund  impossible,  yet  there  has  been  expended  under  this  head  $980.35.  The  lodge 
now  owns  a $3,000  buildiug  on  the  South  Side.  Present  officers  are  R.  M.  Ransom.  N.  G.:  J. 
P.  Cosbey,  Y.  G.;  M.  Hoehnleiu  and  W.  B.  Drumright,  treasurers.  Orphan  fund  trus- 
tees: N.  C.  Collier,  E.  C.  Cox  and  Adam  Bock.  This  body  has  expended  for  or- 
phans now  under  their  care,  $1,289.55.  The  Refuge  Lodge  has  furnished  the  following 
Grand  Masters:  Benjamin  Johnson,  A.  O.  II.  P.  Sehorn,  E.  G.  Budd  and  J.  H.  Crichlow,  the 
only  one  now  living,  and  these  three  grand  representatives  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge: 
A.  O.  H.  P.  Sehorn,  E.  G.  Budd  and  J.  II.  Crichlow,  now  lieutenant-colonel  upon  the 
staff  of  John  C.  Underwood,  the  lieutenant-general  and  commander-in-chief  of  the  army 
of  Patriarchs  Militant.  Notwithstanding  the  misfortune  of  fires,  etc.,  the  order  has  had 
a successful  career,  and  now  numbers  sixty-five  active  members. 

The  G.  U.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge,  No.  1822  (colored),  was  instituted  in  October,  1878. 
The  lodge  now  numbers  about  200  members. 

The  origin  of  temperance  societies  in  Rutherford  County  dates  as  far  back  as  1827,  as 
mentioned  in  the  history  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  this  church  was  organized  the 
first  formal  society  having  rules  and  by-laws.  A society  was  soon  after  formed  called  the 
“Washingtonians,”  or  Washington  Temperance  Society.  After  a time  the  interest  in  the 
matter  somewhat  died  away,  but  was  renewed  again  in  1847  under  the  name  of  “Sons  of 
Temperance.”  This  society  prospered, and  higher  degrees  were  formed  in  1851.  In  that  year 
the  degree  of  Knight  Templar  was  opened  in  the  court  house,  and  in  1857  the  K.  of  II.  was 
organized.  These  societies  continued  to  prosper  till  broken  up  by  the  war.  In  1867  the 
order  of  G.  T.  was  organized  in  the  court  house,  and  in  1808  the  order  of  S.  of  T.  was  re- 


' 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


833 


vived.  To  the  efforts  of  these  good  people  the  State  owes  no  little  to  her  excellent  tem- 
perance legislation. 

Lodge  No.  161,  K.  of  H.,  was  organized  in  Murfreesboro,  September  25,  1875,  with 
the  following  charter  members:  11.  II.  Clayton,  F.  H.  Crass,  W.  B.  Garrett,  S.  B.  Bowers, 
J.  O.  Osliu,  T.  N.  Crichlow,  John  McDermott,  PL  Rosenfeld,  J.  AY.  Childress,  G.  II. 
Basko  tt,  Dr.  J.  B.  Murfrec,  J.  B.  Clayton,  PL  C.  Cox,  J.  II.  Osborn,  ,T.  T.  Rather,  R.  L. 
Martin,  S.  N.  Lawing.  S.  G.  McFadden,  F.d  Ohrenne,  H.  Ilirseh  and  W.  C.  Osborn.  The 
present  officers  are  J.  M.  Wigg,  P.  D. ; H.  C.  Finch,  D. ; PI.  Ilirseh,  V.  D.;  E.  C.  Cox,  A.  1).; 
S.  W.  Lawing,  R. ; J.  J.  McKinley,  F.  R.;  J.  AY.  Ewing,  C. ; Dr.  R.  S.  Wendel,  Treas. ; 
G.  W.  Ransom.  G.;PI.  Eickhoff.  I.  W.  and  D.  W.  Donaldson,  Sentinel.  Present  mem- 
bership ninety-five.  The  A.  O.  U.  A\T.,  was  organized  May  2,  1877,  with  the  following 
members:  C.  O.  Thomas,  Dr.  J.  B.  Murfrec,  J.  R.  Osborn,  J.  X.  Crichlow,  R.  F.  Osborn, 

W.  Roulet,  F.  IP.  Crass,  AY.  B.  Eartliman,  IP.  Hirsch,  \V.  E.  and  S.  N Lawing. 

This  popular  fraternity  now  numbers  thirty-nine  members. 

Jefferson  is  located  at  the  forks  of  Stone  River.  The  place  was  selected,  as  stated 
elsewhere,  as  a seat  of  justice  for  the  county  and  remained  the  same  from  1804  till  1811. 
Col.  Robert  AA’eakley  and  Robert  Bedford  entered  the  land  about  Jefferson  and  had  a town 
platted.  A court  house,  brick,  about  40x40  feet  was  begun  in  1S04,  and  ready  for  use  in 
the  summer  of  1800.  A jail  and  stocks  were  also  built.  Rude  houses  were  rapidly  built. 
The  town  proper  embraced  forty  acres  of  laud.  William  Nash  opened  a store  near  the 
place  in  1803,  said  to  have  been  the  first  in  the  county.  An  ordinary  was  kept  in  the 
place  by  Mitchell  in  1805.  As  communication  and  travel  at  this  lime  was  mainly  by  river, 
Jefferson  was  an  important  trading  post.  Numerous  keel  and  flat-boats  were  seen  at  her 
wharves,  many  were  also  built  there.  Goods  were  bought  largely  at  Pittsburgh  and  brought 
to  Jefferson  by  river;  produce,  grain,  meat,  etc.,  were  shipped  to  New  Orleans  and  sold. 
These  voyages  required  months  to  complete.  After  the  removal  of  the  seat  of  justice  to 
Murfreesboro  the  town  began  to  decline.  Pn  1815  the  old  court  house  was  transformed 
into  a seminary  of  learning  under  the  name  of  “Jefferson  Seminary  of  Learning.”  The 
Legislature  made  John  Coffee,  Peter  Legrand,  S.  Crosthwait,  George  Simpson  and  AYalter 
Keeble  trustees  of  said  institution  and  to  govern  the  same.  The  school  was  of  short 
duration;  the  old  building  stood  till  about  1835. 

In  1824  Constant  Hardeman  built  the  first  and  only  steam-boat  at  Jefferson  and  floated 
the  same  down  to  Nashville  to  receive  her  machinery  and  finishing  touches.  The  boat 
was  of  about  100  tons  burthen.  The  broad-ax  by  which  most  of  the  timber  was  hewed  is 
now  in  the  hands  of  David  Neugent.  The  town  now  contains  a shop,  one  or  two  stores, 
a postoffice  and  an  Odd  Fellow  Lodge. 

The  little  village  of  Milton  is  situated  fourteen  miles  southeast  from  Murfreesboro. 
The  first  settlers  came  from  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  about  the  year  1790.  Among  the 

first  were  James  Doran  and Roach;  the  former  entered  land  and  built  a house  about 

one  mile  from  where  the  village  now  stands;  a stone  spring-house  bears  “ J.  D.,  1807,”  and 
is  still  standiug.  The  latter,  it  is  thought,  entered  the  land  where  the  village  now  stands. 
The  first  house  was  built  about  1810.  Little  further  is  known  of  the  place  until  1830, 
when  Howard  and  Benjamin  Morgan  purchased  the  land  and  laid  out  a town,  to  which 
was  giveu  the  somewhat  Classic  name  “Milton.”  The  town  was  incorporated  and  “con- 
stituted a bod}’  corporate  and  politic  under  the  name  and  style  of  the  mayor  and  aider- 
men  of  the  town  of  Milton.”  The  town  soon  assumed  metropolitan  airs,  but  after  an  ex- 
istence of  about  a half-century  the  charter  was  revoked.  The  place  now  contains  only 
about  200  inhabitants.  The  village  contains  an  I.  O.  O.  F.  Lodge,  Presbyterian  Church,  a 
drug  store  and  two  general  stores.  The  amount  of  business  in  the  place  amounts  to  about 
$40,000  annually.  The  pride  of  the  village  is  its  seminary,  which  was  erected  and  in- 
corporated under  the  “four  mile  law.”  This  school  is  in  a flourishing  condition  under  the 
management  of  Prof.  N.  D.  Overall,  assisted  by  Miss  Mattie  Hill;  in  the  music  and  art 
departments  are  other  competent  teachers.  The  high  moral  standing,  the  people,  their 
social  culture,  the  fine  lauds  surrounding  and  good  mail  facilities,  make  Milton  a desirable 


- 

, 


■ 


■ 


834 


HISTORY  OR  TENNESSEE. 


place  in  which  to  live.  Historically  Milton  marks  the  place  of  a hotly  contested  engage 
ment  between  Gens.  Morgan  and  Blackman  in  the  late  war,  in  which  the  former  was  de- 
feated. Some  of  the  Confederate  dead  lie  buried  in  a beautiful  grove  near  the  village. 

The  village  of  Eagleville,  consisting  of  about  thirty  families,  is  situated  in  the  south- 
west part  of  the  county.  The  tirst  settlements  made  in  that  neighborhood  were  made 
about  1700.  Pioneer  settlers  were  William  and  Thomas  Jordan.  Henry  Ridley,  James 
Shepard,  Robert  Donaldson,  James  Neal,  Daniel  Scales,  Ab  Scales,  John  Guy,  Robert  Wil- 
son, James  Gillespie,  Joe  Carson, Burgess,  George  and  Robert  White. 

The  Missionary  Baptist  Church  was  organized  one  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Eagle- 
ville  November  7,  1839,  by  Rushing  James  Real  and  John  Landrum.  The  first  mem- 
bers were  Thomas  and  Sophia  Jordan,  Elizabeth  Williams,  Josiah  Johnson,  Drury  Ben- 
nett, William  Cullom,  Robert  and  Nancy  Palmer,  John  and  Ilhoda  Hazelwood.  It  was 
then  called  Harpeth  Baptist  Church,  but  on  removal  to  Eagleville,  in  about  1866,  it  was 
called  Eagleville  Baptist  Church.  Eagleville  Lodge,  No.  17,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  was  organized 
May  20.  1846.  The  charter  members  were  John  Nunn,  William  Nunn,  Samuel  Rankin  • 
Thomas  W.  Maxfield,  S.  S.  Morgan,  Thomas  Cheatham,  Thomas  Moore  and  William  Tay- 
lor. Business:  Charles  Williams  sold  the  first  goods  in  the  place  in  1833.  Ilis  old  stand 
is  now  occupied  by  his  sons,  J.  C.  & R.  E.  Williams.  R.  S.  Brown  has  also  sold  goods  for 
a number  of  years.  Other  branches  of  business  are  a drug  store,  cabinet  shop,  machine 
shop,  tobacco  factory,  flouring-mill,  two  blacksmith  shops, . livery  stable  and  a boot  and 
shoe  shop.  The  school,  now  under  Prof.  G.  M.  Savage,  was  chartered  several  years  ago. 
It  employs  seven  teachers,  and  the  curriculum  embraces  the  entire  course  of  mathemat- 
ics, natural  sciences,  English,  Latin,  Greek,  Hebrew,  French,  German  and  Anglo- 
Saxon  languages,  metaphysics,  logic,  music  and  art.  This  school  is  furnished  with  a 
commodious  boarding-house  for  girls,  and  a row  of  ten  rooms  for  boys,  beside  the  family 
buildings.  The  school  building  has  eight  rooms  besides  the  chapel. 

Readyville  is  situated  on  the  Woodbury  Pike  in  District  No.  19,  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  county.  It  was  named  in  honor  of  Charles  Ready,  who  was  one  of  the  seven  justices 
that  organized  the  first  court  in  the  county,  in  1804.  He  settled  in  that  county  not  far 
from  the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  In  1833  this  was  on  District  No.  6,  and  George 
Brandon,  A.  Tenneson  and  Joe  Macey  were  made  inspectors  of  elections  at  that  place. 
Readyville  is  situated  in  au  excellent  farming  community,  and  maintains  a flourishing 
school. 

La  Yergne  was  founded  after  the  building  of  the  railroad,  and  lies  in  District  No.  3,  near 
the  Davidson  Count}*  line.  It  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  passed 
February  28,  1861.  It  contains  several  hundred  inhabitants,  two  churches,  stores,  shops 
and  other  business  houses.  It  was  at  this  place  that  skirmishing  began  between  the 
armies  of  Gens.  Bragg  and  Rosecrans  previous  to  the  great  battle  of  Stone  River.  The 
town  fared  badly  during  the  war. 

Salem  is  situated  five  miles  southwest  of  Murfreesboro,  on  the  Salem  <fc  Eaglevile  Pike. 
Salem  is  near  the  western  part  of  District  No.  11.  Versailles  is  the  name  of  a postofiice 
near  the  center  of  District  No.  10.  It  contains  a store  and  other  places  of  business. 
Middleton  is  situated  near  the  southern  boundary  of  the  county  fourteen  miles  south  of 
Murfreesboro.  It  contains  a Baptist  Church,  postofiice,  store  and  shops.  Christiana  lies  on 
the  east  side  of  the  railroad  ten  miles  from  Murfreesboro.  It  is  in  the  northern  part  of  Dis- 
trict No.  20.  It  contains  a postofiice,  a school,  one  or  two  stores  and  is  a good  shipping 
point  on  the  railroad.  Fosterville  is  a thriving  little  village  situated  thirteen  miles  south- 
east of  Murfreesboro  on  the  railroad.  It  contains  a church,  store,  postoffice  and  shops.  Car- 
locksville  is  situated  near  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county  fourteen  miles  from  Murfrees- 
boro and  in  the  most  thickly  settled  portion  of  District  No.  24.  It  contains  business 
houses,  a Baptist  and  a Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  a postofiice, 

Stewartsboro,  near  the  Nashville  Pike  on  Stewart  Creek,  was  formerly  a place  of 
some  little  business,  but  since  the  completing  of  the  railroad  the  business  has  been  trans- 
ferred to  Smyrna.  In  point  of  population  and  wealth  this  is  now  the  second  town  in  the 


■ 


RUTHERFORD  C O t : N TV. 


835 


county.  It  contains  a school  of  excellent  merit,  a Presbyterian  Church,  a Masonic  Lodge, 
stores  and  other  business  houses.  Florence,  on  the  railroad  midway  between  Smyrna  and 
Murfreesboro,  has  a tine  location  and  is  surrounded  by  excellent  farming  country.  It  sup- 
ports an  excellent  school. 

Rutherford  County  is  divided  into  forty-three  school  districts,  and  has  150  houses  for 
the  education  of  children  in  the  public  schools.  The  schools  were  organized  under  the 
present  system  in  1869,  and  put  into  effective  operation  in  1873.  Besides  the  150  school- 
houses  above  mentioned  the  count}’  supports  seven  graded  schools,  t.  e.  one  at  Murfreesboro. 
Smyrna,  Milton,  Eagleville,  Fosterville,  Lavergnc  and  one  at  Florence.  The  school  pop- 
ulation for  the  year  ending  July,  1885.  was  white  males,  4,069;  females,  3,824;  colored 
males,  3,398;  females,  3,281.  This  makes  a total  school  population  of  14,572.  There  was 
expended  for  the  year  as  above  the  sum  of  839,556.82.  In  these  schools  there  were  em- 
ployed 43  male  white  teachers  and  44  females,  and  31  colored  male  teachers  and  44  fe- 
males, making  a total  of  139  teachers.  The  total  number  engaged  in  both  public  and  pri- 
vate schools  amounts  to  about  200.  The  average  salary  for  teachers  in  the  public  schools 
for  1885  was  8*25  per  month,  the  minimum  being  818  and  the  maximum  being  §60  per 
month.  The  average  length  of  term  for  the  year  is  four  mouths.  Excellent  private 
schools  of  high  grade  are  maintained  the  greater  part  of  the  year  at  Milton,  Readyville. 
Eagleville,  Florence  and  Smyrna. 

The  public  schools  were  put  in  operation  soon  after  the  war,  but  for  want  of  proper 
accommodations  were  not  efficient  until  within  the  last  year.  An  elegant  brick  building 
was  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old  Female  Academy,  and  an  efficient  corps  of  teachers  em- 
ployed. The  present  corps  of  teachers  are  Prof.  W.  W.  Miilam,  principal;  Miss  Saliie 
Ralston,  assistant;  other  teachers,  Misses  Mary  Jones,  Xannie  Wade,  Allie  Wade,  Ida 
Clark  and  Janie  Murfree.  The  colored  schools  are  under  the  charge  of  Prof.  Carney  and 
three  assistants. 

Soule’s  Female  College  was  organized  in  1825,  and  was  known  as  the  “Female 
Academy.”  The  first  trustees  of  this  school  were  F.  X.  W.  Burton,  Dr.  W.  R.  Rucker, 
M.  B.  Murfree  and  Dr.  James  Maney.  This  school  was  for  girls  exclusively,  those  hereto- 
fore being  mixed  schools.  Besides  the  ordinary  branches  taught  there  were  in  addition 
rhetoric,  philosophy,  belles-lettres,  painting,  needle-work  and  music.  The  teaching  was 
done  by  the  Misses  Mary  and  Xancy  Banks. 

The  Female  County  Academy  was  founded  in  1829.  One  acre  of  ground  was  pur- 
chased in  the  north  part  of  town  for  8100,  and  a two-story  brick  building  of  four  rooms 
was  erected  thereon.  A suitable  course  of  study  was  prepared,  and  the  services  of  Miss 
Keyser  was  obtained.  The  school  was  soon  in  successful  operation.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Baker, 
who  became  the  husband  of  Miss  Keyser,  was  also  employed  as  one  of  the  teachers. 
After  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  retired  from  the  institution  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  T.  Henderson  con- 
ducted the  school  successfully,  after  whom  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blackington  took  charge  of  the 
school.  In  1850  the  school  had  grown  to  such  proportions  that  an  enlargement  was  found 
necessary,  and  one  acre  of  land  was  purchased  of  William  Lytle  and  added  to  the 
grounds,  on  which  additional  buildings  were  erected.  The  first  teachers  in  the  academy 
after  the  enlargement  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fellows. 

In  1852  steps  were  taken  to  have  a female  school  of  more  extended  limits.  The  Rev. 
Thomas  Madden  is  said  to  have  taken  the  initiative  in  this  matter.  The  charter  was  ob- 
tained in  1854,  and  the  following  trustees  appointed:  L.  H.  Carney,  B.  W.  Avent,  D.  D. 
Wendel,  Levi  Wade,  W.  R.  McFadden,  Joseph  Watkins,  William  Spence,  W.  S.  Huggins 
and  W.  F.  Lytle.  The  school  was  founded  on  a very  liberal  basis,  four  of  the  above  being 
Presbyterians,  four  Methodist,  and  one  belonging  to  neither.  The  school  was  named  in 
honor  of  Bishop  Soule,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  following  faculty  were 
employed:  J.  R.  Finley,  president;  Mr.  J.  IIofTman,  Misses  Jane  and  Phoebe  Raymond, 
Julia  Knapp  and  Jane  DeWolf.  The  school  was  opened  in  the  Female  Academy,  but 
owing  to  disagreement  with  the  trustees  of  that  institution  it  was  decided  to  erect  a new 
building.  About  three  and  a half  acres  of  ground  was  purchased  where  the  old  Methodist 


830 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Church  stood,  and  a largo  brick  building,  three  stories  high,  about  l(K)xllO  feet,  was  erected 
at  a cost  of  $‘25,000.  Dr.  Finley  resigned  before  the  college  was  completed,  and  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Dr.  S.  P.  Baldwin,  who  conducted  the  school  successfully  two  years,  and  was 
succeeded  by  C.  AAr.  Callender,  who  remained  two  years,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  John 
Naff.  Rev.  Naff  conducted  the  school  till  his  death  in  18G2.  Owing  to  the  war  the  school 
was  suspended,  the  building  having  been  taken  first  by  the  Confederates  as  a hospital, 
afterward  by  the  Federals.  The  building  was  greatly  damaged  by  the  war.  The  school 
was  reorganized  by  the  Rev.  J.  R.  Plummer  after  the  war,  who  conducted  a school  suc- 
cessfully for  two  years.  Owing  to  a debt  overhanging  the  building  it  was  sold,  the  Rev. 
D.  D.  Moore,  I).  D.,  being  the  purchaser,  for  $15,000.  Dr.  Moore  managed  the  school  six 
or  seven  years,  when  it  passed  into  the  hands  of  J.  D.  West,  D.  D.,  and  later  into  the 
hands  of  Prof.  J.  R.  Thompson,  its  present  owner.  The  institution  has  a faculty  of  uinc  in- 
structors, the  Rev.  J.  R.  Thompson  being  the  president.  The  school  has  a preparatory 
and  a collegiate  department.  Iu  the  collegiate  department  is  a freshman,  a sophomore,  a 
junior  and  a senior  class,  embracing  the  usual  course  of  a school  of  its  kind.  Since  1877 
there  have  been  forty-seven  graduates  from  the  college.  Under  the  management  of  Prof. 
Thompson  the  school  has  been  eminently  successful.  The  location,  the  surroundings,  the 
high  professional  training,  the  social  refinement,  and  the  Christian  influence  that  is  brought 
to  bear  upon  pupils  at  this  institution  make  it  a desirable  place  for  the  training  of  young 
ladies  for  the  higher  duties  of  life. 

Union  University  was  organized  by  charter  dated  February  5,  1842,  under  the  title 
“Union  University  in  Tennessee.”  The  trustees  named  in  the  charter  were  William  Alar- 
tin,  Robert  Boyd,  Crawford  Howell.  O.  C Trabue,  7.  II.  Marshall,  J.  II.  Shepard,  D.  W. 
Dickson,  B.  Gannaway,  H.  Maney,  J.  J.  Whittaker,  W.  W.  Searcy,  P.  F.  Norflest,  L. 
Reneau,  Charles  Watkins,  B.  Kirabro  and  L.  E.  Abernathy.  The  trustees  had  power  to 
select  a location.  It  was  intended  for  a Missionary  college.  That  denominatiou  being 
numerous  in  East  Tennessee  Somerville  was  selected  as  the  site,  and  G.  W.  Wilt  began 
teaching  a primary  grade  of  work  intended  as  a branch  of  the  college.  Owing  to  the  fail- 
ure to  raise  the  necessary  funds  for  West  Tennessee  the  school  was  never  properly  begun 
at  Somerville.  A more  liberal  basis  was  made,  and  it  was  proposed  to  erect  the  college  at 
Murfreesboro,  still  to  be  under  the  control  of  the  Baptists,  but  it  was  to  be  in  the  main 
non-sectarian.  The  new  name  given  the  college  was  Union  University.  The  following 
new  board  of  trustees  was  appointed:  Charles  Trabue,  Rev.  Hiram  Young,  Rev.  B.  Kimbro, 
Hon.  AY.  L.  Martin,  P.  F.  Norflest,  C.  K.  AYinston,  James  Avent,  E.  H.  James,  T. 
Vaughn,  Rev.  AV.  L.  Perry,  Thomas  Ashford,  Rev.  T.  B.  Ripley  and  Rev.  Samuel  Baker. 
The  Rev.  M.  Hillsman  was  elected  treasurer,  and  J.  F.  Fletcher  secretary  of  the  board. 
The  required  subscription  ($25,000)  being  obtained  the  work  of  building  the  university 
was  begun.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  in  June,  1849,  with  imposing  ceremonies  by  the 
civic  societies  of  Murfreesboro.  The  address  was  delivered  b}r  Dr.  Eaton,  its  first  presi- 
dent. The  building  is  a fine  brick  structure,  80x110  feet,  and  three  stories  high.  The  first 
faculty  were  Rev.  Dr.  Eaton,  president;  Revs.  AATilliam  Shelton,  G.  AV.  Jarman,  David 
Bridenthall  and  P.  AY.  Dobson,  professors  in  the  various  departments.  The  Rev.  J.  H. 
Eaton,  who  was  chosen  the  first  president,  was  at  the  time  managing  the  Bradley  Acad- 
emy, and  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  the  Bradley  was  placed  under  the  same  manage- 
ment as  the  university.  The -school  under  President  Eaton  had  a prosperous  career.  On 
his  death  his  remains  were  deposited  in  a tomb  in  the  college  campus,  near  the  scene  of 
his  labors.  The  Rev.  Pendelton  was  chosen  the  successor  of  Dr.  Eaton,  and  managed 
the  school  successfully  till  1801,  when  it  was  closed  on  account  of  the  war.  During 
the  period  of  the  war  the  university  building  was  used  as  a hospital  by  the  army.  In 
1853  Eaton  College  or  the  Baptist  Institute  was  founded  and  managed  by  the  same  board 
of  trustees  as  the  Union  University.  For  the  institute  two  acres  of  land  wras  purchased 
of  Dr.  James  Maney,  in  the  north  part  of  town,  on  which  w’as  erected  a brick  building, 
50x80  feet,  and  two  stories  high.  The  building  furnished  accommodations  for  about  100- 
pupils.  This  institution  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Christian  denomination  a short  time* 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


837 


before  the  war.  School  at  this  place,  as  elsewhere,  suspended  during  the  war,  during 
which  period  the  building  was  used  as  a hospital  or  for  other  purposes,  and  was  greatly 
damaged.  After  the  war  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  managed  a school  there  for  a 
time,  and  then  it  again  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Christians.  The  university  and  its 
brauches  has  ceased  as  a university,  but  instead  of  the  university  proper  there  is  in  its 
stead  the  “Eclectic  Normal  School,”  which  is  now  being  successfully  carried  on  by  I)r. 
James  Waters.  The  school  has  a good  corps  of  teachers,  a full  course  of  study  and  a 
good  attendance. 

The  work  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  began  in  this  county  in  the  earl}'  his- 
tory of  the  organization.  Preaching  was  at  first  held  in  private  houses.  Norman’s  camp 
ground  was  a favorite  place  of  meeting  for  a long  time.  The  denomination  has  churches 
at  Mount  Vernon,  Jackson’s  Ridge,  Rockvale,  Lebanon,  Rockspring,  Fosterville,  Lytle’s 
Creek,  Mount  Tabor,  Lascassas  and  Jerusalem.  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
was  organized  in  Murfreesboro  on  May  30,  1S58,  by  delegates  from  Nashville  and  else- 
where. The  first  pastor  chosen  was  J.  C.  Provine;  the  deacons  w'ere  C.  N.  Brooks,  J.  H. 
Green,  H.  Osborn,  R.  N.  Ransom  and  W.  A.  Reed.  The  members  were  J.  N.  Clark  and 
wife.  C.  N.  Brooks  and  wife,  J.  Reed  and  wife,  H.  Osborn  and  wife,  J.  Hooker  and  wife, 
R.  N.  Ransom,  W.  A.  Reed,  R.  D.  Reed  and  some  others.  Preaching  had  been  held  in 
town  as  early  as  1840-45, by  Rev.  George  Donnell  and  others  from  Lytle  Creek  congrega- 
tion. The  church  was  begun  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  P.  Campbell,  and  a lot  was 
purchased  in  1859.  A Sabbath-school  w’as  organized  September  25,  1859,  writh  the 
pastor  as  superintendent,  and  H.  Osborn  and  R.  N.  Ransom,  assistants.  The  school  had 
nineteen  scholars  and  six  teachers.  The  church  was  only  partially  completed  at  the  out- 
break of  the  war,  but  being  less  damaged  than  others,  services  w'ere  held  in  that  church 
by  the  Methodist  Episcopals  and  Presbyterians  for  a time.  In  1865  preaching  was  resumed 
in  the  church  and  soon  after  steps  were  taken  to  repair  and  complete  the  building,  which 
was  doue  in  1S6S-69.  The  class  now'  has  a house  of  worship  worth  about  $9,000,  a 
strong  membership  and  maintains  a good  Sabbath-school. 

Soon  after  Alexander  Campbell  began  his  w’onderful  career  as  a minister  and  theolo- 
gian, converts  began  to  be  made  to  his  doctrines  in  Rutherford  County.  The  first  church 
was  organized  in  Murfreesboro  January  1,  1833,  and  consisted  of  twelve  members.  Steps 
were  immediately  taken  to  build  a church.  Lot  No.  59  of  the  original  plan  of  Murfrees- 
boro was  purchased  of  F.  E.  Bicton  for  $50,  and  deeded  to  Peyton  Smith,  George  Mor- 
ris, William  Smith,  Thomas  Rucker,  Sr.,  Joseph  Ramsey,  Thomas  Rucker,  Jr.,  and  G.  W. 
Banton.  The  church  was  completed  in  due  time,  and  the  members  began  worship  at  their 
new  home  and  continued  till  1S59-60,  -when  the  church  built  a new  house  of  worship  on 
Main  Street.  Services  were  interrupted  here  for  a short  time  during  the  war,  but  were  re- 
sumed again  in  1865.  This  denomination  has  churches  at  Antioch,  Miles  Hill,  Rock  Hill, 
Science  Hill  and  elsewhere.  It  is  a strong  and  influential  body. 

One  of  the  earliest  church  organizations  in  the  county  was  the  Primitive  or  Regular 
Baptist  Church.  Its  first  members  were  from  North  Carolina  or  Virginia.  The  early 
ministers  labored  with  an  apostolic  zeal,  and  w'ere  ;knowrn  for  their  simplicity  of  habits. 
The  first  church  organized  in  the  county  by  the  Baptists  was  McCoy’s,  in  the  Norman  set- 
tlement. This  was  before  1800.  Elder  William  Keel  is  believed  to  have  been  the  first  min- 
ister. He  remained  with  these  people  some  time  and  then  went  aw'ay,  but  returned  in 
his  old  days.  This  church  grew  rapidly,  and  soon  became  one  of  the  leading  churches  in 
the  county.  In  consideration  of  $1,  love  and  affection,  on  May  8,  1813,  Thomas  Rucker 
deeded  tw'o  acres  of  land  to  John  Warren  and  Drury  Vaugh,  deacons,  or  their  successors 
in  office,  of  that  branch  of  the  Baptist  Church  who  believe  in  the  “final  preservation  of 
the  Saints  in  Christ,  and  Baptism  by  emersion.”  This  church  house  was  erected  near 
Cumming’s  mill  on  the  east  fork  of  Stone  River.  This  wras  called  Providence.  Other 
early  members  were  the  Lillards,  Claytons  and  Clarks,  also  Dr.  Yandell,  father  of  the 
distinguished  Dr.  Yandall,  of  Louisville,  Ky.  Dr.  Watson,  one  of  its  early  ministers,  was 
distinguished  as  a physician  and  a minister,  and  respected  as  a citizen. 


' 

' 

. 


' 


S3S 


HISTORY  OR  TENNESSEE. 


Beasley’s  church  was  built  four  miles  west  of  Murfreesboro  about  1820,  on  the  Beas- 
ley farm.  There  is  still  a house  of  worship  near  the  same  place.  Among  the  early  mem- 
bers of  this  church  were  Chrisnhall  and  wife;  Posey,  wife  and  family.  Elder  Whitesett 
was  one  of  its  first  ministers.  The  denomination  is  quite  strong  at  this  place.  Euon 
Church  was  built  at  a Inter  date.  The  building  is  a frame  structure,  and  stands  about  six 
miles  north  of  Murfreesboro.  The  membership  here  is  small.  Early  members  were  the 
Reeds,  Barksdales  and Searceys.  Peyton  Smith  was  one  of  its  early  ministers.  He  after- 
ward joined  the  Methodists,  and  later  the  Christians.  Lett  Bond  was  a later  minister  of 
the  church  in  Murfreesboro.  The  first  church  of  this  denomination  was  built  near  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  Public  Square,  and  stood  for  some  years.  On  the  failure  of  the 
Bradly  Academy  early  in  the  decade  of  1830,  that  building  was  used  by  these  people  till  the 
creation  of  the  church  Which  now  stands  in  Murfreesboro.  This  was  built  in  1850-51. 
Prominent  among  the  early  families  belonging  to  this  church  were  the  Brooks,  Powells, 
Morgans,  Lethermans.  Ruckers  and  Claytons.  Dr.  Watson  was  a leading  spirit  in  the 
erection  and  maintenance  of  this  church.  The  membership  of  this  denomination  lias 
greatly  decreased  within  the  last  few  decades. 

Owing  to  a difference  of  opinion  in  regard  to  missionary  work,  Sabbath-school  work, 
and  other  minor  matters,  there  was  a division  in  this  branch  of  the  church,  the  one 
branch  being  known  by  the  public  as  Primitive,  Regular  or  ‘Ilard  Shell”  Baptists,  and  the 
other  as  Missionary’  Baptists;  the  latter  are  characterized  by  Sabbath-schools,  educated  min- 
istry* and  foreign  missionary  work.  This  denomination  is  now  the  strongest  in  the  county, 
and  has  from  fifteen  to  twenty  churches  aud  a large  membership.  This  denomination  was 
first  organized  in  Murfreesboro,  January  7,  1843.  Church  organizations  already  existed 
at  Enon,  Bethel  and  Overall  Creek.  Delegates  were  sent  from  these  as  well  as  from 
Nashville  to  assist  the  organization  in  town.  The  sermon  was  preached  byr  R.  B.  Howell, 
and  the  deacons  assisting  in  the  organizations  were  J.  H.  Marshall,  J.  Thomas,  C.  C. 
Trabue  and  James  Avent.  The  membership  enrolled  were  S.  D.  Crostliwait  and  wife, 
Thomas  H.  Maney,  Fanny  Maney,  Thomas  and  Priscilla  Dickson.  Mary*  L.  Bell,  R.  Smith, 
Lorinda  Smith,  J.  H.  Eaton,  W.  H.  January  and  J.  F.  Fletcher.  The  first  deacons  were 
B.  Gannaway,  John  Malley*  and  Frank  Fletcher.  At  the  first  meeting  J.  H.  Eaton  was 
ordained  to  preach,  T.  H.  Maney*  was  elected  clerk,  and  R.  B.  Howell  was  chosen  first 
pastor.  Steps  were  soon  taken  for  the  erection  of  a church,  which  was  completed  in  1848. 
This  was  duly7  dedicated,  and  was  occupied  till  April,  1862,  when  services  were  interrupted 
by*  the  war.  The  church  was  greatly*  damaged  by  the  armies,  and  was  afterward  sold  to 
the  colored  people.  Services  were  resumed  after  the  war  at  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  the  Rev.  A.  Vanhoose  officiating  as  pastor.  In  1868  the  church  began  the  erection 
of  a new  house  of  worship  on  Main  Street;  this  was  completed  at  a cost  of  about  $10,000. 
The  membership  of  this  church  is  now  about  135.  A large  church  is  maintained  at  Braley's 
Creek,  Antioch,  Concord,  Eaglesville,  and  in  fact  in  nearly  every  district  in  the  county. 

The  origin  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  is  due  to  the  labors  of  Rev.  Robert  Henderson, 
who  began  his  work  in  June,  1811.  The  church  was  organized  near  Murfrees  Spring,  in 
April,  1812,  w’itli  the  following  members;  Robert  Wasson,  John  Smith  and  William  D. 
Baird,  elders;  others  were  Joseph,  Margaret  and  Mary*  Dixon,  John,  Susana,  Henry  and 
Frances  Henderson,  May  Stewart,  Abigal  Baird,  Margaret  Jetton,  Margaret  Wilson,  Grace 
Williams,  Elizabeth  Kelton,  Margaret  Wasson,  Jane  and  Elizabeth  Smith.  In  1813  Rev. 
Henderson  gave  the  church  half  his  time;  in  1814  he  was  succeeded  by7  Rev.  Thomas  J. 
Hall,  and  he,  in  1815,  by  Revs.  James  Beuman  and  George  Newton,  each  of  whom  gave 
the  church  one-quarter  of  his  time.  In  1816  Revs.  George  Newton  and  Jessee  Alexander 
rendered  like  service,  and  in  1817  Jesse  Alexander  gave  one-third  his  time.  In  ISIS  Rev. 
Henderson  again  took  charge  of  the  church.  The  sacrament  of  the  Lord’s  Supper  was  first 
administered  to  this  church  in  October,  1818.  The  first  public  collection,  amounting  to 
$22.08f,  was  taken  up  to  defray*  the  expenses  of  the  church  for  the  last  six  years.  Iu  De- 
cember, 1823,  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Hall  became  pastor.  The  number  of  church  communicants 
at  this  time  was  ninety-one;  the  number  in  1828  was  138.  In  1819-20  the  church  erected  a 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


830 


“fine  brick  church  in  Murfreesboro:  this  was  40x00  feet,  with  gallery  nnd  cupola;  in  the 
latter  was  hung  a 560-pound  bell  in  the  year  1831.  This  bell  cost  $2*20.31.  This  building 
•stood  till  destroyed  by  the  ravages  of  war.  It  was  used  as  a hospital  for  sick  and  wounded 
soldiers.  In  1822  this  building  was  used  for  the  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly.  Aside 
from  the  Rev.  Robert  Henderson,  who  was  a teacher  as  well  as  a pastor,  the  Rev.  'William 
Eagleton  was  the  most  noted.  The  Rev.  Eagleton  began  his  labors,  December  29, 1829,  on 
the  resignation  of  JAY.  Hall. and  continued  with  the  church  till  18G6,  the  time  of  his  death. 

No  church  history  of  the  place  would  be  complete  without  mention  of  this  godly  man. 
Many  others  deserve  mention.  D.  D.  Wendel  was  clerk  of  the  sessions  from  184G  till  his 
•death  iu  1873.  The  church  was  reorganized  after  the  war  by  Rev.  J.  H.  Neil,  and  a new 
building  erected  in  1870.  This  building  at  that  time  cost  between  $17,000  and  $18,000. 
The  church  is  new  and  out  of  debt,  and  has  contracted  for  a $600  pipe  organ.  The 
membership  at  present  is  about  300  communicants.  The  Presbyterian  Church  deserves 
credit  for  being  the  first  temperance  society  in  Middle  Tennessee.  At  a meeting  of  the 
synod.  October  5.  1827,  after  reciting  the  evils  of  intemperance,  it  was  “Resolved,  that 
they  will  abstain  from  the  use  of  distilled  liquors;  that  they  will  not  permit  them  to  be 
used  by  their  families  or  servants  except  as  medicine;  that  they  will  not  provide  them  as 
articles  of  entertainment  for  their  friends,  and  they  will  discountenance  the  use  of  them 
;.in  the  community.”  Another  very  old  church  is  Cripple  Creek,  which  has  a membership 
of  37;  Stone  River  has  63;  Hopewell,  78;  Hall,  38,  and  Smyrna,  69.  In  the  days  of 
camp-mectings  the  Presbyterians  had  a camp  ground  at  the  Sulphur  Springs  and  one  in 
the  McKnight  settlement,  near  Milton. 

The  progress  of  the  church  was  slow  till  December,  1828,  when  the  first  conference 
met  in  Murfreesboro,  at  which  a great  revival  was  begun,  and  the  church  was  greatly 
strengthened.  John  Lytle.  Mrs.  Wasson  and  the  Rev.  John  Lane  deserve  mention  for 
their  zeal  and  piety;  also  Capt.  Jones,  who  conducted  the  first  public  prayer-meeting  at 
the  old  Bradly  Academy,  in  1818.  The  Rev.  Baker  was  the  first  stationed  preacher  in 
Murfreesboro;  he  began  his  work  in  1829.  Other  prominent  ministers  of  that  day  were 
•the  Revs.  F.  E.  Pitt  and  Alexander.  The  old  church  becoming  insufficient  for  the  demand, 
a new  church  was  begun  in  1843,  on  a lot  bought  of  Daniel  Lernean,  and  deeded  to  F. 
Yoakum,  William  Rucker,  R.  B.  Jetton,  L.  H.  Carney,  James  W.  Hamilton,  S.  B.  Christe, 

• John  Leiper,  W.  J.  Lytle  and  John  Jones,  trustees.  The  new  building  was  erected  at  a 
cost  of  about  $5,000.  Preaching  was  begun  in  the  basement  in  June,  1843,  the  Rev.  T. 
W.  Randle  then  being  pastor.  The  dedicator}"  sermon  was  preached  by  Rev.  M.  L.  An- 
drews, on  June  23,  of  the  same  year.  In  1862  services  were  discontinued  on  account  of 
the  war,  the  church  having  been  used  at  first  by  the  Confederates  as  a hospital  for  the 
sick  and  wounded,  afterward  by  the  Federals.  During  the  period  of  the  war  the  church 
was  greatly  damaged,  but  in  1873  the  house  was  completely  remodeled  and  rededicated. 
"This  church  now  has  the  largest  membership  of  any  in  the  city.  Special  mention  should 
be  made  of  the  Rev.  Sterling  Brown,  who  held  one  of  the  most  remarkable  religious  reviv- 
als ever  held  in  the  State,  at  the  old  Windrow  Camp  Ground,  about  the  year  1824  or  1825. 

At  this  there  were  over  300  conversions.  Meetings  were  held  at  that  place  regularly  from 
about  1812  till  1873,  except  during  the  interval  of  the  w-ar.  It  was  long  the  ‘‘Mecca  ” of 
the  Methodists.  The  churches  of  this  denomination  now  dot  the  enntire  county. 

The  organization  of  this  very  popular  branch  of  the  church  in  this  county  dates  back 
to  about  1812.  At  that  time  there  was  held  a camp  meeting  at  the  Windrow  Camp  Ground, 
at  which  there  were  many  professions  of  religion.  Other  camp  meetings  were  held  at 
which  itinerant  ministers  of  the  Methodist  faith  were  present  and  worked  with  that  zeal 
that  was  peculiar  to  the  pioneer  ministers  of  that  faith.  Rev.  Robert  Paine,  who  became 
bishop  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  was  a circuit  rider  over  a district  embracing 
Rutherford  County.  During  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly,  he  preached  in  the 
court  house,  and  many  members  were  present  and  took  a part  in  the  exercises,  among  them 
Felix  Grundy,  the  distinguished  lawyer  and  statesman.  A class  was  organized  at  a house 

• on  College  Street  in  1821.  The  following  are  the  charter  members:  Benjamin  Blankenship 


840 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE 


ami  wife,  Edward  Fisher  and  wife,  Thomas  Montague  and  wife,  John  Lytle  and  wife, 
Martin  Clark,  Willis  Reeves.  John  Jones,  William  Ledbetter,  G.  A.  Sublctt,  1).  Henry 
Holmes,  Dr.  W.  R.  Rucker,  Levi  Reeves,  J.  I).  Neugent  and  David  llanuis.  Preaching 
was  furnished  by  traveling  preachers  at  first,  and  services  were  held  either  in  the  court 
house  or  in  private  dwellings  till  the  year  1823.  In  1823  John  Lytle  deeded  a lot,  near 
where  Soule’s  College  now  stands,  for  the  purpose  of  having  a church  erected  thereon. 
The  lot  was  deeded  to  John  R.  McLaughlin,  Samuel  McLaughlin,  Simpson  Simons.  Ben- 
jamin Rucker,  S.  Ogden,  A.  Childress  and  Edmond  Joues  as  trustees.  A brick  house,  one 
story  high,  with  gallery  for  negroes,  and  bell,  was  completed  at  a cost  of  about  $1,800. 


>asin  of  Middle  Tennessee.  The  surface  of  the  land  is  rolling  and  varied  with 
plateaus,  hills  and  valleys,  and  is  often  picturesque.  The  surface  is  on  an  average  eleva- 
tion of  between  500  and  GOO  feet  above  the  level  of  the  sea,  while  Jenning's  Knob,  six 
miles  southeast  of  Lebanon  is  the  highest  elevation  in  the  county,  rising  to  a height  of 
1,221  feet  above  the  sea  levei.  The  lands  are  based  generally  on  limestones  which  occur 
in  successive  layers  nearly  horizontal  in  position,  and  have  a vertical  thickness,  from  the 
lowest  exposed  to  the  highest  in  the  hills,  inclusive  of  about  900  feet.  A number  of  high 
hills  and  ridges  in  the  eastern  and  southeastern  part  of  the  county  are  capped  with  a stra- 
tum of  flinty  material  beneath  which  is  a layer  of  slate.  The  limestones  belong  to  the 
group  of  formations  known  to  geologists  as  lower  Silurian,  the  upper  part  embracing 
some  500  feet  of  layers  pertaining  to  the  Nashville  formation  (Cincinnati)  and  the  lower 
part  to  the  Lebanon  (Trenton);  as  the  town  of  Lebanon  rests  upon  some  of  its  layers.  The 
rocks  of  the  former  division  are  seen  on  the  slopes  of  the  hills  and  ridges,  while  those  of 
the  latter  outcrop  on  lower  grounds  and  iu  the  valleys.  There  is  an  abundance  of  rocks 
in  the  county  consisting  of  varieties  of  blue  iimestone  and  sandstone,  much  of  which,  is 
suitable  for  building  purposes. 

The  supply  of  timber  in  the  county  is  abundant,  all  species  of  trees  growing  in  tlie- 
forests,  such  as  oak.  hickory,  ash,  gum,  cedar,  elm,  maple,  poplar,  cherry,  chestnut,  mul- 
berry, beech,  sycamore,  dogwood,  walnut,  cotton-wood,  box  elder,  sassafras,  iron-wood, 
persimmon  and  willow.  The  soils  may  be  divided  into  four  classes:  First,  the  river  and 
creek  bottoms,  which  are  alluvial  and  of  great  fertility,  and  upon  which  may  be  grown  all 
kinds  of  crops.  Second,  the  dark  soil  peculiar  to  the  cedar  flats  and  glades,  which  is  very 
poor  and  unproductive,  and  is  the  least  desirable.  Third,  that  found  on  the  hills,  ridges 
and  plateaus  of  the  northwestern  and  middle  portion  of  the  county,  and  on  the  slopes  of 
the  hills  in  the  eastern  and  southeastern  portion,  which  is  a sandy-mulatto  color,  loose 
soil.  Fourth,  that  found  in  the  valleys  and  lower  parts  of  the  county,  which  is  also  of  a 
mulatto  color,  but  is  more  compact  and  clayey.  All  the  different  cereals,  such  as  corn, 
wheat, oats,  potatoes,  and  all  fruits  and  cotton  grow  well  iu  the  count}'.  The  Cumberland 
River  washes  the  northern  boundary  of  the  county  for  a distance  of  twenty-five  miles,  and 
besides  the  numerous  springs  all  over  the  county  there  are  the  following  important  creeks: 
Cedar  Lick,  Spring,  Cedar,  Barton,  Spencer,  empty  into  the  Cumberland;  Sugg,  Stoner, 
Hurricane  and  Fall  empty  into  Stone  River;  Smith  Fork,  Round  Lick,  Spring  and  Fall 
Creeks  have  their  source  near  each  other  in  a group  of  hills  in  the  southeastern  part  of 
the  county,  while  the  other  creeks  head  in  the  numerous  valleys. 

Beyond  an  occasional  migratory  and  venturesome  hunter,  trapper  or  scout,  who  passed 
through  the  vast  forests  and  canebrakes  in  quest  of  the  abundant  game  or  in  pursuit  of 


WILSON  COUNTY 


L.SON  is  one  of  a group  of  counties  which  form  the  bottom  of  the  great  Silurian 


. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


84 1 


marauding  bands  of  Indians,  the  presence  of  white  men  was  unknown  in  Wilson  County 
previous  to  1790.  At  the  close  of  the  Continental  war  the  State  of  Nortli  Carolina  made 
grants  of  large  bodies  of  land  to  her  soldiers  in  pay  for  gallant  service  in  time  of  battle 
The  land  so  granted  was  situated  in  Tennessee,  then  a portion  of  North  Carolina,  and  it 
was  by  the  owners  of  the  land  that  Wilson  (then  Sunnier')  County  was  settled.  The  fol- 
lowing are  the  names  of  the  parties  to  whom  land  was  granted  in  Wilson  County  during 
the  years  between  1780  and  1790:  William  Ray,  1,000  acres;  Isadore  Skerett,  640  acres:  James 
Kenned}'.  0-10 acres:  Cornelius  Dabney,  6-10  acres;  John  Burton.  1.168 acres;  John  Williams. 

6-10  acres;  John  Conroe,  640  acres;  Hardy  Murfrec,  1.000  acres;  Nicholas  Conroe,  CIO 
acres:  Thomas  Evans,  640  acres;  John  Davidson,  274  acres;  Stephen  Merritt,  640  acres; 
James  C.  Montflorence,  1,000  acres;  John  Kain.  571  acres;  Walter  Allen.  912  acres;  Red- 
mond T.  Barry,  640  acres;  William  Hogan,  500  acres,  and  Andrew  Bostane,  220  acres. 
Between  1790  and  1800:  Robert  Stewart,  Jonathan  Green,  John  Boyd,  Philip  Shaekler, 
John  Haywood,  William  Lytle,  Alexander  Mebane,  Jeremiah  Hendricks,  James  Rogers, 
John  Brown,  William  Fleming.  Bennett  Searcy,  Ambrose  Jones.  Edward  Harris,  Henry 
Barnes,  George  Kennedy,  Jacob  Patton,  Reeves  Porter.  James  Menees,  Thomas  Evans, 
Gideon  Pillow,  Delilah  Roberts,  David  Douglas,  Johnson  Hadley,  Joseph  Cloud,  Daniel  y 
Wilbourn,  James  Barron,  Vachel  Clark,  Jesse  Cobb,  Samuel  Cliurchhill.  Boyd  Castlemen, 
Ephraim  Peyton  and  Alexander  Denny,  640  acres  each;  William  Hogan,  500  acres:  Willie 
Cherry,  228  acres;  Archibald  Lytle,  1,000  acres;  Lazarus  James,  337  acres;  John  Wright, 
2,000  acres;  Henry  Ross.  274  acres;  John  Dabney,  228  acres;  William  Martin.  1,280  acres: 
David  Gibson,  1.000  acres;  Thedford  and  George  Brewer,  1.000  acres;  John  Boyd,  Jr..  228 
acres;  Samuel  Barton,  i,00u  acres,  and  Absolom  Tatum,  300  acres. 

Many  of  the  above  never  became  settlers  of  the  county,  and  numbers  of  the  pioneers 
of  Wilson  County  purchased  of  them  the  lands  on  which  they  settled.  The  first  settle- 
ment of  Wilson  County  was  made  in  the  year  1797  at  Drake’s  Lick,  near  the  mouth  of 
Spencer  Lick  Creek  on  Cumberland  River,  which  was  afterward  the  northeast  corner  of 
Davidson  County,  by  William  McClain  and  John  Foster.  Two  years  later  John  Foster, 
William  Donnell  and  Alexander  Barkley  made  a settlement  on  Spring  Creek,  seven  miles 
southeast  of  the  present  town  of  Lebanon.  During  the  same  year  settlements  were  made 
on  Hickory  Ridge,  five  miles  west  of  Lebanon,  by  John  K.Wynn  and  Charles  Kavanaugh, 
both  of  whom  came  from  North  Carolina,  and  on  the  waters  of  Round  Lick  Creek,  by 
William  Harris  and  William  McSpadden,  of  North  Carolina,  and  James  Wratker  and 
Samuel  King,  of  Virginia,  and  also  on  the  waters  of  Spring  Creek,  about  eight  miles  south 
of  Lebanon,  by  John  Doak,  John  Foster,  David  Magathey,  Alexander  Braden,  the  Don- 
nells. and  probably  others.  At  the  time  of  these  settlements  the  land  was  covered  with 
vast  forests  and  thick  cauebrakes,  and  game  of  every  specie  from  the  bear,  panther  and 
deer  down  to  the  squirrel  and  rabbit  existed  in  abundance.  Several  years  before,  how- 
ever, the  Indians  as  a tribe  had  been  driven  back,  and  only  friendly  ones  as  a class  were 
met  with  by  the  settlers. 

From  1799  the  settlement  of  the  county  was  rapid.  The  lands  lying  on  the  waters  of 
the  various  creeks  being  the  richer  and  easier  of  cultivation  were  naturally  the  first 
settled,  and  hence  in  giving  the  following  list  of  names  of  the  early  settlers,  they  have 
been  grouped  into  creek  neighborhoods.  Oh  Barton  Creek:  Charles  Blaylock,  Elijah 
Trewitt.  Levi  Holloway,  Henry  Shannon,  Snowdon  Hickman,  William  Eddings,  Thomas 
Mass,  Eleazer  Pro  vine,  John  Lane,  Byrd  Wall,  William  Thomas,  Samuel  Wilson,  George 
Swingles  John  Goldston.  Benjamin  Esken,  Jeremiah  Still.  Thomas  Sypert,  George  Wynn, 
Beujamin  Wineford,  William  Peace,  James  Mayes,  John  Cage,  Alexander  Chance,  Josiak 
Martin,  Henry  Reed,  William  Elkins,  James  Menees,  John  Allcorn,  Thomas  Congers  and 
probably  others. 

On  Spring  Creek:  James  Cannon,  Soloman  Marshall,  James  Chappell,  Walter  Car- 
routh,  Martin  Talley,  George  Alexander,  Joseph  Moxley,  Hugh  Morris.  Bartlett  Graves, 
Spencer  Talley,  John  Forbes,  William  Bartlett,  William  Sherrill,  John  Steinbridge,  Josiah 
Smith,  Alligood  Wallard,  Thomas  Williams,  Purnell  Hearn,  John  Jones,  John  Walsh, 


842 


HISTORY  or  TENNESSEE. 


Samuel  Elliott,  Benjamin  Mottley,  Richard  Hawkins,  Gregory  Johnson,  William  Steele, 
Henry  Chandler,  Arthur  Dew,  Daniel  Cherry,  Adam  Ilarpole,  and  others. 

On  Cedar  Creek:  Hugh  Roane,  John  Provine,  Alex  Aston,  Samuel  Calhoun,  Perry 
Taylor,  John  L.  Davis,  Mathew  Figures,  David  Billings,  Irwin  Tomliuson,  Joseph  Trout, 
Hooker  Reeves,  Nathan  Cartwright,  Lewis  Chambers,  Andrew  Swan,  William  Harris, 
William  Wilson  and  Joseph  Weir. 

On  Spencer  Creek:  John  Walker,  William  White,  Brittain  Drake,  Lewis  Kirby, 
William  Gray,  Joel  Echols,  Robert  Mitchell,  Phil  ip  Koonce,  James  McFarland,  Moore 
Stevenson,  Jere  Hendricks  and  Richard  Drake. 

t On  Cedar  Lick  Creek:  Theophilus  Bass,  Clement  Jennings,  John  Everett,  John 
Cleaves,  Reuben  Searcy,  Joshua  Kelley,  James  Everett,  James  H.  Davis,  Thomas  Davis, 
Howell  Wren,  William  Ross,  Edmund  Vaughn,  George  Smith,  Harmon  Hays  and  Daniel 
Spicer. 

On  Cumberland  River:  Edward  Mitchell,  Elijah  Moore,  William  Sanders,  Caleb  Tay- 
lor, Bartholomew  Brett,  William  Johnson,  Josiah  Woods,  W.  T.  Cole,  Joseph  Kirkpat- 
rick. Henry  Davis,  James  Tipton,  Thomas  Ray,  Reuben  Slaughter,  Daniel  Glenn,  James 
Hunter,  Ransom  King,  Henry  Locke,  Ephraim  Beasley,  Sterling  Tarpley  and  William 
Put  way. 

On  Stoner  Lick  Creek:  Blake  Rutland,  Zebulon  Baird.  John  Graves,  Benjamin 
Graves,  Thomas  Watson,  John  Wilson,  John  Williamson,  Henry  Thompson,  Thomas 
Gleaves,  Ezekial  Cloyd,  Anderson  Tate,  Jacob  Woodrum,  Ezekial  Clampet,  Andrew  Wil- 
sou,  James  Cathom  and  James  Kendall. 

On  Suggs  Creek  Benjamin  [Hooker.  Acquilla  Suggs,  William  Warnick,  William 
Rice,  Benjamin  Dobson,  Hugh  Gwynn,  Jenkin  Sullivan,  John  Roach,  Janies  Hannah, 
Hugh  Telford,  Green  Barr,  Peter  Devault,  John  Curry,  Thomas  Drennon,  Joseph  Hamil- 
ton and  Joseph  Castlemen. 

On  Pond  Lick  Creek:  Robin  Shannon,  John  Ozment,  Lee  Harralson,  John  Spinks 
and  John  Rice. 

On  Sinking  Creek:  Thompson  Clemmons,  William  Bacchus,  David  Fields,  Lewis 
Merritt,  Frank  Ricketts,  Fletcher  Sullivan,  James  Richmond,  Robert  Jarmon,  John  Win- 
sett,  Jesse  Sullivan,  William  Paisley,  John  Billingsley,  Seldon  Baird,  Dawson  Hancock 
and  Jonathan  Ozment. 

On  Hurricane  Creek:  William  Teague,  John  Gibson,  William  Hudson,  Nicholas 
Quesenbury,  Charles  Warren,  Jacob  Bennett,  Elisha  Bond,  Robert  Edwards,  John 
Edwards,  Bradford  Howard,  George  Cummings,  John  Merritt,  Joseph  Stacey,  Frank 
Young,  Henry  Mosier,  Charles  Cummings,  John  Woolen,  Absalom  Knight,  Thomas  Miles, 
Peter  Leath  and  Gideon  Harrison. 

On  Fall  Creek:  William  Warren,  Samuel  Copeland,  Joseph  Williams,  Jacob  Jennings, 
William  Allison,  Hardy  Penuel,  Joseph  Sharp,  Sampson  Smith,  Frank  Puckett,  James 
Quarles,  Roger  Quarles, 'Mathew  Sims,  Shadrack  Smith,  James  Smith,  Charles  Smith, 
Aaron  Edwards,  Hugh  Cummings,  Isaac  Winston,  William  Wortham,  Burrell  Patterson, 
Absalom  Losater,  John  Alsup,  Lard  Sellars,  Joseph  Carson,  Charles  Gillem,  Arthur 
Harris,  Walter  Clapton,  William  Smith,  John  Donnell,  Adney  Donnell  and  William 
Lester. 

On  Smith  Fork:  Dennis  Kelley,  David  Ireland.  John  Adams,  David  Wasson,  John 
Armstrong.  Isaac  Witherspoon,  John  Allen,  Richard  Braddock,  Edward  Pickett.  Elisha 
Hodge,  Thomas  Flood,  James  McAdoo,  Samuel  McAdoo,  Abner  Bone,  Thomas  Bone4 
William  Richards,  George  L.  Smith,  Samuel  Stewart,  William  Beagle,  James  Johnson, 
John  Knox,  William  Knox,  John  Ward,  Solomon  George,  Reason  Byrne,  James  Godfrey, 
Henry  Payne,  James  Thompson,  James  Thomas,  Thomas  Word,  James  Ayers,  William 
JenDings,  Charles  Rich,  Abner  Alexander,  William  Oakley  and  James  Williams. 

On  Round  Lick  Creek,  including  Jennings  Fork:  John  W.  Peyton,  Arthur  Hankins, 
James  Wrather,  Samuel  King,  William  Haines,  John  Bradley,  William  McSpaddiu,  Will- 
iam Coe,  Abner  Spring,  William  Harris,  John  Phillips,  Benjamin  Phillips,  Edward  G. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


84  :i 


Jacobs,  John  Green.  Samuel  Rartou,  Alexander  Heard.  Jordan  Bass,  Soloman  Ha?>.  John 
Lawrence,  Evans  Tracy,  Joseph  Barbee,  Shelali  Waters,  George  Clarke,  James  Shelton, 
William  Neal.  Joshua  Taylor,  Isaac  GrandstatT,  Daniel  Smith.  Jacob  Vantrase,  Duncan 
Johnson,  Joseph  Foust,  James  Hill.  Joseph  Carlin,  George  Ilearn,  John  Patton,  John 
Bradley.  William  New,  Robert  Branch,  James  Edwards,  William  Howard,  Edmund  Jen 
nings,  John  White,  John  Swan,  Thomas  Byles,  William  Palmer,  Park  Goodall.  Jerrc 
Brown,  Thomas  B.  Reece,  James  Scaby,  James  Hobbs,  James  Newbry  and  John  Caplin# 
er.  The  first  corn-mill  erected  in  the  county  was  built  by  Samuel  Caplinger  some  time  in 
1708.  It  was  a small  horse  power  affair,  the  horse  being  hitched  to  a pole  or  shaft  and 
driven  around  in  a circle.  The  building  was  a small,  unhewn-log  house,  and  stood  on  the 
farm  now  owned  by  Roland  Newby,  in  the  Eighth  Civil  District.  Very  good  corn  meal 
is  said  to  have  been  ground  by  this  mill,  and  the  patronage  was  drawn  from  a large  scope 
of  country.  Subsequently  the  mill  was  removed  to  a site  on  Jennings  Fork,  and  convert- 
ed into  a water-power.  The  first  water-mill  is  supposed  to  have  been  built  by  Thomas 
Conger,  some  time  iu  the  same  year,  on  Barton’s  Creek,  about  three  miles  northwest  of 
Lebanon.  A horse-power  mill  was  also  erected  about  that  time  by  one  of  the  Donnells, 
near  Doak’s  Cross  Roads,  eight  miles  south  of  Lebanon. 

Before  these  mills  were  erected  the  settlers  went  to  Davidson  County  for  their  grinding, 
or  converted  the  corn  into  meal  by  means  of  the  old-fashioned  mortar  and  pestle.  In  1790 
Mathew  Figures  built  a water-power  grist-mill  on  Cedar  Creek,  to  which  he  afterward  ad- 
ded a saw.  In  1800  William  Trigg  and  Joseph  Hendricks  built  a water-power  grist-mill 
on  Spencer  Creek.  Other  mills  of  the  earty  days  were  those  or  Isham  and  Larkin  Davis., 
on  Cedar  Creek,  William  Wilson's,  on  Spring  Creek;  Jesse  Holt’s,  on  Barton  Creek; 
John  Scott’s  on  Spriug  Creek,  and  John  T.  Hays’,  on  Smith  Fork.  Later  on  William 
Wharton  built  a water-mill  on  Spring  Creek,  in  the  Tenth  District;  Williams  & Kirkpat- 
rick built  one  on  Spencer  Creek,  in  the  Fourth  District;  Alex  Simmons  built 
one  on  Fall  Creek,  in  the  Seventeenth  District;  James  C.  Winford  built  one  on 
Spring  Creek,  in  the  Ninth  District,  and  about  the  same  time  a paper-mill  was  built  on  the 
Cumberland  River,  twelve  miles  from  Lebanon,  at  which  a good  article  of  paper,  both 
news  and  commercial,  was  manufactured.  The  machinery  was  inadequate,  however,  and 
the  enterprised  was  short  lived. 

With  the  increase  in  population  there  was  an  increase  in  the  number  and  facilities  of 
the  mills  in  this  county,  and  at  the  present  W.  P.  M.  Smith,  C.  H.  Cook,  J.  N.  Adams  and 
J.  W.  Williamson  & Bros,  have  steam  saw  and  grist-mills:  Jacob  Earhart  has  a water- 
power grist-mill  on  Stone  Creek,  and  W.  C.  Gillian  has  a water-power  grist-mill  on  Ce- 
dar Creek,  in  the  First  Civil  District;  John  Brown  and  William  McFarland  have  steam 
saw  and  grist-mills,  and  Washington  Moore  has  a water-power  grist-mill  on  Spring  Creek, 
in  the  Fifth  District;  B.  D.  Hager  has  a steam  saw  and  grist-mill,  and  William  Colquit 
and  William  Tomlinson  have  steam  grist-mills,  in  the  Seventh  District;  J.  C.  Logue  has 
a steam  grist-mill,  and  J.  L.  Hubbard  a steam  saw  and  grist-mill,  in  the  Twenty-fourth 
District;  Coon  Lannon  has  a steam  saw  and  grist-mill,  and  William  Rice  a water  grist- 
mill on  Sinking  Creek,  in  the  Twenty-third  District;  John  D.  Gains  has  a steam  saw-mill, 
James  Johnson  a water-power  grist,  and  W.  D.  S.  Smith  a steam  and  water-power  saw 
and  grist-mill  on  Cedar  Creek,  in  the  Sixth  District;  J.  N.  Cowen  has  a steam  corn-mili 
and  wool  factory  in  the  Twenty-second  District;  Mrs.  Pendleton  has  a steam  saw,  grist 
and  carding-mili  in  the  Second  District;  Gains  Leach  and  Hugh  & David  have  water- 
power grist-mills  on  Sanders  and  Smith  Forks,  respectively,  in  the  Fourteenth  District; 
Dr.  James  McFarland  has  a steam  saw  and  grist-mill  in  the  Third  District;  J.  B.  Baird 
has  a steam  saw  and  grist-mill  in  the  Twenty-first  District;  G.  W.  Wright  has  a steam  saw 

and  grist-mill  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District; Etherly  has  a steam  saw  and  grist-mill, 

and  Bailey  Hall  and  William  Barrow  water-power  grist-mills  on  Barton  Creek,  in  the 
Fourth  District;  John  Patterson  and  Patton  & Harvey  have  water-power  grist-mills  on 
Smith  Fork,  in  the  Fifteenth  District;  Thomas  Mitchell  has  a carding  machine  in  the 
Ninth  District;  John  Bryant  has  a steam  saw  mill  in  the  Nineteenth  District:  John  W. 


844 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Bcunett  and  John  Wynn  have  steam  saw  and  grist-mills,  and  S.  T.  Alsup  has  a water- 
power saw  and  grist-mill  on  Falliug  Creek,  in  the  Twentieth  District;  P.  W.  & T.  R. 
Hearn  have  a water-power  grist-mill  on  Falling  Creek,  in  the  Seventeenth  District;  John 
S.  Belcher  has  a steam  grist-mill  in  the  Eighth  District;  Vick  & Miller  have  a water-power 
grist-mill  on  Town  Branch,  and  Bailey  Peyton  one  on  Spring  Creek,  in  the  Tenth  District, 
and  W.  L.  Waters  has  a steam-power  flour,  grist  and  saw-mill  in  the  Sixteenth  District. 

Although  still  houses  were  more  numerous  than  schoolhouses  in  the  early  days  of  the 
county,  yet  the  owner  and  location  of  the  first  one  can  not  be  learned.  Ishara  Webb  had 
a still  in  the  Eleventh  District  at  an  early  day,  and  later  James  Carrouth,  John  Forbs, 
Jerry  Johnson,  Boliu  Wynn,  Robert  Thomas,  Jack  Cook  and  perhaps  others,  whose 
names  could  not  be  secured,  operated  stills  in  various  parts  of  the  county,  all  of  which  had 
capacities  ranging  from  one-half  to  two  barrels  per  day  of  mash.  The  old-fashioned 
worm  was  used,  and  the  houses  were  small,  unhewn-log  buildings,  and  in  some  instances 
the  still  was  located  out  of  doors.  These  stills  all  disappeared  several  years  before  the  late 
civil  war. 


Considerable  cotton  was  grown  in  the  county,  and  it  is  claimed  that  the  first  crop  of 
this  article  grown  west  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains  was  ou  the  farm'  of  John  Donncl- 
son,  afterward  the  father-in-law  of  Andrew  Johnson,  in  Clover  Bottom,  this  county,  some 
time  about  the  organization  of  the  county.  As  early  as  1802  there  were  numerous  cotton- 
gins  in  operation  in  the  couuty : One  by  George  Alexander,  near  Center  Hill;  one  by  John 
B.  Walker,  on  Hickory  Ridge;  one  by  Moses  Echols,  on  the  waters  of  Spencer  Creek;  one 
by  Daniel  Trigg,  and  others  by  Alaman  Trigg,  Henry  Betts,  John  Watson,  Robert  Good- 
loe.  Seth  P.  Pool..  Joseph  Sharp,  Joshua  Kelley,  Edward  Bend  ward,  Thomas  Wilson  auu 
Thomas  Green  in  various  parts  of  the  country,  the  exact  location  of  which  is  unknown  to 
the  citizens  of  the  present.  These  have  all  disappeared,  as  they  ceased  to  be  of  use  many 
years  ago. 

The  first  store  in  the  county  was  kept  by  John  Herrod  in  1800,  but  the  location  of  his 
store  can  not  be  learned.  It  was  a small  mercantile  establishment  indeed,  the  stock  con- 
sisting of  a few  standard  articles  of  staple  groceries,  ammunition,  nails,  tobacco  and  whisky, 
all  of  which  were  brought  from  the  older  States  on  pack  mules  or  horses.  Salt  sold  from 
$8  to  $10  per  bushel;  nails  at  25  cents  per  pound,  and  everything  else  in  proportion. 
Herrod  also  kept  tavern  at  his  store,  they  both  being  at  his  dwelling-house.  A short  time 
afterward  George  C.  Hodge  and  Solomon  George  opened  similar  stores,  or  ordinaries  as 
they  were  then  called,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Smith  Fork.  Other  early  store-keepers 
were  John  Gibson,  Samuel  Tillman,  Huldah  Sherrill,  Richard  Bryan,  William  C.  Mitch- 
ell, George  Cummings,  John  Lumpkins,  John  Brown,  Isham  Davis,  George  Jarrett,  Car- 
ter White,  William  Stewart,  Elisha  Dismukes,  Higdon  Harrington  and  David  Martin,  all 
of  whose  stores  were  located  in  various  portions  of  the  county  outside  of  the  couuty  seat. 

So  far  as  known,  the  oldest  house  now  standing  in  the  couuty  was  built  by  Samuel 
Sherrill,  on  Barton  Creek,  about  two  miles  southwest  of  Lebanon.  It  was  built  some 
time  in  1800,  of  hewn  cedar  logs,  the  doors  and  shutters  being  made  of  split  boards, 
smoothed  with  the  drawing-knife,  and  fastened  together  with  nails  made  by  hand.  The 
house  is  strong  and  still  serviceable. 

Josiab  S.  McClaim,  who  was  county  clerk  for  a period  of  over  forty  years,  now  dead, 
is  said  to  have  been  the  first  male  white  child  born  in  the  county,  he  having  been  born  in 
January,  1797. 

Wilson  County  was  established  by  an  act  of  the  Third  General  Assembly  of  Tennes- 
see, passed  October  26,  1799,  three  years  after  the  organization  of  the  State.  The  act 
establishing  the  county  is  in  substance  as  follows:  “An  act  reducing  the  limits  of  Sumner 
County  and  establishing  two  new  counties,”  etc.,  that  part  referring  to  Wilson  County 
being  in  the  following  language:  “Sec.  4,  And  be  it  enacted,  that  another  new  county  be 
established  by  the  name  of  Wilson,  to  be  contained  within  the  following  described  bounds: 
Beginning  upon  the  south  bank  of  the  river  Cumberland,  at  low  water  mark,  at  the  mouth 
of  Drake  Lick  Branch,  the  northeast  corner  of  Davidson  Couuty;  thence  with  the  line 


WILSON  COUNT/. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


845 


of  Davidson  County  to  the  Cherokee  boundary,  as  run  and  marked  agreeably  to  the  treaty 
of  Holston,  and  with  the  said  boundary  to  the  Cancy  Fork,  and  down  the  Caney  Fork, 
according  to  its  meauders,  to  the  mouth  thereof;  thence  down  the  meanders  of  the  Cum 
berland  River,  by  the  south  bank  to  the  beginning." 

Sections  15  and  10  provide  for  the  holding  of  the  courts  of  said  county  on  the  fourth 
Monday  of  December,  March,  June  and  September,  and  designate  the  house  of  John 
Uarpole,  as  the  place  of  holding  the  first  sessions  of  the  courts. 

By  an  act  passed  by  the  General  Assembly  November  6, 1801, a portion  of  Wilson  County 
was  annexed  to  Smith  County,  and  the  present  bounds  of  this  were  established  by  an  act 
passed  November  13, 1801,  as  follows:  “ Beginningon  the  south  bank  of  Cumberland  River 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Drake  Lick  Creek,  it  being  the  upper  corner  of  Davidson  County,  run- 
ning from  thence  up  said  river  with  the  middle  of  the  chauuel  of  the  same  to  the  Smith 
County  line;  thence  south  twenty-three  degrees  east  along  the  said  Smith  County  line  to 
the  Indian  boundary  line;  tlienee  westwardly  with  said  Indian  boundary  line  to  the  David- 
son Count3r  line;  thence  northwardly  along  said  Davidson  County  line  to  the  beginning.” 
This  act  also  provides  for  the  appointment  of  Christopher  Cooper.  Alanson  Trigg,  Mathew 
Figures,  John  Uarpole  and  John  Doak,  as  a commission  to  organize  the  new  county,  run 
the  boundary'  lines  and  locate  the  county  seat,  purchasing  forty  acres  for  the  latter  pur- 
pose; the  said  land  to  be  selected  with  due  regard  for  good  wood  and  water;  to  lay  off  the 
county'  seat  into  toyvn  lots,  sell  the  same  at  public  auction,  reserving  sufficient  ground  for 
a public  square,  and  yvith  the  proceeds  of  such  sales  defray  the  expenses  of  erecting  a 
court  house  and  jail,  and  other  necessary  building  for  the  use  of  the  county'. 

In  the  latter  part  of  1799  the  boundary  lines  were  run  in  accordance  yyith  the  provis- 
ion? of  the  above  act,  and  the  count}'  yvas  duly  organized.  But  it  was  not  until  in  1802 
that  the  county  seat  yvas  located,  yvhen  the  present  site  of  Lebanon  was  selected  on 
account  of  its  almost  central  location,  and  of  the  existence  on  the  land  of  a large,  never- 
failing  spring  of  pure  water,  and  yvhich  spring  at  the  present  time  is  as  pure,  fresh  and 
strong  as  at  that  early  day.  The  land  selected  was  owned  by  one  James  Menees,  who 
donated  the  necessary  land. 

Wilson  County  is  bounded  on  the  north  by  Sumner  County,  on  the  northeast  and  east 
by  the  counties  of  Trousdale,  Smith  and  DeKalb,  southeast  by  Cannon  County,  south  by 
Rutherford  Count}',  and  west  by  Davidson  County,  and  has  an  area  of  578  square  miles. 
The  county  yvas  named  in  honor  of  Maj.  David  Wilson,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  who 
settled  in  Sumner  County  when  Tennessee  was  a part  of  North  Carolina.  ^ 

Wilson  County  has  a population  of  28,747,  of  yvhich  number  about  7,200  are  voters,  a 
large  majority  of  whom  vote  the  Democratic  ticket.  Previous  to  the  late  elections  the 
county  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  the  banner  Democratic  county  of  the  State.  Wil- 
son ranks  among  the  best  counties  in  the  State.  Out  of  a total  of  356,390  acres  of  land  al- 
most 200, (XX)  are  improy'ed.  In  1885  the  cereal  products  of  the  county  were  1,226  bushels 
of  barley,  1,806,262  bushels  of  corn,  132,506  bushels  of  oats,  4,869  bushels  of  rye  and  188,- 
540  bushels  of  yvheat.  At  the  same  time  there  were  in  the  county  15,502  horses  and  mules, 
16.285  cattle,  18,795  sheep  and  49,583  hogs.  The  total  valuation  of  the  land  in  the  county 
in  1885  was  $3,500,679;  of  personal  property,  less  $1,000,  $295,836;  of  all  other  property. 
$158,220;  total  valuation,  $4,440,370.  There  are  173,100  miles  of  railroad  in  the  county, 
which  has  a total  value  of  $204,360,  and  620  toyvn  lots,  total  value  of  which  is  $485,635. 
In  1885  the  tax  assessment  was  as  follows:  Poll  tax,  3,979;  State,  13,321.11;  county  $15,- 
079.89;  school,  $17,069.46;  railroad,  $19,750.98;  court  house,  $2,220.18;  highway,  $3,503.96; 
total  $72,943.12.  The  tax  levy  for  1886  is  as  folloyvs:  On  each  $100,  county  25  cents;  poll 
$1;  school  25  cents;  poll  $1.50;  railroad  50  cents;  poll  50  cents;  highway  11  cents;  State 
30  cents;  total,  $4.41. 

The  county  court  of  Wilson  County  was  organized  at  the  house  of  John  Harpole  on 
Monday,  December  23,  1799,  the  following  commissioned  magistrates  being  present: 
Charles  Kavanaugh,  Elmore  Douglas,  John  Uarpole,  John  Allcorn,  John  Lancaster,  John 
Doak,  Mathew  Figures,  William  Gray,  Andreyv  Donelson,  Henry  Ross  and  William 


53 


84  G 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 

McClain.  The  exact  place  of  holding  this  first  session  of  the  court,  i.  e.,  the  location  of 
Harpole’s  house,  is  a matter  of  much  dispute  at  the  present  time;  yet  after  diligent  search 
ami  numerous  inquiries  from  reliable  persons  the  writer  is  of  the  opinion  that  the  house 
stood  on  the  north  side  of  Spring  Creek  about  tive  miles  north  of  the  present  count}*  seat. 
The  court  was  organized  by  the  election  of  Charles  Kavanaugh  as  chairman;  Robert  Fos- 
ter. clerk;  Samuel  Rosborough,  sheriff;  John  Allcorn,  register;  John  W.  Payton,  trustee; 
'William  Gray,  ranger;  William  Quesenbury,  surveyor;  ami  Benjamin  Sea  well,  solicitor. 
Among  the  first  acts  of  the  court  were  to  admit  John  C.  Hamilton  to  practice  as  an  attor- 
ney, prove  a deed  of  conveyance  of  610  acres  of  land  from  Michael  Coonrad  to  his  brother 
Henry,  and  order  a road  laid  off  from  the  forks  of  Round  Lick  Creek  to  the  “25-mile  tree,” 
nearly  opposite  the  house  of  Edward  Mitchell.  The  March  term,  1800,  was  also  held  at 
Harpole’s,  as  were  the  June,  September  and  December  terms,  during  which  sessions  John 
Hogg  and  George  K.  Wynn  exhibited  their  ear  marks;  John  Ilerrod  was  granted  license 
to  keep  an  ordinary,  permissions  were  given  to  William  Trigg,  Joseph  Hendrick  and 
Mathew  Figures  to  erect  water  grist-mills;  Lemuel  Herrod,  John  Dickason,  John  B.  John- 
son, Jesse  Wharton  and  Nicholas  Perkins  were  admitted  to  the  bar;  $2  was  ordered  paid 
for  the  scalp  of  each  wolf  killed  in  the  county;  and  a tax  was  levied  for  county  purposes 
of  cents  on  each  100  acres  of  land — 6£  cents  on  each  white  and  124  cents  on  each  black 
poll. 

The  court  continued  to  meet  at  Harpole’s  throughout  the  year  1801, during  which  time 
John  Herrod  took  out  tavern  license,  Charles  Smith  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  rates  for 
ferrying  were  fixed  as  follows:  Man  and  horse,  6£  cents;  man  or  horse,  3£  cents;  cattle 
and  other  stock,  34  cents  per  head;  loaded  wagon  and  team.  SI;  empty  wagon  and  team, 
75  cents;  four-wheel  carriages,  $1;  two-wheel,  50  cents. 

From  March  until  December.  1802,  the  court  met  at  the  house  of  Henry  Turner  on 
Barton  Creek,  three  miles  southwest  from  Lebanon,  and  from  there  adjourned  to  meet 
at  the  house  of  Edward  Mitchell,  in  Lebanon,  the  new  county  seat  having  been  laid  out 
and  the  lots  sold  on  August  16  of  that  year.  Mitchell  was  allowed  by  the  court  25  cents 
for  each  meal  and  lodging  furnished  the  magistrates  during  the  session  of  court.  During 
1803  the  court  fined  Obediah  Spradim  $1.50  for  profanity;  James  Anderson  was  granted 
ordinary  license,  and  the  rate  of  charges  for  ordinaries  was  regulated  as  follows:  rum, 
wine,  gin  and  French  brandy,  $8  per  gallon;  whisky  or  brandy  12£  cents  per  half  pint;  lodg- 
ing 6J  cents;  corn  or  oats  4 cents  per  gallon;  horse  with  hay  or  fodder,  25  cents;  pasturage 
for  twenty-four  hours,  124  cents. 

In  1804  the  March  term  of  court  was  held  at  James  Anderson’s  in  Lebanon,  the  June 
term,  at  Edward  Mitchell's  and  the  September  and  December  terms  at  Anderson’s. 
Throughout  1805  and  until  June  1806  the  court  met  at  Mitchell's  house,  at  which  time  the 
court  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  new  and  first  court  house,  that  building  having  been  com 
pleted  and  placed  in  readiness  for  the  court  during  the  year.  The  first  court  house  was  a 
small  cedar-log  building,  with  a clapboard  roof,  and  stood  on  the  west  side  of  the  Public 
Square.  It  was  large  enough  only  for  the  holding  of  the  court,  the  county  officers  hav- 
ing their  quarters  in  various  houses  around  the  Square.  Beyond  this  meager  description 
nothing  more  can  now  be  learned,  as  the  memory  of  the  present  oldest  inhabitant  runneth 
not  back  that  far.  The  jail  was  completed  a short  time  previous  to  the  court  house.  It 
was  also  a small  cedar-log  bouse,  having  two  apartments,  and  entrance  to  the  cells  was 
through  a trap  door  in  the  upper  floor,  the  cells  resting  on  the  ground. 

The  court  appointed  Jeremiah  Brown,  John  Allcorn  and  John  Wynn  a committee  in 
1806  to  award  the  contract  for  and  superintend  the  building  of  a bridge  across  the  creek, 
which  flows  through  the  town  (nowT  known  as  Town  Branch),  and  John  Doak,  John  Har- 
pole  and  Mathew  Figures  were  appointed  a committee  to  have  a stray  pen  erected.  Ben- 
jamin Tower  was  granted  ordinary  license  and  Robert  Goodloe,  Seth  P.  Pool  and  Joseph 
Sharp  were  appointed  cotton  inspectors. 

In  1807  the  court  licensed  Daniel  Tillman  to  keep  an  ordinary,  appointed  Peter  Mos- 
ley and  Edward  Bondward  cotton  inspectors,  fined  William  Talbott  1 cent  for  inciting  a 


. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


847 


riot,  allowed  Seth  P.  Pool  $200  for  building  an  office  for  the  accommodation  of  the  county 
officials  and  allowed  David  Marshall  $12  for  building  a stray  pen. 

In  1808  the  court  granted  ordinary  license  to  William  Mann,  and  John  Cartwright  was 
granted  permissdon  to  erect  and  operate  a cotton  gin.  In  1S09  the  court  ordered  the 
removal  of  the  stray  pen.  James  Richmond  was  appointed  cotton  inspector,  and  Isliani 
and  Larkin  Davis  were  granted  permission  to  erect  a water  power  grist-mill.  In  1810 
Thomas  Swain  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Joel  Maun  was  granted  ordinary  license,  and 
William  Wilson  granted  permission  to  erect  a grist-mill.  In  1811  the  old  jail  was  torn 
down,  and  a new  one  erected  on  the  same  site.  The  new  building  was  of  brick  aud  cost 
$1,396.  William  Seawell  was  the  contractor.  In  1812  Charles  Swain,  James  Johnson. 
Ezekial  Bass  and  Reuben  Bullard  were  each  fined  by  the  court  for  committing  assault  and 
battery,  and  Thomas  Bradly,  the  sheriff,  was  fined  $10  for  absenting  himself  during  the 
sitting  of  the  court.  Iu  1817  the  court  appropriated  $500  for  the  building  of  a new  court 
house.  The  building  was  completed  in  1818.  It  was  of  brick  and  stood  in  the  center  of 
the  Public  Square.  The  house  was  square  in  shape,  one  story  in  height,  and  had  a peaked 
roof,  on  the  center  of  which  was  a square  belfry  and  bell.  In  1829  the  court  levied  a poor- 
liouse  tax  of  61  cents  ou  each  100  acres  of  land,  Gf  cents  on  each  white  and  black  poll, 
and  cents  on  each  town  lot.  The  court  also  appointed  Etheldred  P.  Harris,  William 
MeSwain  and  Thomas  B.  Reise  a commission  to  select  suitable  ground  upon*  which  to 
locate  said  poor-house,  and  erect  the  necessary  buildings.  The  following  year  a small 
tract  of  land,  three  miles  southwest  of  Lebanon,  was  purchased,  and  a cedar-log  house, 
containing  three  rooms,  was  erected  as  an  asylum.  A few  years  afterword  new  asylum 
was  erected  on  a tract  of  land  about  six  miles  southwest  of  Lebanon,  which  served  as  a 
poor-farm  until  18GG,  when  219  acres  of  good  farm  land  was  purchased  of  James  Davis  for 
$30  per  acre,  upon  wiiich  stood  a substantial  weather-boarded  log  house.  Four  log  cabins 
were  erected,  and  such  is  the  poor  asylum  of  the  present.  A new  jail  was  erected  iu  1832, 
which  was  also  of  brick,  which  Stood  until  18 — , when  the  present  substantial  brick  jail, 
which  stands  about  two  squares  from  the  Public  Square  on  West  Main  Street,  was  erected. 
In  1833  a new  floor  was  laid  in  the  court  house.  In  1S46  the  court  passed  an  order  for 
the  building  of  a new  court  bouse,  which  building  was  not  to  cost  in  excess  of  $8,000. 
In  1848  the  court  house  was  completed,  when  the  old  building  was  torn  down.  The  newr 
court  house  was  of  brick,  two-stories  in  height,  and  stood  on  Lot  No.  8 on  the  south  side 
of  the  Public  Square,  one  entrance  being  on  South  Cumberland  Street.  The  upstairs  was 
devoted  to  a circuit  court  room,  while  on  the  lower  floor  were  the  quarters  of  the  county 
officers  and  the  county  court  room.  The  building  stood  until  1881,  when  it  was  destroyed 
by  fire,  and  in  January,  1882,  the  court  passed  an  order  for  the  erection  of  a new  court 
house,  appointing  H.  G.  Johns,  G.  W.  Lewis,  J.  F.  Orgain,  L.  Drifoos  and  J.  A.  Brent  a 
bui'ding  committee.  Subsequently  W.  A.  Lewis,  W.  H.  Brown  and  John  D.  Owen  were 
added  to  the  committee.  The  plans  and  specifications  of  the  building  were  prepared  by 
Bruce  <fc  Morgan,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  and  the  contract  was  awarded  to  J.  F.  Bowers  A Bros., 
of  Nashville.  When  complete  the  building  cost  $18,306.30.  It  is  a handsome  brick 
structure,  two  stories  iu  height  above  the  ground,  has  stone  cappings,  tin  mansard  roof, 
and  is  supplied  with  fire-proof  vaults  and  all  modern  conveniences.  The  front  of  the 
building  is  highly  ornamented,  and  is  set  off  with  an  imposing  brick  portico,  with  a flight 
of  stone  steps  leading  thereto.  On  the  second  floor  are  two  large  court  rooms,  one  each 
for  the  circuit  and  count}'  courts,  while  on  the  first  floor  are  large,  light  and  well  venti- 
lated offices.  A handsome  stairway  leads  from  the  main  hall  to. the  court  rooms.  There 
are  three  entrances  to  the  building,  which  stands  on  the  site  of  the  old  court  house,  one  on 
the  Cumberland  Street  side,  one  on  the  Public  Square  and  one  on  the  west  side.  During 
the  building  of  the  court  house  the  courts  were  held  in  the  Masonic  Hall. 

The  clerks  of  the  county  court  and  their  terms  of  office  have  been  as  follows:  Robert 
Foster,  1799  to  1800;  Johu  C.  Henderson,  1800  to  1802;  John  Allcorn,  1802  to  1827;  John 
Stone,  1827  to  1831;  Josiah  McClain,  1831  to  1871;  R.  P.  McClain,  1871  to  1875;  Jesse  F. 
Coe,  1875  to  1830;  Abraham  Britton,  1880  to  1882;  W.  M.  Ilarkreader,  1882  to  1880. 


> 


848 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Sheriffs — Samuel  Rosborough,  1790  to  1802;  William  Wilson,  1802  to  1802  (three 
months);  Nathaniel  Perry,  1802  to  1804;  George  Hallutn,  1801  to  1805;  John  V.  Tulloek, 
1805  to  1800:  Thomas  Bradley,  1800  to  1810;  James  Williams.  1819  to  1821;  Thomas  Brad- 
ley, 1821  to  1S25;  John  Ilearn,  1825  to  1831;  Paulden  Anderson,  1831  to  183G;  Benjamin 
G.  Mabry,  1830  to  1830;  Wilburn  R.  Winter,  1830  to  1840;  Henry  D.  Lester,  1840  to  184-1; 
John  C.  Lash,  1844  to  1847;  Robert  Hnllum.  1847  to  1848;  John  J.  Crittenden,  1848  to  1854: 
Jonathan  Etherly,  1854  to  1850;  Nathan  W.  McCullough,  1850  to  1860;  William  E.  Foust. 
1860  to  1870;  Andrew  McGregor,  1870  to  1874;  David  W.  Grandstaff,  1874  to  1870;  Will- 
iam P.  Bandy,  1870  to  1882;  James  G.  Hamilton,  1882  to  1884;  William  P.  Bandy,  1884  to 
18S6.  Registers — John  Allcorn,  1700  to  1801;  Henry  Ross,  1801  to  1827;  James  Foster. 
1827  to  1836;  Thomas  Edwards,  1830  to  1837;  A.  W.  Foster,  1837  to  1839;  Giles  II.  Glenn. 
1830  to  1S44;  Robert  M.  Holemau,  1844  to  1840;  Allen  W.  Vick.  1846  to  1876;  John  F. 
Tarply,  1S70  to  18S6.  Trustees — John  W.  Payton,  1799  to  1800;  James  Stewart,  1800  to 
1814;  Edward  Crutcher.  1814  to  1821;  John  W.  Payton,  1821  to  1833;  David  C.  Hibbitts, 
1833  to  1844:  John  Shorter.  1844  to  1848;  Benjamin  Tower,  1848  to  1850;  David  B.  Moore, 
1850  to  1860;  Jarrett  W.  Edwards,  i860  to  1872;  J.  F.  Lane,  1872  to  1874;  Nathan  Oakley. 
1874  to  1876;  J.  N.  Cook,  1876  to  1884;  I).  J.  Barton,  1884  to  1886. 

The  Circuit  Court  of  Wilson  County  convened  for  the  first  time  in  the  court  house  at 
Lebanon.  September  24,  1810,  Hon.  Thomas  Stuart,  presiding.  The  first  case  of  conse- 
quence on  the  docket  was  that  of  the  State  against  Joel  Alpin,  on  a charge  of  assault  and 
battery.  Alpin  was  found  guilty  as  charged  in  the  indictment,  and  fined  $5.  In  1811 
Peggy  and  Solomon  Ray  were  divorced;  in  1812  Thomas  Martin  and  Joseph  Davis  were 
each  fined  $10  for  assault  and  battery:  in  181?  James  Rather,  for  assault  and  battery,  was 
fined  $5:  Isaac  and  Bets}'  Cook  wrere  divorced  in  1814,  and  in  1815  Betsy  and  David  Hunt 
were  also  divorced:  in  1820  Jedediah  Willie  was  publicly  whipped  for  larceny,  and  Robert 
Easom  for  assault  and  battery  was  fined  810  and  sent  to  jail  for  tw’eiity  days;  Hiram 
McKinley,  for  larceny,  in  1821,  was  given  twenty-five  lashes  on  the  bare  back  and  jailed; 
in  1820  Lewis  Yarnell  was  convicted  of  murder,  and  was  branded  on  the  left  hand  with 
the  letter  M,  and  given  four  months  in  jail;  James  Nilms,  for  horse  stealing,  in  1828,  was 
sentenced  to  be  hung,  and  upon  the  day  of  execution,  after  having  been  placed  on  the 
scaffold,  was  reprieved  at  the  last  minute  and  his  sentence  commuted;  during  the  same 
year  Joe,  a slave,  for  murder,  was  branded  with  the  letter  M and  given  thirty-nine  lashes, 
and  for  horse  stealing  Pins  Simpson  was  sentenced  to  receive  twenty-six  lashes,  six  months 
in  jail  and  to  stand  in  the  pillory  two  hours  on  the  mornings  of  Saturday,  Monday  and 
Tuesday,  and  was  branded  on  the  hand  with  the  letters  H and  T;  in  1829  Willis,  a slave, 
was  given  thirty-nine  lashes  and  branded  with  M for  committing  murder;  David  B.  Cole 
was  publicly  whipped  and  jailed  for  larceny  in  1830;  John  Afflack,  for  killing  his  wife  in 
1830,  was  branded  with  M and  sent  to  jail  for  eleven  months,  and  for  murder  in  the  second 
degree  Joseph  C.  Wilson  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  fifteen  years;  in  1834  Frank  Mc- 
Cullough, on  two  counts  for  store  stealing,  was  sent  to  prison  for  five  years  on  each;  Clay- 
ton, a slave,  was  convicted  of  the  murder  of  a white  man  and  daughter  named  Hunt  , and 
was  hung  at  Lebanon  November  20,  1836;  in  1837  Aaron  F.  Jones  and  Janies  Lively  were 
each  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  horse  stealing;  McDaniel  Smith  was  sent  to  the  peniten- 
tiar}'  for  four  years  on  a charge  of  bigamy  in  1839,  and  John  Lawrence,  for  larceny,  was 
given  eight  }'ears;  Isaac  Mahaffy  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  ten  years  for  murder,  and 
Stephen  L.  Pearson  was  sent  for  four  years  on  a charge  of  forgery  in  1841;  Leslie  Clark, 
for  perjury,  and  Edward  W}'att,  larceny,  were  sent  to  prison  in  1842;  in  1845  Garland 
Brown  and  John  Jones,  on  charge  of  larcen\r,  were  sent  to  prison  for  two  and  six  3'ears, 
respective!}';  for  murder  in  1848,  Britton  Collins  was  imprisoned  for  ten  3rears;  in  1850 
Squire  Collins  and  James  Young  were  each  sent  to  the  penitentiar}'  for  ten  years  for  mur- 
der; in  1857  Rufus  L.  Watson  was  imprisoned  for  ten  years  for  murder,  and  on  the  same 
charge  Parmelia  Smith  received  a similar  sentence  in  1858. 

In  1807  Russell  Sanders,  Polk  Evans.  John  Bratton,  Mary  North,  Thomas  Clj'mer, 
Frank  Baird,  Isham  Jackson  and  Wash  Hardy,  on  charges  of  larcen}',  were  each  im- 


WILSON  COl’NTY. 


S49 


prisoned  one  year.  In  ISOS,  on  cburges  of  larceny,  Foster  Newby  was  sent  to  prisou  for 
three  years,  Fayette  Sneed  three  years,  Thomas  Waters  one  year  and  James  Radford  one 
year,  and  Nancy  Elliott,  for  murder,  ten  years,  and  James  Tarlton,  for  horse-stealing, 
three  years.  In  1869  Henry  Palmer  and  Henry  Sewell,  for  house-breaking,  were  each 
sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  ten  years;  Henry  Curtis,  horse-stealing,  teu  years,  and 
Frank  Smith,  for  larceny,  one  year.  In  1870  William  Porter  was  seut  to  the  pen- 
itentiary seventeen  years  for  bigamy,  and  for  larceny  Sam  Thompson,  Ben  Camper, 
Edward  Knight,  Marcus  Hawkius  and  John  Burch  were  given  terms  of  impris- 
onment. In  187*2  Hugh  Bradley  (colored),  was  sent  up  for  four  years  for  larceny,  and 
Seth  Williams,  for  house-breaking,  got  two  years.  In  1875  Jerry  Belcher  got  ten  years 
in  prison  on  the  charge  of  arson,  and  for  larcenj'  William  Gooch,  Albert  McGregor, 
Burdine  Preston  and  Moses  Howell  were  sent  to  the  penitentiary.  In  1870  Porter 
Williamson  and  Burr  Spinks  (colored),  were  convicted  of  murder  and  sentenced  to  he 
hung.  Williamson  was  granted  a new  trial,  pending  which  lie  was  hung  by  a mob.  while 
Spinks  was  liung  by  law.  In  1877  sentences  were  passed  as  follows:  King  Walsh,  house- 
breaking, three  years  in  the  penitentiary;  Jasper  Williams,  horse-stealing,  ten  years,  and 
William  Claxton,  horse-slealing.  three  years.  In  1878  Albert  Gibson,  for  larceny,  was 
seut  to  prison  for  three  years;  Davis  Bass,  house-breaking,  was  given  three  years,  and 
James  Scott,  for  larceny,  received  one  year.  In  1879  Scott  Bass,  for  larceny,  received 
three  years  imprisonment;  Jere  Evans,  for  malicious  stabbing,  one  year;  Pomp  Grizzle, 
horge-stealing,  three  years  and  Bob  Williamson,  murder,  three  years.  In  18S0  John 


f. 


fr-.r  tr-r.  vears  5 


ilham  lacKett,  norse-steanng,  and  .Lee 


Hardy,  larceny,  were  each  sent  up  for  three  years.  Iu  1881  Samuel  Baird,  Wash  Hearn, 
Martin  Graves  and  Pike  Ward  were  sentenced  to  the  penitentiary  for  larceny;  J.  W.  Con- 
ner, for  murder,  was  sent  for  twenty  years;  Bob  Xipps,  horse-stealing,  three  years,  and 
Joe  Harrison,  for  arson,  was  sent  for  five. years.  In  1882  Joe  Campbell  was  sentenced  to 
the  penitentiary  for  twenty  years  for  murder;  Marcus  Seay,  horse-stealing,  went  up  for 
five  years,  and,  for  larceny,  terras  of  imprisonment  were  given  Jake  Neal,  Jack  Price,  Alf 
Jennier.  William  Hamler,  Bill  Oxendine  and  George  Dibrell.  Iu  1883  James  Payne,  for 
house-breaking,  received  three  years  imprisonment,  and  iu  1884  Frank  Jennings  and 
Tom  Robertson,  for  murder,  were  each  given  ten  and  three  years,  respectively,  and  Frank 
Johnson  and  Bill  Davis  were  given  one  and  five  years,  respectively,  for  larceny.  In  1885 
Berr  Officer,  for  larceny,  was  sent  up  for  one  year;  Bernice  Richardson,  murder,  got  a 
life  sentence;  Hardy  Baker,  horse-stealing,  three  years;  James  Baxter,  murder,  convicted 
and  sentenced  to  be  hung.  Baxter’s  case  was  appealed  to  the  supreme  court,  where  the 
decision  of  the  lower  court  was  sustained.  His  execution  was  set  for  November  3.  1885, 
but  he  was  granted  a reprieve,  and  on  June  4,  1886,  was  hung  at  Lebanon;  Andrew 
Church,  an  accomplice  of  Baxter  iu  the  crime,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  life:  both 
were  negroes,  and  their  crime  was  the  murder  of  Mrs.  Lane,  an  aged  widow,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  robbery.  In  1886  George  Burns,  for  bigamy,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  five 
years;  Kate  Rhodes,  infanticide,  sent  for  ten  years;  Asbury  Johnson,  Jesse  Hill,  George 
Thompson  and  Robert  Keith,  for  larceny,  were  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year  each, 
and  W.  H.  Smith,  marshal  of  Lebanon,  was  indicted  for  murder,  he  having  killed  a negro 
who  resisted  an  arrest. 

The  judges  who  have  presided  over  the  courts  of  Wilson  County  since  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  circuit  court  have  been  as  follows:  Thomas  Stewart,  1810-30;  James  C. 
Mitchell,  1830-35;  Samuel  Anderson,  1835-52;  Hugh  L.  Davidson,  1852-64;  Henry  Cooper, 
1864-68;  John  W.  Phillips,  1868-70;  William  II.  Williamson,  1870-78;  Robert  Cantrell, 
1878-88. 

The  attorney-generals  were  Thomas  Washington,  1810-18;  Alfred  Balch,  1818—24  J 
William  R.  Hess,  1824-26;  Samuel  II.  Laughlin,  1826-28;  Robert  L.  Caruthers,  1828-32; 
Samuel  Yerger,  1832-36;  Thomas  C.  Whiteside,  1836-42;  Hugh  L.  Davidson,  1842-48. 
William  L.  Martin,  1848-52;  James  L.  Scuddcr,  1852-60;  Barclay  M.  Tillman,  18G0-66; 
Horace  Rice,  1806-63;  James  51.  Brien,  1868-69;  James  F.  Stokes,  1869-70;  Moses 
McKnight,  1870-78;  Lillard  Thompson,  1878  -80. 


850 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  circuit  court  clerks  have  been  as  follows:  Ilnrrv  L.  Douglas,  1810-15;  Samuel  C. 
Roane.  1815-17;  Ilenry  Shelby.  1817-18;  Harry  L.  Douglas.  ISIS— : JolinS.  Tapp,  1 SCI  —‘27 ; 
Samuel  Yerger.  1827-3*2;  William  L.  Martin.  1832—12;  «lohn  W.  White,  1S42— 14;  James  II. 
Britlon.  1^44—18;  Harris  II.  Simmons,  1848-49:  Calvin  W.  Jackson,  1849-54;  Plummer  W. 
Harris.  1S54-5S;  Joseph  T.  Manson.  1S5S-70;  William  McCorkle,  1870-73;  Samuel  G. 
Stratton.  1873-82:  W.  W.  Donnell.  1882-80. 

The  Chancery  Court  of  Wilson  County  convened  for  the  first  time  July  25,  1836.  at 
the  court  house  in  Lebanon,  the  Chancery  Court  of  the  State  having  been  created  during 
that  year,  having  been  provided  for  by  the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1834.  Hon. 
Lunsford  M.  Brainlett  was  the  presiding  chancellor,  and  John  H.  Dew  was  appointed 
clerk  and  master. 

The  chancellors  have  been  as  follows:  Lunsford  M.  Brainlett,  1S3G-40;  Bromfield  L. 
Ridley.  1840-61;  John  P.  Steele.  1865-70;*  Charles  G.  Smith,  1870-75;  Horace  Lurton, 
1875-77;  B.  J.  Tarver,  1877-78:  George  E.  Seay,  1878-86. 

The  clerk  and  masters  were  John  H.  Dew,  1836-38;  James  B.  Rutland,  1838-50;  John 
K.  Howard,  1850-61;*  Orville  Greene.  1865-70;  Haywood  Y.  Riddle.  1870-76:  R.  P. 
McClain,  1876-83:  R.  C.  Sanders.  1883-86. 

Wilson  County  lias  furnished  more  than  her  quota  of  public  men  to  the  State  and 
count}7.  Among  the  more  prominent  was  Hon.  James  C.  Jones,  who  served  as  governor 
of  the  State  from  1841  to  1845,  and  as  United  States  senator  from  1852  to  1858.  The 
comity  has  furnished  six  congressmen,  as  follows:  Samuel  Hogg,  Robert  L.  Caruthers, 
Robert  Hatton,  W.  B.  Campbell,  Edward  I.  Golladay  and  H.  Y.  Riddle.  All  of  the  above, 
including  Sam  Houston,  Alexander  Campbell,  Abraham  Caruthers  and  others,  have 
practiced  at  the  Lebanon  bar.  The  present  members  of  the  bar  are  Robert  Cantrell,  E.  R. 
Thompson,  W.  H.  Williamson,  B.  J.  Tarver,  P.  K.  Williamson,  R.  C.  Sanders,  R.  P. 
McClain,  E.  E.  Beard,  Lillard  Thompson.  J.  S.  Gribble,  W.  R.  Chambers,  J.  T.  Lane.  J. 
P.  Eastman,  J.  C.  Sanders,  Samuel  Gall.awav  and  Robinson  McMillin. 

Wilson  County  has  a war  record  extending  back  to  the  Continental  war  of  1776,  for 
among  the  pioneers  of  the  county  were  quite  a number  of  the  patriots  of  that  war,  among 
whom  were  John  Wynn,  Edward  Mitchell.  John  Dabney,  John  Harpole,  Philip  Shackler, 
Anthony  Gain.  Jeremiah  McWbirter  and  James  Scott,  the  first  four  of  whom  were  com- 
missioned officers.  As  early  as  1800  the  county  had  an  organized  militia  of  seven  compa- 
- nics,  the  captains  of  which  were  Capts.  Bishop,  Moore,  Echols,  Dillard,  Warick,  Blalock 
and  Hood.  By  1807  the  militia  had  increased  to  fifteen  companies,  under  command  of 
Capts.  McNight,  Pitman,  Mann,  Wilson,  Caplinger,  Bumpass,  Leech.  Branch,  Alexander. 
Hunter.  Martin,  Coonce.  Bandy,  Joiner  and  Priestly.  The  companies  had  been  increased 
four  by  1810,  and  were  commanded  by  Capts.  Hill,  Provine,  Thompson,  Cage,  Hallum, 
Jones,  Martin.  Swingley,  Quarles,  Williams,  Stiles,  Estes,  Henderson,  Barnes,  Smith. 
Bass,  Spink,  Davidson  and  Williamson.  Robert  Desha  was  the  first  brigadier-general  of 
the  Wilson  County  militia. 

Wilson  County  furnished  two  full  companies  to  the  war  of  1812,  they  being  under 
command  of  Capts.  Charles  Wade  and  John  Ilayes.  Out  of  the  two  companies  only  the 
following  names  can  now  be  learned:  Charles  Wade,  John  Hayes,  William  and  Lawrence 
Sypert,  William  Hartsfield,  Zachariah  Tolliver,  Kit  Seaburn,  William  Meyers,  James 
Carson,  Grief  Randolph,  William  Martin,  Thomas  K.  Ramsey,  William  Harrison,  John 
Shackleford,  Joseph  Settles,  William  Norman,  George  Dillage,  Fred  Askius, Will- 
iams,   Goldstomv  — — Kirby, Aigan  and Goodall. 

Two  companies  were  also  sent  by  this  county  to  the  Florida  war  in  1836.  The  first 
company  left  Lebanon  in  June,  1836,  under  command  of  Capt.  J.  J.  Finley,  and  tbe  sec- 
ond went  out  in  December,  1837,  under  command  of  Capt.  W.  L.  S.  Hearing.  The  fol- 
lowing is  an  incomplete  list  of  the  soldiers  of  the  county  in  the  above  war:  J.  J.  Finley, 
AY.  L.  S.  Derring,  T.  J.  Stratton,  John  1).  Mottley,  Dawson  Hancock,  John  AVillburry,  P. 
Hearn,  J.  N.  Kennedy,  W.  AY.  Talley,  E.  S.  Smith.  Nathan  Oakley,  Lewis  Pendleton.  J. 

*No  court  during  tbe  civil  war — from  1861  to  1865. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


851 


II.  Kennedy.  William  Woodkius,  Samuel  T.  Mottley,  Bern  Winford,  W.  T.  Cartwright, 
George  Lewis.  Claibourn  R.  Jarrett.  William  Powers  and  John  W.  Alexander. 

Again  two  companies  were  sent  out  from  Wilson  County  in  the  war  with  Mexico  in 
1S46.  The  companies  were  commanded  by  Capts.  Smith  and  Ilayes,  and  the  following  is 
a list  of  the  names  of  the  soldiers  as  far  ns  could  be  gathered  after  dilligent  search:  Ben- 
jamin Rice,  Henry  Tyree,  Dr.  Herbert.  David  K.  Donnell,  Gideon  Alsup,  John  Bostick, 
Nathan  Oakley.  Coon  Dillon,  Pleasant  Tarpley,  William  Reeves,  W.  W.  Talley.  Moses 
Reeves.  Newton  Thomas,  William  Putnam.  Linsey  Chapman,  Thomas  Jones,  Calvin 
Jones,  Ross  Webb,  Thomas  Helms,  Alexander  Neal,  J.  M.  Alsup,  M.  A.  Byers,  William 
J.  Coleman,  Jesse  Alexander,  William  T.  Hobson,  William  Simms,  James  Bryant,  J.  W. 
Ewing,  W.  II.  George,  Thomas  Stroud,  Farrer  Carson,  W.  A.  Willy,  Monroe  Shelton, Will- 
iam Lewis,  Foster  Tucker  and  E.  S.  Oakley. 

"When  the  crisis  came  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  in  1861,  Wilson  County 
promptly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  South,  and  responding  with  alacrit}'  to  the  call  for 
volunteers  made  bj'  Gov.  Harris,  began  at  once  the  organization  of  companies  to  assist  in 
repelling  the  threatened  invasion  of  the  State  of  Tennessee  by  the  Federal  Army.  Early 
in  the  spring  of  1861  the  organization  of  troops  was  inaugurated,  and  was  continued 
throughout  the  whole  year  and  during  the  year  following.  Portions  of  the  Seventeenth, 
Eighteenth,  Twenty-fourth,  Twenty-eighth,  Thirty-eighth  and  Forty-fifth  Regiments  of 
Tennessee  Infantry,  of  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Regiments  of  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  of 
Company  C.  First  Tennessee  Heavy  Artillery  were  furnished  by  Wilson  County. 

The  first  company  organized  was  the  “ Blurs  ” of  which  Robert  Hatton  was  the  cap 
tain.  Then  followed  in  rapid  succession  five  companies,  as  follows:  The  “Grays,”  Capt. 
John  K.  Howard;  the  “Statesville  Tigers,”  Capt.  Nathan  Oakley;  the  “ Hurricane  Rille3,” 
Capt.  Daniel  G.  Shepard;  the  “Silver  Spring  Guards,”  Capt.  J.  A.  Anthony,  and  the 
'‘Harris  Rifles,”  Capt.  Monroe  Anderson.  The  above  companies  left  Lebanon  May  20, 
1861,  going  to  Nashville,  from  which  city  they  were  ordered  to  Camp  Trousdale,  in 
Sumner  County,  for  instructions.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  Seventh  Regiment  of 
Tennessee  Infantry,  all  six  of  the  Wilson  County  Companies  were  placed  in  the  regiment, 
and  Capt.  Robert  Hatton  was  elected  colonel  of  the  same.  Thomas  H.  Bostick  succeeded 
to  Col.  Hatton’s  place  as  captain  of  the  “Blues,”  and  WT.  H.  "Williamson  succeeded  Capt. 
Howard  in  the  captaincy  of  the  “Grays.”  The  companies  were  then  numbered  as 
follows:  Harrison  Rifles,  Capt.  Monroe  Anderson.  Company  D;  Statesville  Rifles,  Capt. 
Oakly,  Company  F;  Hurricane  Rifles,  Capt.  Daniel  G.  Shepard,  Company  G;  Grays,  Capt. 
W.  H.  Williamson,  Company  H;  Silver  Spring  Guards, Capt.  Anthony,  Company  I;  Blues, 
Capt.  Bostic,  Company  K.  Remaining  at  Camp  Trousdale  until  in  the  latter  part  of 
August  of  the  same  year,  the  Seventh  Regiment  proceeded  to  West  Virginia,  and  were  in 
their  first  engagement  at  the  battle  of  Cheat  Mountain.  The  next  engagement  was  the 
battle  of  Seven  Pines  in  Virginia,  in  which  battle  Col.  Hatton,  who  had  previously  been 
promoted  to  a generalship,  was  killed.  The  Wilson  County  companies  continued  with 
the  regiment  throughout  the  war,  and  were  engaged  with,  the  regiment  in  all  its  battles 
and  campaigns,  and  were  present  at  the  final  surrender  of  the  army  of  Virginia  at  Ap- 
pomattox Court  House. 

Early  in  the  fall  of  1S61  four  more  companies  were  raised  in  Wilson  County.  Leaving 
Lebanon  these  companies  reported  also  to  Camp  Trousdale,  where  they  went  under  in- 
structions. When  the  Forty-fifth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry  was  organized,  the 
Wilson  County  companies  were  assigned  places  therein,  as  follows:  Company  B,  Capt. 
Curtis;  Company  F,  Capt.  Oldham;  Company  G,  Capt.  S.  S.  Preston,  and  Company  H, 
Capt.  Andrew  Beard.  With  the  Forty-fifth  Regiment  the  four  Wilson  County  companies 
participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Vicksburg  Landing,  Baton  Rouge,  Murfreesboro, 
Chickamauga,  and  all  the  different  engagements  of  the  regiment,  and  were  present  at  the 
final  surrender  at  Bentonville,  N.  C.,  by  which  time  the  regiment  had  dwindled  down 
from  death,  sickness,  disappearance,  etc.,  to  less  than  100  men. 

During  the  same  fall,  1861,  three  companies  of  cavalry  were  raised  in  Wilson  County, 


■ 


■ 


852 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


and  reported  to  Camp  Cheatham  and  were  placed  in  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Tennessee 
Cavalry.  They  were  Company  B,  Capt.  John  R.  Davis:  Companj*  C,  Capt.  Phillips,  and 
Company  G,  Capt.  Sam  Thompson.  These  companies  were  engaged  with  this  regiment 
in  the  various  campaigns,  and  sustained  heavy  losses. 

During  1801  another  company  of  infantry  was  raised  in  the  county,  and  reported  to 
Camp  Trousdale.  This  company  was  given  a place  in  the  Eighteenth  Regiment  of  Ten- 
nessee Infantry,  upon  its  organization,  as  Company  K.  When  Company  K left  Lebanon 
W.  J.  Grayson  was  captain,  but  he  dying  in  a few  months’  time,  William  P.  Bandy,  at 
present  sheriff  of  Wilson  County,  was  elected  to  the  vacancy.  The  regiment  went  first  to 
Bowling  Green.  Ivy.,  and  then  to  Fort  Donelson,  where  they  were  captured  at  the  fall  of 
that  fort,  in  1802.  After  the  exchange  of  the  regiment  at  Vicksburg  Company  K was  re- 
organized. with  126  men,  only  oue  of  whom  was  present  at  the  surrender  at  the  close  of 
the  war.  In  the  latter  part  of  1801  another  companj' was  raised  in  Wilson  and  Delvalb 
Counties,  and  left  Alexandria  under  command  of  Capt.  T.  C.  Goodner.  The  company 
was  placed  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry  as  Company  Iv.  At 
about  the  same  time  as  above  another  company  was  raised  in  Lebanon,  and  under  com- 
mand of  Capt.  E.  I.  Golladaj',  reported  at  Camp  Arrington,  near  Memphis,  and  was  mus- 
tered into  the  Thirty-eighth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantrj'  as  Companj'  H.  A portion 
of  Company  D,  Capt.  John  Wiseman,  was  also  raised  in  Wilson  County',  and  joined  the 
Fifth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Calvary,  Gen.  John  Morgan’s  command. 

In  December,  1861,  A.  F.  Orr,  E.  C.  Fite,  R.  W.  Miller,  T.  IJ.  Norman,  T.  J.  Han- 
kins, W.  P.  Skeen,  D.  B.  Anderson,  Fines  Underwood,  E.  M.  Hearn  and  H.  M.  Cart- 
well  Itrfi  Lebanon  for  Columbus,  Ky.,  where  thej'  joined  Company  C,  Capt.  Sterling,  of 
the  First  Tennessee  Heavj'  Artillery.  From  Columbus  thejT  went  to  Island  No.  10,  then 
to  Vicksburg,  where  they  were  captured.  After  being  exchanged  the  company  was  re- 
organized and  was  ordered  to  Battery  Tracj*,  in  Mobile  Bajr,  and  from  Battery  Tracy 
they  were  ordered  to  Fort  Morgan,  where  they  were  captured  and  sent  to  Governor's  Isl- 
and, N.  Y.  All  of  the  Wilson  Countj'  portion,  with  one  exception — Underwood,  who 
died  in  prison — survived  the  war  and  returned  to  Wilson  County.  In  the  spring  of  1862 
Capt.  Jonathan  Etherlj'  took  out  from  Wilson  County  Companj*  F,  of  the  Twenty-eighth 
Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry.  Capt.  Etherly  was  afterward  promoted  to  a colonelcy. 

The  above  is  a list  of  the  companies,  their  letters  and  captains,  and  the  regiments  to 
which  they  belonged;  and  for  a detailed  account  of  the  campaigns  of  the  several  regi- 
ments the  reader  is  referred  to  the  war  chapter  of  this  volume,  to  be  found  elsewhere. 

While  Wilson  County’s  soldiers  were  at  the  front  the  countj',  and  particularly  Leb- 
anon, was  the  scene  of  several  stirring  events.  In  the  spring  of  1862  a regiment  of  Feder- 
al troops,  under  command  of  Col.  Monday,  pitched  their  tents  in  Lebanon  and  held  full 
possession  of  the  town  for  about  three  months.  The  campus  of  the  university  was  select- 
ed as  their  quarters,  and  the  college  building  was  convert  d into  barracks.  In  the  latter 
part  of  the  same  year,  upon  the  evacuation  of  Lebanon  by  the  Federals,  Gen.  John  Mor- 
gan, with  about  300  of  his  cavalrj*,  was  quartered  in  Lebanon  for  a short  while.  The 
Federals  were  at  Murfreesboro,  and,  learning  of  Gen.  Morgan’s  presence  in  Lebanon,  sent 
a detachment  of  cavalrj*,  under  Gen.  Dumont,  to  effect  his  capture.  The  Federal  cavalry 
arrived  at  Lebanon  at  daj'lightand  at  once  opened  on  the  Confederates.  Their  pickets 
were  driven  in.  and,  though  they  had  large  odds  to  contend  against,  the  pluckj*  Confeder- 
ates prepared  for  action.  Gen.  Morgan  had  quarters  at  the  Lee  House,  and  when  the  skir- 
mishing began  had  not  yet  awakened.  His  men  retreated  from  the  college  building  into  the 
town,  and.  being  pressed,  took  shelter  in  the  Odd  Fellow’s  Hall,  on  West  Main  Street, 
near  the  court  house,  from  which  place  they  were  dislodged  onlj*  after  a sharp  fight.  Gen. 
Morgan  aDd  the  majority  of  his  command  made  their  escape,  though  it  was  a close  call. 
Several  on  both  sides  were  killed  and  wounded. 

In  1863  Gen.  Reynolds,  who  was  stationed  at  Nashville,  made  frequent  raids  into  Wil- 
son County,  and  gathered  up  all  the  horses  and  cattle  to  be  found. 

Unlike  many  of  the  Tennessee  counties,  Wilson  was  not  injured  to  anj’  great  extent 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


853 


by  guerrillas  and  jayhawkers,  though  what  were  termed  “ home-made  Yankees"  committed 
a few  depredations.  At  Shop  Springs,  some  time  in  1804,  William  Williams  was  arrested 
while  in  bed  by  supposed  “ home-made  Yankees,"  and  was  led  out  from  his  house  a short 
distance  and  shot;  but  beyond  this  nothing  of  a similar  nature  was  done. 

Lebanon,  the  county  seat  of  Wilson,  was  founded  in  1802,  at  which  time  the  commis- 
sion appointed  by  the  General  Assembly  for  that  purpose,  selected  the  land  of  James 
Menees  upon  which  to  locate  the  county  seat.  The  town  lots  were  sold  at  public  auction 
on  the  16th  of  August  of  the  same  year,  among  the  purchasers  being  William  Bloodworth, 
James  Peacock,  Johu  Wright,  Edward  Mitchell,  M.  Stewart,  William  Crabtree,  William 
Trigg,  S.  Ilarpole,  William  Gray,  John  Irwin,  J.  Providence,  Peter  Rule,  John  Impson, 
William  Allen  and  others.  Lebanon  is  situated  on  the  east  branch  of  Barton  Creek 
(Town  Branch),  six  miles  south  of  Cumberland  River,  and  about  six  miles  north  of  the- 
geographical  center  of  the  county,  and  on  the  Tennessee  & Pacific  Railway,  thirty 
miles  east  from  Nashville,  and  has  a population  of  3,000.  The  first  settler  on  what  is  now 
the  site  of  Lebanon,  was  Neddie  Jacobs,  who  built  a small  log  hut  in  1800,  and  main- 
tained himself  and  wife  by  fishing  and  hunting.  He  was  an  odd  character,  and  is  remem- 
bered chiefly  for  his  fiddling  propensities,  as  he  would  sit  and  fiddle  by  the  hour,  putting 
aside  his  beloved  instrument  only  to  replenish  his  larder  with  game.  The  first  house  after 
the  town  was  laid  out  was  built  by  John  Impson,  which  stood  near  the  spring  in  the 
Public  Square.  Thomas  Impson,  Edward  Mitchell,  Edmund  Crutcher  and  James  Ander- 
son also  erected  houses  at  about  the  same  time.  The  first  brick  house  was  erected  in  1812 
by  Dr.  Henry  Shelby,  and  soon  afterward  another  brick  house  was  erected  by  Joseph 
Johnson.  William  Allen,  an  Irishman,  was  the  first  man  to  open  a store  in  Lebanon,  and 
the  first  hotel  proprietor  was  Edward  Mitchell,  these  tw  o gentlemen  engaging  in  business 
in  1803.  The  first  physicians  were  Drs.  John  Tulloch  and  Samuel  Hogg.  The  first  post- 
master was  John  Allcorn,  and  the  first  school-teacher  was  an  Irishman  named  John  Trot- 
ter, in  about  1805.  The  first  church  was  the  Methodist  Church,  which  was  erected  in 
about  1812,  of  which  Rev.  German  Baker  was  the  first  preacher.  Previous  to  this  services- 
were  held  at  private  residences  and  in  the  court  house. 

In  November,  1807,  the  General  Assembly  passed  an  act  for  the  regulation  of  the  town 
of  Lebanon,  by  which  Samuel  Hogg,  Edmund  Crutcher,  David  Marshall,  Joseph  Johnson 
and  John  Allcorn  were  appointed  commissioners.  The  act  provided  further  that  a majority 
of  the  commissioners  should  constitute  a quorum,  and  that  one  of  their  number  should  be 
chosen  as  president  to  preside  over  their  meetings.  The  commissioners  were  given  power 
to  levy  a tax  on  all  town  lots,  call  out  the  able-bodied  men  to  work  on  the  roads,  and  ap- 
propriate money  for  the  improvement  of  the  town. 

Edmund  Crutcher  was  chosen  as  the  first  president  of  the  commission,  and  conse- 
quently was  the  first  mayor  of  Lebanon.  The  first  newspaper  established  was  the  Lebanon 
Gazette , which  was  established  in  1818  by  Messrs.  Ford  & Womack.  It  was  published 
but  a short  time.  In  1842  the  Banner  of  Peace,  edited  by  Dr.  F.  R.  Cassitt,  was  estab- 
lished in  Lebanon  and  published  in  the  interest  of  the  university  until  1851,  "when  it  was 
removed  to  Nashville.  Other  papers  published  in  Lebanon  have  been  the  Chronicle,  the 
Pocket,  the  Free  Press , and  the  Cumberland  University  Magazine.  The  papers  of  the  present 
time  are  the  Herald  and  Register.  The  Herald  was  established  in  October,  1853,  by  W.  Z. 
Neal  and  R.  T.  _Spillers.  It  was  a seven-column  folio,  and  in  politics  was  Whig.  The 
paper  was  published  until  the  civil  war,  when  it  was  suspended  for  three  years.  In  1865 
the  paper  was  revived  by  Neal  & Ward,  the  latter  having  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr. 
Spillard.  In  December,  1869,  R.  L.  C.  White  purchased  Mr.  Neal’s  interest,  and  in  1871 
Mr.  White  became  the  sole  proprietor  and  has  continued  as  such  to  the  present  time. 
The  Herald  is  a five-column  quarto,  has  a good  circulation,  and  is  independent  in  politics. 
The  Register  was  established  in  1883  by  D.  C.  Williams,  who  sold  out  the  paper  to  J.  D. 
Kirkpatrick  in  1884.  Mr.  Kirkpatrick  conducted  the  Register  until  June,  1886,  when  he 
sold  the  property  to  A.  C.  Durdin.  The  Register  is  a seven-column  folio,  Democratic  in 
politics,  and  enjoys  a good  circulation  and  advertising  patronage. 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


854 

From  1S00  to  18*20,  the  business  men  of  Lebanon  were  John  Herrod  James  Anderson. 
Edward  Mitchell,  William  Mann.  Benjamin  Tarver.  George  Ilullum.  Joel  Mann,  David 
Marshal.  Reddick  Eason,  Leonard  Sims.  Allan  Avery,  Patrick  Anderson,  Verger  A Golla- 
day.  Cage  & Crutcher,  Winchester  A Cage,  Jaspar  K.  Ashworth,  and  Nathaniel  Dew. 
During  the  same  period,  Edward  Mitchell,  David  Marshal  and  John  llcrrod  were  the  tav- 
ern keepers. 

The  business  men  of  the  twenties  were  James  Johnson.  Mathew  Dew,  Verger  A Gol- 
laday,  Foster  Crutcher.  Hicks  A Johnson.  Pauldiu  Anderson,  John  Muirhead,  David  Mar- 
shal. Allcorn  A Johnson,  Harry  L.  Douglas,  Frank  Anderson,  Thomas  J.  Thompson,  Jas 
per  R.  Ashworth.  T.  J.  Stratton  and  Henry  Chambers.  The  hotels  duriug  the  same  pe- 
riod were  conducted  by  David  Marshal, .George  Helms,  William  Hartsfield  and  Harry  L. 
Douglas.  Duriug  the  thirties  the  business  men  were  Jasper  R.  Ashworth*.  Joseph  Phillips, 
Lawrence  Sypcrt,  T.  J.  Stratton.  William  Hall,  Edward  and  John  W.  White,  John  Hearn, 
John  M.  Hill,  Dr.  James  Frazier,  M.  T.  Cartwright,  P.  & T.  Anderson,  Stiff  Harrison,  E. 
A.  A J.  W.  White,  White  A Price,  Henry  Smith,  Peyton  Ewing  A Co.,  Fisher  Bros., 
Dawson  Hancock,  Allcorn  & Johnson,  Ewing  and  Richmond,  George  H.  Bullard,  Mathew 
Cartwright,  Gillespie  A Mabry,  Hearn  A Hill,  E.  A.  A J.  W.  White,  and  W.  H.  Wortham. 
Albert  Wyun  and  a company  composed  of  Obediah  Gordon.  George  F.  McWhirter  and 
James  G.  Robertson,  were  the  innkeepers,  and  a company  composed  of  Gears,  Wilkerson, 
Pyle,  Porter  A Co.,  conducted  an  extensive  carriage  factory  during  that  period.  At  the 
same  time  a large  cotton  factory,  owned  and  operated  by  a stock  company  under  the  firm 
name  of  the  Tennessee  Manufacturing  Compauy,  was  in  full  operation,  aDd  upward  of  500 
hands  were  employed  in  the  manufacture  of  cotton  goods  of  all  descriptions.  The  prop- 
erty was  afterward  destroyed  by  fire  and  never  rebuilt. 

The  business  men  of  the  thirties  with  but  few  exceptions,  and  the  following  additions, 
were  the  same  during  the  forties:  L.  Drifoos  and  John  W.  Price. 

During  the  fifties  the  businessmen  were  George  Harsh,  Jacob  Howard,  T.  J.  Stratton, 
M.  A.  Price.  W.  T.  Coles,  Daniel  R.  Fakes,  Burr  Harris,  A.  R.  Davis,  L.  Drifoos,  J.  H. 
Armstrong,  Cook  A Owen,  P.  G.  Duffer,  N.  Cantrell,  Jolm  A,  Haynes,  James  McCasland, 
Ed  R.  Penebaker,  Robert  L.  Williams,  R,  P.  Allison,  T.  E.  Davis  A Co.,  Burgess  A Matt- 
ley,  G.  W.  Lewis.  H.  D.  Lester  A Son,  A.  M.  Springer,  J.  F.  Coe,  Lester  A Smith,  and 
D.  Cook,  Jr.  In  1854  the  Lebanon  Flour-mill  was  established  on  the  site  of  the  old  cotton 
factory  by  W.  W.  Carter,  for  that  time  it  was  considered  the  best  mill  in  the  State.  In 
1859  John  A.  Lester,  purchased  a half  interest  in  the  mill,  and  since  then  several  changes 
have  occurred  in  its  proprietorship,  and  at  the  present  the  property  is  owned  by  Mr.  Lester 
and  bis  son-in-law,  Selden  R.  Williams.  The  mill  is  supplied  with  the  most  improved 
machinery’,  and  has  a capacity  of  100  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  The  capital  invested  is 
$15,000. 

The  business  men  of  the  sixties  were  Dabney  Carr,  T.  J.  Stratton,  J.  Emanuel,  W.  H. 
Armstrong,  W.  H.  Brown,  Cash  M.  Park,  D.  Cook.  Jr.,  Clark  A Cook,  Burgess  A Co.,  J. 
L.  White,  L.  Drifoos  A Co.,  Charles  Stone,  A.  R.  Fonville,  Kennedy  A Aust,  J.  M.  Wool- 
ard,  J.  T.  Manson,  Brittain  A Neal,  Coe  A Morris,  and  T.  Harrington.  In  August,  1866, 
the  People’s  Natioual  Bank  was  established  by  Mattley  A Campbell,  and  has  continued  in 
business  up  to  the  present.  The  officers  at  this  time  are  Judge  Nathan  Green,  president; 
Samuel  T.  Mattley,  cashier.  The  capital  stock  is  $50,000  with  $10,000  surplus. 

The  business  men  of  the  seventies  were  as  follows:  General  Merchants — Robinson  A 
Perry,  J.  C.  Crawford,  J.  P.  Tolliver,  W.  W.  Donnell,  J.  H.  Ozment  A Co.,  J.  O.  Dillard, 
W.  T.  Cartwright,  Hughlitt  A Harris,  Rosenthel  A Bros.,  J.  T.  McClain  A Co.,  J.  B.  Hal- 
ley, C.  T.  Cox,  D.  D.  Smithwick,  Joseph  Wharton,  Goodbar  A Means,  G.  W.  Lewis,  John 
W.  Comer,  M.  J.  Watkins,  Leggon  A Bros.,  Hatcher  A Johnson,  Donnell  A Young,  J. 
Harding,  Thomas  Jenkins,  Lampton  Bros.,  J.  A.  Lester  A Co.,  Dillard  A Wilson,  Fish  A 
Reese,  L.  A,  A J.  B.  Wynn,  C.  L.  Johns,  G.  W.  Collier  and  G.  W.  Martin.  Boots  and 
shoes — Samuel  II.  Matherly  and  J.  A.  Haynes  A Co.  Tin  shop  and  stoves — N.  S.  Williams. 
Drugs — A.  P.  Thompson,  and  Gvvynn  A Peyton.  Livery  stables— Swindle  A Shorter,  Mur- 
phey  A Buchanan,  and  Orgain  A Watkins. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


. 855 


In  1870  the  Bank  of  "Wilson  was  established  with  Dr.  John  Owen  as  president  and  T. 
J.  Stratton  as  cashier.  In  1872  the  name  of  the  bank  was  changed  to  that  of  the  Second 
National,  with  James  Hamilton,  as  president,  and  Mr.  Stratton,  cashier.  The  present  otli 
cers  are  S.  R.  Williams,  president:  John  Palmer,  vice-president;  W.  II.  Brown,  cashier 
The  cash  capital  of  this  bank  is  $70,000.  In  1873  Waters  & Co.,  erected  a large  flouring- 
mill  and  stocked  it  with  the  best  of  machinery,  and  the  mill  is  in  operation  at  the  present 
under  the  same  proprietors.  The  capital  invested  in  the  property  is  $15,000. 

The  business  interests  of  the  present  are  represented  as  follows:  S.  Martin,  J.  K. 
Stratton,  R.  P.  Oldham,  McClain  Bros,  and  Wilson  A Waters,  dry  goods;  J.  L.  Drifoos, 
Shannon  & Co..  Freeman  A Whitescower,  Monroe  Fish,  W.  D.  Chandler,  Edward  Wheeler. 
R.  S.  Haley  & Sons,  Huggins  & Seagraves  and  Ligan  Sc  Bros.,  groceries;  S.  M.  Anderson 
A Co..  Gwynn  & Hinds  and  McDonald,  McKinzie  Sc  Co.,  druggists;  II.  31.  Drifoos  and  J. 
F.  Odum  Sc  Co.,  merchant  tailors:  D.  L.  Brown,  clothing;  John  A.  Haynes,  Fakes  Sc  Co. 
and  Samuel  Matherly,  boots  and  shoes;  N.  J.  G.  Allen/tinware  and  stoves;  J.  P.  Cox. 
undertaker;  R.  M.  Cartwell  and  Freeman  Sc  Whitescarver,  saddlers;  J.  A.  Woolard  Sc 
Bro..  J.  T.  Lee,  Billings  A Ragland  and  Ligan  Bros.,  saloons;  J.  R.  Shorter,  Neal  Sc 
Ligan,  A.  J.  Rutherford,  Hinse  Sc  Hannah.  Murpliey  A Buchauau  and  Johnson  A Vance, 
livery  stables:  Trebbling  A Smith,  butchers;  J.  M.  Watkins,  John  W.  Conner  and  Mr>. 
Cal.  Woodard,  hotels.  In  1884  the  Bank  of  Lebanon  was  established  with  a cash  capital 
of  $25,000.  The  officers  are  James  Hamilton,  president;  D.  W.  Dinges,  vice-president. 
4ind  S.  G.  Stratton,  cashier.  The  manufactories  of  the  present  are  the  Lebanon  Planing- 
mill  and  Barrel  Factory,  Williams  A Covington,  proprietors;  John  W.  Reede  and  Pyle 
A Haitsfieiu,  carriage  manufactories,  anu  John  Shelton,  marble-yard.  In  June.  1885.  the 
Lebanou  Creamery  was  established  by  a stock  company  with  J.  Moldenhower,  a native  of 
Denmark,  as  manager.  Upward  of  4,000  pounds  of  milk  are  received  at  the  creamery  each 
day,  which  is  manufactured  into  butter  and  cheese.  The  machinery  used  in  the  creamery 
is  of  the  most  modern  make,  embracing  a Danish  milk  separator,  which  separates  the 
cream  from  the  milk  at  the  rate  of  2,000  pounds  per  hour.  The  milk  for  the  establishment 
is  supplied  by  the  many  herds  of  fine  blooded  milk  cows  for  which  Wilson  County  is 
noted. 

Among  the  early  prominent  physicians  of  Lebanon  were  Thomas  Hogg,  James  Frazier. 
John  Ray,  L.  W.  White,  Drs.  Allison,  Crutchfield,  Miles  and  McCorkle.  The  present 
physicians  of  Lebanon  are  J.  31.  Anderson,  J.  W.  Holbert,  O.  C.  Kidder,  F.  A.  Fleming, 
J.  L.  Fite,  William  Hannah  and  G.  L.  Robertson.  Dentists:  W.  H.  Bennett  and  A.  F. 
Clavwell.  Lebanon  has  eight  churches,  as  follows:  3Iethodist  Episcopal,  Cumberland 
Presbyterian.  Baptist  and  Christian  (white),  and  3Iethodist  Episcopal,  Baptist,  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  and  African  3Iethodist  Episcopal  (colored),  all  of  which  are  treated  of 
more  fully  in  the  chapter  on  churches. 

The  secret  societies  of  the  town  are  as  follows:  Lebanon  Lodge,  F.  A A.  31.,  No.  97. 
•established  during  the  thirties;  3Iagnolia  Lodge,  No.  69,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  established  in  1847: 
Lotus  Lodge.  No.  20,  organized  in  1875;  Lebanon  Lodge,  No  69,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  established 
in  1883;  Lebanon  Lodge,  K.  of  IL,  No.  222,  established  in  January',  1876,  and  Cedar  City 
Lodge,  No.  23,  G.  T.,  organized  in  1884. 

Lebanon  was  first  incorporated  in  November,  1807,  and  lias  continued  as  a corporal  i°n 
in  some  shape  or  other  up  to  the  present  time,  the  form  of  government  in  force  to-day 
being  a taring  district,  which  went  in  force  in  1881.  The  present  officers  are  J.  31  at t 
Woolen,  mayor;  E.  E.  Beard,  treasurer;  J.  P.  Eastman,  secretary  and  financial  agent:  W. 
H.  Smith,  marshal. 

The  Wilson  County’  Agricultural  and  3Iecliauical  Association  was  organized  in  Leb- 
anon in  1852,  and  with  the  exception  of  a suspension  during  the  late  war  has  held  annual 
•exhibitions  at  the  fair  grounds  near  Lebanon  ever  since.  The  fair  grounds  enclose  twenty 
acres  of  splendid  land,  upon  which  have  been  erected  substantial  and  tasty'  buildings. 
'The  amphitheatre  is  in  the  shape  of  a circle,  furnishing  seating  accommodations  for  about 
4,000  people  and  affording  a delightful  promenade. 


850  ' 


HI8TORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Statesville,  a village  of  about  2(X)  inhabitants,  is  situated  on  Smith  Fork,  in  the 
Fifteenth  District,  eighteen  miles  southeast  from  Lebanon,  and  has  nineteen  town  lots. 
The  town  was  established  on  the  lands  of  William  Bumpass  in  1812,  and  was  first  named 
Maryville,  in  honor  of  Mrs.  Bumpass,  but  was  subsequently  changed  to  the  present  name 
in  honor  of  Statesville,  X.  C.  The  town  reached  its  zenith  in  about  1835,  there  being  at 
that  time  about  seven  stores  and  sundry  mechanic  establishments  in  the  place.  From  that 
time  until  recent  years  the  business  of  Statesville  retrogaded.  At  present  there  are  three 
general  stores,  the  proprietors  of  which  are  J.  It.  Hale,  J.  M.  Jennings  & Bro.  and  A.  L. 
Jennings,  all  of  whom  do  a good  business.  The  blacksmiths  are  S.  T.  Moody,  J.  W.  Arm- 
strong aud  Brittain  Barbv.  A good  steam  saw  and  grist-mill  is  operated  by  A.  T.  Young. 
The  public  schools  consist  of  one  each  of  white  and  colored,  which  are  well  attended  and 
successfully  conducted.  The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  aud  Methodist  Episcopal  congre- 
gations have  substantial  churches,  aud  both  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows’  fraternities  have 
lodges.  The  town  is  situated  in  a rich  aud  productive  farming  district,  and  the  people  are- 
moral,  industrious,  and  as  a rule  very  well  to  do. 

Cainsville,  in  the  Seventeenth  District,  is  about  eighteen  miles  south  of  Lebanon,  on 
the  Statesville  and  Murfreesboro  Pike,  has  about  100  inhabitants  and  nineteen  town  lots. 
The  village  is  situated  in  a healthy  and  fertile  country,  and  was  established  in  1829  on  the 
lands  of  George  I.  Cain,  from  whom  it  derived  its  name.  The  present  business  interests 
are  represented  by  T.  L.  Huddleston,  R.  J.  Harris  and  Florida  Bros.,  general  merchants; 
R.  B.  Pearcy,  undertaker,  and  Peyton  Woods,  blacksmith.  Both  white  and  colored 
schools  are  located  in  the  village,  the  former  being  a chartered  academy  under  the  “four 
mile”  law.  The  churches  c?  Cainsville  are  two  in  number,  Presbyterian  and  Methodist. 

Gladesville  is  a village  of  about  100  inhabitants,  situated  about  twelve  miles  southwest 
from  Lebanon,  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District.  The  village  is  located  on  a rocky  glade, 
from  whence  came  its  name,  and  was  established  in  1852  upon  the  land  of  Benjamin 
Hooker,  Jr.  The  business  of  Gladesville  consists  of  three  general  stores  owned  by  I.  B. 
Castleman,  Baker  <fc  Meyers  and  F.  Y.  Begley  & Son,  two  blacksmith  shops  by  Ned  Mar- 
tin (colored)  and  Richard  Murry  (colored),  wood  shop  by  Robert  McPeak,  and  saddlery 
shop  by  Wood  Woodrum.  The  Missionar}'  Baptists  and  Methodists  have  good  churches. 
An  excellent  high  school  is  conducted  in  the  town,  which  was  chartered  in  1878  under  the 
“four  mile”  law. 

Mount  Juliet  is  a station  on  the  Tennessee  A Pacific  Railway,  fourteen  miles  west, 
from  Lebanon,  in  the  First  District,  and  was  established  in  1870  upon  the  land  of  Newton 
Cloydw  Originally  the  town  stood  on  the  Lebanon  & Nashville  Road,  on  the  land  of  John 
J.  Cnidoup,  and  was  first  established  in  1835.  The  merchants  of  Mount  Juliet  are  Grigg 
<fc  Smith,  general  store,  and  Elly  Fuqua  is  the  blacksmith.  The  Cumberland  Presb}'terian 
Church  is  the  only  one  in  the  town,  and  Lodge  No.  379,  F.  & A.  M.,  the  only  secret  so- 
cietj7.  Mount  Juliet  Academy,  a chartered  school,  ranks  among  the  best  in  the  county. 

Green  Hill  is  situated  on  the  Lebanon  & Nashville  Pike,  fifteen  miles  from  the 
former  place,  in  the  First  District,  and  has  a population  of  about  fifty  people  The  town- 
was  established  in  183G  on  the  land  of  Hugh  Robinson,  and  before  the  construction  of  the 
Tennessee  & Pacific  Railway  was  a place  of  considerable  importance,  it  being  the  half- 
way point  between  Lebanon  and  Nashville.  The  present  merchants  are  Cook  A Cook, 
Gillaim  tfc  Purdue  aud  J.  X:  Adams,  general  stores.  Green  Hill  Academy,  a chartered' 
school,  furnishes  the  educational  facilities  of  the  town,  aud  one  church  building  serves  for 
tlie  several  denominations. 

Lagardo  is  one  of  the  thriving  towns  of  the  county,  and  has  a population  of  about  250. 
The  village  lies  twelve  miles  northwest  from  Lebanon  in  the  Fourth  District,  and  in  the 
valley  of  the  Cumberland,  two  miles  from  that  river.  It  was  established  in  1835  upon  the 
land  of  Turner  Vaughan.  The  business  of  the  town  is  at  present  represented  by  Wright 
tfc  Vaughau.  Davis  Bros,  and  James  A.  Woods,  general  merchants;  Greer  & Shepard, 
blacksmiths,  and  Davis  Bros.,  steam  saw,  flour  and  grist-millers.  Lagardo  has  three  secret, 
societies  as  follows:  Masonic  Lodge,  No.  237;  Good  Templar's  Lodge,  No.  78,  aud  Y.  M. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


s;v 


A.  Lodge  (a  colored  organization).  A splendid  high  school  is  conducted  in  the  town,  in 
which  from  two  to  three  teachers  are  employed.  Five  churches  are  located  in  Lagnrdo  ns 
follows:  Baptist.  Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  Christian,  and  Colored  Missionary  Baptist 
and  African  Methodist  Episcopal. 

Leevillc  is  a small  station  on  the  Tennessee  & Pacific  Bailway,  six  miles  west  from 
Lebanon,  in  the  Twenty-second  District,  and  was  established  on  the  land  of  Rev.  1).  C 
Kelley,  in  1871.  and  named  in  honor  of  Gen.  Robert  E.  Lee.  The  present  merchants  are 
A.  E.  Beard  and  A.  G.  Rogers  & Son.  The  town  has  an  excellent  high  school  and 
Methodist  Episcopal  and  Baptist  Churches. 

Taylorsville  is  a small  town  lying  on  Cedar  Creek,  seven  miles  northeast  from  the 
county  seat  in  the  Sixth  District.  The  town  was  established  in  1840  on  the  lands  of  John 
N.  Taylor  and  Philander  Davis,  and  named  for  the  former.  J.  R.  Ware,  a geueral  mer- 
chant, has  the  only  store  in  the  town,  and  James  Brewington  has  the  only  blacksmith 
and  wood  shop.  A chartered  academy  is  located  in  Taylorsville,  which  ranks  with  the 
best  schools  in  the  county. 

Commerce,  a village  thirteen  miles  east  from  Lebanon,  in  the  Twelfth  District,  was 
established  in  1822  upon  the  laud  of  Joshua  Taylor,  and  has  a Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  an  excellent  chartered  school  known  as  the  Commerce  Academy.  Messrs. 
Bell  & Phillip  and  Smith  & Lanham  are  the  merchants,  both  of  whom  keep  geueral  stores. 

Cherry  Valley  is  a small  town  on  the  Sparta  Pike,  ten  miles  southeast  from  the  county 
scat  in  the  Sixteenth  District,  and  was  established  in  1848  upon  the  land  of  Wilson  T. 
Cartwright.  The  merchants  are  Phillips  <fc  Clemmons,  Phillips  & Henderson,  and  Grand- 
staff  Si  Waters.  The  town  has  a chartered  school,  Methodist  Church  and  Masonic  Hall. 

Green  Vale  is  a village  of  seventy-five  inhabitants,  situated  in  the  Seventeenth  Dis- 
trict, and  was  established  in  1871,  upon  the  land  of  W.  D.  Quarles,  and  William  M.  Johns. 
The  merchants  are  A.  J.  Quarles  and  Cox  & Gwinnett,  general  stores;  J.  Busey,  under- 
taker, and  Patton  & Reeves  and  Jennings  & Attwood,  blacksmiths.  Green  Vale  Academy 
is  located  in  the  town  and  also  Wetumpka  Lodge,  No.  142,  I.  O.  O.  F. 

Other  villages,  or  postoffices,  are  Silver  Spring,  in  the  Second  District.  Tucker’s  Cross 
Roads  and  Bellwood  in  the  Eighth  District,  Cottage  Home  in  the  Thirteenth  District. 
Shop’s  Springs  in  the  Nineteenth  District,  Saulsbury,  Baird’s  Mill,  Round  Top,  Fall  Creek, 
Mount  View,  Oak  Grove,  Tucker’s  Gap,  Austin,  Beckwith  and  Rural  Hill. 

From  the  establishment  of  the  first  school  in  the  neighborhood  of  Spring  Creek,  in 
1800,  by  Benjamin  Alexander,  the  schools  of  Wilson  County  have  increased  in  number  and 
facilities  until  at  the  present  the  county  is  dotted  over  with  high  schools  and  academies, 
and  can  boast  of  one  of  the  leading  universities  in  the  South.  As  above  stated  the  first 
school  in  Wilson  Count)’  was  established  some  time  in  1800,  by  Benjamin  Alexander,  on 
the  waters  of  Spring  Creek,  The  school  was  taught  in  a log  dwelling-house,  from  three 
to  four. months  in  the  year,  and,  though  humble  and  unpretentious,  furnished  the  founda- 
tion for  the  present  magnificent  school  system.  Another  school  was  taught  by  Rev.  Sam- 
uel Donnell  in  the  same  neighborhood,  in  1802,  which  was  called  a classical  school,  and 
was  conducted  in  connection  with  the  church  of  which  Mr.  Donnell  was  pastor.  Follow- 
ing these  schools  several  others  were  taught  in  the  various  creek  neighborhoods,  of  which 
no  record  can  be  obtained,  and  in  1810  George  McWhirter,  a man  of  finished  education, 
established  what  afterward  became  the  celebrated  Campbell  Academy.  This  school  was 
located  on  Hickory  Ridge,  about  five  miles  west  of  Lebanon.  Mr.  McWhirter  was  assisted 
in  the  conduct  of  the  school  by  his  two  daughters,  and  all  the  higher  branches  were 
taught.  In  the  course  of  five  or  six  years  the  school  was  removed  to  Lebanon  and  a good 
building  erected  on  a piece  of  ground  donated  by  Gov.  Campbell,  for  whom  the  school 
was  named.  In  1840  a new  building  was  erected  for  the  academy,  and  it  was  continued 
as  such  until  the  late  civil  war,  after  which  it  was  turned  over  to  the  Cumberland  Univer- 
sity, to  be  used  as  a preparatory  department  of  that  institution,  and  is  in  use  at  the  pres 
ent.  Among  the  promiuent  teachers  of  this  school  were  Rev.  Thomas  Anderson.  Profs. 
S.  C.  Anderson,  Myron  Kilborn,  W.  R.  Dougal,  Lucien  Marshall,  Poindexter  and  Ken 
nedy. 


858 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Some  time  in  1815  a very  good  school  was  taught  at  the  schoolhouse  known  as  the 
Washington  Schoolhouse,  of  which  Prof.  Patterson  was  the  teacher,  and  about  that  time 
another  school  was  taught  by  Mary  Morris,  at  a point  a few  miles  west  of  Lebanon.  In 
the  spring  of  1824  Brevard  College,  one  of  the  leading  schools  of  that  day.  was  established 
by  Capt.  Thomas  Brevard,  a native  of  Ireland.  The  building  was  an  ordinary  log  house, 
and  stood  four  miles  due  east  from  Lebanon.  The  higher  branches  were  taught  by  Capt. 
Brevard,  and  not  a few  of  the  citizens  of  the  present  obtained  their  education  at  that  insti- 
tution of  learning.  After  conducting  the  school  successfully  for  about  nine  years  Capt. 
Brevard  was  succeeded  by  Prof.  William  Pemberton,  who  in  turn  was  succeeded  by  Prof. 
Robert  Simpson,  and  he  in  turn  by  Prof.  John  Vesa,  a Frenchman.  The  school  was 
abandoned  after  one  year’s  management  of  Prof.  Vesa. 

The  next  high  school  established  was  the  Abby  Female  Institute,  in  Lebanon,  during 
the  thirties,  the  proprietors  and  teachers  of  which  were  Miss  Harriet  Abby  and  her  sister, 
Mrs.  Kilborn,  both  of  whom  came  from  the  New  England  States  and  founded  the  school. 
The  institute  was  afterward  conducted  as  a high  school  by  Rev.  Mr.  Roach,  Prof.  Edgar 
and  Gen.  A.  P.  Stewart,  and  was  abandoned  during  the  seventies. 

Carroll  Academy  was  next  established  by  Prof.  Stephen  Owen,  a Northern  man, 
some  time  in  1842.  This  school  was  situated  on  the  Lebanon  & Rome  Pike,  seven  miles 
northeast  from  the  former  place,  and  was  one  of  the  leading  schools  of  that  day.  The 
school  was  afterward  moved  to  Big  Spring,  and  was  continued  until  during  the  seventies. 
Among  the  teachers  were  Prof.  Stephen  Owen,  Prof.  Carroll,  Capt.  Norris  and  Prof.  J.  B. 
Hancock,  the  latter  being  now  at  the  head  of  Maple  Hill  Female  Seminary. 

In  about  1842  Princeton  College  of  Kentucky,  under  the  direction  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  was  moved  to  Lebanon,  and  Cumberland  University  established,  of 
which  Rev.  F.  R.  Cassitt,  D.  D.,  was  the  first  president.  The  university  was  first  located 
in  the  old  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  but  subsequently  a large  college  building  was 
erected  on  College  Street,  which  was  surrounded  by  a large  campus.  The  building  was 
afterward  enlarged,  and  during  the  civil  war  was  destroyed  by  a Confederate  soldier,  who 
having  attended  the  college,  became  incensed  at  it  being  occupied  by  negroes,  filled  one 
room  with  cedar  rails  one  night  and  applied  the  match,  destroying  the  entire  property. 
After  the  war  the  university  was  re-established.  The  private  residence  of  Judge  Abraham 
Caruthers,  which  stood  on  the  south  side  of  West  Main  Street,  about  one  mile  from  the 
Public  Square,  was  purchased  in  1867  and  converted  into  a college  building,  and  is  at  pres- 
ent the  theological  department  of  the  university.  About  the  same  time  the  private  residence 
of  Andrew  AndersoD,  on  the  same  side  of  the  above  street,  on  the  second  block  west  of  the 
Public  Square,  was  purchased  and  converted  into  an  academic  hall.  In  1878  Caruthers’ 
Hall  was  built  at  a cost  of  about  $22,000,  iu  which  is  situated  the  law  department  of  the 
university.  The  combined  valuation  of  the  property  of  the  university  is  about  $60,000. 
Caruthers’  Hall  is  a handsome  brick  building,  and  is  an  ornament  to  the  city.  The  law 
department  of  the  university  was  established  January  9, 1847,  and  Judge  Abraham  Caruth- 
ers was  the  first  professor,  he  resigning  a seat  upon  the  beuch  of  the  State  to  accept  the 
position.  In  1852  Judge  N.  Green,  father  of  the  present  chancellor,  resigned  a seat  on  the 
State  bench,  and  responded  to  a call  to  assist  Judge  Caruthers.  Shortly  thereafter  Judge 
Nathan  Green,  Jr.,  the  present  chancellor,  was  elected  to  a professorship  in  the  school, 
and  these  three  gentlemen  continued  as  the  faculty  of  the  law  department  until  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  in  1861.  In  18G6  Judge  Green,  Sr.,  died,  and  Hon.  nenry  Cooper  suc- 
ceeded to  his  position.  Judge  Cooper  resigned  in  1868,  when  Judge  Robert  L.  Caruthers 
was  called  to  that  position,  and  he,  too,  resigned  a seat  on  the  supreme  bench.  Judge 
Caruthers  resigned  in  1881,  and  died  the  following  year.  Dr.  T.  C.  Anderson  then  became 
the  president,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Dr.  B.  W.  McDonnell,  and  then  Judge  Nathan 
Green  was  elected  chancellor,  and  occupies  that  responsible  position  at  the  present.  In 
1878  Andrew  B.  Martin,  one  of  the  present  faculty,  was  elected  to  a professorship.  The 
theological  department  was  established  in  1853,  and  for  twelve  years  Dr.  Beard,  father  of 
E.  E.  Beard,  a prominent  member  of  the  present  bar  of  Lebanon,  was  the  principal.  In 


■ 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


859 

1ST?  the  department  was  reorganized,  aud  its  faculty  increased  to  two  regular  professors 
and  two  lecturers.  Dr.  Beard  died  in  1SS1,  and  Dr.  S.  G.  Burnc-y,  D.  D.,  was  called  to  his 
position,  that  of  systematic  theology,  and  Prof.  J.  D.  Kirkpatrick,  D.  D.,  was  given  the 
chair  of  historical  theology.  The  faculty  at  present  is  as  follows:  Nathan  Green,  LL.  D., 
chancellor:  S.  G.  Burney,  D.  D.,  systematic  theology;  J.  D.  Kirkpatrick,  D.  D.,  historical 
theology;  R.  V.  Foster,  D.  D.,  exegetical  theology;  C.  H.  Bell,  D.  D.,  homiletics  and  mis- 
sions. Lecturers:  AY.  J.  Darby,  D.  D.,  and  J.  M.  Hubbert,  D.  D.  More  than  10,000  young 
men  have  been  educated  in  Cumberland  University,  and  the  attendance  is  large  each  year. 
In  1848  or  1849  Dr.  N.  Lawrence  Lindsey,  LL.  D.,  at  one  time  a member  of  the  faculty  of 
the  university,  established  a school  for  young  ladies,  six  miles  east  from  Lebanon,  on  the 
Sparta  Pike,  which  was  called  Greenwood.  The  school  was  deservedly  popular,  and  was 
conducted  by  Dr.  Lindsey  until  his  death  in  1868,  and  afterward  by  his  widow  until  1SS3, 
wheu  it  was  discontinued. 

The  Baptist  Church  established  a high  school  for  young  ladies  in  Lebanon  in  1859.  A 
substantial  brick  building  was  erected  on  East  Main  Street,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Powell  was 
placed  in  charge.  Dr.  Powell  conducted  the  school  until  some  time  in  1861,  wheu  he  was 
succeeded  by  Dr.  Griffin,  of  Nashville,  and  then  followed  Rev.  J.  M.  Phillips  and  Rev.  A. 
Hart  as  principals.  In  1870  the  school  was  discontinued  and  the  property  sold  to  the 
town  of  Lebanon,  and  has  since  been  conducted  as  a public  school,  being  at  present  in  the 
charge  of  Prof.  B.  M.  Mace,  a popular  educator. 

Maple  Hill  Seminary  was  founded  by  Prof.  J.  B.  Hancock  in  September,  1880,  and  is 
located  on  the  Lebanon  & Nashville  Pike,  three  miles  west  from  Lebanon,  with  delightful 
surroundings  of  forest,  and  farmlands.  The  school  property  embraces  twenty  acic*  of 
land,  to  which  is  attached  a farm  of  250  acres,  upon  which  are  produced  many  of  the  sup- 
plies for  the  school.  The  school  buildings  are  of  frame,  and  conveniently  arranged  and 
situated.  Maple  Hill  has  been  a success  in  every  respect  since  its  establishment,  and  under 
the  judicious  and  efficient  management  of  Prof.  Hancock  promises  to  continue  so. 

An  addition  of  importance  to  the  educational  advantages  of  Lebanon  and  Wilson 
County,  wTill  be  the  Lebanon  College  for  young  ladies,  which  will  be  opened  next  fall  by 
Profs.  Foster  and  AYeir,  of  which  Prof.  Foster  will  be  the  principal.  The  finishing  touches 
are  being  applied  to  a handsome  and  commodious  building  for  this  school,  which  is  an  or- 
nament to  the  town  in  which  it  is  located. 

The  following  is  a list  of  the  many  excellent  high  schools  and  chartered  academies  in 
the  various  districts:  Mount  Juliet  and  Green  Hill  Academies,  in  the  First  District;  La- 
gardo  High  School,  in  the  Fourth  District;  Cedar  Grove  High  School,  in  the  Fifth  District; 
Austin  Academy,  in  the  Seventh  District;  Bellwood  High  School,  in  the  Eighth  District; 
Tucker’s  Cross  Roads  Academy,  in  the  Ninth  District;  Linwood  High  School,  and  Shop 
Spring  Academy,  in  the  Eleventh  District;  Commerce  Academy,  in  the  Twelfth  District; 
Round  Top  Academy,  in  the  Thirteenth  District;  Prosperity  Academy,  in  the  Fourteenth 
District;  Statesville  Academy,  in  the  Fifteenth  District;  Cherry  Valley  Academy,  in  the 
Sixteenth  District;  Cainsville  Academy,  in  the  Seventeenth  District;  Fall  Creek  Academy, 
in  the  Eighteenth  District;  Mace  Institute,  in  the  Twenty-first  District;  Alouut  View 
Acadamy,  in  the  Twenty-second  District;  Oak  Grove  Academy,  in  the  Twenty-third  Dis- 
trict; Gladeville.High  Schpol.  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District;  Hamilton  Academy,  in  tiie 
Twenty-fifth  District,  and  Lecrville  Academy,  in  a school  district  separate  from  the- 
civil  districts.  The  academies  are  all  chartered  schools,  working  under  the  four  mile 
temperance  law. 

The  last  report  of  the  school  superintendent  of  the  county  shows  the  public  schools 
of  Wilson  County  to  be  in  the  following  condition:  Number  of  pupils:  white  male,  8,608; 
white  female,  3,444;  total  white,  7,052;  colored  male  1,484;  colored  females,  1,464;  total 
colored,  2,948;  grand  total,  10.030;  average  attendance,  5,000.  Numbcrof  teachers:  white 
male,  61;  white  female,  29;  white  total,  90;  colored  male,  17;  colored  female,  14;  colored 
total,  31;  grand  total,  121.  Number  of  schools:  white,  73;  colored.  30:  total,  103.  The 
county  superintendents  since  1873  have  been  as  follows:  Profs.  A.  D.  Morris,  8.  G.  Shep- 
ard, B.  M.  Mace,  J.  B.  Powell  and  R.  McAIillin,  the  present  incumbent. 


:860 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  first  sermon  preached  iu  Wilson  County  was  by  Rev.  William  McGee,  a Presby- 
terian minister,  in  the  fall  of  1798,  at  the  house  of  William  McClain,  in  the  Drake  Lick 
settlement,  near  the  mouth  of  Spencer  Lick  Creek,  and  the  first  church  organized  was 
"Spring  Creek  Church,  which  stood  on  the  creek  by  that  name,  which  was  established  by 
Rev.  Dr.  Hall,  a North  Carolina  Presbyterian  minister  and  missionary  in  1800.  The  church 
'was  a small  log  house,  puncheon  floor,  and  Rev.  Samuel  Donnell  was  the  first  pastor. 
"These  pioneer  Christians  were  very  devout,  but  had  been  brought  up,  as  a rule,  upon  the 
farm  and  had  not  enjoyed  the  best  of  educational  advantages,  and  when  the  split  came  in 
their  church  in  1S10  they  went  with  the  Cumberland  wing,  and  this  first  church  was  also 
the  pioneer  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  In  the  latter  part  of  1800,  or  first  of  1801, 
the  Methodists  organized  and  erected  a church  iu  the  Hickory  Ridge  settlement,  which 
•church  was  christened  Bethel  Church.  Afterward  the  church  was  removed  to  a point  on 
the  Lebanon  & Nashville  Pike,  about  four  miles  west  from  Lebanon,  where  a new  building 
■was  erected  and  which  is  in  use  at  the  present  time.  Some  time  in  1808  or  1804  a Presby- 
terian Church  was  erected  on  Suggs  Creek. and  another  of  the  same  denomination  at  Shop 
:Springs,  both  of  which  bore  the  names  of  the  waters  upon  which  .they  were  located.  The 
Methodists  also  erected  Ebenezer  Church  at  about  that  time  on  what  afterward  became 
the  Cold’s  Perry  Pike,  five  miles  from  Lebanon. 

Koonce’s  Meeting-house  was  probably  the  first  church  erected  by  the  Baptists  in  this 
county.  The  old  church  stood  near  the  present  village  of  Leeville,  and  was  built  some 
time  in  1806.  Cedar  Grove,  four  miles  north  of  Lebanon,  was  the  next  church  erected  by 
the  Baptists,  and  then  followed  Spring  and  Cedar  Creek  Churches.  The  above  were  the 
pioneer  churches  of  Wilson  County,  and  among  their  pastors  were  Revs.  Samuel  Donnell, 
S.  M.  Aston,  William  Smith,  Samuel  King,  S.  J.  Thomas,  Robert  Donnell  and  George 
Donnell,  of  the  Cumberland  Presbjderian  Churches;  Revs.  McKindry,  Asbury,  Jarrett, 
Morris,  Page  and  Brown,  of  the  Methodist  Churches;  Revs.  James,  Willis,  Borum,  Wise- 
man, Maddox  and  Tompkins,  of  the  Baptist  Churches, 

Other  early  churches  were  Good  Hope  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  which  was 
•erected  in  the  Eighth  District  some  time  about  1810  or  1812.  Wesley  Chapel,  Methodist 
Episcopal,  in  the  Twenty-third  District,  and  Big  Spring  and  Moriah  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Churches. 

The  first  church  erected  in  Lebanon  was  in  1827  by  the  Methodists.  The  church  is  a 
brick  building,  and  is  in  use  at  the  present  by  the  colored  Methodists.  In  1830  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterians  erected  a church  in  Lebanon.  This  building  was  a two-story  brick, 
and  was  built  by  the  church  and  Masonic  Lodge,  the  Masons  occupying  the  second  floor. 
The  old  building  remains  standing  at  the  present  time,  but  has  fallen  into  disuse  and 
dilapidation,  as  it  was  abandoned  in  I860,  at  which  time  the  present  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church  was  erected.  In  about  1840  the  Baptists  erected  a church  in  Lebanon  at  a 
cost  of  about  $7,000.  Previous  to  the  erection  of  these  churches  the  different  denomina- 
tions held  their  meetings  in  the  court  house.  In  1856  the  present  Baptist  Church  in 
Lebanon  was  erected,  when  the  old  building  was  sold  to  the  South  African  Methodists. 
The  present  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  erected  in  1855,  and  the  old  building  sold  to 
the  colored  Methodists.  The  Christian  (Campbellite)  Church  in  Lebanon  was  erected  in 
1874.  All  of  the  Lebanon  churches  are  handsome  brick  buildings,  and  were  erected  at 
about  the  following  costs:  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  $10,000;  Methodist  Episcopal,  $*.000; 
Baptist,  $7,000;  Christian,  $6,000.  The  colored  churches  of  Lebanon,  of  which  mention 
has  already  been  made,  arc  two  brick  and  two  frame,  the  latter  costing  between  $2,000  and 
$2,500  each. 

The  churches  of  Wilson  County  of  the  present  are  as  follows:  Stoner’s  Creek,  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian:  Locust  Grove,  Cumberland  Presbyterian:  ^Prosperity,  Methodist 
Episcopal;  Scaby's  Chapel,  Christian;  Hickory  Ridge,  African  Methodist  Episcopal;  Will- 
iamson’s Chapel,  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Cedar  Grove,  Baptist,  (colored)  in  the 
First  District.  Mount  Olivet,  Baptist,  and  Cook’s  Methodist  Episcopal  in  the  Second  Dis- 
trict. Bethlehem,  Methodist  Episcopal;  Salem,  Methodist  Episcopal;  Spencer’s  Creek. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


8G1 


Baptist;  Seay’s  C hapcl,  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Powell’s  Grove,  African  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  in  the  Third  District.  New  Hope,  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Melrose, 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  Sander’s  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  the  Fourth  Dis- 
trict. Horn,  Methodist  Episcopal;  Mount  Pleasant,  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Bareah  and 
Philadelphia,  Christian,  and  African  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Baptist  (colored)  in  the  Fifth 
District.  Athens,  Missionary  Baptist;  Cedar  Creek,  Primitive  Baptist;  Bethel,  Methodist 
Episcopal;  Christian  and  Dickerson’s  Chapel,  Colored  Baptists,  in  the  Sixth  District. 
One  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  one  (colored)  Missionary  Baptist  Church  in  the 
Seventh  District.  Good  Hope,  Methodist  Episcopal:  Bethlehem,  Christian;  Tucker’s  Cross 
Roads,  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Bellwood,  Christian,  in  the  Eighth  District.  Zion, 
Methodist  Episcopal;  Poplar  Hill,  Baptist,  and  Black  Zion,  African  Methodist  Episcopal, 
in  the  Eleventh  District.  One  Baptist  Church  in  the  Twelfth  District.  Round  Top, 
Methodist  Episcopal  and  one  Baptist  Church  in  the  Thirteenth  District.  Prosperity,  Bap- 
tist, and  Prosperity  (colored)  Baptist,  in  the  Fourteenth  District.  Smith  Fork,  Mission- 
ary Baptist  ; Mount  Vernal,  Old  School  Presbyterian;  Methodist  North  and  Colored  Baptist, 
in  the  Fifteenth  District.  Round  Lick,  Baptist;  Cherry  Valley,  Methodist  Episcopal  and 
one  Christian  Church  in  the  Sixteenth  District.  Salem,  Missionary  Baptist,  and  Salem  (col- 
ored) Missionary  Baptist  and  Bradley’s  Creek  (colored)  Missionary  Baptist,  in  the  Seven- 
teenth District.  Falling  Creek,  Missionary  Baptist;  Mount  Pisgah.  Methodist  Episcopal; 
Union,  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and  Ramah,  Missionary  Baptist,  in  the  Eighteenth  Dis- 
trict. Shapp’s  Spring,  Missionary  Baptist;  Center  Hill,  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Betli- 
esda,  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and  Bethel,  Christian,  in  the  Nineteenth  District. 

tt  • -x  r • • _ . 4 ; , a -n.  .•  . ..  n..!—  z*.z — *r>  — t .m,  htu.u. t>  _ 

V UJuii,  y Diipubi,  i j jt  nu?uip,  xurniuvc  Dapu^t,  acb  uiuuuv,  niisanjuai*  uap- 

tist;  Cason’s  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Hebron,  Christian,  in  the  Twentieth  Dis- 
trict, Rocky  Valley,  Missionary  Baptist;  Jacob's  Hill,  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  Beard's 
Grove,  Colored  Baptist,  and  Jacob’s  Hill,  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  the  Twenty-first 
District.  Mount  Zion,  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Hebron,  Methodist  Episcopal;  Liberty 
Ilill,  Methodist  Protestant;  and  Ephesis,  Christian,  in  the  Twenty-second  District.  Oak 
Grove,  Methodist  Episcopal,  and  one  Christian  Church,  and  Brown’s  Corners,  African 
Methodist  Episcopal,  in  the  Twenty-third  District.  Rutlins,  Missionary  Baptist;  Suggs 
Creek,  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Gain’s  Church,  Baptist;  Hall’s  Church,  Methodist  Epis- 
copal; and  Corinth,  Christian,  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District.  Pleasant  Grove,  Methodist 
Episcopal,  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District. 


EDFORD  COUNTY  lies  in  the  great  Central  Basin  of  Tenuessee.  The  prevailing 


rocks  are  limestone,  generally  thinly  bedded  and  flaggy,  but  with  some  fine  building 
stone.  The  limestones  belong  to  the  Nashville  and  Lebanon  formations,  limestones  low 
in  the  geological  series.  West  of  Shelbvville  excellent  building  stone  abounds.  Two 
other  varieties  of  limestone  are  found  in  the  count}',  called  white  rock  and  sandstone  or 
fire  rock.  The  white  rock,  found  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  county,  bears  a good 
polish  and  makes  a good  appearance  in  buildings,  standing  the  weather  well.  The  sand 
stone  or  fire  rock  occurs  in  thick  beds  eight  miles  west  of  Shelbyville,  and  is  coarse,  soft 
and  easily  worked,  but  in  thin  slabs  is  flexible.  The  sandstones  which  cover  the  knobs 
are  of  little  value. 

The  surface  of  the  county  is  undulating  and  is  interspersed  wdth  hills  and  valleys. 
West  of  the  road  that  leads  from  Shelbyville  to  Murfreesboro,  and  north  of  Duck  River, 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


54 


862 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


the  country  is  comparatively  flat,  and  east  of  this  road  it  is  undulating,  with  lines  of 
rounded  hills.  These  hills  rise  in  some  instances  to  an  elevation  of  200  or  300  feet,  and 
are  usually  capped  with  sandstones,  and  together  with  the  slopes  and  crests,  are  heavily 
wooded.  The  soil  is  comminuted  limestone  and  sandstone,  with  an  intermingling  of  rich 
black  humus,  and  is  exceedingly  fertile,  durable  and  generous.  South  of  Duck  River, 
and  running  west  as  far  as  Sinking  Creek,  the  surface  continues  much  the  same,  while 
west  of  Sinking  Creek  the  hills  rise  much  higher  than  anywhere  else  in  the  county. 
Gentry  Hill  is  about  350  feet  above  the  valley  lands  below.  Another  hill,  and  probably 
the  most  noted  elevation  in  this  part  of  the  country,  is  Horse  Mountain,  three  miles  east 
of  Shelbyville  and  in  plain  view  from  the  town.  One  side  of  Horse  Mountain  is  heavily 
timbered,  while  on  the  other  flourishes  an  excellent  vineyard.  At  the  base  of  the 
mountain  is  a fine  spring,  and  which  years  ago  was  the  location  of  a camp  ground.  Dur- 
ing the  late  war  Horse  Mountain  was  used  as  a signal  station  by  both  the  Northern  and 
Southern  armies.  Zinc  or  copper  was  supposed  to  exist  in  the  mountain,  and  during  the 
war  a party  of  Federal  soldiers  leased  the  property  for  a term  of  years,  and  had  an  Indiana 
geologist  make  a visit  to  the  mountain  for  inspection.  Nothing  ever  came  of  the  vent- 
ure. There  are  several  varieties  of  soils,  different  in  color  and  productiveness.  They 
may  for  convenience  be  called  the  mulatto,  the  red  and  the  black.  The  mulatto  predom- 
inates and  is  the  characteristic  soil  of  the  county,  and  the  best  of  clover,  wheat,  oats, 
sweet  potatoes  and  cotton  grow  well  on  it.  The  red  soil  is  confined  chiefly  to  the  cedar 
belt,  on  the  north  side  of  Duck  River.  The  black  soil  is  found  upon  all  streams  and  on 
the  hill  sides.  Corn,  wheat,  oats,  cotton,  clover,  potatoes  and  all  the  grasses  grow  well  in 
the  county,  and  all  kinds  of  fruit,  such  as  apples,  peaches,  pears,  plums,  cherries  and  all 
the  smaller  fruits  and  berries,  grow  in  abundance.  The  timber  of  the  county  is  made  up 
of  ash,  poplar,  walnut,  butternut,  elm,  buckeye,  sugar,  maple,  oaks,  red  bud,  sumac,  dog- 
wood, hickory,  beech,  box  elder,  gum,  cedar  and  mulberry. 

The  streams  of  the  county  are  Duck  River  (which  runs  nearly  centrally  through  the 
county  from  east  to  west.  Its  tributaries  from  the  south  are  Norman,  Shipman, 
Thompson,  Little  Flat,  Big  Flat,  Sugar,  Powell  and  Sinking  Creeks;  from  the  north, 
Noah  Fork,  Garrison  Fork,  Wartrace  Fork,  Butler  Creek,  Fall  Creek.  North  Fork 
and  Clem  Creek.  All  of  these  streams  furnish  good  water-power,  particularly  Duck 
River.  In  the  east  and  southeast  part  of  the  county  numerous  springs  of  excellent  water 
are  to  be  found,  while  in  the  level  part  they  are  not  so  frequent. 

Upon  the  formation  of  Bedford  County,  in  1S07,  the  territory  embraced  in  her  bound- 
aries was  made  up  of  dense  canebrakes  and  vast  forests,  both  almost  impenetrable,  and 
was  but  sparsely  settled.  From  information  gleaned  from  such  men  as  Nimrod  Burrow 
and  Thomas  S.  Word,  Esqs.,  of  Flat  Creek,  and  J.  E.  Scruggs,  Esq.*,  of  Fairfield,  who 
are  among,  if  not  the  oldest  citizens  now  living,  the  writer  is  of  the  opiuion  that  the  first 
settlement  of  the  county  was  made  about  1805  and  1806,  as  follows;  Clement  Cannon  set- 
tled near  the  present  site  of  Shelbyville,  in  the  Seventh  District;  Philip  Burrow,  William, 
Wilbouru  and  Freeman  Burrow  settled  on  Thompson  Creek,  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District; 
John  Blackwell  settled  near  Three  Forks  of  Duck  River;  Capt.  Mat  Martin  and  brother, 
Barkley,  and  William  McMahan  settled  on  Garrison  Fork  of  Duck  River,  in  the  First 
District.  The  above  settlements  were  all  made  at  about  the  same  time,  and  if  any  were 
made  prior  to  them,  no  information  of  the  same  can  now  be  found. 

Among  the  other  early  settlers  were  Cuthbcrt  Word,  Samuel  Card,  Thomas  Knott, 
Robert  Snoddv,  James  Eddy,  William  nix,  Robert  Hastings,  Henry  Hastings,  Nathan 
Hubbard,  Stephen  Hastings,  William  Haslett,  William  Burrow,  Banks  Burrow,  Joseph 
Hickenbotham,  Thomas  Gibson,  Hazen  Biair,  John  Casteel,  Michael  Holt,  Joseph  Walk- 
er, Joseph  Erwin,  William  Crutcher,  William  Hickman,  Henry  Davis,  Isaac  Muse, 
Richard  Muse,  Anderson  Davidson,  Andrew  Erwin,  William  Finch,  Mrs.  Mary  Scruggs, 
William  P.  Finch,  John  Tillman,  Christopher  Shaw,  “Salley"  Sailors,  Robert  Furgu^on, 
Thomas  Dean,  Thomas  Hudson,  James  Reagor,  David  Floyd,  Michael  Womack.  Will- 
iam Pearson,  and  the  Davises,  Deerys,  Eakins,  Armstrongs,  Stones,  Caldwells,  Burdetts* 


■ 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


303 


Wades,  Whitneys,  McKissacks,  Ruths,  Hollands,  Marshalls.  Nelsons, 
Moores,  Arnolds,  Shrivers.  Bomars,  Mullines,  Norvilles,  Shaffners,  Kings,  Youngs,  Kim- 
broes,  Hooziers,  Ewells,  Halls,  Hords,  Ewings,  Davidsons,  Smiths,  Yances,  Stokes,  Os- 
borns, Finches,  Scotts,  Crouchs,  Mosleys,  Neils,  Thomases.  Peacocks.  Woods.  Fugetts, 
Hoovers,  Suttons,  Murfrees,  Steeles,  Harrises,  Wilsons,  Coopers,  Tunes,  Mortons,  Mc- 
Cuislians,  Gordeys,  Greens,  Browns,  Fishers,  Thompsons,  Parsonses,  Turrentines.  Til- 
fords,  Allisons,  Lents,  Blantons,  Warners,  Worthams.  Atkinsons,  Andersons,  Sharons, 
Stallings,  Sims,  Brarnes,  O’Neals,  Coffeys,  Gaunts,  Stephensons,  Drydens,  Harrisons, 
Greers,  Barretts,  Whites,  Gambills,  Deans,  Campbells.  Williamses,  Floyds,  Pearsons, 
Bobos,  Reids.  Reeveses,  Morgans,  Parkers,  McGills,  Rays,  Hastings,  Dunaways.  Dick- 
sons, Allans.  Landers,  Landises,  Anthonys,  Enlisses  and  Maupins. 

The  following  persons  were  granted  land  lying  in  Bedford  County  by  the  State  of 
North  Carolina  for  military  services  during  the  Continental  war,  between  the  years  17S5 
and  1790:  Amos  Balcli,  1,000  acres:  George  and  Richard  Martin,  3,000  acres;  Thomas  Tal- 
bott, 2,000  acres;  George  Cathey,  2,500  acres;  James  Brandon,  1,000  acres;  Robert  Smith, 
5,000  acres.  Between  1790  and'  1S00:  John  Sloan,  1,000  acres;  Ruth  Greer,  2,000  acres: 
James  Grant,  5,000  acres;  Stokely  Donaldson,  1,000  acres;  Samuel  Patterson,  2,400  acres; 
Ezekial  Alexander,  1,000  acres.  Between  1800  and  1810:  Norton  Pryor,  1,360  acres;  David 
Justice,  2,000  acres. 

Below'  is  a list  of  those  who  received  grants  of  land  from  the  State-of  Tennessee  be- 
tween the  years  1800  and  1810:  George  Doherty,  2,500  acres;  Andrew'  Jackson.  320  acres; 
Thomas  Overton  and  John  Brahan,  610  acres:  Malcom  Gilchrist,  260  acres;  John  Bright; 
1224  acres;  James  Greenlee,  300  acres;  Tilman  Dixon,  274  acres;  James  Bright,  45  acres, 
James  Lewis,  2,000  acres;  James  Patton,  274  acres;  Daniel  Ship,  532  acres;  John  Baird, 
2,500  acres;  George  W.  Campbell,  730  acres;  Thomas McCrery,  1,000  acres:  William  Martin, 
50  acres;  John  Smith,  1,000  acres;  Ephraim  Drake,  275  acres;  John  Coffee,  100  acres;  Ed- 
ward Harris,  S00  acres;  Oliver  Williams,  60  acres;  Joseph  Greer,  150  acres;  Jesse  Max- 
well. 320  acres;  Robert  White,  1,000  acres;  Aaron  Cunningham,  640  acres. 

Probably  the  first  mill  erected  in  the  county  was  the  water-power  corn-mill  built  by 
Mr.  Goge,  on  the  creek  by  that  name,  in  about  1809  or  1810.  Previous  to  the  erection  of 
this  mill  the  pioneers  carried  their  corn  to  Phillips’  horse-power  mill  in  Rutherford  County, 
or  reduced  it  to  meal  b}r  means  of  the  mortar.  In  about  1812  Joseph  Walker  erected  a 
water-mill  on  Garrison  Fork  of  Duck  River,  near  where  the  town  of  Fairfield  was  after- 
ward located,  and  David  Shipman  erected  a water-mill  at  the  head  of  the  creek  by  that 
name.  The  Wilhoit  and  Germany  mills  on  Duck  River,  both  water-power,  were  built 
about  1814  or  1815.  Other  early  mills  were  the  Cannon  Mill,  at  Shelby ville,  on  Duck 
River:  Ledford’s  mill,  on  same  river;  James  Sharp’s  mill,  on  Thompson  Creek;  John 
Sim’s  mill,  on  Duck  River,  two  miles  above  Shelbyville;  Henry  Wiggins’  mill,  on  Flat 
Creek,  and  Conwray’s  and  Pruitt’s  mills,  on  same  creek;  Horseley’s  mill  and  Crowell’s 
mill,  all  of  which  were  water-power,  and  Joshua  Holt’s  water-pow’er  near  Flat  Creek. 
The  mills  of  the  present,  outside  of  those  located  in  the  different  towns  heretofore  men- 
tioned, are  as  follows  by  districts:  Third  District,  James  Mullen’s  and  N.  C.  Germany’s 
corn-mills,  water-power;  Seventh  District,  Tune  & Co.’s  flour  and  corn-mill,  water- 
power,  on  Duck  River,  ancLWilhoit  Mill,  owned  by  Strick  Parsons,  on  Duck  River,  water- 
power; Eighth  District,  G.  W.  Gregory’s  saw'  and  grist-mill,  water-power,  on  Falling 
Creek;  Ninth  District,  William  Taylor’s  steam  grist-mill;  Tenth  District,  N.  R.  Taylor’s 
horse-power  grist-mill;  Eleventh  District,  John  Hall’s  w'ater-powcr  saw',  corn  and  flour- 
mill, on  Duck  River,  Fletcher  Ray’s  w'ater-powcr  grist-mill  on  North  Fork  Creek,  and 
Adams'  A Simmons’  steam  saw-mill;  Eighteenth  District,  J.  N.  Neeley’s  water-power 
corn-mill  on  Sinking  Creek.  R.  M.  Sikes’  water-power  corn-mill  on  Rock  Creek,  and  White- 
head’s  steam  corn-mill;  Twenty-first  District,  F.  M.  Johnson’s  water-power  corn-mill  on 
Flat  Creek,  and  Eugene  Blakemore’s  water-power  corn-mill  on  Duck  River;  Twenty-third 
District,  llix  Bros,  water-power  grist-mill  on  Flat  Creek;  Twenty-fifth  District.  Mrs. 
Smith’s  steam  corn-mill,  Joseph  Wilhoit’s  water-power  corn-mill  on  Duck  River,  and  Jacob 
Anthony’s  w’ater-powcr  corn-mill  on  Thompson’s  Creek. 


864 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


One  of  the  first  cotton-gins  in  Bedford  County  was  the  Cannon  Gin,  near  Shelby  ville. 
built  by  Clement  Cannon  about  1812.  Other  early  gins  were  those  of  John  Tillman  and 
Tom  Mosley,  in  the  Fairfield  neighborhood,  and  later  L.  P.  Fields  had  a gin  in  the  same 
neighborhood.  There  were,  no  doubt,  other  early  cotton-gins,  but  a faithful  etlort  to 
learn  whose  they  may  have  been  and  their  location  was  unrewarded.  The  cotton-gins  of 
the  present  are  Taylor  & Hester’s,  in  the  Tenth  District,  with  which  is  also  a carding 
machine;  William  Taylor’s  in  the  Ninth  District;  W.  J.  Loyd’s  cotton-gin  and  carding 
machine,  in  the  Eighth  District;  George  Vernatti’s,  in  the  Fifth  District,  and  Mrs.  Smith’s 
gin.  and  carding  machine  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District.  While  there  were  no  doubt  a large 
number  of  still-houses  iu  the  early  days,  yet  they  all  disappeared  years  ago,  and  with  few 
exceptions  have  passed  from  the  memory  of  the  present  citizens.  One  of  the  first,  if  no^ 
the  first  still  was  owned  by  Philip  Burrow,  father  of  Nimrod  Burrow,  Esq.,  and  was  sit- 
uated near  the  present  town  of  Flat  Creek;  John  Holt  also  had  a still  at  about  the  same 
time  and  iu  the  same  neighborhood.  Other  early  stills  were  those  of  Nathan  Evans, 
in  the  Twentieth  District,  on  Sugar  Creek,  and  of  Simpson  Neice  and  Leslie  Bobo  in  the 
Twenty-second  District,  on  Flat  Creek.  Later  on  distilleries  were  established.  The  dis- 
tilleries of  the  present  are  four  iu  number,  and  are  as  follows:  The  Zacli  Thompson  Distil- 
lery is  the  most  extensive  one  in  the  county,  is  situated  near  the  town  of  Wartrace,  and 
full  particulars  of  the  same  may  be  found  in  the  history  of  that  town:  Marcus  L.  Rabey’s 
distillery  in  the  Twenty-second  District,  and  Blakemore  & Co.’s  distillery,  in  the  same 
district,  each  have  a capacity  of  sixty  gallons  per  day;  T.  F.  Wooton’s  distillery,  in  the 
Twenty-fifth  District,  has  a capacity  of  forty  gallons  per  day.  So  it  will  be  seen  that 
whisky  forms  quite  an  item  in  the  products  and  exports  of  Bedford  Coumy. 

In  the  early  days  the  militia  laws  were  in  force  in  Bedford,  as  in  all  other  counties  in 
Tennessee.  The  early  officers  of  the  militia  were  Brig. -Gen.  Robert  Cannon;  Cols.  Sam- 
uel Mitchell,  John  A.  Moore  and  S.  B.  Blackwell.  The  militia  consisted  of  two  battal- 
ions, which  formed  one  regiment.  Musters  were  held  semi-annually.  The  battalion 
muster  was  held  each  spring  on  Sinking  Creek,  and  the  general  (or  regimental)  muster 
was  held  in  the  fall  at  Shelby  ville.  The  officers  would  bedeck  themselves  on  muster  day 
in  close-fitting,  homespun  coat,  half  moon  hat,  and  presented  a great  sight. as  they  would 
drill  the  rank  and  file,  armed  with  shot-guns  and  cornstalks,  accompanied  by  music  from 
the  piercing  fife  and  drum.  After  the  drill  would  begin  the  “fist  and  skull  ” fights’.vwjrich 
would  continue  throughout  the  day. 

Bedford  County  was  erected  by  an  act  of  the  General  Assembly  December  3,  180^' 
which  act  is  as  follows: 

“Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  that  a new  county 
be,  and  the  same  is,  hereby  established  south  and  southwest  of.  and  adjoining  the  county 
of  Rutherford,  by  the  name  of  Bedford,  in  memory  of  Thomas  Bedford,  deceased,  which 
said  couuty  shall  begin  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Rutherford  and  southeast  corner  of  Will- 
iamson County,  on  the  Duck  River  Ridge,  and  run  thence  with  said  Williamson  County 
line  to  the  line  of  the  county  of  Maury;  thence  along  the  same  southwardly  to  the  south 
boundary  of  the  State;  thence  eastwardly  to  the  east  boundary  of  Rutherford  County; 
thence  along  the  same  to  the  ridge  that  divides  the  waters  of  Duck  River  from  those  of 
Cumberland,  thence  along  the  same  westwardly  to  the  east  corner  of  Williamson  County, 
leaving  Rutherford  County  its  constitutional  limits,  and  all  that  tract  of  country  included 
in  the  above  described  lines  shall  be  included  within  the  said  count}”  of  Bedford.’’ 

Section  2 of  the  act  provides  for  the  holding  of  the  courts  of  the  new  county  at  the 
house  of  Mrs.  Payne,  near  the  head  of  Mulberry  Creek,  until  the  uext  General  Assembly. 
The  county  was  surveyed  and  organized  in  the  early  part  of  1808,  the  courts  being  held  at 
the  place  designated  by  the  act  creating  the  county.  Of  the  courts,  court  house,  etc.,  but 
little  is  now  remembered,  and  as  the  county  was  reduced  in  limits  the  following  year, 
thereby  placing  Mrs.  Payne’s  residence  and  farm  in  a new  county  (Lincoln),  the  county 
seat  was  soon  removed.  On  the  14th  of  November,  1809,  the  General  Assembly  passed  the 
following  act,  which  reduced,  materially,  the  limits  of  Bedford  Couuty,  the  territory  bc-iDg 
taken  in  the  formation  of  Lincoln  County: 


. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


805 


“Be  it  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  that  the  lines  and 
boundaries  of  Bedford  County  shall  be  as  follows,  to  wit:  Beginning  on  the  northeast 
corner  Gf  Maury  County  and  running  south  with  the  eastern  boundary  line  thereof  to  the 
extreme  height  of  the  ridge  dividing  the  waters  of  Duck  River  from  the  waters  of  Elk 
River;  thence  eastwardly  to  the  extreme  height  of  said  ridge  to  the  present  eastern 
boundary  line  of  the  said  county  of  Bedford;  thence  north  to  the  south  boundary  line  of 
Rutherford  County;  thence  westwardlysewRli  the  said  line  to  the  southern  boundary  line 
of  Williamson  County,  and  thence  with  the  said  line  of  Williamson  County  to  the  begin- 
ning.*’ 

Section  2 of  the  act  provides  for  the  appointment  of  John  Atkinson,  William  Woods, 
Bartlett  Martin,  Howell  Dandy  and  Daniel  McKissack  as  commissioners  to  locate  a 
county  site  for  the  new  county  on  Duck  River,  within  two  miles  of  the  center  of  the 
county.  Benjamin  Bradford  and  John  Lane  were  subsequently  added  to  the  above  com- 
mission by  the  Legislature.  The  county  was  resurveyed  by  Malcom  Gilchrist,  and  the 
county  site  was  located  temporarily  at  the  house  of  Amos  Balch,  on  the  Lewisburg  road, 
two  and  one-half  miles  southwest  of  the  present  county  seat.  In  May,  1810,  however,  the 
county  site  was  permanently  located  at  Shelbyville,  100  acres  of  land  being  donated  for 
that  purpose  by  Clement  Cannon.  Amos  Balch  and  William  Galbreath  each  offered  to 
donate  to  the  commissioners  fifty  acres  on  which  to  locate  the  county  seat,  but  as  the  site 
selected  was  more  central  and  the  donation  more  liberal  their  offers  were  rejected. 

Bedford  County  was  materially  reduced  in  territory  by  the  formation  in  1836  of  Coffee 
County  on  the  east,  and  again  in  1837  by  Marshall  County  on  the  west.  At  present  Bed- 


east  by  the  counties  of  Cannon  and  Coffee,  south  b}'  the  counties  of  Moore  and  Lincoln, 
west  by  Marshall  County,  and  has  an  area  of  about  475  square  miles.  Originally  the 
the  county  was  divided  into  twenty-five  civil  districts,  but  upon  the  formation  of  Mar- 
shall County  in  1837  a number  of  these  districts  were  placed  in  that  county,  and  other 
districts  have  since  been  merged  into  each  other,  and  at  present  there  are  only  nineteen 
districts,  they  being  designated  numerically  as  First,  Second,  Third,  Fourth,  Fifth,  Sixth, 
Seventh,  Eighth,  Ninth,  Tenth,  Eleventh.  Eighteenth,  Nineteenth,  Twentieth,  Twenty- 
first,  Twenty-second,  Twenty-third,  Twenty-fourth  and  Twenty-fifth. 

In  1810  the  population  of  Bedford  County  was  8,242,  and  in  1830  had  increased  to  30,- 
396.  At  that  time  it  was  the  most  populous  couuty  in  the  State.  The  formation  of  the 
new  counties  referred  to  before  and  various  other  causes,  reduced  the  population  materi- 
ally, and  in  1870  it  amounted  to  only  24,333.  and  at  present  the  population  is 
about  26,100.  The  voting  population  is  about  4,500,  and  at  the  presidential  elec- 
tion of  1884  Mr.  Cleveland  received  in  the  county  a majority  of  171  votes  over 
Mr.  Blaine,  though  the  usual  Democratic  majority  far  exceeds  that  given  to  Mr. 
Cleveland.  Bedford  County  has  a total  area  ot  332,800  acres,  of  which  203,511  were 
improved  in  1885.  During  the  above  year  the  total  value  of  property  assessed  for 
taxes  was  $5,183,560.  There  are  in  the  county  741  town  lots,  at  a total  value  of  8522,515. 
The  taxes  of  1885  amounted  as  follows:  Poll  tax  $7,508;  State  tax  $13,787.41;  county  tax 
$11,489.51;  school  tax  $21,295.41;  road  tax  $1,399.84.  The  tax  lev3r  for  1886  was  20  cents 
on  the  $100  worth  of  property  for  county  purposes;  20  cents  on  the  $100  and  $1  poll  for 
school  purposes;  11  cents  on’ $100  for  roads  and  highways. 

The  cereal  products  of  the  county  for  1885  were  of  corn  1,682,358  bushels;  wheat  257,- 
425  bushels;  oats  87,408  bushels;  rye  6,145  bushels,  and  of  barley.  108  bushels.  During  the 
same  year  there  was  owned  in  the  county  live-stock  as  follows:  11,426  head  of  horses  and 
mules,  14,188  head  of  cattle,  16,020  head  of  sheep  and  46,251  head  of  hogs. 

The  first  court  house  was  erected  in  1810  or  1811.  The  building  was  of  frame,  very 
small,  and  stood  on  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Public  Square.  A second  building,  this 
time  of  brick,  was  erected  in  a few  years,  and  stood  in  the  center  of  the  Square.  This 
building  was  destroyed  by  a tornado  in  1830.  In  its  stead  was  soon  afterward  erected  ft 
large  brick  court  house  on  the  site  of  the  one  destroyed,  which  stood  until  1803,  when  it 


SCO 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


was  destroyed  by  fire,  together  with  a large  portion  of  the  county  records.  A party  of 
Confederate  soldiers  had  taken  quarters  in  the  court  house,  and  through  their  carelessness 
the  building  was  set  fire  to  and  entirely  destroyed.  Upon  the  reopening  of  the  courts  after 
the  war  they  were  held  in  various  buildings,  principally  in  a hotel  which  stood  on  the 
south  side  of  the  Square,  and  in  1869  the  erection  of  the  present  court  house  was  begun, 
but  was  not  completed  until  1873.  The  building  is  one  of  the  largest  and  handsomest 
court  houses  in  the  State,  and  was  erected  at  a cost  of  about  $120, 000.  It  is  of  brick,  with 
rock  foundation.  The  principal  court  room  is  40x90  feet  in  size;  county  court  room.  20x10 
feet,  aud  chancery  court  room,  20x40  feet.  The  circuit  and  chancery  court  rooms  are  on 
the  second  tloor,  while  the  county  court  room  and  county  officials’  quarters,  six  in  number, 
are  on  the  first  floor.  Besides  these  there  are  four  jury  rooms,  and  in  the  basement  are 
eight  good  rooms.  Including  the  porches  the  building  is  120  feet  long  and  91  feet  wide. 
The  pillars  for  the  lower  porches  are  of  blue  limestone,  square,  aud  in  Ashler  masonry, 
while  those  above  are  of  cast  iron,  Corinthian  in  style.  The  building  is  surmounted  by 
an  elegant  cupola,  containing  a clock  and  bell  that  cost  $1,500.  The  building  stands  in 
the  center  of  the  Square,  and  is  surrounded  with  a grassy  plat,  inclosed  with  a neat  and 
substantial  iron  fence,  erected  on  a stone  base.  Altogether  it  is  a handsome  edifice,  aud 
presents  a striking  appearance,  and  of  which  the  citizens  may  well  be  proud. 

Several  jails  were  erected  by  the  county  at  different  times,  all  of  which  were  of  small 
consequence,  until  the  building  of  the  present  jail  in  1S66  at  a cost  of  $35,000.  The  jail 
is  a solid  stone  building,  two  stories  in  height,  and  is  one  of  the  most  secure  jails  in  the 
State.  It  is  conveniently  arranged  into  cells  and  corridors,  and  light  and  air  are  admitted 
through  several  long,  narrow  windows,  through  which  the  smallest  person  could  not  es- 
cape. It  is  one  of  the  handsomest  and  most  conspicuous  buildings  in  Shelbyville. 

In  1832  the  first  poor  asylum  was  established  by  the  county.  At  that  time  100  acres 
of  land  were  purchased,  lying  in  the  Third  District,  three  miles  northeast  from  Shelby- 
ville, adjoining  Horse  Mountain,  on  which  were  standing  several  log  houses,  which  were 
fitted  up  for  the  accommodation  of  the  county’s  poor.  In  1S83  two  substantial  frame 
houses  of  two  rooms  each,  10x18  feet,  were  erected  at  the  asylum  at  a cost  of  $2,500. 
These  buildings  were  burned  in  May,  1886,  and  new  ones  in  their  place  are  in  course  of 
construction,  the  county  court  having  appropriated  $2,500  for  that  purpose  at  its  July 
meeting. 

Bedford  County  is  traversed  by  numerous  turnpikes  or  macadamized  roads,  a major- 
ity of  which  lead  to  aud  from  the  county  seat.  The  average  cost  of  these  turnpikes  was 
$1,500  per  mile,  and  toll-gates  are  established  every  five  miles,  by  means  of  which  the  ex- 
pense of  construction  and  maintenance  of  the  pikes  is  derived.  The  turnpikes  of  this 
county,  their  establishment  and  the  number  of  miles  of  each  are  as  follows:  Shelbyville, 
Murfreesboro  & Nashville  Pike,  built  in  1832,  12  miles;  Shelbyville  A Fayetteville  Pike, 
built  in  1852,  9 miles;  Shelbyville  A Lewisburg  Pike,  built  in  1850,  11  miles;  Shelbyville 
A Unionville  and  Shelbyville,  Richmond  A Petersburg  Pikes,  built  in  1858,  18  miles  of 
the  former  and  9 of  the  latter;  Shelbyville  A Fairfield  Pike,  built,  part  in  1859  and  com- 
pleted in  1805,  8 miles;  Shelbyville.  Flat  Creek  A Lynchburg  Pike,  built  in  1875,  9 miles; 
Shelbyville  A Fishing  Ford  Pike,  built  in  1875,  5 miles;  Shelbyville  A Tullahoma  Pike, 
built  in  1874,  10  miles;  Shelbyville  A Wetumpka  Pike,  built  in  1881, .5  miles;  Shelby- 
ville A Versailles  Pike,  built  in  1885,  8 miles;  Wartracc  A Beach  Grove  Pike,  built  in 
1874,  C miles:  Bellbuckle  A Flatwood  Pike,  built  in  1882,  5 miles;  Bellbuckle  A Beach 
Grove  Pike,  built  in  1882,  0 miles,  and  Bellbuckle  A Liberty  Gap  Pike,  built  in  1882,  5 
miles. 

The  bridges  of  importance  of  Bedford  County,  together  with  their  cost  and  earliest 
time  at  which  bridges  were  built,  are  as  follows:  Shelbyville  bridge,  across  Duck  River, 
built  in  1832,  present  cost  $2,000;  Fairfield  bridge,  in  the  First  District,  across  Garrison's 
Fork,  built  in  1850,  present  cost  $1,000;  Scull  Camp  Ford  bridge,  in  the  Seventh  District, 
across  Duck  River,  built  in  1850,  present  cost  $3,000;  Warner's  bridge,  in  the  Seventh 
District,  across  Duck  River,  on  the  Shelbyville  A Fishing  Ford  Pike,  built  in  1850,  pres- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


8 07 


ent  cost  §2,000;  Hall’s  bridge,  across  Duck  River,  in  the  Eleventh  District,  built  in  1875; 
present  cost  §2,000.  Columbia  Ford  bridge,  in  the  Eleventh  District,  across  Xorth  Fork, 
built  in  18S1,  present  cost  §400;  Unionville  Turnpike  bridge,  across  North  Fork,  built  in 
1860,  present  cost  §500;  Sugar  bridge,  in  the  Twenty-first  District,  across  Sugar  Creek, 
built  in  1850,  present  cost  §400;  Fall  Creek  bridge,  across  Fall  Creek,  in  the  Eighth  Di> 
trict,  built  in  1860,  present  cost  §500;  Flat  Creek  bridge,  in  the  Seventh  District,  across 
Flat  Creek,  built  in  1855,  present  cost  §1,000;  Flat  Creek  bridge,  in  the  Seventh  District, 
on  Lewisburg  Pike,  built  in  1850,  present  cost  §800;  Lynchburg  Pike  bridge,  across 
Duck  River,  in  the  Seventh  District,  built  in  1ST6,  present  cost  §3,000;  Fall  Creek  bridge, 
on  the  Columbia  Pike,  in  the  Eighth  District,  built  in  1885,  cost  §400.  There  are  numer- 
ous small  bridges  across  small  streams  throughout  the  county,  but  are  not  of  sufficient  im- 
portance to  be  given  special  notice. 

The  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad  has  a branch  leading  from  TV artrace  to  Shel- 
byville.  eight  miles  in  length,  while  the  main  line  passes  through  the  eastern  portion  of  the 
county.  This  railroad,  together  "with  the  various  turnpikes,  furnishes  means  for  ample 
transportation  for  Bedford  County,  while,  in  addition,  Duck  River  can  be  used  for  trans- 
porting lumber  to  a great  extent.  In  point  of  agriculture,  manufactures,  stock  and 
wealth  Bedford  County  ranks  with  the  best  counties  in  the  State,  while  in  health,  climate 
and  educational  facilities  the  count}'  has  few  equals  in  any  portion  of  the  South. 

The  records  of  the  County  Court  of  Bedford  County  do  not  extend  farther  back  than 
1848,  those  previous  to  that  date  having  been  destroyed  with  the  court  house  in  1863  by 
fire.  Beyond  that  date  but  little  if  anything  of  the  transactions  of  the  court  can  be  ascer- 
tained at  the  present  day.  The  first  sessions  of  the  court  were  held  in  1808,  at  the  house 
of  Mrs.  Payne,  near  the  head  of  Mulberry  Creek  (now  in  Lincoln  County),  and  the  ODly 
record  extant  of  those  sessions  is  a marriage  license  issued  by  the  county  clerk  to  John 
Tillman  and  Rachael  Martin.  During  portions  of  1809  and  1810  the  courts  w'ere  held,  as 
before  mentioned,  at  Amos  Balch’s  residence,  from  where  they  were  removed  to  Shelby  - 
ville  in  the  latter  part  of  1810.  The  first  session  of  the  court  of  which  there  remains  any 
record  w'as  held  in  the  court  house  at  Shelbyville,  beginning  October  1,  1S4S,  when  the 
following  justices  were  present:  'William  Galbraith,  chairman;  John  W.  Norville,  Janies 
Hoover,  Newton  C.  Harris,  Jacob  Serley,  Garrett  Phillips,  James  Wortham,  John  W. 
Hamlin,  Price  C.  Sterle,  Dudley  P.  T.  House,  Joseph  P.  Thompson,  John  L.  Cooper, 
James  Foster,  Joseph  Anderson,  Meredith  Blanton,  John  O’Neil,  Green  T.  Neeley,  Will- 
iam Thompson,  John  A.  Brown,  Joshua  Hall,  B.  F.  Green,  Isaac  B.  Holt,  Herrod  F.  Holt, 
Lemuel  Broadway,  Joseph  Hastings,  James  H.  Miles,  Kindred  Pearson  and  William 
Taylor. 

The  transactions  of  the  court  during  1848,  or  at  least  so  much  thereof  of  interest, 
were  as  follows:  A commission  of  lunacy  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  mental  con- 
dition of  Eliza  Jane  Gambell  ; Sarah  Terry  emancipated  Bob  and  John,  two  of  her  slaves. 
The  commissioners  before  appointed  to  let  out  the  contract  for  building  a bridge  across 
Duck  River,  at  or  near  Skull  Camp  Ford,  made  a report  to  the  effect  that  the  contract  for 
said  bridge  had  been  awarded  James  Wortham,  at  the  price  of  §1,700.  The  report  was 
signed  by  E.  J.  Frierson,  John  T.  Neil  and  William  Galbraith,  commissioners,  which  re- 
port w’as  accepted  by  the  court.  The  following  election  judges  were  appointed  for  the 
November,  1848,  election:  First  District — William  D.  Clark,  Anthony  Thomas  aud  Sam- 
uel McMahan;  Second  District — G.  G.  Osborn,  John  L.  Davidson  and  Francis  H.  Keller; 
Third  District — Henry  Holt,  John  Shaffner  and  John  A.  Moore;  Fourth  District — John 
Norville,  Robert  Clarke  and  Nathan  Chaffin;  Fifth  District — Andrew  S.  Lav’rcnce,  George 
W.  Bell  and  William  Weaver;  Sixth  District — James  P.  Couch,  John  Knott  and  Henry 
Browm;  Seventh  District — E.  J.  Frierson,  George  Davidson  and  Thomas  Holland;  Eighth 
District — Thomas  Wheeler,  Jacob  Fisher  and  Robert  Terry;  Ninth  District — Ziza  Moore, 
Jason  Winsett  and  Absalom  Landers;  Tenth  District— Alfred  Ranson,  Fredrick  Balt  and 
James  Mankins;  Eleventh  District — William  B.  Phillips,  Robert  Rayson  and  Charles  L 
Byren;  Eighteenth  District — Fielding  Bell,  James  Statling  and  James  B.  Jones;  Niue- 


. 


86S 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


teentli  District — William  Wood.  John  Larue  and  James  H.  Curtis;  Twentieth  District- 
Miles  Phillips.  Jackson  Wallace  and  Randolph  Xewson;  Twenty-first  District — Samuel 
Thompson,  Richard  Phillips  and  Herbert  Smith;  Twentj'-second  District — John  C.  H ix, 
Henry  Dean  and  Arthur  Campbell;  Twenty-third  District — James  H.  Miles,  John  Hast- 
ings and  John  Reed;  Twenty-fourth  District — Elisha  Bobo.  Watson  Floyd  and  Thomas 
Anderson;  Twenty-fifth  District — John  Koonce,  Levi  Turner  and  Gabriel  Maupin.  The 
commissioners  appointed  for  that  purpose  reported  that  they  had  let  the  contract  for  re- 
pairing the  bridge  across  Wartrace  Fork  of  Duck  River  to  Henry  Stephens  for  $79. 
The  report  was  signed  by  Samuel  Phillips,  Philip  Cable  and  Robert  Chambers,  commis- 
sioners, and  was  received  by  the  court.  The  tax  levy  for  1S49  was  8.V  cents  on  each  $100 
worth  of  property  for  couuty  purposes,  2-5  cents  on  each  free  poll,  and  licensed  privileges 
one-fourth  of  the  State  tax.  During  that  year  William  Presgrove  and  Nathaniel  M. 
Wheeler  were  allowed  $75  for  building  a bridge  across  North  Fork  of  Duck  River,  on  the 
Lower  Nashville  Road,  near  Presgrove’s  mill.  The  court  ordered  the  census  taken  in 
1851  by  districts,  which  census  was  as  follows;  First  District,  93;  Second  District,  163; 
Third  District,  187;  Fourth  District.  145;  Fifth  District,  164;  Sixth  District,  119;  Seventh 
District,  233;  Eighth  District,  99;  Ninth  District,  160;  Tenth  District,  156;  Eleventh  Dis- 
trict, 239:  Eighteenth  District.  177;  Nineteenth  District,  151;  Twentieth  District,  189; 
Twenty-first  District,  109;  Twenty-Second  District,  209;  Twenty-third  District,  195; 
Twenty-fourth  District,  205;  Twenty-fifth  District,  206. 

In  1853  John  R.  Eakin,  A.  Ervin  and  John  Meyers,  bridge  commissioners,  made  a 
report  that  the  bridge  across  Garrison  Fork  of  Duck  River,  heretofore  ordered  built  by 
the  court,  was  complete,  which  report  was  received;  the  town  of  Wartrace  Depot  was  in 
corpora  ted;  a bridge  was  ordered  erected  across  Garrison  Fork  of  Duck  River  at  War- 
trace. 

In  May,  1866,  the  court  passed  an  order  for  the  erection  of  a new  jail,  and  appro- 
priated $15,000  for  that  purpose,  and  levied  a tax  of  10  cents  on  the  $100  and  50  cents  on 
each  poll  to  raise  the  money.  The  following  jail  commissioners  were  appointed  to  pre- 
pare plans  aud  award  the  contract  for  building  the  jail;  Thomas  C.  Whiteside,  AY.  H. 
Wisdom,  Joseph  H.  Thompson,  William  Galbraith,  AY.  G.  Cowan,  Henry  Cooper,  AY.  B. 
M.  Brown,  AYilliam  Houston,  Jr.  and  W.  T.  Tune.  In  July  of  the  same  year  the  court  ap- 
propriated $6,000  more  to  be  used  in  construction  of  the  jail,  and  several  additional  appro- 
priations for  the  same  purpose  were  subsequently  made. 

In  October,  1869,  the  court  ordered  a new  court  house  erected,  and  appointed  Thomas 
H.  Caldwell,  H.  P.  Clearland.  L.  B.  Knott,  William  Gosling  and  William  P.  Cowan  a 
building  committee  to  prepare  plans,  estimates  and  specifications,  and  award  the  contract 
for  building  the  court  house  and  superintend  the  same.  The  building  was  completed  in 
1872.  In  June,  1872,  the  court  issued  articles  of  incorporation  to  the  town  of  Flat  Creek. 
In  1873  the  court  appointed  John  R.  Dean  superintendent  of  the  county  schools. 

In  1874  the  court  ordered  a new  bridge  built  across  Duck  River,  at  Hall’s  mill,  and  for 
that  purpose  appropriated  $500.  In  1883  an  order  for  the  erection  of  two  buildings  at  the 
Poor  Asylum,  was  passed  by  the  court,  said  buildings  to  be  of  frame,  two  rooms  each, 
16x18  feet,  and  appropriated  for  the  erection  thereof  $2,500.  These  buildings  having  been 
destroyed  in  1886,  the  court  at  its  last  session  appropriated  $2,500  with  which  to  replace 
them.  Owing  to  the  absence  of  the  records  it  is  impossible  to  give  the  term  of  years  the 
different  county  officers  served,  but  the  following  is  a correct  and  complete  list  of  the 
names  of  the  officers  in  the  manner  in  which  they  held  office. 

Chairmen  of  County  Court:  John  Atkinson,  J.  AV.  Hamlin,  II.  F.  Holt,  P.  C.  Steele, 
William  Galbraith,  R.  L.  Landers,  John  P.  Hutton,  Thomas  J.  Ogilvie,  Richard  H.  Stem, 
B.  F.  Foster  and  John  AY.  Thompson,  the  present  incumbent.  County  Clerks:  Thomas 
Moore,  James  McKissack,  William  D.  Orr,  Robert  Hurst,  A.  Vannoy,  J.  H.  O’Neal,  Jo- 
seph H.  Thompson,  R.  C.  Couch,  Robert  L.  Singleton  and  AYill  J.  Muse,  the  present  in- 
cumbent. 

The  first  sessions  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Bedford  County  were  held  in  1S08  at  Mrs. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


800 


Payne's  house  on  Mulberry  Creek,  and  were  presided  over  by  Hon.  Thomas  Stuart,  cir- 
cuit judge.  Judge  Stuart  afterward  held  the  courts  at  Amos  Balch’s,  and  was  still  on  tin- 
bench  when  the  county  seat  was  located  at  Shelbyville.  However,  there  remains  no  rec- 
ord of  those  early  courts,  the  existing  records  beginning  with  December.  1853,  at  which 
time  Hon.  Westljr  W.  Pepper  was  judge,  John  H.  O’Neal  was  clerk  and  James  AY.  John- 
son was  sheriff.  The  first  grand  jury  was  drawn  in  the  following  manner:  the  names  <>f 
the  venire  were  written  on  slips  of  paper  and  the  papers  placed  in  a hat,  from  whence 
thirteen  names  were  drawn  out  by  a child  under  ten  years  of  age,  and  of  the  men  whose 
names  were  thus  selected  was  the  grand  jury  composed. 

During  the  sessions  of  the  court  in  1853,  Gdbert  E.  Holder  was  fined  §200  and  sent  to 
jail  for  three  months  for  carrying  a bowie  knife.  John  Record  was  fined  §5  for  gambling, 
and  William  Neil  was  sentenced  to  one  year’s  imprisonment  in  penitentiary  for  larceny. 
In  1854  Martha  Dobbins  was  granted  a divorce  from  William  Dobbins.  John  W.  Nelson 
was  fined  §5  for  malicious  shooting.  Isaac  Williams  for  larceny,  was  sent  to  prison  for 
one  year,  and  Mary  Low  was  fined  §5  for  permitting  one  of  her  slaves  to  live  as  a free 
person  of  color.  In  1855  Isaac  Parker  pleaded  guilty  to  a charge  of  libel,  and  was  fined 
$5.  William  Ballard  was  sent  to  prison  for  three  years  on  a charge  of  altering  bank  bills. 
James  B.  Phillips  served  a judgment  of  §2,500  against  Robert  Cannon,  for  slander  and  for 
committing  murder.  John  Wilson  was  sent  to  prison  for  seveu  years.  In  1855  W.  H. 
Dickerson  -was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year  on  a charge  of  larceny,  and  James 
Wagster,  for  disturbing  public  worship,  "was  fined  §10  and  costs. 

In  1857  William  P.  Puckett  was  fined  §25  for  malicious  stabbing,  and  Joel  Criscoe  was 


sent  to  toe  penii 


Tn  1 Torv.os!  T?ir\]pir  nr-.  n r»har(Tf>  of 

■-‘j  • - “ — - o • 


murder,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  twenty-one  years;  Frank  Bagiev,  for  arson,  was 
given  a sentence  of  six  years,  and  Jesse  Phillips,  for  incest,  was  sentenced  to  five  years 
imprisonment.  In  1859  Bob,  a slave,  upon  conviction  of  manslaughter,  received  the  fol- 
lowing sentence:  “That  he  receive  100  lashes  upon  the  bare  back,  then  be  imprisoned 
for  ten  days,  and  then  receive  auother  100  lashes  upon  the  bare  back,  to  be  well  laid  on 
by  the  sheriff  of  Bedford  County.” 

There  were  no  sessions  of  the  court  held  during  the  late  civil  war.  In  186-4  Alex- 
ander Brown,  for  larceny,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year;  and  on  a similar 
charge,  John  Morton  was  sent  up  for  three  years.  In  1865  Samuel  Evans,  Charles  Ellison, 
Riley  Kizer  and  Harriet  Phillips,  all  colored,  were  convicted  of  larceny,  and  the  first  was 
sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  oue  year;  the  second  for  three  years;  the  third  for  one  year, 
and  the  last  one  wTas  let  off  with  one  month’s  confinement  in  the  county  jail. 

In  18G6  James  Cheatham  and  Bush  V armory,  were  each  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for 
fifteeu  years  upon  a charge  of  larceny  and  house-breaking.  During  that  year  James 
Brewer,  Pinkney  McDonald,  Van  McFarland,  John  Bomer,  Jesse  Barksdale  and  Mary  Ann 
Stenston,  all  confined  in  the  county  jail  on  various  charges,  made  their  escape.  In  1867 
James  Eakin,  colored,  was  sent  to  the  county  jail  for  thirty  days  on  a charge  of  larceny, 
and  on  a similar  charge  George  Morgan  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year.  In 
1868  George  Wood,  Alexander  Aldridge,  Ann  Jackson  and  Alexander  Elkin,  were  given 
terms  of  imprisonment  on  charges  of  larceny.  In  1869  Ann  Jackson  was  again  imprisoned 
on  a charge  of  larceny,  and  on  similar  charges  Arch  Cook  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary 
for  twelve  years;  Abe  Featlierstone  for  two  years  and  six  mouths;  Alfred  Davis  for  ten 
years;  John  Moore,  ten  years;  Sarah  Cannon,  three  years,  and,  for  stealing  a horse,  John 
Brown  was  sent  for  ten  years. 

In  1870,  on  charges  of  larceny,  William  King  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  ten 
years;  James  Simmons  three  years,  and  Caroline  Houston  three  months  in  jail.  In  1871 
William  Hamilton  was  convicted  of  murder  and  imprisoned  for  eleven  years;  Elizabeth 
Kiser,  for  larceny,  was  sentenced  to  imprisonment  in  State  prison  for  one  year,  but  her 
sentence  was  commuted  to  ten  days  in  jail  on  account  of  her  cncientic  condition;  Edward 
Hilton,  on  a charge  of  involuntary  manslaughter,  was  sentenced  to  three  years’  imprison 
meut;  and  on  charges  of  larceny  James  Jones  was  given  four  years  in  the  penitentiary; 


* 

■ 


810 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


James  Gregor,  two  years;  Ilal  Germiny,  three  years;  Charles  Dyer,  four  years;  Fal. 
Hamer,  one  year:  Green  Smith,  two  years,  and  Ida  Ivains  one  year.  In  1872  James  S. 
Robinson,  Lewis  Cannon  and  Henry  Gambell  were  sentenced,  respectively,  to  terms  of 
seven,  three  and  four  years’  imprisonment  on  charges  of  larceny. 

In  1S73  John  Daniel  was  sent  to  prison  three  years  for  larceny;  Richard  'Wells,  for 
murder,  was  sent  for  five  years;  and  Mitch  Pearson  was  convicted  of  murder  in  the  first 
■degree  and  sentenced  to  be  hung  February  13,  1874.  Pearson  took  an  appeal  to  the 
supreme  court,  where  the  verdict  of  the  lower  court  was  reversed.  He  was  again  tried  and 
convicted  of  murder  in  the  second  degree  and  sentenced  to  ten  years  imprisonment  at  hard 
labor.  In  1874  John  Fogelman,  Henry  Tillman,  Jerry  Meadows  and  David  Xealey  were 
convicted  of  larceny  and  all  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year  each.  In  1875  William 
Campbell  and  Marion  Sliaffner  were  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  three  and  one  years,  re- 
spectively, for  larceny,  and  Dr.  Shannon,  for  horse-stealing,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary 
for  twelve  years. 

In  1S76  Joseph  Williams  was  sent  to  prison  for  two  years,  and  William  Barksdale  was 
sent  to  jail  six  months  on  charges  of  larceny.  Thomas  Rippy,  for  murder,  was  given  ten 
years;  William  Holder,  for  house-breaking,  was  given  ten  years;  and  Abraham  McMahan 
and  wife  recovered  $120  damages  from  Thomas  McEwen  for  slander.  In  1877  John 
Bourke,  for  house-breaking,  and  L.  Jones,  John  T.  Dean,  John  Holt,  Henry  Cannon. 
Emmet  Thompson,  Willis  Dallis  and  Harrison  Brown  were  imprisoned  for  larceny,  and 
John  Jones  was  sentenced  to  be  hung  October  4,  1877,  for  murder.  Jones  appealed  his 
■cause  to  the  supreme  court  and  the  decision  was  reversed,  and  upon  standing  trial  a second 
time  was  sen-tenced  to  imprisonment  for  life.  In  1878  Robert  Dixon,  Philip  Shuman. 
John  Miller  and  Bill  Morton  were  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year  each,  and  Lafay- 
ette Revis,  for  house-breaking,  was  sentenced  to  five  years’  imprisonment,  and  for  arson 
Revis  was  sentenced  to  ten  years’  imprisonment,  the  second  sentence  to  go  into  effect  upon 
expiration  of  the  first.  In  1879  Willis  Frazier,  for  murder,  was  imprisoned  for  twelve 
years;  and  for  larceny  James  Eakin,  Henry  Brown,  James  Waston  and  Jerry  Ball,  were 
sent  to  prison  for  one  year  each.  In  1880  John  Gaston,  James  Woodard  and  Lewis 
Thomas  were  given  terms  of  imprisonment  for  larceny.  In  18S1  Mary  Brown,  Lula 
Thomas  and  Bob  Chambers  were  given  one  year  imprisonment  in  the  penitentiary  on 
charges  of  larceny. 

In  1882  Frank  Atkinson,  for  horse-stealing,  was  sent  to  prison  for  three  years:  James 
Stewart,  murder,  five  years;  and  Ambrose  Tillman^  one  year;  Louis  Kiser,  two  and  a 
half  years;  Anderson  Sims,  one  year;  Henry  Beedy,  three  years;  Henry  Lovelace,  four 
years;  William  Allison,  one  year;  Harrison  Williams,  one  year;  Bob  Webb,  one  year, 
and  Lewis  Castleman  two  }ears  on  charges  of  larceny.  In  1883  Charles  Elkins,  for  mur- 
der, was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  twenty  years;  Jim  Gamble,  arson,  two  years;  James 
Warren,  murder,  three  years;  Nan  Roberson,  arson,  two  years;  and  for  larceny  Wylie 
Chambers,  Henry  Amos,  James  Flack,  R.  C.  Wylaud,  Tom  Stamps  and  Tom  Ganaway 
were  each  given  one  year  imprisonment  in  the  penitentiary.  In  1884  Eliza  Pepper,  for 
murder,  was  sent  to  prison  for  life,  and  George  Cross,  John  Cooper  and  Nelson  Johns 
were  given  six  and  three  years  each,  respective!}’,  for  horse-stealing;  and  Henry  Mosley 
and  George  Stewart,  for  larceny,  was  sent  up  for  one  year  each.  In  1885  Carrie  Cleve- 
land, for  murder,  was  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  three  years,  and  William  McGrew  and 
Henry  Carwell,  for  larceny,  were  each  given  one  year.  In  1886  Willis  Rankin  and  Henry 
Lamb  were  sent  to  the  penitentiary  for  one  year  each  on  charges  of  larceny,  and  Lamb 
was  sentenced  to  three  years’  imprisonment  on  a charge  of  horse-stealing,  his  second 
■sentence  to  commence  upon  expiration  of  the  first. 

The  judges  who  have  served  on  the  Bedford  bench  were  Thomas  Stuart,  James  C. 
Mitchell,  Samuel  Anderson,  Hugh  L.  Davidson,  Henry  Cooper,  J.  W.  Phillips,  W.  II. 
Williamson  and  Robert  Cantrell,  present  incumbent.  Attorney-generals:  Alfred  Balch, 
William  B.  Martin,  Thomas  Fletcher,  James  Fulton,  Abraham  Martin.  E.  J.  Frierson, 
Thomas  C.  Whiteside,  II.  L.  Davidson,  William  L.  Martin,  James  L.  Scudder,  B.  M.  Till- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


871 


man,  James  AA".  Brien,  William  II.  Wisener,  Jr.,  James  F.  Stokes,  31.  W.  Mclvnight  and 
Lillard  Thompson,  present  incumbent.  Circuit  clerks:  Daniel  McKissack,  John  T.  Neil, 
Lewis  Tillman,  James  II.  Neil,  J.  31.  Phillip,  W.  B.  3IcBrame  and  John  T.  Cannon,  pres- 
ent incumbent. 

The  Chancery  Court  of  Bedford  County  convened  for  the  f;rst  time  in  1S36,  with  lion. 
B.  L.  Ridley  presiding  as  chancellor  and  Robert  P.  Harrison  as  clerk  and  master.  The 
following  is  a list  of  the  chancellors  and  clerks  and  masters:  Chancellors— B.  L.  Ridley, 
Thomas  H.  Caldwell,  John  P.  Steele,  A.  S.  3Iarks,  John  Burton  and  E.  D.  Hancock,  the 
present  incumbent.  Clerks  and  masters— Robert  P.  Harrison.  Robert  B.  Davidson,  W.  .1. 
Whiltborn,  Lewis  Tillman,  Sr.,  Lewis  Tillman,  Jr.,  T.  S.  Steele,  William  H.  3Iorgan  and 
J.  S.  Butler,  the  present  incumbent.  Other  count}'  officers  have  been  as  follows,  in  the 
order  given  as  to  terms:  Sheriffs — Benjamin  Bradford,  John  Warner,  John  Wortham,  John 
Warner,  William  Norville,  K.  L.  Anderson,  D.  D.  Arnold,  James  3[ulins,  J.  31.  Johnson, 
James  Wortham,  Garrett  Phillips,  R.  B.  Blackwell,  Joseph  Thompson,  J.  3L  Dunaway, 
F.  F.  Fouville,  J.  J.  Phillips,  George  P.  3Iuse  and  D.  W.  Shriver,  the  present  incumbent. 
Trustees— John  AY.  Cobbs,  AYilliam  AA'ard,  Peter  E.  Clardy,  Daniel  Hooser,  S.  B.  Gordon, 
J.  L.  Goodrum,  William  3IcGill  and  J.  L.  Goodrum,  the  present  incumbent.  Registers — 

John  Ake,  Thomas  Davis,  A.  A'annoy.  D.  B.  Shriver,  31.  E.  AA'.  Dunaway,  John  AV. 
Thompson,  H.  H.  Holt  and  C.  N.  Allen,  the  present  incumbent.  School  superintendents 
— John  R.  Dean,  J.  L.  Hutson,  AYilliam  H.  AYhiteside  and  J.  H.  Allen,  the  present  in- 
cumbent. 

Among  the  early  distinguished  members  of  the  Bedford  County  bar  were  Abraham 
3Iartin.  who  was  district  attorney  at  one  time,  and  who  afterward  removed  to  Alontgomery . 
Ala.,  where  he  was  elected  to  the  bench;  Archibald  Yell,  who  afterward  removed  to  Little 
Rock,  Ark.,  and  of  which  State  he  was  elected  governor  and  also  representative  in  Congress, 
AYilliam  B.  Sutton;  AA'illiam  Gilchrist;  I.  J.  Frierson,  a member  of  the  Legislature  at  one 
time;  AYilliam  H.  AYisener,  at  one  time  a member  of  the  Legislature  and  speaker  of  the 
Lower  House;  Henry  Cooper,  who  was  judge  of  the  circuit  court  for  a number  of  }rears, 
and  who  was  also  a member  of  the  Legislature  and  for  several  years  president  of  the 
Lebanon  Law  School  and  United  States  senator  for  one  term;  Hugh  L.  Davidson,  who  for 
ten  years  was  judge  of  the  circuit  court  and  attorney-general  for  one  term,  and  Thomas  C. 
AA'h  Resides,  who  was  district  attorney  for  a while.  The  bar  at  present  is  composed  of 
Edmund  Cooper,  who  was  a member  of  the  Legislature  one  term,  served  one  term  as  con- 
gressman, was  first  assistant  secretary  of  the  United  States  Treasury  under  President  John- 
son, arid  was  also  chosen  by  President  Johnson  as  his  private  secretar}':  Thomas  H.  Cald- 
well, who  was  at  one  time  chancellor  of  this  division,  attorney-general  for  the  State,  was 
a Grant  and  Colfax  and  Blaine  and  Logan  presidential  elector,  and  was  Tennessee’s  State 
commissioner  to  the  Philadelphia  Centennial  in  1876;  James  A.  AYarder,  who  was  United 
States  district  attorney,  and  is  at  present  one  of  the  nominees  of  the  Republican  party  for 
supreme,  judge;  R.  B.  Davidson;  F.  B.  Ivey;  AYalter  Bearden;  Charles  S.  Ivey;  Gen. 
Ernest  Caldwell,  who  is  the  present  member  of  the  Legislature  and  who  was  commissioned 
a brigadier-general  by  Gov.  Hawkins,  and  AY.  B.  Bate. 

Not  a few  patriots  of  the  Revolution  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Bedford  County, 
among  whom  were  Capt.  31att  and  Col.  Barclay  3Iartin,  who,  with  five  of  their  brothers, 
fought  for  seven  years  Hnder  Gen.  AYasliington;  Capt.  Christopher  Shaw,  AYilliam  Camp- 
bell and  James  Hurst.  There  were  no  doubt  others,  but  their  names  have  long  since  been 
forgotten,  and  of  them  there  is  no  record. 

A full  company  was  furnished  by  Bedford  County  to  the  war  of  1812,  which  company 
was  present  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  Among  the  members  of  the  company  whose 
names  have  been  preserved  were  AYilliam  Hazlett,  John  Farrer,  Michael  AYouiack.  James 
Gowan,  John  L.  Neil.  Philip,  James  and  AYilliam  Burrow  (brothers),  John  Casteel.  AYilliam 
AYoods,  “Sallie”  Sailors,  AA’illiam  P.  Finch.  Robert  Furguson,  Andrew  3Iathus,  Townsend 
Fugett,  AA'esley  Rainwater,  Benjamin  AYebb,  Martin  Hancock,  J.  L.  AW  Dillard,  John 
Murphey,  Moses  Pruitt,  John  Pool  and  James  Scott.  The  company  was  commanded  by 
Capt.  Barrett. 


872 


niSTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


When  the  Seminole  or  Florida  war  began  in  1836,  Bedford  County  promptly  organ 
ized  a full  company,  which,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Hunter,  participated  in  many 
of  the  engagements  of  that  war.  Among  the  volunteers  of  that  war  were  Albert  Smell, 
John  Hudlow,  John  Stone,  Standards  Thomas,  Abraham  McMahan,  Lewis  Tillman  and 
William  Woods. 

Bedford  County  furnished  one  full  company  to  the  war  of  the  United  States  and  Mex- 
ico in  1846.  The  company  was  commanded  by  Capt.  E.  W.  Frierson,  and  was  mustered 
into  the  First  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry,  at  Nashville.  The  following  are  the  sur- 
vivors of  the  Mexican  war  who  are  living  at  present  in  Bedford  County:  James  II.  Neil, 
Samuel  J.  Warner,  E.  M.  Lacy,  Stanford  Sutton,  John  B.  Fuller.  J.  W.  Buckaloo,  C.  W. 
Arnold  and  John  IX  Martin.  Among  those  who  volunteered  from  the  county  and  who- 
have  since  died,  were  C.  C.  Word,  James  Scudder,  Berry  Logan,  Zachariah  Lacy,  Joel  H. 
Burdette,  Thomas  G.  Holland,  Alexander  Turrentine,  Joshua  B.  Scott,  William  McXabb, 
Appleton  Tucker,  Chesley  Arnold,  Sullenger  Holt,  Stephen  Jolly.  John  A.  Moore  and 
James  L.  Armstrong. 

Bedford  County  was  divided  on  the  great  questions  which  led  to  the  late  civil  war, 
and  when  the  election  wTas  held  June  8,  1861,  to  vote  for  or  against  separation  from  the 
Union  and  representation  in  a Confederate  Congress,  the  county  voted  in  the  negative  by 
a majority  of  nearly  200.  When  the  time  came  for  action  the  county  furnished  almost  as 
many  soldiers  to  the  Northern  as  to  the  Southern  army.  Indeed,  so  loyal  was  Shelbyville 
to  the  Union  as  to  earn  for  the  town  the  name  of  “Little  Boston,”  and  being  on  the  line 
of  march  of  both  armies,  witnessed  many  movements  and  counter-movements  of  large 
bodies  of  troops,  and  though  much  damage  was  sustained  to  property  and  not  a few  lives 
lost,  yet  through  the  influence  of  prominent  citizens  on  both  sides  the  consequences  were- 
no  more  serious  than  could  have  been  expected  in  time  of  war. 

In  September,  1861,  the  “ Shelbyville  Rebels,”  the  first  Confederate  company  raised 
in  the  county,  was  organized  by  the  election  of  A.  S.  Boon  as  captain.  Immediately  fol- 
lowing this  company,  Confederate  companies  were  organized  as  follows,  all  of  which  were 
mustered  into  the  Forty-first  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry:  Scudder  Rifles,  Capt.  W. 

C.  Blanton,  organized  in  the  vicinity  of  Lmionville;  Erwin  Guards,  Capt.  M.  Payne,  or 
ganized  at  Wartrace;  Richmond  Guards,  Capt.  Brown,  organized  in  the  vicinity  of  Rich- 
mond; a Flat  Creek  company,  under  Capt.  Keith,  and  Capt.  J.  F.  Neil’s  Bell  Buckle  com- 
pany, also  about  half  of  Capt.  Thomas  Miller’s  company,  which  wrent  from  Marshall 
County,  was  made  up  from  Bedford  County  by  those  living  near  the  county  line. 

During  the  same  year  a company  was  organized  at  Bell  Buckle,  and  James  Dennison 
elected  captain,  which  joined  the  Second  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry.  During  the 
summer  of  1861  three  companies  were  organized  in  the  county,  and  joined  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry.  They  wTere  as  follows:  a Flat  Creek  company,  Capt.  J. 

D.  Hoyl:  a Fairfield  company,  Capt.  James  L.  Armstrong,  and  Capt.  AY.  A.  Landis’  com- 
pany, made  up  part  in  Bedford  and  part  in  Lincoln  County.  In  1862  a company  of  artil- 
lery was  organized  in  Shelbyville,  of  which  J.  L.  Burt  was  elected  captain,  and  Capt.  R. 
B.  Blackwell  also  took  out  a company  in  that  year. 

In  1862  Capt.  Montgomery  Little  was  deputized  by  Geu.  Forrest  to  raise  a company 
of  100  men  to  act  as  an  escort  to  the  daring  cavalry  commander,  which  company  wa*  to 
be  mounted  and  known  as  “Forrest’s  Escorts.”  Capt.  Little  proceeded  to  Shelbyville, 
where,  October  6,  1862,  he  completed  the  organization  of  the  Escorts.  The  company  was 
composed  of  the  picked  men  from  Bedford,  Rutherford,  Lincoln,  Marshall  and  Moore 
Counties,  and  were  provided  with  choice  arms  and  the  best  horses  the  county  afforded. 
On  the  above  date  the  escort  fell  into  line  in  front  of  the  court  house,  on  the  south  side, 
in  Shelbyville,  from  which  place  they  took  up  their  line  of  march  to  Nashville,  and  from 
that  time  until  the  close  of  the  war  was  with  Gen.  Forrest  through  all  his  campaigns. 

The  Federal  troops  furnished  by4I3edford  County  were  as  follows:  Those  who  were- 
attaehed  to  the  Fifth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Mounted  Iufantry:  Capt.  R.  C.  Couch’s  com- 
pany, Capt.  J.  L.  Hix’s  company,  Capt.  Robert  C.  Wortham’s  company  and  Capt.  Rick- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


873 


man’s  company.  Those  of  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Mounted  Infantry:  Capt. 
James  Wortham’s  company  and  Capt.  John  AY.  Phillips’:  and  Capt.  C.  B.  AYord’s  company, 
of  the  Tenth  Tennessee  Mounted  Infantry,  known  as  Johnson's  Guards. 

Throughout  the  war  Shclbyville  was  infested  with  troops  at  short  intervals,  first  the 
Confederates  and  then  the  Federals  having  possession.  The  same  troops  also  visited  War- 
trace,  and  at  that  place  entrenchments  were  thrown  up  by  the  Confederates,  while  the 
latter  also  dug  a line  of  rifle  pits  around  Shclbyville,  extending  from  Horse  Mouutain 
to  Duck  River,  and  on  the  mountain  both  armies  established  signal  stations  at  different 
times.  The  first  troops  to  visit  Shelbyville  was  a detachment  of  Confederates  under  com- 
mand of  Col.  Gordon,  duriug  the  summer  of  1861.  During  1862  troops  visited  the  town 
as  follows:  Fourth  Ohio  Cavalry,  Gen.  Forrest’s  cavalry,  Gen.  Mitchell’s  division.  Gen. 
Lytle’s  brigade,  Seventy-eighth  Pennsylvania  Regiment  of  Infantry,  Gen.  AYood’s  divis- 
ion,the  First  Kentucky  Cavalry  and  Gen.  Albert  Sidney  Johnston's  entire  army  corps,  who 
came  here  on  their  retreat  from  Bowling  Green,  Ivy.  AATiile  here  Gen.  Johnston  replen- 
ished his  commissary  department  with  about  30,000  head  of  hogs  and  a large  quantity  of 
beef.  In  April,  1863,  Gen.  Bragg’s  army  was  encamped  in  Shelbyville  for  a month  or 
more.  After  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  in  December,  Gen.  Bragg  retreated  to  Shelbyville, 
and  going  into  camp  remained  until  January,  1864.  During  1864  Gen.  Milroy’s  division, 
a Missouri  regiment  of  infantry,  under  command  of  Col.  Fox,  and  the  One  Hundred  and 
Seventh  New  York  Regiment  of  Infantry  encamped  in  Shelbyville. 

At  Wartrace,  in  April,  1862,  the  Forty-second  Regiment  ludiana  Infantry,  was  at- 
tacked by  Col.  Starn’s  Regiment,  when  a sharp  skirmish  took  place.  In  1863  a lively 
skirmish  occurred  between  the  Fifth  Tenne-cee  Cavalry  and  the  Confederate  Cavalry 
under  Gen.  Wheeler  at  AYartrace,  and  in  October  following,  Gen.  AYheeler  again  had  a 
brush  with  the  Federal  Cavalry,  between  3,000  and  4,000  men  beiug  in  the  fight,  two 
miles  west  of  Shelbyville,  in  which  quite  a number  were  killed  and  wounded.  On  the 
27th  of  June,  1863,  four  companies  of  the  Fifth  Tennessee  made  an  attack  on  the  Confed- 
erates who  were  holding  Shelbyville.  The  Federals,  commanded  by  Col.  Bob  Galbraith, 
advacced  from  Guy’s  Gap,  and  by  the  time  Shelbyville  was  reached  the  Confederates 
were  on  the  retreat.  A running  fight  occurred  on  Martin  Street, during  which  several  were 
killed  on  the  Confederate  side.  The  Confederates  retreated  from  the  town  and  crossed 
Duck  River  at  the  Scull  Camp  bridge,  at  which  point,  being  so  closely  pursued,  they 
threw  a large  brass  field-piece  from  the  bridge  into  the  river,  and  the  cannon  remains  to 
t his  day  in  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of  the  river.  No  lives  were  lost  on  the  Federal  side 
during  the  hot  engagement. 

In  May,  1864,  twelve  soldiers  belonging  to  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Mounted  Infantry 
( Federal),  were  captured  while  guarding  the  Shelbyville  depot,  which  was  stored  with 
hay,  by  Robert  B.  Blackwell,  who  was  at  the  head  of  a company  of  bushwhackers.  The 
depot  and  contents  were  burned,  and  the  twelve  soldiers  escorted  a short  distance  from 
town  and  shot. 

Shelbyville,  the  capital  of  Bedford  Count}*,  is  a beautiful  town  of  about  3.500  inhabit- 
ants, situated  on  the  east  bank  of  Duck  River,  and  almost  surrounded  by  that  winding 
stream,  and  at  the  terminus  of  the  Shelbyville  & AVartraee  branch  of  the  Nashville  A 
Chattanooga  Railroad,  sixty-three  miles  southeast  from  Nashville  by  rail,  and  fifty-five 
miles  as  the  “crow  flits.”  The  immediate  surrounding  country  is  most  beautiful  and 
picturesque,  the  town  being  enclosed  between  ranges  of  bills  on  the  east,  south  and  north. 
Shelbyville  was  established  in  1810  by  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  General  As- 
sembly to  locate  the  county  seat  of  Bedford  County.  The  land  upon  which  the  town  was 
located  (100  acres)  was  donated  to  the  commissioners  by  Clement  Cannon,  by  deed  dated 
May  2,  1810,  and  registered  June  22,  1811.  The  town  was  at  once  laid  off  into  lots  aud 
sold  at  auction  to  the  highest  bidder,  and  the  county  seat  was  then  named  Shelbyville,  iu 
honor  of  Col.  Isaac  Shelby,  who  commanded  a regiment  of  240  men  in  the  storming  of 
King’s  Mountain  and  capture  of  Col.  Ferguson  and  the  British  Army  under  him  October 
7,  1780.  AmoDg  those  who  purchased  town  lots  of  the  commissioners  were  Archibald 


874 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Alexander,  Ben  Bray  ford,  Samuel  Bell,  Clement  Cannon,  George  Cunningham,  Dandy 
Howell.  James  Edde,  Michael  Fisher,  Ben  Gambell,  Thomas  Lordmore,  William  Lack, 
Lewis  Marshall,  Robert  Murry,  Joseph  Mengee,  William  Xewson,  Abraham  Thompson, 
Jonathan  Webster,  Joseph  Woods,  Joseph  Walker,  Henry  Winro  and  many  others.  The 
streets  of  Shelbyville,  all  of  which  are  macadamized,  are  ten  in  number,  those  running 
north  and  south  being  Martin,  Brittain,  Depot,  High,  Thompson,  Cannon  and  Spring, 
and  those  running  east  and  west  are  Daudy,  Main  and  Bridge. 

The  town  was  incorporated  October  7,  1819,  and  has  continued  as  an  incorporated 
town  up  to  the  present.  At  the  first  municipal  election,  held  on  the  first  Monday  in  No- 
vember, 1819,  Thomas  Davis,  David  McKissack,  James  A.  McClure,  Giles  Burdett,  Will- 
iam O.  Whitney,  John  H.  Anderson  and  Jacob  Morton  were  elected  aldermen,  and  by 
them  Thomas  Davis  was  chosen  mayor  and  James  Brittain  recorder.  The  present  muni- 
cipal officers  are  as  follows:  Mayor,  John  W.  Ruth;  recorder,  John  W.  Thompson;  al- 
dermen: First  Ward,  J.  P.  Ingle;  Second  Ward,  W.  A.  Frost;  Third  Ward,  S.  J.  McDow- 
ell; Fourth  Ward,  J.  R.  Burdett;  Fifth  Ward,  J.  T.  Allison;  Sixth  Ward,  Thomas  L. 
Thompson;  police:  John  Searcy,  John  Bartlett  and  Logan  Harrison. 

The  Shelbyville  fire  department  was  organized  December  2,  1S85.  In  1883  a good 
steam  fire-engine  and  a hook  and  ladder  wagon  was  purchased  by  the  town  at  a cost  of 
§22,000.  A steam  force  pump  was  also  purchased  at  a cost  of  §800,  which  was  placed  at 
the  mill  of  Lipscomb  & Co. 

The  Eakin  Library,  containing  over  1,000  volumes  of  choice  literature,  was  founded  in 
1881  by  the  widow  of  the  late  William  S.  Eakin,  and  from  whom  it  takes  its  name. 

The  first  merchant  of  Shelbyville  was  James  Decry,  who  opened  a general  merchan- 
dise store  on  the  town  site  in  1809,  one  year  before  the  location  of  the  county  seat.  The 
first  mill  was  a water-power  corn-mill,  and  was  built  in  about  1815  by  Clement  Cannon  on 
Duck  River,  and  a mill,  known  as  the  “Cannon  Mill/’  is  in  operation  on  the  same  site  at 
the  present.  The  first  blacksmith  was  Henry  Tudale,  and  he  was  followed  by  Jeremiah 
Cunningham,  Moses  Marshall  and  Jacob  Morton.  The  merchants  of  Shelbyville  from 
1810  up  to  1840  were  Benjamin  Strickler,  John  Eakin,  John  and  Spencer  Eakin,  Peter 
Donnelly,  Hugh  Wardlow,  Robert  Stephenson,  J.  C.  and  T.  M.  Caldwell,  John  A.  Marrs 
Brittain  & Escue,  Thomas  Doris,  George  Davidson,  Alexander  Eakin,  Thomas  Reed,  W. 

B.  Brame,  Robert  Mathews,  Robert  Moffitt,  Wardlow  Sc  Thompson,  John  X.  Porter, 
William  Decry,  John  Cannon  Sc  Co.,  Davidson  Sc  Caldwell,  and  Davidson  Sc  Jett.  Rich- 
ard White  and  R.  P.  Harrison  were  the  hotel  proprietors  of  that  period.  The  merchants 
of  the  forties  were  John  Eakin,  Eakin  Bros.,  George  Davidson,  William  G..  J.  C.  Sc  T. 
M.  Caldwell,  Robert  Mathews,  W.  W.  Wilhoit,  Seaborn  Sc  McKinney,  William  S.  Jett. 
Eakin  Sc  Moffitt,  James  II.  Dcery  and  T.  M.  Caldwell  Sc  Co.  Merchants  of  the  fifties: 
John  C.  Caldwell,  Jr.,  C.  P.  Huston,  Baskette  Sc  Stamps, Wilhoit  Bros.,  Armstrong  Bros., 
Baskette,  Jett  & Co.,  Cowan  Sc  Strickler,  Caldwell,  Cowan  Sc  Co.,  John  Wilts,  John  Ner- 
ing,  Mitchell  Sc  Shepard,  J.  W.  Wallace  Sc  Bro.,  Roan  Sc  Cable,  and  Mitchell  Sc  Sperry. 
Merchants  of  the  sixties:  Thomas  W.  Buchanan,  O.  Cowan,  John  F.  Brown  Sc  Co..  Ma- 
son, Vaudy  Sc  Co.,  Corney  Sc  Ncilcy,  II.  Frankie  Sc  Co.,  R.  C.  White,  Thomas  J.  Roan. 

C.  A.  Warren.  Evans  <fc  Shepard,  Horner  Sc  Co.,  Buchanan  Sc  Woods,  Graves  Sc  Gillis, 
George  B.  Woods,  John  II.  Wells,  and  Trollinger  Sc  Tune.  With  but  few  exceptions  the 
merchants  of  the  seventies  were  the  same  as  during  the  sixties. 

The  merchants  of  the  present  are  as  follows:  Buchanan  Sc  Woods,  J.  S.  Giliis,  A.  C. 
John  & Co.  and  A.  Frankie  Sc  Co.,  dry  goods  and  notions;  J.  P.  Brown  and  Rice  & San- 
dusky, clothing;  Allison  Sc  Hall  and  Leftwich  Sc  Co.,  dry  goods  and  clothing:  Mrs.  E. 
Dalby,  Mrs.  Martha  Rainbow  and  Mrs.  E.  Cleveland,  milliners;  C.  A.  Warren,  B.  F. 
Dwiggins,  Green  Sc  McGill,  John  Dayton  Sc  Co.,  E.  W.  Carney,  G.  N.  Eakin,  Morton  *fc 
Wilhoit,  Rutledge  Sc  Thompson,  T.  J.  Warner,  Hix  Bros.,  Arnold  Bros,  and  li.  II.  Whit- 
man, groceries;  W.  R.  Haynes  & Co.,  furniture;  C.  W.  Cunningham,  books  and  stationery; 
F.  II.  Otte,  merchant  tailor;  Evans  Sc  Shepard,  Roan  Sc  McGrcw  and  S.  F.  Knott,  drugs; 
John  W.  Ruth  Sc  Son,  jewelers;  M.  A.  Rainbow,  silversmith;  A.  J.  Jarrell,  tinware  and 


- 

* 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


8 < 5 


stoves;  O.  Cowan  & Co.  and  J.  E.  Deery,  hardware;  Foman  &Son,  tinware  and  groceries:. 
Hope  & Co.,  Eagle  & ShalTner  and  W.  M.  Bryant  & Co.,  grain  dealers;  H.  C.  Ryall,  lum- 
ber dealer;  Mathus  & Low,  commission  merchants;  N.  J.  Calhoou  & Bro.,  marble  works: 
M.  L.  Morton  and  E.  W.  Fuller,  harness  and  saddles;  J.  H.  Hix,  C.  I).  Gunter,  T.  J.  Jones, 

S.  P.  Freeman,  W.  V.  Allen,  Arnold  Bros,  and  T.  J.  Warner,  saloons;  W.  H.  Caul,  gun- 
smith; Benjamin  C.  Gregory,  photographer;  G.  A.  Cleveland,  house  and  sign  painter;. 
John  Ledbetter  and  Reidenbery  & Turner,  butchers;  Jack  Henderson,  T.  C.  Ryall  & Co., 

T.  C.  Allisou,  Hite  & Taylor  and  Collins  <fc  Rankin,  livery  stables;  R.  M.  Bowen,  G.  F. 
Davis  and  J.  R.  Hunter,  shoe-makers.  The  only  hotel  of  Shelbyville  is  the  Evans  House, 
J.  C.  Eakin,  proprietor,  which  is  a first-class  hotel  in  every  respect.  James  Brown  and 
Simpson  & Burkeen  are  the  barbers.  J.  T.  Landis  will  open  a steam  laundry,  which  is 
now  in  course  of  erection,  during  the  fall. 

The  manufactories  of  Shelbyville  are  as  follows:  The  Victor  Flouring-mill,  built  in 
1880,  present  proprietors  Lipscomb  & Co.,  is  situated  on  Duck  River,  and  has  water  and 
steam-power;  capacity  250  barrels  of  flour  per  day.  The  building  is  a large  two-story 
brick,  and  the  machinery  is  of  the  most  improved  pattern;  the  Cannon  Mill  (water-power), 
which  stands  directly  across  the  river,  is  also  owned  by  this  company;  the  Shelbyville- 
Flouring-mill,  also  situated  on  Duck  River,  was  built  some  time  during  the  sixties  by  Robert 
Dwiggins.  The  mill  has  changed  hands  frequently,  and  is  at  present  operated  by  E.. 
Shepard,  trustee;  the  building  is  a three-story  brick,  and  the  capacity  of  the  mill  is  225 
barrels  per  day;  Mullins  Mill,  water-power,  situated  on  Duck  River,  one  mile  east  of  Shel- 
byville,  is  owned  by  J.  C.  Tune;  Shelbyville  Carding  Machine,  established  in  1884,  owned 
by  Burdett  & Co.;  Shelbyville  Manufacturing  Company  (stock  company),  was  established 
in  1883,  manufacture  hubs,  spokes,  rims,  double  and  single  trees,  etc.,  twenty-five  men 
employed  regularly;  L.  II.  Russ  & Co.,  manufacturers  of  carriages,  and  the  celebrated  New 
South  wagon;  McDowell  Bros.,  manufacturers  of  wagons  and  buggies  and  general  black- 
smith; Southern  Machine  Shops  (owned  by  stock  company'),  established  in  1884;  A.  J. 
Trolinger,  cooper  shop;  E.!H.  Kohl,  repair  shop;  H.  C.  Ryall,  planing-mill;  TV.  F.  Hol- 
man, tannery;  J.  C.  Eakin,  fruit  evaporator  and  canning  factory.  Probably  the  most  im- 
portant manufactory  in  the  county,  and  the  only  one  of  the  kind  in  the  county,  is  the 
Sylvan  Cotton  Mills,  situated  two  miles  southwest  of  Shelbyville.  These  mills  were  estab- 
lished in  1852  by  Gillen,  Webb  & Co.,  but  are  dow  owned  and  operated  by  a stock  com- 
pany. The  mills  were  destroyed  by  fire  in  1881,  but  were  rebuilt  on  a larger  scale  imme- 
diately thereafter.  The  present  buildings  are  of  brick,  the  main  building  being  50x186 
feet,  picker-room  40x56  feet  and  engine  and  boiler-room  40x60  feet;  the  machinery  is  all 
new  and  of  modern  make;  the  mills  are  provided  with  3,6S0  spindles  and  108  looms,  and 
the  daily  capacity  is  6,000  yards  of  drilling  and  sheeting.  From  12,000  to  15,000  bails  of 
cotton  arc  consumed  annually,  and  between  eighty  and  ninety  operatives  are  given  em- 
ployment. All  of  the  operatives  reside  in  neat  cottages  in  the  vicinity  of  the  mills,  form- 
ing quite  a village.  A general  store  is  kept  by  the  company,  from  which  the  villagers 
draw  their  supplies. 

The  Shelbyville  Savings  Bank  was  established  in  1867  by  A.  W.  Brockawav.  From 
its  establishment  until  1873  William  Gaslin  was  president  and  A.  W.  Brockaway'  was 
cashier.  Brockaway  was_succeedcd  as  cashier  at  that  time  by  Dr.  R.  N.  Wallace,  and  that 
gentleman  was  succeeded  by  his  son,  John  R.  Wallace.  The  bank  suspended  in  Septem- 
ber, 1885,  with  a capital  stock  of  $40,000  and  $120,000  on  deposits,  of  which  not  over  20 
per  cent  will  be  realized.  The  failure  of  the  bank  caused  the  failure  of  several  business 
men.  The  National  Bank  of  Shelbyville  was  established  in  November,  1874,  by  Edmund 
Cooper, who  became  president,  with  Albert  Frierson,  cashier,  and  B.  B.  Whitthorne,  teller. 
Mr.  Cooper  is  still  president  and  Mr.  Whitthorne  is  cashier  and  Edmund  Cooper,  Jr.,  is 
teller  at  present;  capital  stock  $50,000.  The  Peoples’  National  Bank,  with  a capital  of 
$60,000,  has  been  recently  organized,  with  N.  P.  Evans  as  president  and  S.  J.  Walden. 
Jr.,  as  cashier.  A building  for  this  bank  is  in  course  of  erection,  and  the  bank  will  be 
ready  for  business  during  the  present  fall. 


\ 


876 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Shelbyville’s  secret  societies  are  as  follows:  Shelbyville  Benevolent  Lodge.  No.  12*3, 
F.  & A.  M.,  organized  in  1819,  suspended  in  1833,  and  reorganized  in  1847:  Chosen  Friends 
Lodge,  No.  11,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  organized  in  1845,  suspended  in  1885,  and  will  be  reorganized 
in  the  near  future;  Sons  of  Temperance  Lodge,  organized  in  1846,  suspended  in  1860, 
and  reorganized  in  1867,  as  Shelbyville  Lodge,  No.  131,  I.  O.  G.  T.;  Olive  Branch  Lodge, 
No.  4,  A.  O.  U.  W.,  organized  in  May,  1877;  Duck  River  Lodge.  No.  10,  K.  of  H.,  organ- 
ized in  1875;  Corono  Council,  No.  426,  Royal  Arcanum,  organized  in  December,  1879;  Lo- 
cal Branch,  No.  60.  Iron  Hall,  organized  in  December,  1881;  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  organized  in 
1884.  Colored  secret  societies.  Duck  River  Lodge.  No.  1947,  I.  0.  0.  F.,  organized  in 
May,  1879;  Charity  Lodge,  No.  25,  F.  & A.  M. 

The  physicians  of  Shelbyville  who  have  practiced  in  the  town  and  vicinity  since  1830: 

Drs.  James  G.  Barksdale,  James  Kincade,  George  W.  Fogleman,  Grant  Whitney,  

Brazee,  John  Blakemore  and  Frank  Blakemore;  the  present  practicing  physicians  are 
Drs.  J.  H.  McGrew,  Thomas  Lipscomb.  R.  F.  Evans,  C.  A.  Crunk,  Swanson  Nowling, 
S.  M.  Thompson,  G.  W.  Moody,  J.  H.  Christopher,  N.  B.  Cable  and  Samuel  J.  McGrew. 
The  practicing  dentists  are  Drs.  G.  C.  Sandusky,  Edward  Blakmore  and  J.  P.  McDonald. 
The  schools  of  Shelbyville  consist  of  a graded  public  school,  Dixon  Academy,  Female 
Academy  and  the  colored  free  schools. 

Shelbyville  has  seven  white  and  four  colored  churches,  as  follows:  Presbyterian,  or- 
ganized in  1815,  and  brick  church  erected  in  1817.  In  1856  the  building  was  sold  to  the 
Catholic  congregation  and  the  present  brick  building  erected  at  a cost  of  $10,000.  In  do- 
nating to  the  county  the  land  upon  which  to  locate  a count}’  seat  Clement  Cannon  set 
apart  a tract  of  ground  upon  which  any  denomination  could  have  the  privilege  of  proot- 
ing  a house  of  worship.  The  Methodists  took  advantage  of  the  free  ground,  and  in  1820 
erected  a frame  church.  The  building  was  destroyed  by  a severe  storm  in  1830.  The 
congregation  then  abandoned  the  Canuon  ground  and  erected  a brick  church  in  1833,  at  a 
cost  of  $3,000.  This  building  they  sold,  in  1881,  to  the  Christian  congregation  and  began  at 
once  the  erection  of  the  handsome  brick  edifice  which  is  as  yet  incomplete,  but  in  which 
services  have  been  held  for  many  years.  This  building  has  already  cost  about  $12,000. 
The  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1845,  when  a brick  building  was  erected  on  the 
Cannon  ground,  the  site  of  the  old  Methodist  Church,  at  a cost  of  about  $3,000.  This 
church  was  destroyed  by  a wind-storm  in  1870,  and  was  rebuilt,  at  a cost  of  about  $5,000. 
The  Catholic  Church  was  organized  in  1855,  and  in  1856  the  congregation  purchased  the 
old  Presbyterian  Church  building,  and  the  same  is  in  use  at  present:  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  was  organized  and  a church  erected  in  1856.  The  building  was  de- 
stroyed in  1880.  The  congregation  then  purchased  their  present  brick  building  from  the 
Northern  Methodists,  which  church  was  organized  after  the  civil  war,  but  disbanded 
The  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  1853,  and  until  1861  held  services  in  the  Odd  Fel- 
lows’ hall.  In  1860  the  erection  of  the  present  brick  church  was  begun.  The  ground 
was  donated  by  William  Gasling  and  the  church  was  built  by  Hon.  Edmund  Cooper,  as  a 
memorial  church  to  his  first  wife.  The  building  cost  $2,500.  The  Christian  Church  was 
organized  in  1881,  at  which  time  the  congregation  purchased  their  present  church  from 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  congregation.  The  colored  churches  are  the  First  and  Second 
Missionary  Baptists,  the  African  Methodist  Episcopal  South  and  the  Union  Africau  Meth- 
odist Episcopal. 

The  first  newspaper  published  in  Bedford  County  was  the  Shelbyville  Herald,  Theo 

F.  Bradford,  editor  and  proprietor.  In  1821  the  Herald  was  sold  to Iredell,  and  with 

that  gentleman  was  afterward  associated  J.  Newton,  and  together  they  conducted  the 
paper  until  about  1830.  The  1 Vcsttrn  Freeman  was  next  established  in  1832,  with  II.  M. 
Wattcrson.as  editor,  and  John  II.  Laird,  publisher.  In  1836  the  Peoples’  Advocate  was  es- 
tablished by  William  H.Wisener,who  was  both  editor  and  proprietor.  About  the  same  time 
the  Western  Star  was  published  by  Granville  Cook.  In  1840  the  Peoples'  Advocate  was 
succeeded  by  the  Western  Advocate , with  John  W.  White  as  editor  and  publisher.  In  1844 
the  Free  Press  was  published  by  I.  C.  Brassfield,  and  contemporaneous  with  the  Free 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


877 


Press  was  the  Whig  Advocate,  published  by  John  H.  Laird.  In  1848  the  Star  was  pub- 
lished by  R.  C.  Russ.  From  1848  to  1862  the  Expositor  was  published  by  Janies  Russ,  Jr., 
and  Ralph  S.  Saunders.  R.  C.  Russ  published  the  Bedford  Yeoman  from  1850  to  1855, 
and  during  1857  and  1858  the  Constitutionalist  was  published  by  J.  H.  Baskette.  About  the 
same  time  the  Herald  of  Truth,  a Baptist  paper,  was  published  by  Dr.  R.  W.  Fain.  From 

1862  to  1863  J.  H.  Thompson  and  T.  B.  Laird  published  the  Tri-weekly  Neica,  and  from 

1863  to  1866  T.  B.  Laird  published  the  American  Union.  In  1SS5  the  Republican  was  pub- 
lished by  James  Russ,  with  Lewis  Tillman  as  editor.  In  1871  the  Bulletin  was  established 
by  J.  L.  and  J.  B.  Russ,  and  previously  these  gentlemen  established  the  Commercial, 
which  paper  was  published  in  1870  by  T.  S.  Steele  and  S.  A.  Cunningham.  Two  years 
thereafter  the  Rescue,  which  paper  had  been  started  a short  time  before,  was  merged  into 
the  Commercial . and  R.  C.  Russ  became  editor  and  proprietor,  and  occupies  that  position 
at  the  present  time. 

Besides  the  Commercial , the  other  papers  of  Shelbyville  are  the  Gazette  and  7'imes. 
The  Gazette  was  established  in  1874  by  J.  B.  and  J.  L.  Russ.  In  1880  A.  L.  Landis  pur- 
chased the  paper  and  conducted  it  for  two  jrears.  and  sold  it  to  William  A.  Frost  and 
William  Russell.  In  1884  Mr.  Frost  became  sole  editor  and  proprietor,  and  continues  as 
such  at  the  present.  The  Gazette  is one  of  the  most  successful  newspaper  plants  in  the 
State.  The  office  is  supplied  with  an  abundance  of  good  material,  and  is  equipped  with  a 
Campbell  power  news  press  and  Gordon  jobber.  The  Times  was  established  by  William 
Russell  and  D.  M.  Alford  in  the  latter  part  of  February,  1886,  making  its  first  issue  on  the 
26th  of  that  month,  with  Mr.  Russell  as  editor  and  Mr.  Alford  as  publisher.  Although 
vAunof  in  vpars  the  Times  is  on  a sound  footinrr  and  has  evident! v come  with  t lie  deter- 
mination of  staying.  All  three  of  the  papers  are  Democratic. 

The  first  agricultural  society  of  Bedford  County  was  organized  in  1857,  and  the  fair 
grounds  were  located  near  Shelbyville.  The  first  officers  were  as  follows:  President, 
Hugh  L.  Davidson;  vice-presidents,  R.  H.  Sims,  G.  G.  Osborn,  Thomas  Lipscomb,  W.  W. 
Gill  and  Henry  Dean;  treasurer,  Lewis  Tillman;  recording  secretary,  J.  F.  Cummings; 
corresponding  secretary,  John  R.-Eakin.  At  the  close  of  the  civil  war  the  society  was 
reorganized  as  a stock  company,  and  handsome  and  commodious  buildings  were  erected 
on  grounds  just  outside  the  incorporated  limits  of  Shelbyville.  Annual  exhibitions  are 
held,  and  the-^ciety  has  been  deservedly  successful.  The  present  officers  are  as  follows: 
President,  J.  Jf3£ill;  vice-presidents,  Oliver  Cowan,  Martin  Euliss  and  T.  C.  Ryall;  cor- 
responding secretary,  Ernst  Caldwell;  secretary  and  treasurer,  John  D.  Hutton;  general 
superintendent,  C.  N.  Rice. 

In  May,  1830,  Shelbyville  was  swept  by  a terrible  tornado,  which  destroyed  the  court 
house,  the  'Methodist  Church,  and  quite  a number  of  other  brick  buildings,  and  killed  and 
wounded  a number  of  people.  Those  who  were  killed  were  James  Newton,  David 

Whitson, Arnold, Reideout  and Caldwell.  The  town  has  also  been  visited 

at  three  different  times  with  Asiatic  cholera,  which  caused  a large  number  of  deaths  each 
time.  The  first  visit  was  in  June  and  July,  1833,  the  second  in  September,  1866,  and  the 
third  in  July,  1873. 

Wartrace,  the  second  town  of  the  county,  is  situated  at  the  junction  of  the  main  line 
of  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad  and  the  Shelbyville  branch  of  that  road,  eight 
miles  east  from  the  latter  "place  and  fifty-five  southwest  from  Nashville,  and  has  a popula- 
tion of  800.  The  town  dates  its  establishment  from  the  time  of  the  completion  of  the 
Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad  in  1852.  The  land  on  which  the  town  stands  was  orig- 
inally owned  by  Rice  Coffee,  and  Henry  B.  Coffee  was  the  first  citizen  of  the  village. 
Among  other  early  citizens  were  Robert  Buchanan,  John  Stephens,  N.  C.  Harris,  W.  H. 
Clark,  W.  B.  Norville,  G.  W.  Martin,  R.  P.  Ganaway,  John  R.  Coffee,  W.  T.  Grim,  Will- 
is Pruitt,  S.  A.  Prince,  S.  C.  Mills,  J.  D.  Payne,  Robert  Ervin,  M.  Payne,  A.  G.  Garrett. 
A.  M.  Keller  and  J.  W.  Tillford.  The  town  was  incorporated  in  October,  1853,  under  the 
name  of  Wartrace  Depot,  and  Daniel  Stephens  was  the  first  mayor  elected.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  the  years  of  the  late  war  the  corporation  has  remained  in  full  force  and  effect, 


55 


gi 


878 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


and  the  officers  at  the  present  are  as  follows:  Mayor,  Sidd  Houston;  board  of  aldermen, 
R.  P.  Maupin,  B.  I.  Hall,  J.  W.  Haynes,  R.  V.  Davidson  aud  T.  B.  Davis;  recorder,  W. 
G.  Wood:  marshal,  W.  F.  Hailey,  Daniel  Stephens  and  William  Norville  were  the  first 
merchants,  they  opening  general  stores  in  '185*2.  During  the  next  eight  years  W.  P. 
Green,  Thomas  Hart,  W.  Iv.  Raibourn  & Co.  and  Murphey  & Stephens  were  the  business 
men.  From  I860  to  1870  the  business  men  were  Thomas  Hart,  L.  P.  Fields.  Fields. 
Mackey  & Co.,  D.  Morris  & Co.,  M.  N.  McKinney  & Co.,  O.  P.  Arnold,  J.  A.  Conner  & 
Co.,  Arnold  Bros.,  B.  W.  Blanton,  B.  F.  Davis  & Co.  and  A.  Murphey  & Co. 

From  1870  to  18S6  the  merchants  have  been  and  are  as  follows:  J.  D.  Houston,  drugs; 
B.  I.  Hall,  Davis  & C'o.,  Arnold  Bros..  B.  W.  Blanton  and  Cunningham,  Davidson  A Co., 
dry  goods;  Smith  Bros.,  family  groceries;  C.  B.  Murphey,  books  aud  stationery:  J.  W. 
Haines,  furniture  and  undertaker;  W.  E.  Russell, tinware  and  stoves:  A.  Ogle,  saddles  and 
harness;  Mrs.  M.  E.  Clayton,  milliner.  The  hotels  are  the  Healan  House,  Mrs.  S.  D. 
Healan  & Sou,  proprietors,  and  the  Chocklcy  House,  J.  C.  Chockley,  proprietor.  The 
town  has  two  good  livery  stables,  owned  by  J.  W.  Tillford  and  W.  G.  Petty.  The  bank- 
ing house  of  B.  F.  Cleveland  was  established  in  1882.  of  which  B.  F.  Cleveland  is  presi- 
dent, and  R.  M.  Cleveland  is  cashier.  This  establishment  does  a general  banking  busi- 
ness, and  is  of  much  benefit  to  Wartrace.  The  manufacturers  of  Wartrace  are  as  follows: 

J.  A.  Cunningham  & Co.,  flouring-mill,  erected  in  1880  at  a cost  of  812,000,  and  the  War- 
trace  Mill  Company,  established  in  1882,  the  building  of  which  cost  818,000;  these  mills 
are  supplied  with  modern  machinery,  and  do  a large  custom  and  shipping  business;  El- 
lington Bros.,  saw  and  planing-mill,  erected  in  1885,  with  $8,000  capital  invested;  John 
Butuer,  wagon-maker  and  blacksmith,  and  Harry  Erwin.  John  Price  and  W A Schwarts, 
general  blacksmiths.  Near  Wartrace  is  situated  the  distillery  of  Zach  Thompson,  which 
has  been  in  active  operation  since  1888,  though  it  has  been  in  existence  for  about  fifty 
years.  This  distillery  has  a capacity  of  between  seventy-five  and  eighty  gallons  of 
whisky  per  day.  The  physicians  who  have  practiced  their  profession  in  Wartrace  from 
its  establishment  to  the  present  have  been  as  follows,  in  the  order  given:  Drs.  Walter  H. 
Sims,  W.  T.  Griswold,  John  M.  Murry,  T.  H.  Manier,  A.  S.  Brown,  R.  F.  Fletcher,  II. 

K.  Whitson  and  D.  W.  Duke. 

The  secret  societies  are  a3  follows:  I.  O.  O.  F.,  established  in  1850,  and  reorganized 
in  1885;  K.  of  H.,  established  in  1878;  K.  of  L..  established  in  1878;  R.  A.,  established  in 
1861.  A Masonic  lodge  was  organized  in  1874,  but  was  abandoned  after  a period  of  about 
six  years.  Wartrace  has  splendid  educational  advantages.  The  Wartrace  Academy  was 
established  in  1860,  and  has  been  continued  every  year  since.  In  1885  the  preseut  school 
building  was  erected.  It  is  a large  brick,  two  stories  in  height,  and  cost  $5,000.  There  are 
five  grades  in  the  school,  and  the  school  term  amounts  to  an  average  of  ten  months  each 
year.  The  houses  of  worship  of  Wartrace  are  the  Missionary  Baptist,  the  congregation 
of  which  was  organized  in  I860,  and  the  building  was  erected  in  1870.  It  is  a substantial 
frame,  and  cost  about  $1,500.  The  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  and  house 
erected  in  1876,  at  a cost  of  $1,500.  The  colored  denominations  are  Baptists  and  African 
Methodist  Episcopal.s.  both  of  which  have  meeting-houses. 

The  business  houses  of  Wartrace  are  all  of  brick,  and  present  a handsome  and  sub- 
stantial appearance.  The  railroad  has  a large  brick  depot,  for  both  passengers  and  freight. 

Bellbuckle,  the  third  town  of  the  county,  was  founded  in  1852  by  A.  D.  Fugitt,  the 
original  owner  of  the  land  on  which  the  town  now  stands.  Bellbuckle  takes  its  name 
from  a small  creek  by  that  name,  which  runs  near  the  town,  and  the  creek  derived  its 
name  from  the  fact  of  a representation  of  a bell  and  buckle,  which  are  carved  ou  a large 
beech  tree,  which  stands  near  the  head  of  the  stream.  The  carving  was  discovered  on  the 
beech  by  the  earliest  settlers,  and  as  to  the  carver;  when  the  work  was  done,  or  the  rea- 
son thereof,  is  one  of  the  mysteries,  though  many  traditions  concerning  the  same  have 
been  handed  down.  Bellbuckle  is  situated  on  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railway, 
fifty-one  miles  southwest  from  Nashville,  aud  ten  miles  northeast  from  Shelby ville,  and 
has  a population  of  about  800.  The  town  was  laid  off  into  lots  in  1854  and  incorporated  in 


' 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


S79 


1856.  During  the  war  the  corporation  lapsed,  but  immediately  thereafter  a new  ( barter 
was  obtained,  since  when  it  has  been  in  force  and  effect.  The  present  town  board  is  as 
follows:  Mayor,  S.  P.  Jones;  aldermen:  G.  H.  Miller,  W.  R.  Muse,  T.  J.  Oglevie,  B.  E. 
Thomas,  Z.  T.  Benchboard  and  J.  M.  Freeman;  George  Moon,  recorder;  A.  Melton, 
marshal. 

A.  D.  Fugitt  opened  a general  store  in  Bellbuckle  in  1852,  being  the  first  merchant. 
Clark  <fc  Miller,  W.  B.  Norville,  R.  D.  Rankin.  W.  R.  Pearson  and  R.  D.  Blair,  all  of 
whom  kept  general  stores,  were  the  other  business  men  of  the  fifties.  The  merchants  of 
the  sixties  were  Lamb  & Weirback,  W.  C.  Cooper,  Norville  & Benchboard.  R.  D.  Blair 
& Son,  Thomas  & Claxton  and  R.  D.  Rankin,  all  general  stores,  while  R.  D.  Wallace  ran 
a flouring-mill.  Between  1ST0  and  1880  the  merchants  were  McFarrin  Bros.,  Jamison  & 
Miller,  Haggard  Bros.,  W.  L.  Garner.  R.  A.  Hoover,  T.  J.  Peacock,  W.  C.  Cooper,  J.  F. 
Johnson,  Johnson  & Hite,  W.  P.  Crawford,  Oglevie  & Crawford  and  B.  E.  Thomas,  all 
of  whom  kept  general  stores,  with  the  single  exception  of  Thomas,  who  kept  a stock  of 
drugs  in  connection  with  the  postoffice.  The  business  men  from  1880  and  of  the  present 
are  W.  P.  Crawford,  T.  J.  Peacock,  A.  H.  Newman,  R.  A.  Hoover.  J.  W.  Pattey  and  E. 
F.  Goraer,  general  stores;  D.  W.  Shiver  & Co.,  A.  L.  Haggard  and  Howland  Bros,  family 
groceries;  R.  L.  Justice,  drugs  and  family  groceries;  B.  E.  Thomas,  drugs  and  postotficc; 
and  H.  Hall,  undertaker  and  cabinet-maker.  The  manufactories  are  represented  as  fol- 
lows: R.  F.  Wallace  & Co.,  plows  and  wheelwrights:  George  Bailey  and  Meldon  Bros., 
blacksmiths  and  wagon-makers;  W.  S.  Putnam,  blacksmith  and  carriage-maker;  R.  F. 
Wallace,  steam  saw-mill  and  manufacturer  of  Wallace's  patent  double  shovel.  Bell- 
buckle  has  a large  creamery,  which  was  established  in  1S85  by  a stock  company  with 
$5,000  capital.  The  creamery  is  supplied  with  milk  from  the  numerous  herds  of  fine 
milch  cows  in  the  neighborhood.  It  is  fitted  up  with  the  latest  improved  machinery,  and 
has  a capacity  of  handling  6,000  pounds  of  milk  per  day. 

The  one  hotel  of  the  town  is  conducted  by  Mrs.  Wiunett.  The  railroad  company 
erected  a good  brick  depot  in  1862,  which  is  iu  use  at  the  present  time. 

The  streets  run  north  and  south  aud  east  and  west,  being  continuations  of  the  follow- 
ing pikes:  Bellbuckle  & Beach  Grove  Pike,  leading  east;  Bellbuckle  A Liberty  Pike, 
leading  north;  Bellbuckle  & Flatwood  Pike,  leading  west,  and  a short  pike  leading 
into  the  Shelbyville  & Fairfield  Pike. 

The  practicing  physicians  of  the  town  have  been  in  the  order  Darned:  Drs.  Smith 
Bowlin,  T.  C.  McCrory,  W.  F.  Long,  T.  O.  Henson,  W.  F.  dairy,  J.  W.  Acuff,  W.  R. 
Freeman,  T.  F.  Frazill,  aud  H.  E.  Finney,  dentist. 

The  secret  societies  of  the  town  consist  of  Good  Templar,  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellow, 
lodges  of  those  fraternities  being  organized  in  1860. 

The  first  school  established  in  Bellbuckle,  and  one  of  the  first  in  the  county,  was 
Salem  Academy,  which  was  founded  in  about  1820.  Numerous  changes  were  made  in  the 
old  school,  and  in  1880,  when  a handsome  brick  building  was  erected  and  the  name  of  the 
school  was  changed  to  that  of  Bedford  College  (see  chapter  on  schools  of  county).  Be- 
sides this  school  the  public  common  schools  are  conducted  for  a term  of  five  months  each 
year.  An  addition  of  importance  to  the  schools  of  Bellbuckle,  and  also  of  the  county,  is 
the  Webb  School,  which  was  recently  removed  to  that  place  from  Maury  County,  where 
it  was  known  as  the  Kuleoka  Institute  (see  school  chapter).  The  colored  school,  which  is 
taught  five  months  in  the  year,  is  held  in  the  colored  church  building. 

Bellbuckle  is  supplied  with  a number  of  good  churches.  The  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  a handsome  brick,  was  erected  in  1878,  at  a cost  of  about  $4,000;  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church  (frame)  was  erected  in  1873,  at  a cost  of  $1,500;  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  was  erected  in  1883,  is  of  brick,  and  cost  $4,000;  the  Christian  Church  was  erected 
in  1883,  is  of  frame,  and  cost  $2,000.  The  colored  churches  are  the  Baptists  and  African 
Methodist  Episcopal,  both  of  which  are  frame  buildings  which  cost  each  about  $400. 

Flat  Creek  is  situated  seven  miles  southeast  from  Shelbyville  in  the  Twenty-fourth 
District,  and  has  a population  of  about  150  people.  The  town  was  founded  in  about  1810 


. 


880 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


upon  a tract  of  school  land  known  as  the  Sixteenth  Section.  The  first  merchant  was 
Thomas  Newson,  who  kept  a general  store  as  early  as  1S41  or  1842.  Other  early  business 
men  were  Blanton  Sc  Co..  Hall  & War  nock,  Crunk  & Friend,  Keith  & Baker,  Long  & 
Morgan,  Long  & Watson,  Evans  & Keith.  Dean  & Keith.  Brennou  A Dean  and  Hudson  & 
Co.,  and  during  the  time  of  the  above  business  men  a Grange  store  was  in  operation  for 
several  years.  The  business  men  of  the  present  are  as  follows:  John  E.  Wood.  Hudson 
*fc  Co.  and  Hale  Bros.,  general  stores;  J.  H.  Farran,  groceries;  and  John  Bryant,  saddles 
and  harness.  The  Flat  Creek  Saw  and  Planing-mill  was  established  in  1870,  by  John  D. 
Floyd,  and  is  now  owned  by  Phineas  Hix.  The  blacksmiths  are  John  Bryant,  Nance 
Green  and  Matt  Thomas.  The  early  physicians  of  Flat  Creek  were  Drs.  J.  Blakemore, 
Russ,  Gordon,  James  Crunk,  Shepard,  Samuel  Rager  and  Grizard  and  those  of  the  present 
are  Drs.  Frost,  Anderson  Rager  and  Williams.  Flat  Creek  has  a chartered  academy 
and  also  good  common  white  and  colored  schools.  The  churches  are  as  follows:  Cumber- 
land Presb}derian,  built  during  the  fifties  at  a cost  of  81.000,  frame:  Methodist  Episcopal 
South,  built  in  1885,  and  cost  81,000,  frame;  and  Christian,  built  in  1870,  and  cost  81,500, 
frame.  In  1850  the  Primitive  Baptists  erected  a large  frame  church,  which  was  the  first 
church  in  the  town.  This  church  passed  into  the  hands  of  the  Missionary  Baptists,  and 
afterward  to  the  Separate  Baptists,  and  that  organization  disbanding  the  church  was 
abandoned,  and  -while  still  standing  aud  in  a comparative  state  of  preservation,  is  unused 
The  Missionary  Baptist  (colored)  congregation  meets  in  the  colored  schoolhouse.  Both 
the  Masons  and  Odd  Fellows  have  organizations  in  Flat  Creek,  both  of  which  were  es- 
tablished in  18-50. 

Fairfield,  fourteen  miles  northeast  from  Slielbyville,  in  the  First  and  Second  Districts 
is  one  of  the  oldest  towns  in  Bedford  Count}’.  The  town  lies  on  both  sides  of  Garrison 
Fork  of  Duck  River,  which  stream  is  spanned  by  a large  bridge  at  the  town,  and  is  distant 
from  Wartrace  four  and  a half  miles  and  from  Bellbuckle  five  miles.  The  land  upon 
which  the  town  was  founded  was  owned  by  Dr.  J.  L.  Armstrong  aud  Henry  Davis;  that  on 
the  west  side  of  the  creek  belonged  to  Dr.  Armstrong  and  was  called  Petersburg;  that  on  the 
east  side  by  Mr.  Davis  and  was  called  Fairfield.  The  two  towns  were  laid  off  into  lots, 
aud  the  lots  were  sold  some  time  in  1880.  From  1835  to  about  1850  Fairfield  (the  name  of 
Petersburg  was  soon  dropped)  was  one  of  the  most  flourishing  towns  in  the  county,  and 
a large  amount  of  business  was  annually  transacted.  The  building  of  the  Nashville  Sc 
Chattanooga  Railway  destroyed  the  business  to  a great  extent,  and  since  that  time  the 
town  has  gradually  but  steadily  declined,  and  at  present  there  are  not  over  fifty  in- 
habitants. The  early  business  men  of  Fairfield  were  Josephus  Erwin,  William  Crutcher’ 
William  Hickman,  Henry  Davis,  Isaac  Miller,  William  Clark,  Henry  Davis,  Jr..  James 

Word,  John  West,  Marshall,  David  Brown,  James  Martin,  Miller  and  James 

Simms.  Osborn  Sc  Bro.  arc  the  business  men  of  the  present.  The  blacksmiths  are  Osborn 
Bros.  & Justice,  James  Martin  and  Buck  Butner.  H.  A.  Justice  Sc  Son  have  the  one  corn 
mill,  which  is  on  Garrison’s  Fork  and  is  of  water-power.  The  physicians  of  Fairfield  and 
vicinity  have  been  as  follows:  Drs.  James  L.  Armstrong,  Thomas  B.  Mosley,  Needham 
KiDg,  Robert  Singleton,  George  B.  Sumner,  David  King,  Allen  Hall,  J.  B.  Muse,  Jack 
Morgan  and  Robert  Morgan.  Those  of  the  present  are  Drs.  Joshua  Ganaway,  Smith 
Bowlin,  R.  W.  Kirch  and  S.  K.  Whitson.  Fairfield  has  four  churches — two  white  and 
two  colored.  The  former  are  Missionary  and  “Hard  Shell”  Baptists,  and  the  latter  are 
Missionary  Baptists  and  African  Methodist  Episcopal.  The  schools  of  the  town  are  the 
Fairfield  Academy  (chartered),  which  enjoys  an  excellent  reputation,  and  the  colored  free 
school. 

Unionville,  situated  in  the  Eleventh  District,  twelve  miles  northwest  from  Slielbyville, 
has  a population  of  about  200,  and  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  towns  in  Bedford  County. 
Unionville  was  founded  in  about  1827  upon  the  lands  of  Meredith  Blanton  and  James  Roy, 
and  derived  its  name  from  the  uniting  of  two  pobtoflices  and  establishing  the  same  at  that 
point.  In  1828  Meredith  Blanton  erected  a blacksmith  shop,  which  shop  has  been  operated 
continually  from  that  time  to  the  present  by  the  Blanton  family,  aud  is  now  owned  by 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


881 


two  grandsons  of  M.  Blanton.  The  first  business  in  the  town  was  transacted  by  the  firm 
of  McGaffin,  Rushing  & Covington,  who  had  a general  store.  Other  early  business  men, 
who  were  in  the  merchandise  trade  from  that  time  until  i860,  were  William  Collins, 
Blanton  Keller,  Duggan.  Moon  & Barnes,  Little,  Brown  & Deasou  and  F.  S.  Smith. 
From  1S60  to  1870  the  merchants  were  Ganaway,  Clary  & Co..  McCord  *fc  Ogilvie,  Atkin- 
son & McCord,  Peter  Barnes,  Williams  & Landis,  Williams  & Moon,  Landis  & Bro.,  Gan- 
away & Henden,  Duggan  & Henden,  B.  F.  Duggan,  J.  M.  Moon,  McLane  & Bro  .Winsett 
& McLane,  Winsett  & Elkton  and  Winsett  & Covington.  From  1870  to  1S80:  Duggan  & 
Clark,  Duggan  & Sons,  T.  N.  McCord,  J.  A.  Ganaway,  Landis  & Winsett,  Covington  & 
Landis,  W.  A.  Ott,  J.  Covington,  J.  M.  Moon,  B.  F.  Duggan  and  H.  R.  Frierson.  From 
1SS0,  including  the  present  merchants:  T.  X.  McCord,  Blanton  & Blanton,  J.  Covington, 
Covington  & Blanton,  H.  R.  Frierson  and  II.  R.  Freeman.  The  churches  of  Unionville 
are  as  follows:  Methodist  Protestant  Church,  erected  in  18-10  of  logs,  aud  rebuilt  of  frame 
on  the  same  site  in  1868,  at  a cost  of  about  §1,500;  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South, 
frame  building,  erected  in  1856,  and  cost  about  §900;  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
frame,  erected  in  1876,  and  cost  §1,600;  Christian  Church,  erected  in  1878  at  a cost  of 
$1,000.  The  schools  of  the  town  consist  of  a chartered  academy,  at  which  school  is 
taught  ten  months  in  the  year,  and  the  colored  free  school.  The  secret  societies  are  the 
Masonic  and  Good  Templars  lodges,  the  former  of  which  was  organized  in  1867,  aud  the 
latter  iu  1885.  The  practicing  physicians  of  the  town  are  Drs.  B.  F.  Duggan,  S.  S.  Dug- 
gan and  G.  L.  Landis. 

Xormandy,  at  the  mouth  of  Xorman  Creek,  twelve  miles  east  from  Shelbyville,  in 
the  Twenty-fifth  District;  Richmond,  in  the  .Nineteenth  District,  ten  miles  southwest  from 
Shelbyville;  Palmetto,  in  the  Eighteenth  District,  twelve  miles  west  of  Shelbyville; 
Rover,  in  the  Tenth  District,  sixteen  miles  northwest  from  Shelbyville;  Haley’s  Station, 
three  miles  south  ofWartrace,  on  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railway,  and  Conner’s 
Station,  six  miles  south  ofWartrace,  on  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railway,  are  all 
flourishing  villages  of  from  twenty -five  to  fifty  inhabitants  each. 

Bedford  County  justly  prides  herself  upon  her  splendid  educational  advantages,  which, 
indeed,  are  surpassed  by  those  of  but  few  counties  in  Tennessee.  Of  the  schools  during 
the  first  ten  years  of  the  county’s  existence  as  such,  there  remains  no  record  whatever, 
and  from  this  fact  one  is  led  to  believe  that,  while  it  is  more  than  probable  that  schools 
were  taught  in  the  county  as  early  as  1S05  or  1806,  they  were  of  an  inferior  order,  and 
contributed  but  little  to  the  education  of  the  county.  The  first  school  taught  in  the  coun- 
ty, or  at  least  the  first  one  of  any  consequence  aud  of  which  there  is  a record,  was  Mount 
Reserve  Academy,  which  was  established  in  about  1815  or  1816  by  the  Rev.  George  New- 
ton, who  came  from  North  Carolina  a few  years  previous  to  that  time.  The  school  was 
located  three  miles  east  of  the  present  site  of  Wartrace  in  a log  house  at  the  place  now 
known  as  Bcthsalem  Presbyterian  Church.  Rev.  Newton  was  a classic  scholar,  and 
taught  with  great  success  the  English  as  well  as  the  higher  branches  of  a liberal  educa- 
tion. This  school  continued  at  different  periods  until  the  civil  war,  when  it  was  aban- 
doned. 

The  next  school  was  Dixon  Academy,  which  was  established  in  Shelbyville  in  1820, 
and  which  in  its  day,  and. even  at  the  present,  was  a noted  school.  A thorough  classical 
course  was  taught  at  the  school  by  such  teachers  as  Rev.  Alexander  Newton,  Prof. 
James  Jett,  Prof.  Blake  and  Prof.  Gonigal,  aud  many  of  the  afterward  prominent  men 
of  the  county  and  State  were  educated  there.  The  building  was  of  log.  aud  stood  in  the 
center  of  an  eight-acre  plot  of  ground,  which  ground  was  donated  to  the  school  by 
Clement  Cannon.  Esq.,  one  of  the  wealthy  citizens  of  that  day.  The  log  building  was 
subsequently  weatherboarded,  and  in  that  shape  the  building  rendered  service  until  1855, 
when  the  present  commodious  brick  building  was  erected.  The  school  has  been  in  con- 
tinuous operation  (excepting  vacations)  from  its  establishment  to  the  present,  having  been 
conducted  all  along  as  a subscription  school.  The  present  principal  is  Pr  »f.  T.  I*.  Bren- 
non,  who,  in  1885,  added  a military  department  to  the  school,  and  the  pupils  arc  required 
to  wear  a neat  uniform  similar  to  those  in  use  in  the  United  States  Regular  Army. 


SS2 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Contemporaneous  with  Dixon  Academy  was  Salem  Academy,  which  was  established 
by  Rev.  Dr.  Thurston  near  where  now  stands  Bellbuckle  in  18*25.  This  school  was  taught 
in  a double  log  house  which  was  erected  by  the  patrons  of  the  school.  Dr.  Thurston  was 
succeeded  as  teacher  by  Prof.  Blake.  In  1850  the  school  was  removed  to  town  and  was 
"kuown  as  the  Bellbuckle  Academy,  of  which  Thomas  B.  Ivey  was  the  first  teacher.  In 
1870  the  school  was  succeeded  by  Science  Hill  School,  which  was  established  by  Prof.  A. 
T.  Crawford;  and  Science  Hill  was  in  turn  succeeded  by  the  present  Bedford  College  in 
1S80,  when  a handsome  brick  school  building,  costing  $5,000,  was  erected.  These  schools 
were  all  a continuation  of  the  old  Salem  Academy.  In  about  1828  or  1830  Mrs.  James 
Jett,  wife  of  Prof.  Jett,  of  Dixon  Academy,  established  an  excellent  female  acad  my  a 
short  distance  east  from  Shclb}*ville,  which  was  continued  for  about  twelve  years,  until 
the  death  of  Mrs.  Jett. 

The  next  school  of  consequence  was  the  Martin  School  in  Fairfield,  which  was  estab- 
lished by  Abraham  Martin  in  1S28.  Mr.  Martin  was  a very  successful  teacher,  and  for 
eight  years  conducted  a celebrated  school.  At  about  the  same  time  Rural  Academy  was 
established  one  mile  east  of  Fairfield  on  the  east  side  of  Duck  River,  of  which  Rev.  Bax- 
ter H.  Ragsdale  was  the  first  teacher.  The  school  continued  until  1846.  In  1837  Clark 
M.  Comstack  founded  a classical  school  at  Big  Springs  on  Sugar  Creek,  which  he  taught 
until  1846,  when  the  school  was  abandoned. 

In  1840  the  citizens  of  Shelby ville  erected  a building  by  subscription  and  founded  a 
female  academy,  which  was  first  taught  by  Prof.  Alford  Dashiall.  The  school  was  run 
for  about  eighteen  years,  and  the  sehool  building  stands  at  the  present,  being  occupied  as 
a residence.  The  school  was  succeeded  by  the  present  female  college,  which  was  estab- 
lished in  1858,  when  the  large  brick  building  now  in  use  was  erected  at  a cost  of  $15,000. 
The  school  is  now  under  the  management  of  Prof.  J.  P.  Hamilton,  and  is  very  successful. 
In  1846  the  Baptists  established  a school  about  one  mile  south  of  Fairfield,  of  which 
Abraham  Tillman  was  the  first  principal.  This  school  continued  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  civil  war,  and  after  the  war  the  building  was  remodeled  and  has  since  been  run  as 
a public  high  school,  of  which  Prof.  Joseph  E>til!  is  the  present  principal  instructor. 

The  Shelbyville  University  was  established  in  1852,  and  continued  about  four  years, 
Prof.  Hamilton  being  the  president.  After  the  war  the  building,  which  was  considerably 
damaged,  was  rebuilt,  and  the  university  was  continued  by  Prof.  C.  W.  Jerome.  The 
building,  which  stands  and  is  in  use  at  the  present,  is  of  brick,  and  cost  about  $1,200,  ex- 
clusive of  the  ground,  which  was  donated  by  Judge  Davidson  and  Moses  Marshall,  Esq. 
In  about  1870  the  building  and  grounds  were  purchased  by  the  school  directors  of  the 
Seventh  Civil  District  and  converted  into  a public  high  school.  For  the  ensuing  term 
seven  teachers  are  employed  for  this  school,  and  a most  successful  term  is  anticipated. 
The  school  is  one  of  three  white  public  schools  in  the  Seventh  District,  one  of  which  is 
at  Sylvia  Mills,  and  the  other  at  Fairview. 

During  the  fifties  Richmond,  Fairfield  and  Unionville  Academies  (chartered),  and  a 
splendid  school  near  Schaffner’s  Lutheran  Church,  known  as  the  Jenkins  School,  were 
established,  all  of  which  are  in  use  at  the  present.  Wartrace  Academy  was  chartered  in 
1860,  Flat  Creek  Academy  in  1875,  Tumtine  Academy  in  the  Eleventh  District,  in  1873, 
Center  Grove  Academy  in  the  Ninth  District,  in  1878.  and  Liggett’s  Academy  in  the 
Eighteenth  District,  in  1880-  The  above  is  a list  of  the  chartered  academies  of  the 
county. 

The  Webb  School  at  Bellbuckle,  was  removed  from  Culleoka  in  the  spring  of  1886, 
and  buildings  are  almost  completed  for  the  school.  They  are  of  frame,  the  main  build- 
ingbeing one  story  in  height,  with  two  wing  additions,  affording  a capacity  for  150  to 
200  students.  The  chapel  has  a floor  area  of  forty- two  square  feet.  W.  R.  Webb,  A.  M., 
and  J.  M.  Webb,  A.  M.,  are  the  principals,  while  the  school  is  owned  by  a stock  com- 
pany. A classical  course  is  to  be  taught,  and  the  school  will  no  doubt  prove  very  suc- 
cessful. 

Under  a general  law  of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  March  6,  1873,  the  present 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


S33 


public  school  system  was  inaugurated.  The  number  of  pupils  enrolled  the  first  year  in 
Bedford  County  was  5,432,  and  in  1876  the  number  enrolled  was  6,062.  On  June  30,  1885, 
the  scholastic  population  of  the  count}'  was  white  male,  3,612;  white  female,  3,354;  total 
6,966;  colored  male,  1,484;  colored  female,  1,417;  total  2,901; 'total  white  and  colored  male 
and  female  between  the  ages  of  six  and  twenty-one  years,  9.867.  For  the  same  year  there 
were  teachers  employed  in  the  county  as  follows:  white  male,  50;  white  female,  39: 
colored  male,  21;  colored  female,  16:  total  126.  Number  of  schools  in  the  county:  white, 
63;  colored,  31;  total  94.  Number  of  school  districts  in  the  county,  21. 

The  different  religious  denominations  were  organized  in  Bedford  County  probably  as 
early  as  1806,  and  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  had  camp  grounds  at  different  points 
in  the  county,  where  they  would  meet  during  the  months  of  July,  August  and  September. 
The  Methodists  had  camp  grounds  at  Salem,  Steele’s,  Horse  Mountain,  Knight’s  and 
Holt’s;  the  Presbyterians  at  Bethsalem,  and  later  on,  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians 
at  Three  Forks,  Beech  Grove  and  Hastings’.  Probably  the  first  meeting-house 
erected  was  Salem  Church,  which  was  built  in  about  1807  at  Salem  Camp  Ground, 
one-half  mile  from  the  present  town  of  Bellbuckle.  The  church  was  a log  house, 
built  of  yellow  poplar,  unhewn  logs,  and  the  cane  was  cut,  logs  cut  and  carried  on 
the  shoulders  of  men,  and  the  house  built  by  the  individual  members  of  the  church.  The 
old  building  stood  until  about  1820,  when  it  was  replaced  with  a better  log  one,  and  in 
1845  a substantial  frame  building  was  substituted  for  the  log,  and  it  is  in  use  at  the  pres- 
ent time.  In  1816  the  Tennessee  Annual  Methodist  Episcopal  Conference  was  held  at 
Salem  Church.  Other  early  Methodist  Churches  were  Pleasant  Garden,  on  Flat  Creek, 


in  inc  j weniv-fouriu  L/i>iJici,  uuiil  m i‘ 


V-1VA)  t OTT1  1 1 t 


Pike,  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  built  in  1823,  and  Mount  Moriah,  near  Wartrace,  built 
in  1S23.  In  1821  the  Methodist  Circuit  extended  from  below  Fayetteville  to  Hooker’s  Gap, 
and  from  four  to  five  weeks  were  required  to  ride  the  circuit.  Rev.  John  Brooks,  one  of 
the  ablest  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  ministers,  was  the  circuit  rider. 

The  Presbyterians  erected  their  first  church  at  Shelbyville  in  1815,  and  their  second 
and  only  other  one  at  Bethsalem,  near  Wartrace,  in  1816. 

New  Hope,  at  Fairfield,  was  probably  the  first  Baptist  Church  in  the  county,  it  hav- 
ing been  erected  in  1809,  and  though  having  been  rebuilt  several  times  is  still  in  use. 
Keele’s  church,  named  for  “Billy  Keele,”  on  Garrison’s  Fork,  near  Fairfield,  was  prob- 
ably the  first  church  erected  by  the  Separate  Baptists,  some  time  in  1812  or  1813. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterians  erected  their  first  churches  at  Three  Forks  about 
1820,  and  at  Hastings’  Camp  Ground  about  1S21.  The  Lutherans  came  into  the  county 
at  an  early  day,  and  erected  a church  on  Thompson  Creek  about  1826,  though  they 
were  organized  several  years  before  that  time.  Their  next  church  was  Cedar  Hill 
Church,  in  the  Shaffner  neighborhood. 

In  1846  the  Christian  Church  was  organized  in  the  county,  and  in  1855  the  Catholic 
Church  was  organized  in  Shelbyville.  The  Episcopal  Church  was  organized  in  1853 
(see  Shelbyville  Churches).  The  Northern  Methodists  came  into  the  county  since  the  war, 
3'et  are  very  strong  at  the  present,  having  eleven  churches  in  the  county  and  at  Caldwell’s 
Camp  Ground,  three  miles  from  Shelbyville  on  the  Unionville  Pike,  which  was  named  in 
honor  of  Hon.  Thomas  II.  Caldwell,  of  Shelbyville. 

The  Duck  River  Bible  Society,  a very  important  adjunct  of  the  churches,  was  organ- 
ized at  Shelbyville  on  the  16th  of  May,  1718,  and  has  been  in  continuous  operation  up 
to  the  present.  The  society  is  an  auxiliary  to  the  American  Bible  Society,  which  was 
organized  in  1816,  and  the  Duck  River  branch  was  one  of  the  first  organized.  Its  lead- 
ing object  is  to  distribute  Holy  Bibles  to  the  needy  and  destitute. 

The  churches  of  the  present,  outside  of  those  in  the  towns  already  mentioned,  are 
as  follows  by  civil  districts;  Center,  Cumberland  Presbyterian;  Shiloh,  Methodist 
Episcopal  South;  Bethlehem,  Primitive  Baptist;  Haley’s  Station,  Methodist  Episcopal 
South,  and  Union  Ridge,  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  the  Second  I)i>trict.  Mount 
Mariah,  Methodist  Episcopal  South;  Bothell,  Methodist  Episcopal  South;  Mount  Olivelt, 


884 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Methodist  Episcopal  North;  Pliillipi,  Methodist  Episcipal  North,  in  the  Third  District. 
Cross  Roads,  Christian,  and  Guy’s  Gap,  Baptist,  in  the  Fifth  District.  Whitesides 
Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  South;  Nance’s,  Missionary  Baptist;  Hart’s  Chapel,  Method- 
ist Episcopal;  Bell  view  and  Brown  town,  Colored  Missionary  Baptists,  in  the  Sixth 
District.  Mount  Pisirah,  Primitive  Baptist;  North  Fork,  Missionary  Baptist:  Hickory 
Hill,  Methodist  Episcopal  South,  and  Green  Hill,  Cumberland  Presbyterian  in  the 
Eighth  District.  Blankenship,  Methodist  Episcopal  South;  Tarpley,  Methodist  Episco- 
pal South,  and  Bethlehem.  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  iu  the  Ninth  District.  Edoii, 
Primitive  Baptist;  Rover  (town),  Missionary  Baptist;  Rover  (town),  Methodist  Episco- 
pal North;  Cedar  Grove,  Methodist  Episcopal:  Mount  Zion,  Protestant  Methodist  Episco- 
pal; Kingdom,  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and  Poplar  Grove,  African  Methodist  Episco- 
pal, in  the  Tenth  District.  Ray’s  Chapel,  Protestant  Methodist  Episcopal;  Crowell’s 
Chapel,  Lutheran;  Pleasant  Valley,  Methodist  Episcopal  South;  Zion's  Hill,  Methodist 
Episcopal  North,  and  Corner  Meeting-house  and  Thompson’s  Ford,  both  African 
Methodist  Episcopal  and  Cumberland  Presbyterian  combined  in  the  Eleventh  District. 
United  Presbyterian  (at  Palmetto);  Zion,  Primitive  Baptist;  Shiloh,  Methodist  Episcopal 
South;  Dryden’s  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  South ; Liggett  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal 
North;  Libourn,  Methodist  Episcopal  North,  and  African  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Bap- 
tist, in  the  Eighteenth  District.  Richmond  (town),  Christian,  and  Brauchville,  Method- 
ist Episcopal  South,  in  the  Nineteenth  District.  Marvin’s  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal 
South;  Big  Springs,  Missionary  Baptist;  Cottage  Grove,  Cumberland  Presbyterian,  and 
Knight’s  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  South,  and  one  colored  church  each  of  Missionary 
Baptist  and  African  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  the  Twentieth  District.  Center,  Methodist 
Episcopal  South,  in  the  Twenty-first  District.  Mount  Harmon,  Methodist  Episcopal  and 
Separate  Baptist  combined,  in  the  Twenty-second  District.  New  Hope,  Cumberland 
Presbyterian;  Mount  Pisgah,  Methodist  Episcopal  South;  Hickory  Grove,  Separate  Bap- 
tist ; Caldwell’s  Chapel,  Methodist  Episcopal  North;  St.  Mark,  Christian,  and  St.  Mark, 
African  Methodist  Episcopal,  in  the  Twenty-third  District.  Normandy  (town),  Method- 
ist Episcopal  South;  Jenkins  Chapel,  Christian,  and  Mount  Bethel,  African  Methodist 
Episcopal,  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District.  Sylvan  Mills,  Methodist  Episcopal  North;  Mis 
sion,  Cumberland  Presbyterian ; Reed’s  Hill,  Missionary  Baptist;  Fairview  schoolhouse 
used  by  Methodist  Episcopal,  Baptist  and  Christian  congregations;  Robison’s  Hill,  col- 
ored Missionary  Baptist,  and  Elbethel,  Colored  Missionary  Baptist. 


HE  basis  of  all  wealth  is  the  soil  of  the  land.  Prosperous  cities,  towns  and  huge 


manufactories  seem  to  spring  up  and  flourish  as  if  by  magic  and  without  reference- 
to  the  agricultural  advantages- of  the  country;  but  such  growth  will  be  but  temporary  un- 
less sustained  by  a country  possessing  agricultural  wealth.  It  may  almost  be  reduced  to 
a mathematical  problem  in  which  it  may  be  said  the  soil  and  climate  equal  the  wealth 
of  the  country. 

The  surface  of  the  county  is  comparatively  level,  yet  there  is  sufficient  undulation  to 
give  ample,  slope  for  drainage.  The  backbone  known  as  Elk  Ridge  extends  from  east 
to  west,  and  rises  to  the  height  of  300  feet.  This  is  the  water-shed  south  of  Duck  River 
and  separates  the  county  into  two  distinct  parts  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Duck  River 
flowing  through  the  northern  part  is  the  main  outlet  for  drainage  in  that  part  north  of  the 
ridge.  The  two  principal  tributaries  of  Duck  River  from  the  north  are  Caney  Spring  and 


COUNTY. 


. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


885 


Flat  Creek.  The  two  principal  streams  from  the  south  are  East  Rock  Creek  ami  West 
Rock  Creek.  Both  these  streams  take  their  rise  in  Elk  Ridge  but  unite  before  entering 
Duck  River,  south  of  the  ridge  are  Cane  Creek,  Richland  Creek,  Bradshaw  Creek,  Swan 
and  Robinson  Forks.  Duck  River  and  Richland  Creek  are  the  finest  streams  in  the  county, 
affording  ample  facilities  for  milling  purposes,  and  their  vallej's  and  in  fact  all  in  the 
county,  are  made  up  of  rich  loamy  soil.  The  beds  of  these  streams  are  usually  covered 
with  pebbly  limestone.  The  banks  show  an  outcrop  peculiar  to  the  Central  Basin.  This 
is  what  is  known  as  the  Trenton  formation  which  is  composed  of  the  Carter  Creek  lime- 
stone, this  being  a light  blue  or  dove-colored  limestone,  the  upper  part  sometimes  gray. 
This  is  the  upper  la}'er.  The  next  below  in  the  natural  order  is  the  glade  limestone. 
This  a light  blue  color,  is  thin-bedded,  shaly  and  is  the  formation  peculiar  to  the  cedar 
glades.  The  next  stratum  in  order  is  the  Ridley  limestone,  below  this  is  the  Pierce  lime- 
stone and  lastly  is  the  central  limestone.  Each  of  these  strata  affords  a rich  fossil  plant 
which  is  inviting  to  the  paleontologist.  The  streams  above  mentioned  have  sufficient  fiow 
to  prevent  stagnation  and  the  waters  are  usually  clear.  The  drainage  of  the  county  and 
other  physical  features  are  such  as  to  render  it  comparatively  free  from  malarial  or  mias- 
matic diseases.  The  section  of  the  county  north  of  Elk  Ridge  is  more  level  than  that  south 
of  it.  The  soil  here  yields  a rich  harvest  in  all  the  cereals,  grasses,  vegetables  and  fruits. 
The  iron  oxides  give  the  soil  a reddish  hue  yet  it  is  very  rich.  The  spurs  and  ridges  fur- 
nish a fine  growth  of  timber,  the  cedar  and  poplar  being  the  most  valuable.  Many  of  the 
farms  are  fenced  with  rails  of  the  former,  and  the  latter  has  become  a very  valuable  arti- 
cle of  export  since  the  completion  of  the  Duck  River  Valley  Railroad. 

The  section  of  the  county  lying  in  the  vicinity  of  Chapel  Hill  is  particularly  well 
adapted  to  the  growth  of  cotton.  The  section  along  Richland  Creek,  south  of  Elk  Ridge, 
is  regarded  as  the  best  part  of  the  county  and  is  equal  to  any  in  the  State.  The  finest  and 
best  improved  farms  in  the  county  are  to  be  found  in  this  section.  All  the  lands  are  ara- 
ble and  highly  productive  except  near  the  tops  of  the  knobs,  serrated  ridges  and  glady 
spots.  The  ridges  are  usually  fertile  to  their  summits  and  are  covered  with  a soil  of 
flinty,  siliceous,  cherty  gravel  and  weathered  rocks,  that  is  friable  and  easily  worked. 
What  is  known  as  the  Cornersville  District  is  generally  considered  the  finest  agricultural 
section  of  the  county,  and  will  compare  favorably  with  any  in  the  State. 

The  timbered  lands  of  the  county  cover  from  seventy  to  eighty  square  miles  of 
territory,  and  some  of  this  is  unsurpassed  in  the  United  States.  The  best  of  these  lands 
are  between  East  and  West  Rock  Creeks,  west  of  Farmington,  between  Duck  River  and 
the  railroad,  extending  to  the  neighborhood  of  Berlin,  and  in  the  northwest  part.  The 
growth  of  timber  includes  oak,  poplar,  ash,  elm,  linden,  beech,  locust.cheny,  walnut, sugar 
tree,  hackberry,  buckeye,  cedar,  hickory  and  chestnut.  The  growth  of  oak,  walnut  and 
poplar  is  of  immense  size. 

In  addition  to  the  excellent  timber  the  county  affords  good  limestone  rock,  not  only 
for  fencing  but  also  good  building  material.  The  sandstone  in  some  places  affords  good 
grit  for  whetstones  and  grindstones.  Excellent  lime  is  made  from  the  limestone  rock, 
which  exists  in  almost  unlimited  quantities.  Within  the  last  two  decades  there  has  been  a 
perceptible  falling  off  in  the  amount  of  cotton  raised,  and  a great  increase  in  the  amount 
of  grain,  particularly  in  wheat,  oats  and  corn.  The  greatest  increase,  however,  Jias  been 
in  the  amount  of  fine  stock,  including  horses,  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep.  This  change  has 
greatly  increased  the  wealth  of  the  county,  is  less  exhaustive  on  the  soil  and  is  obtaiued 
at  a less  expense  of  labor. 

A landscape  view  of  the  territory  now  included  in  Marshall  County,  as  it  was  100 
years  ago,  would  reveal  to  us  an  unbroken  wilderness  visited  only  by  the  roaming  Indian 
in  pursuit  of  the  game  which  so  abundantly  inhabited  this  section.  No  settlements  were 
made  within  the  present  limits  of  Marshall  County  prior  to  1807.  The  first  settlers  found 
a growth  of  eaneso  rank  that  they  preferred  traveling  along  the  beds  of  small  streams  to 
the  arduous  labor  of  cutting  out  roads.  Most  of  the  first  settlers  came  here  to  live  on 
land  which  had  been  granted  to  Revolutionary  soldiers  by  North  Carolina,  for  service 


* 


886 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


rendered  in  the  war.  The  many  indications  of  a fertile  soil  and  the  equable  climate 
caused  man}'  others  to  follow  soon,  and  in  1810  the  curling  smoke  ascended  from  many 
of  the  primitive  “clearings,”  and  the  hardy  pioneers  began  to  call  this  new  land  their 
home. 

It  is  not  known  where  or  by  whom  the  first  settlement  ■was  made.  For  convenience 
in  treating  of  the  first  settlements,  the  county  may  be  divided  into  three  sections:  First, 
that  portion  north  of  Duck  River;  Second,  that  lying  between  Duck  River  and  the  Elk 
Ridge,  and  Third,  that  lying  south  of  Elk  Ridge. 

On  Caney  Spring  Creek,  near  the  village  of  Caney  Spring,  Asa  Fonville  raised  a crop 
in  1807,  and  a little  farther  up  the  creek  James  Patterson  began  clearing  up  a farm  early 
in  the  same  year.  Four  miles  'northwest  of  Caney  Spring,  Squire  Atkisson  was  a very 
prominent  early  settler,  and  a leader  in  his  community  for  many  years.  James  Haynes 
and  a man  named  Kellams  settled  near  together,  and  between  Atkisson  and  Patterson. 
Samuel  Ramsey  settled  on  the  creek  two  miles  from  the  village,  in  1808,  and  aftenvard  in 
1809  removed  south  of  Duck  River.  He  had  a water-mill,  which  was  the  first  one  north 
of  the  river.  It  was  visited  by  people  from  ten  or  twelve  miles  distant.  Others  who  lived 
in  that  vicinity  prior  to  1810  were  the  Allens,  Wallaces  and  Becks.  Gen.  N.  B.  Forrest, 
who  was  born  at  Chapel  Hill  in  1818,  was  a descendant  of  this  family  of  Becks. 

In  the  vicinity  of  Chapel  Hill  a settlement  was  made  in  1808  by  Andrew  Patterson, 
who  was  a captain,  commanding  a company  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  in  1815.  Rob- 
ert Patterson,  a brother  of  Andrew,  also  settled  near  in  the  same  year.  Northwest  of 
Chapel  Hill  four  miles  in  1809,  Joseph  Brittain  settled  ou  his  tract  of  5,000  acres.  He 
reared  a large  family  of  children,  and  gave  them  all  farms.  Several  descendents  of  this 
man  are  now' living  in  that  section.  He  built  a horse-mill.  The  Boyds  and  Riggs  lived 
in  the  same  community  as  early  as  1810,  and  wrere  probably  there  as  early  as  1808.  The 
father  of  Gen.  Forrest  emigrated  from  North  Carrlina,  and  after  a temporary  stay  at  other 
places  made  his  home  at  Chapel  Hill  in  1815. 

Near  Duck  River  on  the  north  side,  a large  family  of  the  Billingtons  were  the  first 
to  make  permanent  settlements.  Near  there  was  a Rev.  Mr.  Warner,  a minister  in  the 
Baptist  Church.  Others  among  the  first  pioneers  were  James  Patton,  Hugh  McClelland, 
Richard  Walker  and  two  families  of  McClures. 

Early  in  the  year  1807  James  Neil  came  from  North  Carolina  to  where  Farmington  is 
now  located,  lie  built  a cabin  just  northwest  of  the  turnpike  in  the  village.  He  was 
soon  followed  by  tw'o  of  his  brothers,  Alexander  and  Andrew  Neil,  who  both  lived 
within  a quarter  of  a mile  of  where  the  village  stands. 

About  the  same  time  John  Reed  opened  up  a small  farm  one  mile  south  of  these. 
Near  Reed  was  John  Dysarts  about  the  same  time.  About  three  miles  from  Farmington, 
on  West  Rock  Creek,  Allen  Leiper  w'as  the  first  cane  cutter.  He  had  a valuable  water- 
mill for  those  days,  which  in  the  years  1808-09  supplied  the  demand  of  the  central 
section  of  the  county.  In  1S08  John  Shaw  brought  his  family  from  North  Carolina,  and 
made  his  home  one  mile  north  of  the  village.  Shaw  was  a hero  at  the  battle  of  New 
Orleans. 

At  Fishing  Ford  a man  named  Hazelett  was  the  first  to  clear  away  the  cane  and 
build  a cabin.  Southwest  of  him  a short  distance  was  a man  named  Cleek.  Cleek  raised 
several  sons,  who  made  good  citizens  of  that  section.  Who  first  drove  the  ax  through 
the  wilderness  where  Lewisburg  now  stands  is  not  known.  At  the  time  of  the  organ- 
ization of  the  county  Abner  Houston  lived  just  west  of  Col.  J.  II.  Lewis'  house,  and 
across  the  creek  from  him  lived  John  11.  Bills.  Two  miles  northwest  William  McClure, 
the  first  chairman  of  the  county  court,  settled  in  1808  or  1809.  Jonathan  Moore  came  in 
1808  from  Carolina,  and  made  the  first  opening  in  the  forest  on  Globe  Creek,  and  was 
soon  followed  by  John  Wilkes,  who  has  many  descendants  in  the  county  at  present.  On 
the  head  waters  of  Rock  Creek  a settlement  was  made  bjr  Janies  Leiper,  a brother  of  Al- 
len Leiper,  in  1808.  About  this  time  Benjamin  Simmons  came  from  North  Carolina  to 
the  same  neighborhood,  bringing  with  him  a slave  then  eight  years  old,  who  is  now  rev- 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


8S7 


•erently  addressed,  by  white  and  black,  as  “Uncle  George  McBride.”  This  negro  was 
widely  known  throughout  this  section  of  the  State  on  account  of  his  skill  in  the  use  of  the 
violin.  Just  east  of  Simmons  were  Josiah  and  John  Blackwell’s  farms.  Not  far  from 
where  the  railroad  begins  to  ascend  Elk  Ridge  from  the  north,  John  and  Robin  Orr  were 
among  the  first  settlers  in  the  county.  In  1S08  William  Williams  settled  where 
Round  Hill  Church  now  stands,  and  soon  afterward  removed  to  near  Belfast.  Then  he 
opened  a store.  He  bought  his  first  stock  of  goods  at  Nashville,  and  hauled  it  home  in  a 
-one-horse  cart.  From  a ledger  which  he  kept  in  1823  the  following  prices  are  quoted : 
Coffee,  per  pound.  56^  cents;  sugar,  25  cents;  indigo,  31£  cents:  salt.  4 cents;  copperas. 
12£  cents;  nails,  25  cents;  madder,  15  cents;  cambric,  per  yard,  §1;  flannel,  75  cents;  cal- 
ico, 50  cents;  muslin,  §1;  bombazette,  75  cents;  whisky,  per  pint,  ISf  cents;  wine,  50 
cents;  “Bateman’s  drops,”  per  bottle,  25  cents,  etc.  A remarkable  fact  is  that 
calico  was  bought  in  quantity  from  three-fourths  to  three  yards,  rarely  ever  more  than 
one  yard  being  purchased  at  one  time  by  one  part}*.  The  book  indicates  that  Mr.  Will- 
iams did  a large  business  and  that  his  debtors  paid  their  accounts  promptly.  Early  in 
1807  Nathaniel  Dryden  emigrated  from  North  Carolina  to  his  grant  of  land  where  Belfast 
now  stands.  Thompson  Cannon  was  his  first  neighbor,  and  in  the  same  year  Francis  H. 
Woods  and  James  Coffey  settled  near.  Further  down  the  creek  was  Samuel  Ramsey, 
who  moved  from  north  of  Duck  River  in  1809.  He  was  the  father  of  John  Ramsey, 
who  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1797;  was  fifteen  years  old  when  coming  to  the 
county,  and  is  now  living  at  Farmington,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine  j'ears.  Thomas  J. 
Hall,  who  was  a prominent  Presbyterian  minister,  settled  near  Farmington  in  1S14,  and 


XXjUtilj  J tiilo. 


South  of  Elk  Ridge  is  some  of  the  finest  land  in  the  county,  and  it  was  not  long  in 
being  developed  into  a well  settled  community.  At  Connersville  the  first  to  disturb  the 
stillness  of  the  wilderness  was  John  IIa3'nes,  who,  in  1807,  lived  near  where  the  flouring- 
mill  stands.  William  Henderson,  in  1808,  built  the  first  house  on  the  ground  now*  cov- 
ered by  the  town.  In  a very  short  time  Pearsley  Cox  became  his  neighbor  on  the  north- 
west. Billy  Marr  came  from  North  Carolina  to  Robinson  Fork  in  1S08,  and  in  a short 
time  he  sold  out  to  Ephraim  Massey,  who  kept  a store  for  several  years.  Ephraim  Pat- 
rick. John  Dabney,  John  Cockrell,  Billy  Alexander  and  John  and  Thomas  Walker  came 
to  this  section  about  the  same  time.  John  Parks  lived  four  miles  south  of  Connersville, 
on  Richland  Creek,  in  1807.  On  Cane  Creek,  about  ten  miles  south  of  Lewisburg,  Elisha 
.and  Joab  Bagiev  located  between  1807  and  1810;  James  Brown  lived  very  near  them. 
Above  Brown,  on  the  same  creek,  were  Josiah  McAdams  and  his  two  sons,  Irvin  and 
James;  still  further  up  the  creek  Jesse  McLean  and  Henry  Bagley  were  the  first  pio- 
neers. Elisha  Bagley  had  a horse-mill.  After  these  first  settlers  had  opened  the  first 
farms  settlements  rapidly  followed,  and  the  names  of  those  coming  in  after  those  above 
mentioned  would  occupy  too  much  space  to  be  given. 

lu  all  parts  of  the  county  traces  of  the  Mound-Builders  are  found.  Mounds  built  of 
•earth  and  small  stones,  ranging  in  height  from  four  or  five  feet  to  about  fifteen  feet,  are 
more  numerous  in  this  county  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  State.  North  of  Lewisburg 
about  a mile  is  a mound  ten  feet  high,  built  of  larger  stones  than  are  commonly  found  in 
these  structures.  It  was  evidently  a burial  place,  for  parts  of  a skeleton  have  been  taken 
from  it.  A thigh  bone  of  a person  was  recently  found  in  this  mound,  which,  if  the  other 
parts  were  developed  proportionately,  belonged  to  a person  over  seven  feet  tall.  The  jaw 
bone,  also  found,  is  much  larger  than  that  of  any  person  of  whom  we  now  have  any 
■knowledge.  This  body  was  evidently  buried  in  a sitting  posture.  Three  miles  west  of 
Lewisburg  is  a large  clay  mound,  covering  over  a quarter  of  an  acre.  In  the  Seventeenth 
District  there  is  one  of  small  stones  and  clay  seventeen  feet  high.  There  is  also  a very 
large  one  in  the  Fifth  District.  In  these  mounds  are  found  fragments  of  pottery  and  rude 
missiles  of  various  kinds,  supposed  to  be  weapons  of  warfare.  In  various  parts  of  the 
county  are  found  numerous  arrow-heads,  battle-axes,  pipes,  etc*.,  probably  relics  of  the 
Indian  tribes  that  lived  here. 


888 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Marshall  County  was  established  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  passed  February  26, 
1836.  It  included  fractions  of  Lincoln,  Bedford  and  Maury  Counties,  when  first  organ- 
ized, and  in  1870  a part  of  Giles  County,  known  as  the  Cornersville  District,  was  given  to> 
Marshall.  In  establishing  the  first  boundaries  the  line  between  Marshall  and  Maury  was 
placed  nearer  the  county  seat  of  the  latter  than  the  law  allowed,  and  it  was  so  changed  as 
to  conform  to  the  law.  In  1871  the  line  on  the  west  w\as  again  slightly  changed  to  include 
the  farms  of  John  B.  Wilkes  and  John  Coffey,  in  Marshall. 

October  3,  1836,  at  the  house  of  Abner  Houston,  the  first  county  court  was  organized 
by  the  following  justices  of  the  peace:  William  McClure,  Thomas  Ross,  William  Wilkes, 
Peter  Williams,  Thomas  Wilson,  David  McGahey,  James  Adams,  George  Cunningham, 
James  L.  Ewing,  John  Field.  Adam  Miller,  Joseph  Cleek,  Ephraim  Hunter,  Asa  Holland, 
James  Patterson,  Jason  B.  Sheffield,  Sherwood  Dunnigan  and  Andrew  Laird.  William 
McClure  was  elected  chairman,  and  David  McGahey  was  appointed  secretary  pro  inn.  The 
court  then  “adjourned  to  meet  at  the  camp  ground  immediately/’  and  upon  being  again 
convened  the  following  men  were  chosen  to  fill  their  respective  offices:  John  R.  Hill, 
sheriff;  Martin  W.  Oakley,  clerk  county  court;  John  W.  Record,  trustee;  John  Elliott, 
register;  Joseph  McCord,  coroner;  Isaac  H.  Williams,  ranger,  and  Hugh  McClelland,  sur- 
xeyor.  The  court  then  appointed  commissioners  to  lay  off  the  civil  districts,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  the  general  routine  of  business,  namely,  appointing  road  overseers,  etc. 

The  first  money  for  county  purposes  was  derived  from  the  sale  of  lots  in  Lewisburg 
November  30,  and  December  1 and  2,  1836.  These  sales  amounted  to  $22,861,  which  was 
appropriated  for  public  improvements.  The  lots  were  usually  sold  on  time,  and  January 
4,  1837,  the  treasurer  reported  “no  money  in  the  treasury.”  In  1841  the  follow ing  levy 
of  tax  was  made:  On  each  $100  worth  of  property  (for  county)  6 cents;  on  each  $100 
worth  of  property  (for  poor)  14  cents;  on  each  poll,  25  cents;  on  each  merchant  peddler 
or  hawker,  $5;  on  show's,  $50. 

The  tax  for  1842  w*as  the  same  as  for  the  year  previous,  except  that  a bridge  tax  of  6£ 
cents  on  each  poll  and  4?  cents  on  each  $100  wTorth  of  property  was  assessed. 

For  1886  the. tax  levy  was  at  the  following  rate:  County  tax,  40  cents  on  $100;  State 
tax,  30  cents  on  $100;  school  tax,  15  cents  on  $100;  railroad  tax,  35  cents  on  $100;  high- 
way, 11  cents  on  $100;  total  $1.31  on  $100.  In  1886  there  was  reported  224,829  acres  of 
land  valued  at  $2,205,117.  The  total  taxable  property  was  valued  at  $2,578,170.  The 
population  in  1880  was  19,260. 

Indicative  of  the  rich  agricultural  resources,  the  following  official  report  of  1885  is 
given:  Number  of  acres  of  improved  land,  132,513;  number  of  horses  and  mules,  9,344; 
number  of  cattle,  9,808;  number  of  sheep,  10,118;  number  of  hogs.  37,815;  Indian  corn, 
1,176,536  bushels;  oats,  59,567  bushels;  rye,  2,050  bushels;  wheat,  172,584  bushels. 

November  7,  1836,  James  Osborn,  William  Williams,  Joel  Yowell,  Aaron  Boyd  and 
James  C.  Record  were  appointed  commissioners  to  lay  off  and  sell  town  lots  in  Lewis- 
burg  and  to  superintend  the  erection  of  public  buildings;  and  December  5,  1836,  the 
same  body  of  men,  with  the  exception  of  James  Osborn,  wras  appointed  a committee  to 
draft  plans  and  specifications  for  a court  house  and  a jail.  On  January  2,  1837,  they  re- 
ported that  after  due  consideration  and  deliberation  they  wrould  suggest  the  said  build- 
ings to  be  similar  to  those  of  Bedford  County,  with  some  alterations.  The  first  court 
house,  modeled  after  the  one  then  in  Shelby ville,  was  built  at  a cost  of  $8,750,  and  was 
completed,  received  and  occupied  by  October  1,  1838.  This  building  burned  in  1873.  and 
the  next  3*ear  the  present  court  house  was  erected.  The  contract  for  its  erection  was  $21- 
900,  and  carpeting,  desks,  chairs,  tables,  shelves,  etc.,  amounted  to  about  $1,000  more. 
This  is  a splendid  two  storv  brick  building,  and  with  its  yard  full  of  shade  trees  presents 
a hand>ome  appearance. 

Thomas  D.  Moore,  Samuel  Davis,  J.  B.  Ezell,  James  Hendricks  and  James  W.  Nance 
composed  the  committee  to  draft  the  plans  and  specifications.  A notable  fact  is  that  W. 
H.  Wisener  made  the  first  and  last  speech  in  the  old  court  house,  and  the  first  speech  in 
the  new  one. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


8S9 


The  first  jail  was  a brick  building  26x50  feet.  It  was  lined  with  a double  wall  of 
hewn  oak  logs,  having  a space  of  eight  inches  between,  which  was  filled  with  stones.  The 
floor  and  ceiling  were  of  two-inch  oak  plank.  It  was  completed  March  1, 1S38,  at  a cost 
of  $3,850.  This  jail  was  a secure  one.  as  no  prisoners  ever  escaped  from  it.  It  was  burned 
about  the  close  of  the  war  and  in  1867  the  present  one  was  built  of  stone,  at  a cost  of 
$9,108.06. 

On  January  1,  1838,  court  appropriated  $1,000  for  building  a poor-house.  The  poor- 
farm  was  located  two  and  a half  miles  southwest  of  Lewisburg,  and  comprised  seventy-two 
acres.  In  1858  it  was  sold,  and  the  present  one  of  160  acres,  was  bought.  It  is  ten  miles  south 
of  the  county  seat.  There  are  now  ten  white  and  seven  colored  inmates  of  the  asylum. 

In  1871  the  people  of  Marshall  voted  an  appropriation  of  $315,000,  to  the  proposed 
building  of  the  Cumberland  A Ohio  Railroad  through  the  county.  In  1873  the  amount 
was  divided,  $200,000  being  still  appropriated  to  the  above  road,  and  $115,000  to  the 
Duck  River  Valley  Railroad.  The  panic  of  1873  destroyed  the  hopes  of  the  Cumberland 
<fc  Ohio  Road;  but  the  Duck  River  Valley  Road  was  completed  to  Lewisburg  from  Col- 
umbia, in  April,  1877,  and  in  October,  1879,  it  was  completed  to  the  Lincoln  County  line. 
Besides  the  $115,000  a large  individual  subscription  was  raised.  Dr.  R.  G.  McClure  aud 
Col.  J.  H.  Lewis  were  instrumental  in  securing  the  road.  Dr.  McClure  was  president  of 
the  company  for  three  years  and  was  succeeded  by  Col.  Lewis,  who  was  president  two 
years  previous  to  its  lease  to  the  Nashville,  Chattanooga  & St.  Louis  Road.  Marshall 
County  issued  bonds  for  the  $115,000.  The  railroad  tax  pays  the  interest  on  these  bonds 
and  also  creates  a sinking  fund,  by  which  the  debt  has  been  reduced  to  $87,600.  This  road 
supplies  the  much  needed  on. t-let  for  grain  which  has  so  long  been  felt,  and  it  has  been  the 
means  of  placing  Marshall  high  in  the  rank  of  agricultural  counties  of  the  State. 

The  Shelbyviile  & Lewisburg,  Lewisburg  & Franklin,  Nashville,  Xolensville  & 
Chapel  Hill,  Cornersville  & Lewisburg,  and  Lewisburg  & Mooresville  Pikes  were  built 
before  the  war.  Since  the  war  the  Cornersville  <fc  Lewisburg  Pike  has  been  extended 
to  Pulaski,  and  the  Lewisburg  & Mooresville  Pike  Road  runs  to  Culleoka.  The  Nash- 
ville, Nolensville  & Chapel  Hill  Pike  has  also  been  extended  from  Chapel  Hill  to  Farm- 
ington. Others  which  have  been  constructed  recently  are  the  Cornersville  & Lynn 
ville,  Cornersville  & Spring  Place  and  Lewisburg  & Columbia  Pikes. 

The  first  bridge  was  built  across  Lhick  River  within  this  county  in  1838,  at  a cost  of 
$6,892.  It  was  a covered  wooden  bridge  supported  on  stone  piers.  There  are  now  two 
splendid  iron  bridges  across  the  river  and  one  of  "wood. 

The  Marshall  County  Agricultural  and  Mechanical  Society  was  organized  July  7, 
1856.  Its  first  officers  were  as  follows:  E.  A.  Wilson,  president;  W.  L.  McClelland,  vice-- 
president;  A.  B.  Ewing,  secretary;  James  V.  Ewing,  treasurer.  The  board  of  managers 
were  Maj.  G.  L.  Allman,  John  W.  Hutton,  Esq.,  Col.  John  R.  Hill,  Gen.  Levi  Cochran, 
D.  V.  Chrisman  and  Thomas  McKnight.  Before  the  w*ar  fairs  "were  held  every  year,  the 
first  one  being  October  30  and  31,  1856.  Fairs  were  also  held  from  1868  to  1873.  aud 
after  this  the  colored  people  held  three  annual  meetings  under  this  charter.  The  society 
owned  seven  and  a quarter  acres  of  land  and  had  constructed  the  necessary  buildings, 
such  as  an  amphitheatre,  halls,  stables,  etc.,  which  were  all  destroyed  by  the  war. 

The  Marshall  County  Medical  Society  held  its  first  meeting  in  August,  1877.  The 
first  members  were  Drs.  J.  S.  Nowlin,  J.  S.  Hewlett,  T.  E.  Reed,  S.  T.  Hardison,  B.  F 
Smith,  R.  A.  Orr,  T.  B.  Leonard,  Z.  W.  Neil,  J.  O.  Nowlin,  J.  C.  Crunk,  J.  W.  Huddle- 
ston, T.  J.  Kennedy,  W.  S.  McLean,  J.  T).  Johnson,  J.  M.  Patterson,  L.  L.  Murray,  C.  A. 
Abernathy,  F.  Ferguson,  J.  W.  Percy,  J.  B.  Neil,  W.  M.  Allison,  C.  C.  Neil,  A.  Jones, 
J.  C.  Hill,  R.  C.  McCord}-  aud  W.  C.  Ransom.  J.  S.  Nowlin,  S.  T.  Hardison,  J.  M.  Pat- 
terson, A.  Jones  and  F.  Ferguson  have  been  presidents  of  the  society.  There  are  now 
eighteen  members. 

The  county  officers  have  been  as  follows:  Sheriffs— John  R.  Hill,  1836;  Solomon 
Meadows,  1842;  John  Laws,  1844;  W.  B.  Holden,  1848;  Thomas  F.  Brooks,  1854;  John  B. 
Wilkes,  1856;  W.  F.  Collins,  1860;  A.  Duncan,  1862;  Levi  Cochran,  1863;  James  R.  Nei 


' 


. 

■ 


890 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


1864;  Stephen  Tally,  1868;  John  W.  Champ,  18T0;  Scott  D.  Davis,  1874;  W.  T.  Jones,. 
1878;  R.  S.  Walker^  1882;  W.  T.  Jones,  1886. 

Trustees:  John  W.  Record,  1836;  James  V.  Ewing,  1838;  James  Brown,  1846;  James- 
Ross,  1847;  Wesley  A.  Giles,  1850;  James  B.  Chadwell,  1854;  Samuel  Davis,  18G5:  Alfred 
Hobson,  1870;  W.  G.  Massey,  1872;  James  V.  Ewing,  1874;  Samuel  Orr,  1876;  A.  V.  Still- 
well. 1880;  N.  J.  Smiley,  18S4. 

Chairman:  William  McClure,  1836;  John  Hatchett,  1838;  Benjamin  Williams,  1839; 
Burgess  Hardin,  1842;  W.  P.  Davis,  1846;  James  V.  Ewing,  1846;  Burgess  Hardin,  1848: 
James  V.  Ewing.  1849;  J.  A.  Yowell,  1855;  David  McGahey  (county  judge),  1855-58;  David 
McGahev,  1858;  Samuel  Davis,  1S60;  W.  A.  Houston,  1864;  W.  H.  McConnell.  1866;  Moses- 
C.  West,”  1869;  J.  J.  S.  Gill.  1871;  J.  W.  Calaliau,  1873;  J.  McBride,  1876;  John  T.  Street, 
1877;  James  D.  Cook,  1879;  A.  M.  Davis,  1880;  J.  F.  Brittain,  1883;  W.  C.  McGregor, 
1885;  W.  C.  McGregor  (county  judge,  April,  1885);  W.  J.  Leonard  (county  judge,  1886). 

Clerks  County  Court;  Martin  W.  Oakley,  1836;  John  Elliott,  1846;  Stephen  Tally, 
1854;  R.  L.  Adams,  1862;  W.  P.  Bullock,  1874;  J.  McBride,  1882. 

Clerks  Circuit  Court:  David  McGahey,  1836;  Thomas  McKnight,  1846;  William  D. 
Fisher,  1865;  Thomas  McKnight,  1868;  L.  B.  Collins,  1870;  W.  G.  Loyd,  1878;  E.  M.  Mil- 
ler, 1886. 

Clerks  Chancery  Court:  Gideon  B.  Black.  1836;  R.  K.  Kercheval,  1846;  R.  G.  Mc- 
Clure. 1865;  Stephen  Tally,  1870;  H.  N.  Cowden,  1S72;  R.  L.  Adams,  1876. 

Registers:  Johu  Elliott,  1836;  J.  J.  Elliott,  1846;  W.  N.  Cowden.  1856;  J.  X.  Waters, 
1862;  J.  A.  Yarbrough,  1874. 

Coroners:  Joseph  McCord,  1836;  Joseph  Cloud.  1846;  P.  G.  W.  Goodwin,  1849.  F.  K. 
Rambo,  1855;  W.  C.  Stephenson,  1858;  Levi  Cochran,  1859;  John  Ramsey,  1864;  William 
Calton,  1865;  Alfred  Hobson,  1869;  John  A.  Bills,  1870;  II.  K.  Moss,  1870;  L.  Cochran,  1872; 
H.  K Moss,  1875;  R.  H.  McCrary,  1S76;  John  Leonard,  1878;  E.  F.  Williams,  1885. 

Surveyors:  Hugh  McClelland,  1836;  Samuel  Elliott,  1838;  W.  H.  McConnell,  1843; 
Stephen  Tally,  1845;  E.  I.  Hunter,  1852;  Ephraim  Hunter,  1857;  H.  B.  Allen,  185S;  S. 
Tally,  1863;  H.  B.  Allen,  1864;  J.  P.  Dysart,  1866;  James  Hendricks,  1870;  Joel  A.  Morris, 
1878;  James  Hendricks,  1886. 

Rangers:  Isaac  H.  Williams,  1837;  G.  W.  Moore,  1840;  J.  M.  Yowell,  1845:  J.  P. 
Smith,  1857;  J.  L.  Reed,  1864;  M.  C.  West,  1865;  Jonathan  Bills,  1865;  W.  D.  Hawkins, 
1875;  L.  Cunningham,  1875;  H.  K.  Moss,  1878;  J.  M.  McKee,  1885;  H.  K.  Moss,  1886. 

State  Senators:  Wilson  P.  Davis,  1843;  Richard  Warner,  1845;  Thomas  Dean,  1847: 
Wilson  P.  Davis,  1849;  J.  J.  Jones,  1853;  Wilson  P.  Davis,  1857;  J.  M.  Johnsou.  1859;  AY. 
H.  Wisener,  1865;  J.  M.  Patterson,  1871;  J.  D.  Tillman,  1873;  E.  A.  Wilson,  1875;  Jesse 
Aldridge,  1877;  W.  P.  Tolley,  1879;  D.  S.  McCullough,  1881;  D.  J.  McCullough,  1883;  C. 
R.  Berry,  1885. 

Representatives:  T.  C.  II.  Miller,  1843;  Benjamin  Williams,  1847;  W.  F.  McGregor, 
18-19;  Thomas  H.  Hardin,  1851;  E.  A.  Wilson,  1855;  II.  X.  Cowden,  1859;  A.  A.  Steele, 
1865;  A.  F.  Lillard,  1867;  A.  II.  Steele,  1869;  A.  Jones,  1871;  J.  L.  Orr,  1873;  W.  X.  Cow- 
den, 1877;  Richard  Warner,  1879;  Ernest  Pillow,  1881;  W.  P.  Bullock,  1885.  Floaters  or 
joint  representatives  are  not  given. 

The  caption  of  the  first  entry  of  records  of  the  circuit  court  is  as  follows: 

“At  a circuit  court  held  for  the  county  of  Marshall,  within  the  Eighth  Judicial  Cir- 
cuit in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  at  the  house  of  Abner  Houston,  being  the  place  appointed 
by  law  for  holding  courts  in  said  county  on  the  fourth  Monday  in  November,  in  the  year 
of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  thirty-six,  being  the  twenty-eighth  day  of 
the  month,  before  the  Honorable  Edmund  Dillahunty,  Esquire,  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
Eighth  Judicial  Circuit,  and  for  the  State  of  Tennessee,  the  following  proceedings  were 
had,  etc."  David  McGahey  was  appointed  clerk  pro  tempore , and  entered  into  bond  for 
the  faithful  performance  of  his  duties.  James  II.  Thomas  appeared  and  took  the  oath  of 
attorney-general.  The  sheriff  presented  the  names  of  twenty-five  men  upon  whom  he 
had  served  a venire  facias,  whereupon  the  said  names  were  written  on  scrolls  of  paper 


. 


■ 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


891 


and  drawn  from  a hat  by  a child  under  the  age  of  ten  years,  when  the  following  bodv  of 
good  and  lawful  men,  citizens  of  Marshall  Count}*,  was  elected,  empaneled  sworn  and 
charged  to  enquire  for  the  body  of  the  county  of  Marshall,  to  wit:  Henry  Bishop,  James 
Brow  n,  John  Hatchett,  Jesse  Morton,  James  Kennedy,  William  Rosson,  Thomas  Ro>s. 
Samuel  Radford,  William  Wilkes,  James  V.  Ewing,  William  M.  Orr,  James  Osborn  and 
James  B.  Lowry,  of  whom  James  Osborn  was  elected  foreman.” 

This  day  the  attorney-general  presented  to  court  an  indictment  against  James  Orr  for 
“mare  stealing”  and  for  stealing  money,  notes  and  other  valuable  papers.  Orr  was  found 
guilt}*  as  charged  and  given  three  years  at  hard  labor  in  the  penitentiary.  A judgment 
was  rendered  against  him  to  recover  $12.25,  the  amount  of  unreturned  stolen  property. 
This  was  the  first  case  before  the  court.  To  this  term  were  presented  five  indictments  for 
“ affray,”  three  for  “unlawful  gaming,”  and  one  for  “assault  and  battery.”  A fine  of 
$10  was  assessed  in  each  of  these  cases  w ith  one  exception,  in  which  the  accused  w*as  ac- 
quitted. In  a slander  suit  for  $1,000  damages,  William  Wilkes  recovered  from  John 
Wilkes  $150.  George  Purdan  was  fined  $5  for  entering  court  in  a state  of  intoxication. 
The  wounded  dignity  of  the  State  was  healed  by  two  fines  of  $2.50  each  for  “contempt 
shown  to  this  court  ” by  Samuel  Bickett  and  William  Perry.  The  failure  of  John  R. 
Hill,  the  sheriff,  to  preserve  order  before  his  Honor,  cost  him  a fine  of  $10.  At  the  March 
term,  1837,  Robert  Liggett.  Bryant  Crow*,  Wyatt  Hill,  William  Roane,  John  Coggins 
and  Wade  McCrery  were  fined  $5  each  for  unlawful  gaming,  to  which  they  pleaded  guilty. 
For  malicious  mischief  Allen  Gates  paid  a fine  of  $10  and  was  “held  in  jail  until  sun- 
set.” Henry  Morris  and  Charles  Thompson  pleaded  guilty  to  presentments  for  affrays, 
and  paid  fines  of  $5  each,  and  pleading  guilty  to  “assault  and  battery”  by  William  Wad- 
kins  cost  him  $2.50.  In  the  July  term  against  John  A.  W.  Jackson  was  instituted  the  first 
case  of  forgery  which  resulted  in  Jackson  “making  good. the  damages,”  and  paying  the 
cost  of  prosecution.  Indictments  for  assault  and  battery  and  for  affrays  were  the  most 
frequent  subjects  for  the  court’s  consideration  this  year,  and  up  to  the  close  of  the  half 
century  the  most  numerous  cases  of  indictments  were  “keeping  tippling  houses,”  “retail- 
ing spirituous  liquors,”  “ open  and  notorious  drunkenness,”  “ assault  and  battery,”  “af- 
fray,” “unlawful  gaming,”  and  “betting  on  elections,”  with  the  other  crimes  common 
to  the  age. 

In  1838  Joseph  Winston  was  found  guilty  of  usury  and  fined  $19.33f  (the  amount  of 
overcharged  interest)  and  costs.  In  the  same  year  Daniel  Doxie  was  sent  to  the  peniten- 
tiary for  two  years  for  malicious  stabbing,  and  was  the  next  year  followed  by  James 
Joyce,  who  had  a sentence  for  the  same  length  of  time  for  malicious  shooting.  In  1838, 
for  the  first  time,  the  court  “absolutely  and  forever”  burst  asunder  a matrimonial  bond 
liberating  James  Gates  from  his  sacred  vows  to  Elizabeth  Gates.  In  1839  Mathew 
Thomas,  Lucy  Sorrell,  Betsy  Turner,  Patsy  Hicks  and  Betsy  Sorrell  pleaded  guilty  to  a 
presentment  for  au  unlaw*ful  assembly,  thereby  contributing  $1  each  to  the  State  fund. 
In  the  same  year  Andrew  Duncan  began  a four  years’  term  in  the  State  prison  for  coun- 
terfeiting. Haywood  Keith  went  for  three  years  for  horse  stealing,  and  Guilford  Paine 
four  years  for  larceny. 

In  1842  the  grand  jury  presented  that  “Robert  Bogle,  of  said  count}*,  yeoman, 
* * * * * not  having  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes,  hut  being 

instigated  by  the  devil,  with  force  and  arms  in  the  county  upon  one  Caleb  Pyle  in  the 
peace  of  God  and  of  the  State,  *****  with  a ceitaiu 
piece  of  timber  of  no  value,  did  assault  feloniously,  unlawfully,  wilfully,  deliberately 
maliciously,  premeditatedly  and  with  malice  aforethought,”  etc.,  inflicting  “mortal 
wounds  of  which  said  Pyle  instantly  died.”  Bogle  was  convicted  of  manslaughter  and 
given  six  years’  confinement  in  the  State  prison.  In  the  same  year,  after  a lung  and 
tedious  trial,  John  J.  Eizey  was  found  guilty  of  murder  in  the  second  degree,  and  sent  t<> 
the  penitentiary  for  ten  years.  In  1848  Hardy  Bloodworth  and  Mary  Ford  were  indicted 
for  duplicity  in  murder  of  the  first  degree.  Bloodworth  was  found  not  guilty.  After  a 
protracted  effort  to  get  a decision,  Mary  Ford  was  granted  a change  of  venue.  Leth- 


892 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


Walker,  after  being  on  trial  for  a number  of  years  for  the  same  offense,  was  also  granted 
a change  of  venue.  These  were  aggravated  cases,  both  parties  having  been  accused  of 
murdering  “ infants  of  young  and  tender  years.”  Josiah  B.  and  Claiborn  W.  Black  were 
acquitted  of  a charge  of  murder  in  1850.  In  1855  Martin,  a slave,  murdered  his  master, 

Lawrence,  and  in  1856  was  hung.  Never  has  any  other  capital  execution  taken  place 

in  the  county. 

In  1866  Marshall  Hopewood  was  cleared  of  the  charge  of  murdering  Robert  Ross. 
Hiram  C.  Harris,  for  murdering  Willis  Frank,  was  sentenced  to  ninety-nine  years  in  the 
penitentiary,  the  decision  of  the  inferior  court  having  been  sustained  by  the  supreme 
court.  About  the  same  time  Isaac  Daws  was  found  ^ not  guilty  as  charged”  of  the  mur- 
der of  C.  C.  Gulley.  In  1867  John  B.  Short  was  proceeding  to  the  matrimonial  altar  (to 
a justice  of  the  peace)  with  his  intended  bride  on  the  same  horse  behind  him.  He  was 
followed  by  Sambo  and  W.  J.  Cook,  brothers  of  the  bride,  and  shot,  from  the  wounds 
of  which  he  died  in  a few  days.  The  Cooks  were  indicted  for  murder  in  the  first  degree, 
but  broke  jail.  Isaac  B.  Collins  was  accused  of  instigating  the  murder,  and  for  five  years 
this  case  was  before  the  court,  costing  the  State  about  $2,000,  and  resulting  in  his  acquittal. 

Judge  Edmund  Dillahuntv,  of  Columbia,  sat  upon  the  bench  from  1836  to  1852.  He 
was  a man  of  fine  personal  appearance,  benevolent  in  demeanor  and  of  high  moral  char- 
acter. His  court  was  a “temple  of  moral  training,”  and  dignified  decorum  was  required 
at  his  bar.  He  was  a fine  lawyer  and  an  excellent  judge.  “His  charges  to  the  juries 
were  always  sermons,”  and  aside  from  his  official  duties  he  often  gave  the  people 
of  Lewisburg  lectures  on  morality  and  religion.  Judge  Dillahuntv  was  succeeded  by 
William  P.  Martin,  also  of  Columbia,  who  served  until  I860,  and  was  re-elected  to  another 
term  in  1370.  serving  until  1877,  when  age  compelled  him  to  give  his  seat  to  John  V. 
Wright,  who  held  courts  until  the  expiration  of  Martin’s  term  in  1878.  Judge  Martin  was 
a man  of  great  ability,  both  as  a judge  and  a lawyer.  From  1860  to  1865  court  was  held 
by  special  judges.  John  C.  Walker  came  to  the  bench  in  1865,  and  was  succeeded  by 
Hillary  Ward,  who  served  from  1806  until  1868,  and  he  by  A.  M.  Hughes  from  1868  to 
1870.  In  1871  the  increased  business  of  the  court  demanded  a special  criminal  court,  of 
which  T.  M.  Jones  was  the  first  judge.  In  1872  W.  S.  McLemore  was  elected  criminal 
judge,  and  held  until  that  court  was  abolished  in  1878.  He  was  then  elected  to  fill  the 
judicial  term  now  closing.  The  attorney-generals  have  been  as  follows:  James  H. 
Thomas,  1836;  Nathaniel  Baxter,  1842;  Lunsford  M.  Bramblett,  1847;  A.  M.  Hughes,  1848; 
Nathan  Adams,  1854;  James  L.  Scudder,  J.  J.  Noah  and  A.  C.  Hickey,  from  1865  to  1868; 
Noble  Sn/ithson,  1868;  J.  H.  Fussell,  1870  to  1886. 

The  chancery  court  was  established  in  1836  with  Lunsford  M.  Bramblitt  as  chancellor. 
He  was  succeeded  in  1844  by  Terry  H.  Cahall,  who  served  until  1851,  when  L.  D.  Frier- 
son came  to  the  bench,  continuing  until  1866,  and  was  succeeded  by  David  Campbell. 
Then  John  P.  Steele  was  chancellor  until  1868,  and  after  his  term  John  C.  Walker  sat 
upon  the  bench  for  two  3rears.  In  1870  W.  S.  Flemming  was  elected,  and  was  re-elected 
in  1878  to  serve  the  term  closing  in  1886. 

At  the  first  circuit  court  were  present  Samuel  D.  Frierson,  Erwin  J.  Frierson,  Will- 
iam P.  Martin,  William  T.  Ross  and  W.  II.  Wisener,  all  of  whom  were  licensed  to  prac- 
tice as  attorneys  and  counsellors  at  law.  Before  the  war  these  courts  were  regularly  vis- 
ited by  almost  all  the  prominent  lawyers  of  this  part  of  the  State.  James  K.  Polk  was  a 
familiar  figure  at  this  bar,  and'it  is  claimed  that  he  was  in  Lewisburg  attending  a lawsuit 
w hen  the  news  of  his  nomination  as  a candidate  for  the  presidency  reached  him. 

Robert  G.  Paine,  W.  P.  Davis  & Son,  Gideon  B.  Black  and Powell  were  able 

resident  attorneys  before  the  war.  Since  the  war  R.  K.  Kercheval,  John  F.  Moore  and 
Thomas  F.  Lewis  were  successful  members  of  this  bar.  At  present  the  following  are  at- 
torneys at  law  in  Lewisburg:  Richard  Warner,  who  was  a member  of  the  constitutional 
convention  of  1870,  a member  of  the  Legislature  in  1878  and  a member  of  Congress  in 
1880-84;  Col.  J.  II.  Lewis;*  W.  N.  Cowden,  who  served  a part  of  one  term  in  the  Legis- 


*For  sketches  see  Biographical  department. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


803 


lature,  and  was  then  made  clerk  of  the  supreme  court:  James  J.  Murray;  A.  N.  Miller, 
assistant  United  States  district  attorney;  E.  M.  Miller;  C.  T.  Swanson;*  J.  L.  Marshall;* 
P.  C.  Smithson;*  C.  A.  Armstrong;*  H.  K.  Moss;  L.  A.  Thompson  and  W.  W.  Walker. 

In  the  Creek  war  of  1812-14  a few  persons,  from  what  is  now  within  the  limits  of  Mar- 
shall County,  attached  themselves  to  Gen.  Jackson’s  forces  at  Fayetteville.  These  men 
followed  the  fortunes  of  their  indomitable  leader  in  that  campaign.  Among  those  who 
were  with  Jackson  were  James  Orr,  of  the  vicinity  of  Verona,  and  Mr.  Lawrence  near 
Mooresville.  John  Hatchett,  James  Shaw',  Capt.  Andrew  Patterson  and  Samuel  llillis,  of 
Lewisburg  and  vicinit}*,  were  veterans  of  the  batile  of  New  Orleans,  and  lived  in  the 
county  after  its  organization.  John  Hay.  Christian  Harbor,  and  Richard  Warner,  father 
of  Hon.  Richard  Warner,  of  Lewisburg,  were  also  at  the  battle  of  New'  Orleans,  the  lat- 
ter of  whom  was  wounded  there  in  a skirmish  in  December,  1814.  These  men  were  hon- 
ored with  a special  mark  of  distinction  on  all  stated  occasions  during  their  lives.  In  the 
Seminole  war  two  regiments  of  troops  rendezvoused  at  Fayetteville  in  June,  1836:  these 
were  the  first  and  seeond  regiments.  Over  these  Gen.  Armstrong  w as  elected  brigadier- 
general.  They  left  for  the  seat  of  war  July  4.  No  regularly  organized  company  went 
from  Marshall,  but  a number  joined  a company  while  organizing  at  Crooked  Springs  near 
Fayetteville,  in  Lincoln  County. 

On  the  outbreak  of  the  war  with  Mexico  two  companies  from  Marshall  were  enlisted, 
one  of  infantry  and  one  of  cavalry.  The  infantry  company  was  attached  to  the  First 
Regiment,  and  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Harris  Maulden.  The  lieutenants  w'ere  W.  P- 
Davis  and  Wade  McCrary;  L.  Cooper,  A.  G.  Cooper,  J.  E.  Fowler  and  R.  H.  McCrary, 
were  sergeants,  and  H.  Hardin  T F Winston  Willis  Collins  and  Elisha  Luna.  wrere  cor- 
porals. The  muster  roll  included  William  Acuff,  John  Alexander,  N.  W.  Burks,  T.  A. 
Bostw'ick.  Alex  Bingham,  I.  B.  Cook,  Samuel  Davis,  J.  F.  Davidson,  B.  C.  Dobson,  E.  R. 
Dabney,  W.  W.  Emmerson,  J.  C.  Emmerson,  Q.  C.  Fleming,  W.  T.  Fossett,  William 
Griffin,  Joseph  Hall,  J.  B.  Kiecham,  R.  S.  Luna,  B.  F.  Luna,  A.  M.  Meadows.  Hampton 
Myers,  J.  H.  Nichols,  WT.  H.  Peacock,  Moxey  Rone,  Ii.  R.  Mancy,  T.  J.  Stokes,  Mirach 
Shehane,  G.  H.  Shehaue,  J.  F.  Shehane,  R.  C.  Williams,  J R.  Owensby,  John  Arnold, 
.W.  S.  Bowers,  Isaac  Bearden,  J.  L.  Bryant,  M.  B.  Carter,  O.  Clark,  A.  S.  Duvall.  C. 
Dickson,  William  Dodd,  William  Ewing,  M.  Fowler,  T.  C.  Fluty,  G.  W.  Fluty.  R.  L.  B- 
Gray,  E.  H.  Gray,  James  Hagan,  Aiex  Jackson,  J.  B.  Luna,  J.  A.  Moore,  R.  WT.  Moore, 
J.  A.  Morton,  John  M.  Parks,  W.  C.  Porch,  I.  Stone,  A.  P.  Short,  Elias  Snell,  F.  E. 
Smith,  J.  H.  Walls,  J.  Thompson,  J.  B.  WTyatl  and  James  Freeman.  The  company 
marched  from  Lewisburg  to  Nashville  by  way  of  Stegall’s  Mills.  Mr.  McEweu’s  and 
Beech’s  farms.  The  company  left  Lewisburg  May  31,  and  reached  Nashville  June  3, 
boarded  the  “ Commune”  on  the  6th  of  June,  and  was  transferred  to  the  “Tennessee”  at 
Smitliland  on  the  8tli,  and  arrived  at  New  Orleans  on  the  13th.  On  the  17th  the  regiment 
embarked  on  the  “E.  N.  Chapman,”  and  on  the  20th  anchored  off  the  Brazos.  The  regi- 
ment was  carried  up  the  Rio  Grande  by  vessel  and  landed  at  Camargo,  thence  marched  to 
Monterey,  where  it  took  part  in  that  severe  engagement,  which  resulted  in  the  capture  of 
that  town.  The  regiment  suffered  not  only  in  the  battle  but  terribly  from  fevers  and  other 
diseases.  On  December  10  the  two  Tennessee  infantr}'  regiments  were  formed  into  a bri- 
gade under  Col.  W.  B.  Campbell.  After  considerable  marching  and  some  desultory  fight, 
mg,  the  regiment  was  put-on  board  the  “Jubilee”  February  26,  and  moved  to  Vera  Cruz, 
where  it  arrived  March  11,  and  landed  March  12.  The  regiments  continued  in  the  siege  of 
Vera  Cruz  till  its  capitulation  on  the  27th.  The  men  were  severely  engaged  at  the  battle 
and  capture  of  Cerro  Gordo  on  April  18.  The  twelve  months’  men  went  as  far  as  Jalapa, 
when  they  were  ordered  to  Vera  Cruz  to  be  discharged.  The  men  arrived  at  Vera  Cruz 
on  May  10,  and  on  the  11th  they  took  ship  for  New  Orleans,  where  they  arrived  on  the 
21st.  They  were  mustered  out  and  paid  off  May  26.  The  company  arrived  at  Nashville 
J une  2,  and  returned  home  June  5.  Of  the  seventy-three  men  enlisted  in  the  company 
forty-three  were  killed,  discharged  or  died  of  disease. 

*For  sketches  see  biographical  department. 

50 


, 


% 


894 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


The  cavalry  company  was  commanded  by  Capt.  Milton  A.  Haynes.  The  other  com- 
missioned aud  non-commissioned  officers  were  W.  B.  Richardson,  William  Chambliss, 
William  Brownlow,  Jr.,  Robert  G.  McClure,  Joseph  A.  Clayton,  J.  R.  Haynes,  R.  M. 
Patterson,  Joseph  Gresham,  John  G.  Taylor  and  A.  J.  Nance.  The  company  was  organ- 
ized at  Cornersville,  and  mustered  into  the  service  at  Nashville  June  8,  1846.  The  place 
of  rendezvous  for  the  cavalry  was  near  Memphis.  These  troops  proceeded  to  Mexico  by 
way  of  Little  Rock  and  Washington,  Ark.,  and  through  Titus  Count}',  Tex.  The  com- 
pany consisted  of  ten  officers,  eighty  privates,  two  buglers  and  one  blacksmith. 

There  was  great  unanimity  of  sentiment  for  the  South  in  the  late  war  after  the  firing 
on  Fort  Sumter.  The  first  volunteers  from  this  county  were  in  Turney’s  First  Tennessee, 
but  no  whole  company  was  sent  out  till  in  April,  1861,  when  the  Seventeenth  was 
raised.  This  regiment  assembled  in  Franklin  County  in  May,  and  on  the  27th  of  that 
month  it  started  for  Camp  Trousdale,  Sumner  County.  It  was  organized  June  11  by  the 
election  of  T.  W.  Newman,  colonel;  T.  C.  H.  Miller,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  A.  L.  Landis, 
major.  The  companies  in  the  Seventeenth  from  this  county  were  C.  F and  H.  The  com- 
missioned officers  of  Company  C at  the  organization  were  R.  C.  Williams,  captain;  J.  C. 
Davis  and  F.  M.  Orr,  lieutenants.  The  officers  of  Company  F were  R.  P.  Hunter,  cap- 
tain; John  Begger,  William  Wallace  and  J.  B.  Hunter,  lieutenants.  The  officers  of  Com- 
pany H were  R.  H.  McCrary,  captain;  W.  H.  Holder,  G.  W.  Collis  and  David  Sanders, 
lieutenants.  May  8,  1862,  the  regiment  re-enlisted  for  two  years  and  was  reorganized. 
In  Company  C J.  C.  Dayis  became  captain;  F.  M.  Orr,  J.  W.  McCrary  and  R.  H.  Arm- 
strong, lieutenants.  J.  C.  Cooper  became  captain  of  Company  F;  R.  H.  McCullough, 
William  Byers  and  Lee  Carthey.  lieutenants.  TIir  captain  of  Company  K was  G.  II. 
Owen;  the  lieutenants  were  J.  P.  Tally,  A.  L.  Elzy  and  Z.  W.  Ewing.  On  reorganization 
T.  C.  II.  Miller  was  elected  colonel;  W.  W.  Floyd,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  A.  S.  Marks, 
major. 

The  Seventeenth  Regiment  left  Camp  Trousdale  July  23,  armed  with  flint-lock  guns, 
and  arrived  at  Bristol,  Ya.,  July  26,  where  it  remained  till  August  3,  when  it  was  sent  to 
Russellville,  E.  Tenn.,  thence  to  Cumberland  Gap,  where  it  arrived  August  8.  September 
14  the  regiment  left  Cumberland  Gap  and  was  with  the  advance  of  Zollicoffer  into  Ken- 
tucky. The  regiment  was  engaged  at  the  battle  of  Mill  Spring,  or  Fishing  Creek.  Janu- 
ary 19,  1862.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Livingston  January  24,  and  at  Murfreesboro 
February  19.  February  28  the  regiment  left  for  Iuka  and  Corinth,  where  it  was  armed 
with  English  rifles.  May  28  the  regiment  left  Corinth  and  arrived  at  Tupelo  June  8. 
July  28  the  regiment  left  for  Chattanooga,  where  it  arrived  August  4.  At  Chattanooga 
the  army  was  reorganized,  and  the  Seventeenth  became  a part  of  Johnson’s  brigade,  of 
Buckner’s  division,  of  Hardee’s  corps.  It  was  in  the  Kentucky  campaign,  and  September 
16  assisted  in  the  capture  of  Munfordsville  with  its  garrison.  The  regiment  was  in  the 
severe  engagement  at  Perry ville,  October  8;  thence  the  regiment  went  with  the  army  to 
Middle  Tennessee.  The  regiment  arrived  at  Murfreesboro  December  28,  and  was  assigned 
to  the  right  under  Gen.  Breckinridge.  In  the  three  days  of  terrible  battle  the  Seventeenth 
lost  heavily,  but  sustained  itself  gallantly.  It  then  fell  back  with  the  army  to  Tullahoma, 
where  it  remained  until  active  operations  began  again.  After  some  minor  movements  the 
Seventeenth  took  part  in  the  two  days’  battle  at  Chickamauga  on  the  19th  and  20th  of  Sep- 
tember, losing  145  men.  It  advanced  with  the  army  to  Chattanooga,  where  it  lay  till 
November  23,  when  Johnson’s  brigade,  to  which  it  belonged,  was  sent  with  Longstreet 
against  Knoxville.  November  29  the  Seventeenth  served  as  a supporting  column  to  Mc- 
Law  in  an  assault  upon  Fort  Loudon.  After  the  defeat  at  Knoxville  the  army  fell  back 
to  Rogersville  December  4.  The  regiment  remained  in  East  Tennessee  till  May,  1864, 
suffering  greatly  for  want  of  food  and  clothing.  In  March  the  regiment  was  asked  to  re- 
enlist, and  to  a man  they  obeyed.  May  2 the  regiment  took  train  at  Abington,  Va.,  for 
Petersburg.  It  was  engaged  in  the  defense  of  Petersburg  and  Richmond  till  the  close  of 
the  war.  The  regiment  was  severely  engaged  at  Drury’s  Bluff  May  15  and  16.  1861.  Col. 
Floyd  was  killed  and  about  sixty  men  were  lost  in  this  engagement.  The  Seventeenth 


MARSHALL  COUNT!'. 


8 ffi 


was  again  engaged  February  5,  1865,  at  Hatcher’s  Run.  Its  last  battle  was  fought  April 
2,  1865,  in  the  defense  of  Petersburg,  where  it  lost  half  its  numbers.  The  remnant  of  the 
regiment  was  surrendered  at  Appomattox  April  9,  1SG5. 

The  New  Hope  Company  (Eighth  Tennessee)  from  Marshall  County  was  commanded 
by  Capt.  J.  L.  Bryant.  The  lieutenants  were  J.  P.  Holland,  B.  B.  Bowers,  T.  F.  Brooks, 
with  T.  E.  Russell  orderly  sergeant.  A sketch  of  the  Eighth  Regiment  may  be  found  in 
the  State  history. 

The  Thirty-second  Regiment  was  commanded  by  Ed  Cook  as  colonel,  W.  I*.  Moore, 
lieutenant  colonel,  and  TV.  J.  Brownlow,  major.  On  the  re-organization  Ed  Cook  was  re- 
elected colonel;  William  P.  O’Neal,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  J.  P.  McGuire,  major.  The 
Thirty-second  was  represented  from  this  county  by  one  company,  of  which  William  P. 
O’Neal  was  captain,  and  Jasper  Smiley,  Calvin  Coffey  and  Frank  Hall  were  lieutenants. 
On  the  re-organization  Frank  Hall  became  captain,  Jasper  Smiley,  Calvin  Coffey  and 
J.  Sanford  lieutenants.  See  elsev/liere  for  a history  of  the  Thirty-second  Regiment. 

One  company  from  Marshall  composed  of  101  men  was  sent  to  the  Forty-first 
Regiment.  This  company  was  known  as  the  Lewisburg  and  Cornersville  Company. 
The  company  officers  of  this  company  w'ere  U.  G.  McClure,  captain;  J.  C.  Osborn,  J.  M. 
Yancleave  and  R.  P.  Robins,  lieutenants.  The  regimental  officers  at  first  were  Robert  Far- 
quaharson,  colonel;  R.  G.  McClure,  lieutenant-colonel,  and  T.  G.  Miller,  major.  On  re- 
organization Farquaharson  was  re-elected  colonel,  J.  D.  Tillman,  lieutenant-colonel,  and 
T.  G.  Miller,  major.  From  Camp  Trousdale  the  Forty-first  was  sent  to  Bowling  Green; 
thence  on  December  23d  to  Fort  Donelson.  where  it  was  captured  February  15,  1862. 
The  men  were  exchanged  at  Vicksburg  in  September  and  the  regiment  reorganized  at 
Clinton.  The  regiment  marched  and  counter-marched  through  Tennessee  and  northern 
Mississippi  till  January,  1863,  when  it  was  ordered  to  Port  Hudson.  On  May  2 it  was 
ordered  to  Jackson  to  avert  the  doom  overhanging  Pemberton  and  Vicksburg.  After  the 
fall  of  Vicksburg  it  was  ordered,  September  7,  to  Mobile.  It  did  guard  duty  on  the 
coast  for  a time,  but  w'as  ordered  up  to  Chickamauga  and  again  joined  Johnston’s  army  at 
Dalton  in  May,  1864.  It  took  part  in  the  Atlanta  campaign  till  the  fall  of  Atlanta;  thence 
was  ordered  into  Tennessee;  was  at  Franklin  and  Nashville  and  wTas  then  sent  to  North 
Carolina,  where  it  surrendered  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Its  brigade  commanders  were 
Bushrod,  Johnson,  Maney,  Gregg  and  Strahl. 

There  were  three  companies  for  the  Fifty-third  Tennessee  Regiment  raised  in  this 
count}' — Companies  B.  E and  D.  Company  B was  raised  in  Lewisburg  and  vicinity. 
W.  B.  Holden  was  chosen  first  captain,  but  w;as  succeeded  by  W.  F.  Collins  as  captain  in 
1862.  The  lieutenants  of  this  company  were  J.  J.  Murray,  J.  M.  Hawkins  and  TV.  M. 
Patterson.  This  company  at  first  numbered  about  eighty-five  men.  Company  E was 
raised  in  the  vicinity  of  Mooresville  and  Wilson  Hill.  I.  H.  Hills  was  chosen  the  first 
captain,  but  he  was  succeeded  by  S.  C.  Orr.  The  lieutenants  of  this  company  were  An- 
drew Bryant,  Joseph  Anderson  and  George  W.  Moore.  Company  D was  raised  at  Cor- 
nersville by  T.  F.  Winston.  On  the  organization  of  the  regiment  Capt.  Winston  was 
chosen  lieutenant-colonel,  and  TV.  II.  Wilkes  was  chosen  captain;  TV.  P.  Lewis,  N.  L. 
Cauless  and  John  A.  Perry,  lieutenants.  On  reorganization  W.  P.  Lewis. was  made  cap- 
tain; N.  L.  McCauless,  John  A.  Perry  and  E.  A.  McCollum,  lieutenants.  W.  II.  Wilkes 
was  elected  colonel  on  reorganization,  and  W.  B.  Holden,  major,  who  afterward  became 
colonel.  The  regiment  was  mustered  into  the  service  December  17,  1861.  It  was  engaged 
at  Fort  Donelson.  Port  Hudson,  the  Vicksburg  and  the  Atlanta  campaigns.  It  took  an 
active  part  at  New  Hope  Church  and  at  the  poor  house  near  Atlanta;  at  the  last  engage- 
ment it  suffered  terribly.  The  regiment  was  in  Hood's  advance,  participating  at  Franklin 
and  Nashville.  After  this  disastrous  campaign  it  was  sent  to  North  Carolina,  where  it 
surrendered  with  the  remnant  of  its  numbers. 

Company  A,  Baxter  Smith's  Fourth  Cavalry,  was  organized  at  Nolensville,  Novem- 
ber 1,  1862,  and  was  sworn  into  service  soon  after.  The  company  officers  were  D.  IV. 
Alexander,  captain;  TV.  II.  McLean,  W.  C.  Green  and  R.  O.  McLean,  lieutenants.  This 


. 


. 


896 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


company  originally  consisted  of  107  men;  but  a remnant  was  left  at  the  close  of  the 
war. 

Company  A,  Starnes’  Fourth  Tennessee  Regiment,  was  raised  by  Capt.  P.  C.  Haynes. 
The  lieutenants  were  Aaron  Thompson,  J.  C.  Cunditf  and  B.  F.  Boyd.  On  reorganization 
Capt.  Haynes  became  lieutenant-colonel,  and  Aaron  Thompson  was  promoted  to  the  cap- 
taincy. The  officers  of  Company  D of  this  regiment  were  D.  S.  McCullough,  captain; 
Alfred  Dysart,  Monroe  Fisher  and  Dr.  McCullough,  lieutenants.  Alfred  Dysart,  who  had 
become  captain,  was  killed  at  Thompson  Station,  and  was  succeeded  by  W.  M.  Robinson. 
These  men  were  sworn  into  the  service  in  October,  1861,  and  were  assigned  duty  at  Camp 
Cheatham.  A full  account  of  this  regiment  is  to  be  found  in  the  State  history. 

There  were  three  companies  for  Marshall,  in  the  Eleventh  Cavalry.  One  company 
was  commanded  by  Capt.  T.  C.  H.  Miller,  with  E.  H.  Hamilton, — Rainey,  as  lieutenants. 
This  company  was  raised  north  of  Duck  River  and  was  composed  of  about  100  men.  The 
second  company  was  M.  M.  Swim’s  company.  The  commissioned  officers  were  M.  M. 
Swim,  captain;  James  Ferguson  and  James  Swim,  lieutenants.  These  men  were  also  en- 
listed in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  A third  company  of  this  regiment  was  raised  at 
Cornersville,  by  Capt.  Gordon,  of  Giles  County.  The  last  named  company  was  made  up 
from  both  Marshall  and  Giles  Counties. 

The  last  company  raised  in  the  county  was  the  one  recruited  by  Capt.  E.  J.  Neil. 
This  company  was  raised  in  the  nothern  part  of  the  count}’  in  1864,  and  was  attached  to 
Col.  N.  W.  Carter’ regiment.  The  Eleventh,  above  mentioned,  was  surrendered  at  Washing- 
ton, Va.,  and  Col.  Carter’s  regiment  at  Selma.  Ala. 

ll  is  a noticeable  fact  that  the  cavalry  ttnd  infantry  forces  raised  ill  this  county  were 
nearly  equal  in  number,  and  that  nearly  all  the  cavalry  was  from  the  northern  part  of  the 
country,  while  the  infantry  was  from  the  southern  part. 

On  April  19,  1861,  Capt.  T.  C.  H.  Miller  was  presented  with  an  elegant  flag,  by  the 
ladies  of  Chapel  Hill.  This  was  presented  by  the  hands  of  Miss  Narcissa  Wilhorte,  now 
the  wife  of  William  McLean,  of  Nashville.  Lieut.  J.  B.  Hunter,  made  an  appropriate  and 
impressive  response,  accepting  the  flag  on  behalf  of  the  company.  Capt.  Alexander’s  com- 
pany also  received  an  elegant  silk  flag,  which  was  presented  by  Miss  Anna  Patterson, 
while  the  men  were  en  route  for  Nashville.  J.  L.  Orr  made  a speech  accepting  the  flag, 
k tendering  the  thanks  of  the  company,  and  pledging  their  lives  in  its  defense,  saying  it 
should  never  be  “ trailed  in  the  dust  of  dishonor.” 

By  the  act  of  the  Legislature,  creating  the  county,  Richard  Warner,  William  Smith, 
Holman  R.  Fowler,  George  W.  McBride  and  William  D.  Orr  were  appointed  commis- 
sioners to  select  and  procure  by  purchase  or  otherwise  not  less  than  fifty  acres  of  land  for 
the  county  seat,  the  name  of  which  was  to  be  known  as  Lewisburg.  Abner  Houston  do- 
nated fifty  acres  where  the  town  now  stands,  and  thus  secured  its  location.  This  land 
was  estimated  to  be  worth  $400.  On  the  last  day  of  November  and  the  first  two  days  of 
December,  1836,  were  sold  149  lots  for  a sum  total  of  $22,861.  over  five  and  one-half 
times  the  estimated  value  of  the  whole  fifty  acres.  Lot  1,  Block  7,  was  purchased  by 
Dale  & Phillips  for  $735,  being  the  highest  price  paid  for  any  one  lot.  Willis  M.  Hop- 
wood  paid  $700  for  Lot  6,  Block  5.  The  lowest  price  paid  was  $31. 

The  town  was  incorporated  by  an  act  of  the  Legislature  December  16,  1737. 

The  first  business  establishment  of  any  kind  was  a small  grocery  opposite  where  Col. 
J.  II.  Lewis  now  lives.  Abner  Houston  was  the  first  merchant  to  sell  a general  line  of 
goods.  Hopwood,  Dabney  A Co.  opened  up  a store  on  the  south  end  of  the  cast  side  of 
the  Square  in  the  spring  of  1837.  In  about  two  years  R.  C.  Dabney,  one  of  the  firm,  re- 
tired, and  the  business  was  continued  by  Willis  M.  Hopwood  and  W.  F.  McGregor.  Eli 
Dysart,  Alexander  McClure,  Jack  Appleby,  Lorenzo  Anderson  and  Branson  Caple  were 
also  merchants  before  1810.  John  Hatchett  was  the  first  postmaster.  For  several  years 
saloons  or  groceries  were  the  most  numerous  and  most  popular  business  establishments, 
and  it  is  said  that  at  one  time  there  were  not  less  than  a dozen  “ liquor  shops”  in  the 
t own. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


897 


In  the  forties  business  was  conducted  by  Abner  Houston.  Hopwood  & McGregm, 
Fisher  6c  Ewing,  Hatchett  & Calahan,  John  Major,  James  AA’cbb  and  Samuel  Ewing. 

In  the  fifties:  Fisher  & Ewing,  Hatchett  6c  Calahan,  John  Major,  Janies  Webb, 
Thomas  Murray,  Laws  & Son  and  Porter  & Davis,  among  others,  were  the  principal  mer- 
chants. A considerable  amount  of  business  was  transacted  in  those  days,  although  there 
were  but  a few  business  houses. 

During  the  war  business  was  almost  at  a standstill.  In  the  seventh  decade  the  firms 
which  did  a general  mercantile  trade  were  Ewing  & Calahan,  Ewing  & Bro.,  James 
Webb,  John  Major,  Thomas  Murray,  R.  A.  Fraley  and  Ewing  «fe  Boren. 

In  the  seventies  Thomas  Murray,  Ewing  & Boren,  J.  M.  Hawkins,  W.  D.  Fisher  & 
Co.,  Neil  & Dark,  J.  K.  Davis  <fe  Co.,  M.  C.  West  & Co.,  Autry  & Braley  and  Montgom- 
ery Bros,  were  general  merchants.  Druggists  were  S.  D.  & J.  C.  C.  Brents,  Hardison, 
Brents  6c  Murray,  Elliott  & Cunningham,  J.  A.  Braley  and  P.  L.  Atkisson.  Furniture 
dealers  and  undertakers  were  J.  >1.  & J.  II.  Haynes  and  W.  H.  Wood.  Nearly  all  the 
general  merchants  kept  groceries. 

Since  the  building  of  the  railroad  to  Lewisburg,  business  has  rapidly  and  firmly  in- 
creased; elegant  brick  blocks  have  -been  built,  and  it  favorably  compares  with  other 
towns  of  a larger  population.  Present  business,  general  merchandising,  etc. — V.  O. 
Hays,  Ewing  6c-  Adams,  J.  M.  Hawkins  and  J.  M.  Brown;  groceries — J.  E.  McRady, 
Woods  & McCord,  J.  H.  Wells,  J.  M.  Brown,  J.  T.  Kerclieval,  C.  C.  McKinney  A:  Son, 
W.  W.  Miller,  AY.  P.  Irvine,  G.  R.  Braley  and  T.  C.  Beard;  drugs — J.  A.  Braley  and  T. 
C.  Black;  hardware — Hardison  6c  Tate;  hardware  and  grain — A\Toods  6c  McCord,  and 
Coffee,  Woods  & Co.;  stoves  and  tinware — T.  P.  Garrett;  saddlery — AVillis  Menifee  & 
Co.;  jewelry — John  T.  Murray;  photographer — J.  M.  Patterson;  livery — George  W.  Davis 
and  Davis  & London;  blacksmith  and  wood  shop — London  6c  Knudson;  blacksmiths — 
John  W.  Hooten,  AAT.  J.  Loonej*  6c  Co.  and  AY.  C.  Buchanan;  tan-yard — AY.  A.  Braley; 
planing-miil — G.  A.  McClane;  fiouring-mill — Coffee,  AYoods  6c  Co.;  general  produce — A. 
C.  Brents;  buggies,  etc.,  Irvine  & Black:  marble  works — AW  II.  Merritt;  hotels — A.  B. 
Stetwell  (Stetwell  House),  and  Coffey  Bros.  & Hardison  (Coffey  House);  saloons— G.  AY. 
Davis,  J.  T.  Edwards,  J.  M.  Collins  and  Hendricks  6c  Edwards;  physicians — Drs.  S.  T. 
Hardison,  J.  B.  Neil  and  T.  E.  Reed;  dentist — P.  D.  Houston;  newspapers — in  1847  the 
Marshall  Democrat  was  commenced  by  Charles  A.  French,  which  was  of  short  dura- 
tion. The  publication  of  the  Lewisburg  Gazette , by  R.  C.  Russ,  was  begun  in  1845. 
and  continued  about  two  years.  Another  paper,  known  as  the  Marshall  Messenger,  was 
published  for  a short  time  by  Sewell  6c  Bills.  In  1859  the  first  number  of  the  Southern 
Mtssengir  was  published.  It  existed  until  the  war,  and  its  various  editors  and  publishers 
were  J.  II.  Sewell  6c  Co.,  R.  AYarncr,  Jr.,  and  J.  AY.  Knight,  and  Jo.  G.  Carrigan  6c  Co. 
In  the  campaign  of  I860  this  paper  was  “an  out-and-out  Breckinridge  sheet.'’  In  the  ab- 
sence of  Mr.  Carrigan,  the  editor,  for  a few  weeks,  it  was  left  under  the  editorial  care  of 
AY.  N.  Cowden,  who  changed  its  cast  and  began  supporting  Douglas,  to  the  deep  regret 
of  Air.  Carrigan,  but  with  an  increased  patronage. 

The  Marshall  Gazette  was  established  in  1871  by  Figures,  Binford  6c  Brandon.  In 
1873  it  was  purchased  by  Ewing,  Armstrong  6c  Kerclieval,  and  in  a short  time  Ewing  6c 
Kercheval  became  sole  proprietors.  They  continue  to  manage  it  successfully.  From 
March,  1881,  to  July,  1883,  the  Lewisburg  A Jeirs  was  published  by  Cowden  6c  Reed  the 
first  month,  and  afterward  by  Cowden  6c  Moss. 

The  Bank  of  Lewisburg  was  organized  November  7.  1882.  with  a capital  stock  of 
£30,000.  J.  N.  Sullivan  was  the  first  president,  and  T.  AA\  Brents  the  first  cashier.  R.  S. 
Montgomery  was  the  second  president,  and  in  a short  time  was  succeeded  by  R.  L.  Adams 
in  September,  1835.  Brents  was  succeeded  by  J.  T.  Dean,  who  has  been  cashier  since 
September,  18$5,  at  which  time  the  capital  was  reduced  to  £20,000.  The  bank  has  a 
slated  surplus  of  £4,000. 

The  secret  societies  of  Lewisburg  are  as  follows:  Lewisburg  Lodge,  No.  7.  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  was  chartered  August  18,  18-15,  by  the  following  members:  AA’ilson  P.  Davis,  AY.  F. 


■ 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


89S 


McGregor,  Brandon  W.  Cowden,  Charles  C.  Skehan,  Levi  Cochran,  S.  B.  Ewing,  James 
Beckett  and  James  Smith.  It  now  has  a membership  of  forty- four.  Dillahunty  Lodge, 
No.  112.  F.  A A.  M.,  was  instituted  October  S,  1845.  John  W.  Laws  was  Master;  George 
W.  Record,  Senior  Warden,  and  F.  W.  King,  Junior  Warden.  Lewisburg  Lodge,  No. 
270,  K.  of  H.,  was  authorized  to  organize  by  a charter  dated  September  5,  187G.  The 
charter  members  were  C.  A.  Armstrong,  W.  P.  Bullock,  A.  X.  Coffey,  J.  J.  Murray,  J.  S. 
Nolen,  R.  C.  Rives,  H.  II.  Smith,  R.  Warner,  Jr.,  and  J.  A.  Yarbrough.  Maguolia 
Lodge.  No.  152,  K.A  L.  of  IL,  began  with  thirty-four  members  in  1880.  The  I.  O.  G.  T. 
also  have  a lodge. 

Lewisburg  has  four  churches,  owned  respectively  by  the  Presbyterians,  Cumberland 
Presbyterians,  Methodists  and  Christians.  The  Christian  Church  is  a fine  brick  building. 
The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  built  in  connection  with  the  Odd  Fellows  Hall,  is 
also  brick.  The  other  two  are  good  frame  edifices. 

Cornersville  received  its  name  from  the  fact  that  it  was  located  near  the  corners  of 
Bedford,  Lincoln,  Giles  and  Maury  Counties.  The  first  merchandising  was  done  by 
Thompson  A Wardlaw  as  early  as  1815  or  1818.  After  them  au  Irishman  named  Covan- 
try  did  business  one  year  on  the  “credit  basis”  and  failed.  James  Haynes  was  among 
the  very  first  to  sell  goods.  Ephraim  Massey,  Bayne  A Simmons  and  Crutcher  A Marsh 
were  merchants  before  1835.  In  1839  Zenas  Baird  began  merchandising,  and  in  1848  was 
succeeded  by  his  son,  W.  E.  Baird,  who  still  continues  the  trade.  McClelland  & Harris. 
James  Moffett  and  John  X.  Patrick  were  prominent  merchants  after  1839. 

Present  business:  W.  E.  Baird,  James  F.  Kennedy  and  L.  J.  Xance  are  general  mer- 
chants; John  R.  Jones,  A.  C.  Clayton  A Co.  anu  John  R.  Fowler  keep  lamiiy  groceries: 
Dr.  E.  A.  Norton  is  the  druggist;  the  physicians  are  Drs.  L.  C.  Pillow,  A.  Jones,  E.  A. 
Norton  and  M.  D.  Kelley;  the  town  contains  but  one  saloon,  owned  by  W.  P.  Cochran. 
The  Cornersville  Flouring-Mill,  owned  by  Clayton,  Davis  A Co.,  was  built  in  1883,  and 
is  now  receiving  roller  process  improvements.  The  Presbyterians,  Cumberland  Presby- 
terians and  Methodists  each  have  church  edifices.  The  Mount  Vernon  Lodge,  Xo.  25,  I. 
O.  O.  F.,  was  chartered  April  1,  1847.  It  now  has  not  more  than  ten  members  in  good 
standing.  Cornersville  Lodge,  Xo.  126,  F.  A A.  M.,  has  about  thirtj’  members.  The  K. 
©f  H.  also  have  a lodge. 

Chapel  Hill  is  located  in  the  northern  part  of  the  county.  W.  S.  Mayfield  sold  goods 
there  about  1838  or  1840.  After  him  J.  B.  Fulton  did  a large  business  for  many  years. 
Other  merchants  have  been  E.  T.  Williams  and  Williams  A Glenn.  At  present  the  mer- 
chants are  William  Branson  and  W.  B.  Glenn.  John  Williams  has  a drug  store.  Chapel 
Hill  Lodge,  Xo.  ICO,  F.  A A.  M.,  was  chartered  in  1S48  or  1849,  and  is  now  in  a good 
financial  condition.  The  Odd  Fellows  once  had  a lodge.  The  village  contains  three 
church  buildings,  owned,  respectively,  by  the  Christians,  Methodists  and  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  orders. 

The  physicians  are  Drs.  Womack,  A.  B.  Robinson  and  J.  W.  Morton.  Earlier  phy- 
sicians have  been  J.  II.  Robinson  and  J.  S.  Gentry. 

Farmington  is  said  to  be  the  oldest  town  in  the  State  south  of  Duck  River.  It  was 
not  incorporated,  however,  until  1830,  but  as  early  as  1809  several  settlements  were  made 
so  near  together  as  to  present  the  appearance  of  a village.  It  has  many  years  since  given 
up  its  charter.  Its  name  was  derived  from  its  being  a “town  of  farmers,”  or  being  in  a 
splendid  farming  region.  From  1823  to  1830  Eakin  A Co.  did  a good  business,  and  in 
1830  William  J.  Whitthorne  began  merchandising.  John  Ramsey  managed  the  business 
for  these  firms  from  1828  to  about  1835.  Lile  A.  Ewing  and  William  and  Abram  Robin- 
son were  successful  merchants  before  the  war.  Since  then  Hoyle  A Carpenter.  Boren  A 
Erwin,  Carpenter  A Montgomery  and  Neil  A Shearin  have  done  busincs.  At  present 
John  Ramsey  A Son  and  Robinson  A Liggett  are  general  merchants.  W.  C.  Ransom  is 
the  practicing  physician.  John  Ramsey  has  lived  at  Farmington  since  1823,  and  is  now 
ninety  years  old. 

Verona,  first  known  as  Tyrone,  began  its  village  life  in  1859.  However,  J.  L Ewing 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


899 


had  a store  and  mill  there  forty  years  ago.  Since  a short  time  after  the  war  it  has  been 
known  as  Verona.  Merchants  have  been  Houston  & Stilwell,  Fisher  & Robinson,  H.  C. 
McQuiddy  and  Borean  A Bro.,  the  last  two  of  whom  are  now  there.  A flouriug-mill  is 
owned  by  Regen  A Bro.  The  village  contains  a saddlery,  a blacksmith  and  wood 
shop  and  two  churches. 

Belfast  is  the  first  station  on  the  railroad  southeast  of  Lewisburg.  Muse  Bros,  were 
the  first  merchants  in  1838.  Others  were  Robert  Williams  and  Smiley  & Armstrong.  ,T. 
L.  Orr  and  James  Sims  are  the  business  men  at  present.  At  “Old  Belfast,”  Robert  Will- 
iams had  a store  for  many  years  but  it  was  moved  to  the  station  when  the  railroad  was 
built. 

Coney  Spring  has  two  stores,  one  blacksmith  shop  and  a carding  factory.  A Meth- 
odist Church  is  located  near.  Caney  Spring  Lodge,  No.  94  was  in  existence  in  1858.  The 
trustees  were  William  McLean,  J.  W.  Carson,  J.  M.  Taylor,  J.  King,  and  W.  S.  Allen. 

Holt's  Corner,  a small  village  in  the  extreme  northern  part  of  the  county,  has  two 
stores,  a blacksmith  shop,  two  cotton  gins,  a Methodist  Church  and  an  academy. 

Spring  Place  has  been  a village  for  'many  years.  Since  about  1875  the  postoffice  has 
been  known  by  the  name  of  Archer.  It  is  located  on  the  head  waters  of  Richmond  Creek. 
Archer  Beasley  has  a store  and  McBride  A Compton  have  a saw  and  grist-mill. 

South  Berlin  dates  its  beginning  with  the  building  of  the  railroad.  It  began  with 
one  store  owned  by  W.  A.  Jackson  and  a blacksmith  shop,  and  has  succeeded  in  “hold- 
ing its  own/*  Old  Berlin,  which  was  near  where  South  Berlin  now  is,  was  a good  busi- 
ness village  and  was  once  incorporated  before  the  war.  It  does  not  now  exist. 

MooresviHe  was  a good  business  village  before  the  war.  S.  B.  Hewlett  was  a very 
successful  merchant  for  about  forty  years.  William  Bryant,  now  there,  has  been  a mer- 
chant for  many  years.  The  place  took  its  name  from  Ashley  Moore  who  lived  there  in 
early  days. 

Silver  Greek,  a railroad  station  at  the  Maury  County  line,  has  a store  kept  by  R.  C. 
Harris,  and  a blacksmith  shop  by  W.  N.  Hammonds. 

Rich  Creek,  located  between  Chapel  Hill  and  Farmington,  has  two  merchants — J.  W. 
Boren  and  D.  A.  Reavis.  There  are  several  country  stores  in  the  county  known  by  the 
following  names:  Robinson  Fork.  New  Hope,  Lunn’s  Store,  Beasley,  Delina,  Lillard's 
Mills  and  Cochran's  Mill.  The  mill  at  the  last  mentioned  place  wTas  built  by  Levi  Coch- 
ran. It  is  a saw  and  grist-mill.  Lillard’s  is  a flouring-mill. 

The  Lewisburg  Male  Academy  w'as  incorporated  b}’  an  act  of  the  Legislature  January 
18,  1838,  by  James  C.  Record,  G.  W.  Haywood,  William  McClure,  B.  G.  Blackwell,  Will- 
iam Williams,  H.  B.  Kelsey,  Stephen  C.  Chitwood  and  David  McGaughey.  The  house 
was  a two-story  brick  building  and  stood  on  the  lot  now  owned  by  Richard  Warner.  The 
lot  on  which  the  academy  stood  was  donated  by  the  town  commissioners.  This  was  the 
principal  school  for  boys  until  the  opening  of  the  war.  The  Female  Academy  originated 
in  about  the  same  manner  as  the  Male  Academy.  The  first  building  was  a one-story  frame 
structure,  of  two  rooms.  This  school  supplied  the  wants  of  the  county  till  it  was  closed 
by  the  war.  Marshall  Academy  was  established  February  5,  1842,  uuder  the  law'  provid- 
ing for  county  seminaries.  The  trustees  of  Marshall  Academy  w*ere  J.  C.  Record.  George 
W.  Haywood,  James  Osborn.  Levi  Cochran,  Thomas  Ross,  Benjamin  Williams  and  John 
Paxton.  The  trustees  were  made  perpetual  by  law,  as  in  the  above  institutions.  Mar- 
shall Academy  never  fulfilled  the  expectations  of  its  friends. 

The  tw  o academies  at  Lewisburg  were  sold  and  the  Lewisburg  Institute  erected  in  their 
stead  in  1875.  The  building  erected  was  a three-story  brick,  but  the  walls  threatening  to 
give  way,  the  upper  story  was  taken  down  and  a two-story  building  made  of  it.  The 
first  trustees  were  W.  G.  Loyd,  R.  A.  Ogilvie,  Joe  McBride,  James  A.  Woods  and  W.  R. 
Kercheval.  The  school  was  managed  as  a Masonic  institution.  The  building  was  pur- 
chased by  Rev.  C.  R.  Darnell,  who  conducted  a school  in  the  building  until  his  death. 
The  school  next  became  a joint-stock  concern,  and  a school  was  conducted  in  it  till  188:2. 
when  the  building  was  burned.  In  1883  a new  two-story  frame  building  w’as  erected. 


000 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


This  is  also  a stock  concern  and  is  managed  by  Prof.  J.  B.  Haynes,  county  superintend- 
ent. This  is  managed  as  a consolidated  school  so  long  as  the  public  funds  hold  out.  The 
school  is  divided  into  three  departments:  literary,  music  and  art.  The  faculty  embraces 
J.  B.  Haynes,  A.  B.,  principal;  W.  W.  McLean,  B.  S.,  Miss  Emma  Kercheval  and  Miss 
May  F.  Whitsitt,  assistants  in  the  literary  department:  Mrs.  Fannie  Brown,  music;  Miss 
Sallie  Cavce,  art.  The  curriculum  embraces  a course  of  ten  years  and  includes  the  sci- 
ences and  the  ancient  and  modern  languages. 

The  report  of  the  scholastic  population  for  that  year  shows  the  whites  to  amount  to 
3,874,  the  colored  to  1,623;  total  5,407.  The  number  enrolled  3.000,  the  number  in  attend- 
ance 2,250.  The  total  number  of  white  teachers  employed  46,  the  colored  11;  total  of  both 
57.  The  State  fund  for  the  same  year  was  $2,564,  county,  $8,006.73;  total,  $10,570.73. 
The  report  for  1883  gives  a male  white  population  of  2,597;  female,  2,597;  total,  4,943.’ 
Colored  male,  837;  female,  1,615;  grand  total,  6,558.  The  last  report  shows  a white  male 
population  of  2.861;  female,  2,646;  total,  5,507.  Colored  male,  979;  female,  905;  total,  1,884; 
grand  total,  7,341.  The  same  report  shows  an  enrollment  of  5.849,  or  over  787.  The 
number  of  days  of  school  is  97;  the  average  compensation  for  teachers  per  month,  $36.38. 
The  total  number  of  schoolhouses  in  the  county  is  38.  The  number  of  schools  in  the 
county  is  85.  In  these  are  employed  84  white  and  20  colored  teachers.  The  estimated 
value  of  school  property  is  $14,053.  The  expense  for  running  the  schools  for  1S85-S6, includ- 
ing repairs  on  buildings,  teachers  salaries,  etc.,  was  $12,503.18.  Superintendent  Haynes 
has  prepared  a manual  of  rules  and  regulations  and  a course  of  study  for  the  public  schools, 
which  is  a well  studied  work  and  is  destined  to  materially  aid  the  county  teachers  in  their 
work.  The  sentiment  and  the  schools  of  Marshall  have  a tendency  onward  and  upward. 

Consolidated  schools  are  found  in  most  all  the  towns  and  villages  of  the  county;  in  ad- 
dition to  these  schools  being  consolidated  schools,  the  most  of  them  are  incorporated 
under  the  “four  mile  law.”  Enough  have  been  incorporated  to  drive  saloons  from  the 
county  except  in  Lewisburg  and  Cornersville,  which  are  operating  under  charters.  The 
Farmington  school  is  both  a consolidated  and  an  incorporated  school.  It  is  divided  into  a 
literary  and  music  department.  The  school  is  under  the  management  of  Prof.  M.  M. 
Gattis.  A consolidated  school  at  Cornersville  consists  of  a literary  and  music  course. 
The  Cornersville  schools  are  under  the  management  of  Prof.  Bridges.  The  schools  of 
Mooresvillc  are  also  consolidated  schools.  The  schools  are  divided  into  two  departments,, 
a literary  and  a music  department.  The  literary  department  employs  two  teachers  and 
the  music  one.  The  principal  of  the  Mooresville  schools  is  W.  W.  McLean.  At  both 
Verona  and  Belfast  are  consolidated  schools,  having  the  two  usual  courses  and  eacli  re- 
quiring three  teachers.  The  principal  of  the  former  is  Prof.  Luttelow  and  of  the  latter 
Prof.  John  Green.  The  public  school  system  was  first  put  into  operation  in  1874. 

The  church  known  as  Wilson  Hill  or  Globe  Creek  Church,  was  organized  in  1811. 
They  were  formerly  known  as  the  “Schismatics.”  Here  was  held  the  first  and  only 
camp-meeting  by  the  Christians  in  the  county.  In  1844  the  membership  of  Wilson 
Hill  was  136,  including  35  heads  of  families  and  12  servants.  The  ministers  at  that  time 
were  Revs.  Barrett  and  McCord;  the  elders  A.  Lavender  and  II.  Phillips;  the  deacons, 
John  Wilson  and  J.  Robbins.  This  church  has  had  a prosperous  existence,  but  was 
greatly  injured  for  the  time  being  by  the  J.  R.  Collinsworth  defection.  The  Year  Book 
for  1885  gives  P.  Q.  Houston  as  one  of  the  elders,  the  church  membership  at  100,  the 
number  of  Sabbatli-school  pupils  at  50,  the  number  of  teachers  and  officers  6,  and  the 
value  of  church  property  at  $1,000.  The  Cedar  Creek  Church  was  organized  in  June, 
1841.  In  a few  years  the  membership  was  101,  and  in  1844  it  numbered  19  males,  16  heads- 
of  families  and  3 servants.  The  house  was  erected  in  1844,  with  Brother  McCord  as 
pastor,  Joshua  and  Joel  Hardison  and  John  Fox,  elders;  J.  Beard  and  S.  L.  Hardison 
were  the  deacons.  A new  church  has  since  been  built  within  the  limits  of  Maury  County, 
called  Antioch,  which  has  taken  the  place  of  Cedar  Creek. 

According  to  an  authority  at  hand,  what  is  now  Cane  Creek  was  separated  from  the 
association  of  United  Baptists  in  1823;  another  authority  has  it  much  later.  The  mem- 


MAKS  HALL  COUNTY. 


901 


bersbip  in  1S44  was  126.  Monthly  meetings  were  held  till  1839,  when  semi-monthly 
meetings  were  held.  On  the  expulsion  of  Rev.  Willis  Hepwood  all  the  heads  of  families, 
except  John  England  and  John  Blackwell,  left  the  church,  the  whole  numbering  nearly 
500.  The  members  followed  Hepwood  and  built  a new  church,  called  Liberty,  about  one- 
half  mile  from  the  old  church.  A great  revival  was  held  at  Liberty  in  1851,  by  Rev.  C. 
R.  Collinsworth,  at  which  there  were  156  members  added  to  the  church.  The  present 
membership  is  reported  at  SO,  Sunday-school  scholars  30,  and  church  property  worth 
$1,000. 

A division  of  Liberty  Church  was  made  in  1S41,  and  Cane  Creek  organized 
with  45  members  and  a new  church  erected.  The  membership  of  Cane  Creek  is  200, 
Sunday-school  pupils  60.  and  church  property  is  worth  $2,500.  In  1S40  there  were 
between  30  and  40  members  on  Tory  Creek  with  no  house  of  worship,  but  these  have 
united  at  Beech  Grove  or  elsewhere  since  and  a new  house  erected  at  Beech  Grove.  In 
1828  a church  was  organized  at  Berea,  near  Chapel  Hill,  by  Rev.  J.  K.  Speer.  The 
church  soon  became  quite  strong,  numbering  at  one  time  120  members.  Among  the  lead- 
ing members  and  officers  were  J.  Biddington,  J.  Patton,  H.  Wilson,  J.  M.  Barnes  and  J. 
A.  Manire.  The  two  last  named  managed  a church  school  for  a time  at  Berea.  Owing 
to  the  overflow  of  the  river  the  membership  was  changed  to  Old  Lasea  and  Cedar  Creek. 
The  church  at  Lewisburg  was  organized  in  1836,  and  in  eight  3'ears  the  membership 
numbered  136.  The  first  elders  w~ere  J.  McCord,  John  Harden  and  D.  B.  Bills;  the 
deacons  were  J.  Bills  and  E.  R.  Hoover.  The  first  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1845, 
a new  brick  house  is  now  building  in  Lewisburg  at  a cost  of  about  $4,000.  The  present 
membership  is  200. 

The  pioneer  denomination  of  Marshall  County  was  the  Presbyterian,  and  its  first 
church  was  Bethberei.  This  was  organized  June  1,  1810,  by  Rev.  Samuel  Findley,  of 
Kentucky,  with  the  following  members:  John,  Martha  and  Margaret  Dysart;  William  and 
Elizabeth  Anderson;  David  McCurdy;  John,  Eleanor  and  Elizabeth  Cummings;  Robert 
and  Nanc}' Elliott;  Edward  Bryant;  John  and  Mary  Holmes;  John,  Phidellas,  James, 
Allen,  Rebecca  and  Mary  Leiper;  James  and  Mary  Colley;  William  and  Ann  Say;  Hugh 
Cathey,  and  Francis  H.  Woods.  Two  of  these,  Mrs.  Mary  Holmes  and  Mrs.  Alary  Coffey, 
were  living  in  1860.  The  organization  sermon  was  preached  by  the  minister  while  stand- 
ing upon  a rock,  near  where  the  present  church  now  stands,  from  the  text  “ Upon  this 
*rock  I will  build  my  church,”  etc.  The  first  minister  was  Rev.  John  Gillespie,  who  served 
the  church  in  1811;  Andrew  Morrison  served  1812-13;  Thomas  J.  Hall,  1814-49;  George 
H.  Blair,  1849-53.  Revs.  Robert  Hardin,  Thomas  Slone,  W.  J.  Frierson  and  M.  S.  Ken- 
nedy have  completed  the  service  of  the  church  till  the  present  time,  except  intervals  of 
from  four  months  to  three  years.  The  ruling  elders  at  first  were  John  Dysart,  F.  II. 
Woods  and  Allen  Leiper.  The  first  church  was  made  up  from  members  who  were  com- 
pelled to  travel  from  four  to  eight  miles  for  a place  of  worship.  The  total  number  of 
ministers  to  the  present  time  is  15;  the  number  of  ruling  elders,  34;  the  number  of 
deacons,  9;  clerks,  7;  number  of  members,  900;  sacramental  meetings,  150.  Allen  Leiper 
served  as  clerk  of  the  session  from  1810  to  1826;  John  Ramsey,  now  of  Farmington,  from 
1826  to  1848;  Lile  A.  Ewing,  from  1848  to  1853,  since  which  time  James  S.  Ewing  has  been 
clerk.  The  church  membership  started  with  28;  in  1815,  it  was  144;  in  1818,  it  numbered 
183.  A great  revival  occurred  in  1832,  which  resulted  in  about  eighty  accessions  to  the 
church.  Notwithstanding  the  number  that  had  been  separated  and  united  into  other 
churches,  this  congregation  still  numbers  about  125  members.  The  Presbyterians  started 
the  pioneer  Sunday-school  in  this  portion  of  the  county,  the  Rock  Creek  Sunday-school, 
or  Bethberei,  having  been  organized  in  1827.  Other  Sunday-schools  followed  at  Farming- 
ton,  Cedar  Creek,  Hopewell  and  Piedmont.  An  auxiliary  Bible  society  was  formed  by, 
this  church  in  1815,  which  is  still  in  existence.  This  church  was  the  founder  of  the  fir>t 
temperance  society  in  1832,  within  the  limits  of  this  county.  Bethberei  has  paid  to  its 
pastors  an  aggregate  of  $17,000;  to  missions,  Bible  cause,  educational  purposes,  etc.,  a 
total  of  $23,000,  making  a sum  of  $10,000  for  all  purposes.  In  June,  18G0,  the  church 


902 


HISTORY  OF  TENNESSEE. 


celebrated  its  fiftieth  anniversary  by  a sermon  from  Rev.  F.  A.  Ross,  and  in  June,  1885, 
its  seventy-fifth  anniversary,  the  anniversary  sermon  having  been  preached  by  Rev.  F.  A. 
Thompson.  In  1828  there  were  churches  at  Piedmont,  or  Round  Hill,  Hopewell,  or 
Bethel,  also  flourishing  Sunday-schools  at  each  of  these  places,  as  well  as  at  Farmington 
and  Cedar  Creek.  The  first  members  at  Round  Hill,  or  Piedmont,  were  Frank  Woods, 

James  Coffey, Ramsey,  Albert  Anderson,  David  McClearv,  Bedford  Woods,  John 

Miller  and  others.  The  elders  at  Bethel  were  Robert  Orr,  L.  D.  Stockton,  Alex  Adams, 
Allen  Coffey  and  Amzi  Bradshaw.  The  two  churches  above  mentioned  were  known  as 
the  Old  and  the  New  School,  but  about  I860  or  1807  the  two  were  again  united  and  formed 
what  is  now  “Union  Church.”  The  Rev.  P.  A.  Atkisson  is  pastor.  This  church,  like  all 
of  the  Presbyterian  Churches,  maintain  a weekly  Sunday-school  and  prayer  meeting.  Its 
membership  now  is  about  125. 

The  church  at  Lewisburg  was  organized  in  June,  1847,  by  Rev.  Edward  McLean  with 
seven  members,  viz.  : Di.  S.  W.  Penn  and  wife,  G.  B.  Black,  E.  E.  Ewing  and  wife,  Jane 
Ewing,  Hugh  A.  Hall  and  wife.  Dr.  Penn  and  Messrs.  Hall  and  Black  were  ordained 
elders.  The  ministers  have  been  E.  T.  Brantley,  1848-49;  George  H.  Blair,  1850-52;  W. 
C.  Dunlap,  1852-53;  Robert  Hardin,  1854-59;  W.H.  Verner.  1859-70;  W.  T.  Roser,  1870-72; 
J.  M.  Alexander  1872-75;  J.  T.  Rothrock,  1877-80;  M.  S.  Kennedy,  1880  to  present.  There 
have  been  ten  elders;  those  now  living  arc  J.  L.  Reed,  J.  S.  Ewing,  A.  L.  Ewing,  J.  L. 
Marshall,  J.  A.  Woods  and  T.  C.  Black.  The  church  now  has  four  deacons  and  a mem- 
bership of  about  100.  The  church  at  Cornersville  is  under  the  charge  of  Rev.  M.  S.  Ken- 
nedy, who  also  preaches  for  the  church  at  Lewisburg. 

The  pioneer  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  in  Marshall  County  is  Bear  CreekChurch. 
nearMooresville.  This  church  was  organized  in  1814  by  Rev.  Samuel  King.  This  was  soon 
after  the  separation  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  from  the  Primitive  Church. 
The  first  house  erected  was  a logbuilding.  The  present  brick  building  was  erected  about 
1860.  This  is  one  of  the  strongest  congregations  in  the  county.  It  now  numbers  about 
240  members.  The  church  at  Farmington  was  organized  in  1818  by  some  elders  and  lay- 
members,  who  were  seceders  from  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Bethberei.  This  organ- 
ization soon  erected  a house  of  worship.  They  now  have  a good  house  and  a member- 
ship of  about  100.  A Sunday-school  has  been  maintained  since  1828.  The  present  pas- 
tor is  Rev.  J.  D.  Briiley.  Beech  Hill  is  one  of  the  old  churches.  It  was  organized  about 
1840.  The  church  is  served  by  Rev.  J.  N.  Holt  from  Eagleville.  The  membership  is 
about  seventy.  The  Richland  Church  was  organized  about  1836  by  Rev.  Andrew  Smith. 
Among  the  first  members  were  Richard  McCrea,  Henry  Bishop,  Moses  Park  and  others. 
The  membership  now  is  about  150,  with  A.  F.  Rankin  as  pastor.  The  Cornersville 
Church  was  organized  about  1830.  Among  the  first  members  were  Capt.  W.  Harris,  Esq., 

James  Haves  and  Park.  One  of  the  first  pastors  was  Rev.  H.  B.  Warner.  This 

church  now  has  a good  house  of  worship  and  a membership  of  about  sixty.  Rev.  W.  A. 
Bridges  is  the  present  pastor.  The  Bethlehem  Church  near  Berlin  was  organized  be- 
tween 1850  and  1860  by  R.  P.  Atkisson.  The  church  now  numbers  about  fifty  members 
and  owns  a good  house,  with  Rev.  A.  F.  Rankin  as  pastor.  The  Chapel  Hill  Church  was 
organized  in  1856.  It  owns  a good  brick  house  and  has  a membership  of  about  eighty. 

The  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  at  Lewisburg  was  organized  May  29,  1841,  by 
Rev.  Willis  Burgess,  who  continued  to  labor  with  the  church  till  1849.  The  first  elders  were 
Elisha  Hurt,  William  D.  Fisher  and  James  M.  Bowden.  Rev.  N.  P.  Modrall,  became  pas- 
tor and  served  from  1849  to  1855;  L.  P.  Atkisson.  1855-58  W.  W.  Hendricks,  1858-60;  P.  L. 
Atkisson,  1860-66;  S.  E.  Wilson,  1866-69;  S.  O.  Woods.  1869-72;  J.  M.  Brown,  1878  to  the 
present. 

The,  church  had  seventeen  elders  since  its  organization,  the  present  ones  being  Jo 
McBride,  M.  C.  West,  R.  A.  McCord  and  J.  B.  Haynes.  A brick  house  of  worship  was 
erected  sometime  after  organization.  This  building  is  still  in  a good  state  of  preservation 
and  is  still  in  use  by  the  church.  This  congregation  has  had  a quiet  but  steady  growth 
since  its  organization. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


903 


Since  its  reorganization,  in  1S6G,  the  register  shows  an  enrollment  of  104  members. 
The  Cumberland  Presbyterians  were  among  the  pioneer  churches  to  hold  camp-meetings. 
Two  noted  camp  grounds  of  this  church  were  Rich  Creek  and  at  Col.  Levi  Cochran’s. 

The  date  of  the  organization  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  is  not  exactly 
known,  but  it  was  in  the  earl}’  part  of  the  century.  The  class  was  first  organized  at  Carmel, 
where  a house  was  erected  and  worship  held  for  mauy  years,  when  the  class  was  moved  to 
Lewisburg.  The  class  has  been  at  Lewisburg  for  half  a century.  The  class  at  Lewisburg 
belongs  to  the  same  circuit  as  Cornersville,  and  has  a membership  of  about  seventy -five. 
The  present  church  at  Cornersville  was  built  in  1877.  the  trustees  at  that  time  were  X.  L. 
McLelland,  A.  W.  Johnson,  A.  Jones,  George  T.  Allman  and  J.  A.  Jarrett.  The  parson- 
age for  this  church  and  the  one  at  Lewisburg  is  located  at  Cornersville. 

The  church  at  Chapel  Hill  was  founded  by  Andrew  Patterson  between  1S40-50.  The 
church  was  erected  in  1847.  Lebanon  is  another  one  of  the  old  churches  of  Marshall 
County.  The  church  at  that  place  was  erected  in  1844.  There  are  also  churches  at  Berlin, 
"Farmington,  Verona,  Xew  Hope,  Macedonia,  Allen’s  Chapel,  McCrary,  Mooresville, 
Mount  Zion  and  Gill’s  Chapel.  The  Methodist  Church  was  long  celebrated  for  holding 
camp-meetings  and  camp-meeting  revivals.  One  of  the  old  camp  grounds  was  near  Lewis- 
•burg. 

The  Primitive  Baptists  have  three  churches  in  Marshall  County.  This  respectable 
body  of  the  militant  was  among  the  pioneer  organizations  in  the  county.  There  are  now 
churches  at  Rich  Creek,  Stephen’s  Grove  and  Chapel  Hill.  The  church  at  Rich  Creek 
was  organized  about  1835-36;  the  present  building  was  erected  in  1871.  The  membership 
numbers  about  100.  Good  houses  of  worship  have  been  erected  at  each  of  the  other 
•churches. 

The  Missionary  Baptists  are  represented  in  the  county  by  churches  at  Smyrna,  Pisgah 
■and  one  on  the  Mooresville  Pike  near  Col.  John  Hill’s.  These  are  old  churches  and  have 
'3.  large  membership. 


* 


904 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 

JAMES  F.  AGNEW  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  February  16,  1839,  and  is  the 
son  of  John  Agnew,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  October,  1804.  The  father  began  work- 
ing for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty,  and  was  a shoe-maker  by  trade.  He  followed  this 
for  fifteen  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  1827  he  took  for  his  second  wife 
Catherine  Mitchell,  who  bore  him  eight  children,  our  subject  being  one  of  them.  His 
first  wife  bore  him  two  children:  William  and  Sarah,  but  died  shortly  after  the  birth  of 
Sarah.  The  second  wife  died  July  30,  1883.  She  was  a good  wife  and  mother,  and  her 
death  was  universally  regretted,  as  also  was  the  death  of  her  husband,  John  Agnew,  who 
followed  her  May  28,  1884.  They  were  both  worthy  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church.  The  father  of  John  Agnew  was  also  of  the  same  name.  He  was 
born  in  Ireland,  was  a shoe-maker  by  trade,  and  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Our 
subject  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  he  began  farm- 
ing for  himself.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Third  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantry, 
and  was  in  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson.  He  was  captured  at  the  latter  place,  but  was 
afterward  released.  He  was  again  captured  at  Jackson,  Mis  .,  where  he  remained  a 
prisoner  for  some  time,  but  at  last  was  exchanged  and  paroled,  and  came  home.  Sep- 
tember 18,  1862,  he  married  Manda  P.  Turner,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  December  20, 
1843,  and  the  daughter  of  William  and  M.  C.  (Candle)  Turner.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Agnew 
were  born  three  children:  Effie  D.,  born  December  5,  1864;  Rufus  F.,  born  February  2, 
1867,  and  Addie  C.,  born  February  23,  1870.  Our  subject  is  a successful  farmer,  and  he 
and  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics. 

ALFRED  X.  AKIN,  clerk  of  the  Maury  Count}'  Courts,  was  born  in  this  county 
February  25,  1841,  son  of  Samuel  W.  and  Eliza  C.  (Alexander)  Akin,  natives,  respectively, 
of  Williamson  and  Maury  Counties,  Tenn.  The  father  wras  a farmer,  and  resided  in  the 
Twenty-second  District  until  his  death  October  27, 1856.  He  was  magistrate  of  his  district 
a number  of  years  and  gained  some  celebrity  as  a skilled  mechanic  andinventor,  having  in- 
vented a corn  and  cotton  cultivator,  which  was  acknowledged  as  a very  superior  and  useful 
patent,.  Alfred  N.  Akin  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  county,  and  began  mercantile 
life  as  a clerk  at  fifteen  years  of  age.  He  was  connected  with  the  quartermaster's  depart- 
ment under  Gen.  Marcus  J.  Wright  during  the  war,  and  from  1866  to  1871  was  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  in  Columbia.  He  held  the  position  of  teller  in  the  Ilank  of  Colum- 
bia for  a time,  when  ill  health  compelled  him  to  abandon  business  entirely.  In  August, 
1874,  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  county  courts,  which  he  has  filled  faith- 
fully and  efficiently  by  re-election  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Akin  has  two  sons  by  Sarah 
Jones,  whom  he  married  August  29,  1867.  He  is  a Democrat  and  Mason  (Knight  Templar's 
degree)  and  a member  of  the  K-.  of  P.  and  K.  of  H.  fraternities. 

JOHN  C.  ALEXANDER,  a prominent  and  time-honored  farmer,  was  born  in  this 
county  January  8, 1824, and  is  a son  of  Abdon  J.aud  Eliza  E. (Campbell,)  Alexander, both  na- 
tives of  North  Carolina.  The  father  Abdon  was  born  July  4,  1798,  and  followed  the  vo- 
cation of  a farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  died  October  1,  1868.  The  mother  died  in  1855. 
Eleazer  Alexander,  our  subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  was  born  November  23,  1763,  and 
was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county  coming  here  as  early  as  1808  and  settling  on  a 
tract  of  land  given  his  wife's  brother,  Benjamin  Carter,  for  services  rendered  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  He  was  also  a neighbor  and  fast  friend  of  Ezekiel  Polk,  grandfather  of 
of  James  K.  Polk.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  remained  with 


' 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


905 


bis  parents  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  securing  a common  school  education. 
He  then  began  fanning  and  during  the  war  was  engaged  in  making  boots  and  shoes.  De- 
cember 15,  1845,  he  married  Mary  AY.  Sparkman,  a native  of  Williamson  County.  Tenn. 
They  have  six  children  by  this  uniou,  all  of  whom  are  living;  Sarah  R.,  Ross,  Laura  L.. 
Enola  E.,  Caroline  H.  and  Mar}-  C.  In  1S6S  he  engaged  in  the  steam  saw-mill  business 
and  remained  in  this  businessfor  nine  years.  He  then  returned  to  his  present  farm  where 
he  has  been  actively  engaged  ever  since.  Mr.  Alexander  and  family  are  leading  members 
of  the  Christian  Church  and  have  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  their  acquaintances. 

JOSEPH  AY.  ALEXANDER,  merchant  and  citizen  of  Spring  Hill,  Maury  Co., 
Tenn.,  is  a native  of  this  State,  born  March  20,  1844,son  of  Randolph  and  Elizabeth  (Shar- 
ber)  Alexander,  natives,  respectively,  of  South  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Rutherford  County  and  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  in  the  above  named 
county.  In  1830  he  removed  to  Henry  County,  AYest  Tenn.,  where  he  resided  until 
his  death  which  occurred  in  1854.  The  mother  follow-ed  in  1863.  Our  subject,  Joseph  AA\, 
w-as  reared  on  the  farm  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  w-as  fifteen  years  of  age.  at 
which  time  he  came  to  this  place  and  residing  with  his  uncle  attended  school.  In  1861  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  Third  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantry,  serving  as  a high  private  un- 
til he  was  wounded  in  the  right  lung  at  Jackson,  Miss.,  July  14,  1863.  He  was  afterward 
put  on  post  duty  at  Selma.  Ala.,  and  was  captured  there  by  AYilson’s  troops.  He  w-as  pa- 
roled at  Selma  and  in  1865  returned  to  Spring  Hill,  where  he  attended  school  for  some 
time  and  received  a good  education.  In  186S  he  began  in  the  mercantile  business,  clerk- 
ing about  six  months.  After  moving  about  for  some  time  in  1872  he  established  his  pres- 
ent business.  December  12,  1873,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mattie*  D.  Crump,  a 
native  of  this  State.  They  have  six  children,  Charley  R.,  AnnielL.,  Bessie  AY.,  Joseph 
B.,  Blanch  and  Marcus  O.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Alexander  has  been  postmaster 
at  Spring  Hill  since  1878.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  a Democrat,  and  himself 
and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MRS.  REBECCA  T.  AMIS,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn,,  was  born  in  1839,  and  is 
a daughter  of  Col.  Jonas  and  Martha  (Adkisson)  Thomas,  who  were  horn  in  the  “Old  Do- 
minion/’ The  father  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  and  became  an  eminent  lawyer 
and  politician.  He  represented  Maury-  County  in  both  branches  of  the  State  Legislature, 
and  was  speaker  of  the  State  Senate  one  term,  and  as  a parliamentarian  had  no  superior. 
He  w-as  once  nominated  for  Congress,  but  owing  to  ill  health  was  compelled  to  withdraw* 
from  the  race.  His  demise  occurred  August  3,  1856.  The  mother  died  January  14,  1870. 
Mrs.  Amis,  our  subject,  w*as  married  October  13,  1857,  to  John  E.  Amis,  and  two  chil- 
dren blessed  their  union;  Bruce  E.  and  Jonas  T.  Mr.  Amis  took  an  active  part  in  the 
late  war,  and  w as  a member  of  the  gallant  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was 
captured  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  died  in  prison  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  1863.  Mrs. 
Amis  is  a finely  educated  woman,  and  has  won  quite  a reputation  as  an  instructress,  hav- 
ing taught  in  the  Atlieneum,  at  Columbia,  and  in  the  Tennessee  College  at  Franklin,  and 
also  in  the  public  schools  at  that  place.  She  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

PROF.  AYILLIAM  ANDERSON,  a prominent  minister  and  teacher  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  of  this  State,  October  19,  1848,  son  of  James  C. 
and  Lucinda  (Newrsom)  Anderson,  w*ho  were  married  January  29,  1843,  and  the  parents 
of  four  children.  The  father  was  a native  of  Alabama,  and  came  to  Williamson  County 
in  1834.  He  was  ordained  a minister  of  the  Christian  Church  in  1828,  and  followed  th 
vocation  of  farming  in  connection  with  his  ministerial  duties.  He  died  September  12, 
1857.  The  mother  is  still  living,  and  a resident  of  the  old  homestead  in  AVilliamson 
County.  Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  oversee- 
ing the  business  transactions  and  caring  for  his  widowrcd  mother.  He  then  began  attend- 
ing school  at  the  Franklin  College,  remaining  there  until  1872,  teaching  and  attending 
school,  and  has  continued  that  occupation  ever  since.  He  is  at  present  teaching  school  at 
Carter  Creek,  and  has  been  the  local  minister  of  the  Christian  Church  iu  that  neighbor- 
hood. In  1875  he  wedded  Laura  Alexander,  a native  of  this  county,  and  became  the  father 


r 


- 


906 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


of  three  children:  Effle,  Ora  and  Clark  C.,  all  living.  Prof.  Anderson  is  an  eloquent 
preacher  and  a learned  teacher,  and  is  classed  among  the  leading  citizens  of  Maury 
County. 

E.  F.  ANDREWS,  M.  D.,  a successful  physician  of  Maury  County,  Term.,  was  born 
in  Williamson  County,  in  1856,  son  of  Ephraim  and  Sarah  (Bizzell)  Andrews.  Both  par- 
ents were  born  in  Tennessee,  and  the  father  was  a skillful  shoe-maker  and  agriculturist,, 
and  is,  at  the  present  time,  a resident  of  Hickman  County.  Dr.  Andrews  is  a graduate 
of  the  famous  Vanderbilt  University  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  being  one  of  the  class  of  18S3. 
He  began  practicing  his  chosen  profession  in  Hickman  County,  and  in  September,  1S84,  he 
removed  to  Williamsport,  Maury  County,  where  he  is  meeting  with  merited  success.  For 
four  years  previous  to  his  practice  he  taught  school.  He  is  a stanch  member  of  the  Dem- 
ocratic party  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  a worthy  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and  is  a young  man  of  ability  and  energy. 

ROBERT  J.  BAUGUSS,  another  old  and  prominent  citizen  of  Maury  County,  and  a 
native  of  this  county,  was  born  one  mile  from  where  he  now  resides,  November  16,  1821. 
He  is  the  eldest  child  of  John  arid  Louisa  (Allen)  Bauguss,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
The  father  came  to  this  county  about  1814,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  He  died  in 
1S47  and  the  mother  followed  about  ten  years  later.  Our  subject  assisted  his  parents  on 
the  farm  and  took  charge  of  his  father’s  business  at  the  time  of  the  latter’s  demise,  lu 
1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee,  and  served  part  of  the  time  as  or- 
derly sergeant.  At  the  time  of  the  surrender  at  Fort  Donelson  he  was  captured  and  tak- 
en to  Camp  Douglas,  where  he  remained  for  three  months.  He  was  afterward  discharged 
from  service  at  Port  Hudson  and  returned  to  the  old  homestead  where  iie  has  been  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  stock  raising  ever  since.  In  1S52  he  married  Miss  D.  L.  Partee,  a 
native  of  this  county,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living — 
John  T.  Mr.  Bauguss  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  beep  magistrate  of  the  Twenty- 
first  District  for  three  terms.  He  is  an  attendant  and  Mrs.  Bauguss  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  He  has  also  been  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  for  upward  of 
thirty  years. 

A.  A.  BARKER  is  a successful  merchant  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  born  in 
Wayne  County,  Kv.,  August  27,  18-19,  son  of  Hugh  and  Kate  (Randall)  Barker,  natives, 
respectively,  of  Kentucky  and  Alabama.  The  father  was  an  enterprising  farmer,  and 
became  the  possessor  of  considerable  worldly  goods.  He  departed  this  life  in  1875.  The 
mother  is  still  living,  and  resides  in  the  “ Lone  Star  State.”  Our  subject  spent  his  early 
days  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rhodes,  in  August,  1872, 
and  four  children  were  born  to  their  union:  Carrie  H.,  Alice  B.,  Myrtle  J.  and  Hugh  B. 
Mr.  Barker  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  been  postraa>ter  of  Cross  Bridges 
for  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barker  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
among  the  prominent  families  of  Maury  County. 

WILLIAM  A.  BARKER,  a native  of  Maury  County,  born  December  3,  1850.  son  of 
George  Barker,  who  started  out  on  life’s  rough  track  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one.  The  father  had  a limited  education,  but  enough  for  practical  purposes.  He  was 
a farmer,  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  lie  was  also  a member  of 
the  Baptist  Church.  In  1846  he  married  Maria  L.  Byers,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of 
three  children:  Nancy,  William  A.  and  George  D.  He  died  in  1861.  The  mother  of  these 
children  was  born  in  Virginia,  August  15,  1820,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Anderson  aud 
Sarah  (Dortch)  Byers,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  They  were  married  there,  but  afterward 
moved  to  Virginia,  where  they  remained  for  some  years.  They  then  moved  to  Tennessee, 
locating  in  Maury  County.  The  mother  died  in  18(51.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  our 
subject  w.ere  Alexander  and  Margaret  (Dodson)  Barker,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  Tennessee,  respectively,  the  former  in  1791  and  the  latter  in  1801.  They  both  lived  to 
be  old  people,  the  grandfather  dying  in  1878  and  the  grandmother  in  1885,  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Rock  Spring,  and  is  at  present  engaged  in  that  occupation,  lie  is  also  a mechanic 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


007 


and  a blacksmith.  In  1879  he  married  Mollie  Usery,  a native, of  Giles  County,  Tenn., 
born  July  22,  1SG1,  and  the  daughter  of  William  L.  and  Matilda  (Wright)  Usery.  To  oui- 
subject  and  wife  were  born  three  children:  Alfred  II.,  born  18S0;  Florence,  born  1881  and 
died  1S82,  and  Willie  T.,  born  188;!.  Our  subject  has  a good  sound  education,  and  was  a 
school  teacher  for  some  time.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  brother,  George,  are  in 
the  merchandise  business  together,  the  firm  being  known  as  the  Barker  Bros. 

REV.  GEORGE  BECKETT,  rector  and  principal  of  the  Columbia  Female  Institute 
and  rector  of  St.  Peter’s  Episcopal  Church,  was  born  in  Wakefield,  Yorkshire,  England, 
June  8,  1818,  and  is  a son  of  William  P.  and  Mary  (Harrison)  Beckett.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  Eugland,  attending  Queen  Elizabeth  Grammar  School,  at  Wakefield,  and 
graduated  in  1838.  In  1840  he  immigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  first  at  Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio,  where  he  prepared  himself  for  the  Episcopal  ministry.  He  was  ordained, 
in  1843,  by  Bishop  B.  B.  Smith,  D.  D.,  at  Louisville,  Ky.  His  first  charge  was  in  Hop- 
kinsville, Ivy.,  where  he  had  management  of  a school.  In  1852  he  took  charge  of  St. 
Matthew's  Church  and  Institute,  in  Jefferson  County,  Ky.,  and  in  the  fall  of  1866  removed 
to  Columbia,  and  began  conducting  the  Columbia  Female  Institute,  and  has  met  with 
good  success.  He  entered  on  his  pastoral  duties  in  St.  Peter's  Episcopal  Church  in  1868. 
In  1844  he  married  Miss  Ann  E.  Temple,  a native  of  Logan  County,  Kv.,  a great-niece  of 
Gen.  George  Rogers  Clark.  They  have  one  sou — John  Temple. 

CAPT.  JOHN  W.  BECKETT  was  born  in  Marshall  Count}’,  September  2,  1836,  and 
is  the  son  of  Samuel  and  Rebecca  (Swan)  Beckett.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born 
March,  1809,  in  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  Tennessee  and  settled  near  Lewisburg,  and 
engaged  in  farming,  in  which  he  was  very  successful.  lie  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  -which  office  he  held  for  several  years.  He  was  also  postmaster  for  some  time. 
He  was  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  belonged  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Our  subject  received  a good  practical  education  in 
the  country  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  began  business  for  himself.  In  1871  he 
wedded  Mrs.  Jane  W.  Bryant,  whose  former  name  was  Gresham.  Mrs.  Bryant  had  by 
her  first  husband  four  children:  Sebastian  C.,  born  in  1855  and  died  in  1862:  Ralph  G.. 
born  1857;  Sallie  A.,  born  in  1S00  and  died  in  1865,  and  Arch  S.,  born  in  1862.  In  1861 
Mr.  Beckett  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Ninth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  was  elected  orderly 
sergeant  at  the  organization,  and  at  the  reorganization  was  elected  first  lieutenant  and 
afterward  promoted  to  captain. 

CAPT.  ALEXANDER  W.  BECKWITH,  an  energetic  farmer  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  was  born  October  4,  1830,  son  of  Jonathan  and  Dolly  C.  (Madison)  Beckwith,  both 
natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  a physician  of  Fredericksburg.  Va.  In  1823  he 
“‘moved  to  Lauderdale  County,  Ala.,  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine.  His  death 
occurred  in  1856.  The  mother  died  in  1847.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm, 
and  received  a good  education  at  the  St.  Joseph  College,  Nelson  County,  Ky.  At  his 
father’s  death  he  took  charge  of  the  plantation,  and  continued  to  do  so  up  to  the  time  of 
the  late  war.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty-seventh  Alabama  Regiment,  as 
first  lieutenant,  and  remained  as  such  until  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh.  He  was  then  made 
captain  of  the  company,  but  at  the  end  of  eight  months  was  discharged  on  account  of  ill 
health.  He  then  returned  home  for  a short  time,  but  soon  joined  Johnston’s  cavalry 
company,  Rogers’ command,  remaining  with  them  about  six  months,  and  then  on  account 
of  his  bad  health  returned  home,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then 
began  farming  on  his  plantation,  but  in  1866  lie  moved  to  Mississippi  and  remained  there 
until  1874,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  place,  where  he  has  remained  ever  since, 
steadily  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  November  14,  1866,  he  wedded  Mary  Ma- 
son, a native  of  Alabama,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children,  only  two  of  whom  arc 
living,  viz.:  Alexander  W.  and  Jonathan.  Mr.  Beckwith  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

WILLIAM  M.  BIDDLE,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  native  of  the  city,  was  born  No- 
vember 1,  1847,  son  of  Daniel  M.  and  Mary  (Pride)  Biddle,  who  were  born  in  Sumner  and 


' 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


90S 


Robertson  Counties,  Tenn.,  respectively.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Sumner  County, 
where  he  secured  a good  education  in  the  common  branches,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
years  became  a disciple  of  JEsculapius.  with  the  view  of  making  medicine  a pro- 
fession, and  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Nashville  in 
1870.  He  removed  to  Arkansas,  where  he  practiced  about  four  years  and  then  returned 
to  Nashville  and  studied  the  homoeopathic  system  of  medicine  under  Dr.  J.  P.  Dake.  In 
1877  Dr.  Biddle  came  to  Columbia,  where  he  has  since  practiced  hommopathy  with  extra- 
ordinary success.  June  15.  1871,  his  marriage  with  Miss  Julia  Rogers  was  consummated. 
She  was  born  in  Sumner  Count}',  and  has  borne  her  husband  one  son  and  three  daugh- 
ters. The  family  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  The  Doctor  is  a Democrat  and 
a member  of  the  State  Medical  Society  of  Homoeopathy. 

RUFUS  K.  BLACKMAN  (deceased)  was  born  in  Tennessee  October  9,  1826,  son  of 


Bennett  and  Ann  (Chinton)  Blackman,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
The  father  moved  from  North  Carolina  to  Tennessee  about  1790.  He  was  an  extensive 
fanner  and  died  in  1833.  The  mother  died  in  1849.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm 
and  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began 
operating  the  farm  of  his  widowed  mother,  and  followed  farming  and  stock  raising  on  the 
old  homestead  place  up  to  the  time  of  his  demise,  which  occurred  August  10,  1883.  He 
was  a leading  member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  was  classed  among  the  enterprising 
and  successful  business  men  of  the  county.  He  was  extensively  engaged  iu  raising  and 
breeding  fine  stock.  He  also  operated  a saw  and  grist-mill  in  this  county  for  many  years. 
He  was  always  strictly  exact  iu  his  business  transactions,  and  was  a moral,  upright  citizen. 
In  1S51  he  wedded  Eliza  Eichbaum,  a native  of  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  and  daughter  of 


id  Catherine  (Stevens)  Eichbaum,  natives,  respectively,  of  Ireland  and  Massa- 
chusetts. The  father  immigrated  to  this  country  about  1824,  and  married  soon  after.  His 
wife  was  one  of  the  first  educators  of  Nashville,  and  was  for  many  years  a teacher  in  the 
Nashville  Female  Academy.  Her  death  occurred  about  1860.  The  father  died  in  1871  • 
By  her  union  with  our  subject  Mrs.  Eliza  W.  Blackman  became  the  mother  of  nine  chil- 
dren, all  of  whom  are  living:  Bennett,  Ada  L.,  Mary,  Willie,  Anna,  Edwin,  Louisa,  Charlie 
and  Albert.  Mrs.  Blackman  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  are  classed  among  the  leading  families  of  the  county. 

JOHN  H.  BLAIR,  merchant,  of  Kedron,  Maury  County,  was  born  January  13,  1S44, 
within  one  mile  of  where  he  now  resides,  and  is  one  of  seven  children  born  to  Thomas 
W.  and  Catherine  C.  (Neely)  Blair,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  from  the 
family  of  George  D.  Blair,  who  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county.  Thomas  W. 
died  in  1854.  The  mother  is  >till  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-four.  Our  subject 
passed  his  youth  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  iu  acquring  a fair  education  in  the  common 
schbols.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
and  served  as  a high  private  with  the  above  company  until  the  close  of  the  war.  lie  then 
returned  home  and  began  clerking  iu  the  mercantile  business  with  different  parties  until 
1882,  when  he  established  his  present  business  at  Kedron,  and  controls  the  leading  trade 
in  that  town  and  vicinity.  October  23,  1872,  he  wedded  Miss  Ella  Blanton,  a native  of 
this  county,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  living,  viz.: 
Leonidas  O.,  Julia  M.,  Sue  Ella  and  Ada  Y.  Mr.  Blair  is  a Democrat  iu  politics,  and 
himself  an  attendant,  and  family  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

REV.  JOHN  G.  BOLTON,  a minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  was 
born  in  Humphreys  County,  Tenn.,  February  22,  1811,  and  February  7,  18GS,  was  united 
iu  marriage  to  Hattie  J.  Williams  and  became  the  father  of  four  children:  Samuel  I., 
Cordelia  M.,  Ida  S.  and  Pattie  R.  Rev.  Bolton  enlisted  as  a private  in  the  late  war  in 
May,  1861,  in  Company  A,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  this  capacity 
through  the  war,  also  acting  as  chaplain  of  the  Fiftieth  Tennessee  Regiment,  lie  was 
captured  the  27th  of  November,  1864,  and  remained  in  prison  two  months  at  Johnson’s 
Island.  He  is  a strong  supporter  of  Democratic  principles  and  is  a Knight  Templar  and 
belongs  to  the  K.  of  H.  He  has  been  an  active  member  of  the  Tennessee  Conference  for 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


909 


twenty-seven  years.  His  parents,  William  T.  and  Theresa  (Warren)  Bolton,  were  both 
born  in  the  State  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a moral,  honest  man,  and  departed  this 
life  June  3,  1SS5.  The  mother's  death  occurred  on  the  17th  of  October,  1803.  Both  were 
earnest  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  the  time  of  their  deaths. 

ANDREW  T.  BOYD  is  a son  of  .James  Boyd,  whose  father  was  a soldier  under  Gens. 
George  Washington  and  Nathaniel  Greeue  during  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  in  the 
battles  of  Monmouth  and  King's  Mountain  and  served  through  the  war.  James  Boyd 
was  born  in  Davidson.  County.  Tenn.,  and  there  married  Elizabeth  Henderson,  a native  of 
North  Carolina.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  departed  this  life  in  18*25.  The 
mother  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  died  in  1S60.  Andrew  T.  Boyd 
began  studying  medicine  and  took  a course  of  lectures  at  Lexington,  Ky.  He  afterward 
attended  the  University  of  Philadelphia,  Penn.  He  practiced  his  profession  successfully 
for  about  twenty  years,  and  then  retired  from  active  duties.  In  1878  he  married  Miss 
L.  Curthirell.  In  the  late  war  he  was  surgeon  in  the  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Regiment 
for  one  year.  He  is  now  a Democrat,  though  formerly  a Whig,  and  belongs  to  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity.  Royal  Arch  Degree. 

WILLIAM  BRANCH’S  birth  occurred  in  Bedford  County,  Ya.,  May  6,  1S12,  son  of 
James  and  Martha  (Minor)  Branch,  who  were  born  in  Bedford  Count)*  and  Botetourt 
County,  Ya.,  in  1766  and  1770,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  179*2,  and  became 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  our  subject  being  the  youngest  of  the  family.  They  came 
to  Tennessee  about  1814,  and  accumulated  considerable  means.  The  father  died  in  1844, 
and  the  mother  in  1839.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  William  M.  began  farming  for  himself, 
and.  January  28, 1841,  married  Mary  Ann  Uzzell,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County  July 
13,  1823,  and  daughter  of  Elisha  and  Ann  (Cobee)  Uzzell.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Branch  are 
the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Frances  T.,  born  in  1841;  John  T.,  born  in 
1843;  Martha  E.,.born  in  1845;  Nancy  A.,  born  in  1848;  Mary  S.,  born  in  1850:  Laura 
S.,  born  in  1852;  Sarah  E.,  born  in  1854;  Willie  T.,  born  in  1857;  Joseph  II. , born 
in  1859,  aud  Ruth  A.,  born  in  1862.  Mr.  Branch  is  a Democrat  and  Mason,  and  is  con- 
sidered a wide-awake  and  prosperous  citizen  of  the  county.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  B.  BROOKS,  merchant,  w*as  born  in  Arkansas,  November  1,  1854,  and  is  a son 
of  William  and  Mary  (Dodson)  Brooks,  who  were  native  Tennesseeans.  William  Brooks 
was  au  enterprising  agriculturist  aud  is  now  residing  in  Maury  County.  The  mother  was 
a member  of  the  Methodist  Church  and  died  in  that  faith  in  April,  1862.  John  B.  received 
a somewhat  limited  education  in  the  common  schools,  but  step  by  step  has  climbed  the 
ladder  of  success  until  he  has  accumulated  considerable  property.  December  9,  1879,  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Roxanna  Akin,  daughter  of  Anderson  Akin,  a promi- 
nent citizen  of  Maury  County.  To  them  were  born  two  children,  both  of  whom  are 
dead.  Mr.  Brooks  supports  the  principles  of  Republicanism,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  are  good  citizens  and  neighbors. 

"WILLIAM  R.  BROWN,  an  old  aud  prominent  citizen  of  Neapolis,  Maury  Co.,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  this  county,  October  15,  1832,  and  is  a son  of  Solomon  and  Elizabeth  (San 
ders)  Brown,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  South  Carolina.  The  father  was  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  this  county  aud  followed  the  vocation  of  farming.  He  died  about  two 
years  after  immigrating  here  from  South  Carolina.  The  mother’s  death  occurred  in  1864. 
at  the  unusual  age  of  eighty-one  years.  Our  subject  passed  his  youthful  days  on  the 
farm  and  secured  a fair  practical  education  at  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  sixteen 
he  serve  d an  apprenticeship  at  wagon  making  and  followed  -that  business  for  twelve  or 
fifteen  years.  In  1852  he  began  merchandising  at  Neapolis  and  was  engaged  in  this  bus- 
ines  s until  the  beginning  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Forty-eighth 
Tennessee,  and  served  as  a sergeant  about  one  year.  Being  a mechanic  he  was  detailed 
boss  of  brigade  shops  and  was  afterward  made  boss  of  the  division  shop,  and  remained  as 
such  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Ile  then  returned  to  Neapolis  and  resumed  his  former 
business.  In  1881  he  removed  to  his  farm,  on  which  he  lived  one  year,  then  biult  his 


5 7 


' 


910 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


present  house  and  shop,  where  lie  has  beeu  engaged  in  wagon-making  and  general  repair- 
ing. In  1S69  he  wedded  Elizabeth  Truelove,  a native  of  this  county,  who  died  in  1882. 
They  have  four  children  born  to  this  union,  only  two  of  whom  are  living:  Willie  E.  and 
Lillie.  Mr.  Brown  is  a Democrat  and  an  attendant  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

W.  HUGH  BROWN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Maury  County.  Tenn.,  December  11, 
1843,  and  is  the  eldest  son  of  James  W.  and  Jenette  M.  (Dobbin)  Brown,  natives,  respect- 
ively, of  North  Carolina  and  Teuuessee.  The  father  came  to  Maury  County  about  1816 
with  his  father,  Hon.  Col.  Hugh  Brown,  of  North  Carolina,  and  his  brother,  Rev.  Dun- 
can Brown,  who  was  a well-known  preacher  of  this  county.  James  W.  Brown  followed 
the  occupation  of  a farmer  to  a considerable  extent  and  was  very  successful.  He  died 
June  1,  1885.  The  mother  still  survives  him.  and  is  liviug  with  her  son,  John  S.  Brown, 
on  the  old  homestead.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a good  practical 
education.  In  1861,  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  he  enlisted  in  the  Spring  Hill  Company, 
Third  Tennessee  Regiment,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Pointer.  He  remained  with  the 
above  company  about  six  mouths  and  then  joined  the  cavalry  eommaud  and  remained 
with  this  company  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  to  this  county  aud  be- 
gan farming  on  his  father’s  tract.  In  1870  he  removed  to  his  present  farm,  where  he  has 
been  steadily  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  ever,  since.  In  1870  he  wedded  Laura 
B.  Cheairs.  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  this  uniou  was  born  one  child,  Nora.  Mrs. 
Laura  Brown  is  the  daughter  of  Col.  Martin  T.  and  Martha  (Bond)  Cheairs.  The  father 
was  born  in  North  Carolina,  May  19,  1804,  and  is  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Sarah  (Rush) 
Cheairs,  natives,  respectively  of  North  Carolina  and  Maryland,  Nathaniel  died  iu  1816 
aud  his  wife  followed  in  1 858.  Martin  T Cheairs  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured 
but  a limited  education.  At  the  age  of  thirty-four  he  went  into  the  mercantile  business 
with  his  brother,  John  Cheairs,  at  Spring  Hill.  Eleven  years  from  that  time  he  gave  up 
the  mercantile  business  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1837  he  was  mar- 
ried and  became  the  father  of  nine  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Mary 
F.,  Nannie  R.  and  Laura  B.,  the  wife  of  our  subject.  Mr.  Brown  is  a Democrat,  and  him- 
self and  family  are  members  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church. 

ANDREW  D.  BRYANT,  one  of  Maury  County's  most  enterprising  citizens,  was  born 
in  Franklin  County,  North  Carolina,  March  14, 1825,  and  is  the  son  of  John  F.  and  Sarah 
W.  (Amis)  Bryant,  who  were  born  in  1790  and  1791.  respectively.  The  father,  John  F.. 
was  the  son  of  Roland  and  Mary  (Hunt)  Bryant,  and  Roland  was  the  son  of  William  Bry- 
ant, who  was  born  in  Ireland.  John  F.  was  a successful  farmer,  was  married  in  1814. 
and  was  the  father  of  ten  children.  He  died  December  6.  1857,  and  his  wife  followed 
him  to  the  grave  in  1870.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  aud  obtained  a limited  ed- 
ucation in  the  country  schools,  and  followed  farming  for  eight  years,  in  Dallas  County, 
Ark.  He  then  moved  to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  where  he  now  resides,  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising,  in  which  he  has  been  quite  successful.  He  was  married, 
January  4,  1852,  to  Sarah  Hill,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  June,  1828,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Margaret  (Steele)  Hill.  Isaac  Hill  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1800, 
and  died  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  in  1840.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight 
children:  James  R.,  born  1854:  Isaac  II.,  born  1856;  John  F.,  born  1857;  William  T.„ 
born  1859;  Ida  R.,  born  1861;  Andrew  D.,  born  1803;  Patrick  II.,  born  1866,  and  Liz- 
zie II.,  bom  1869.  Mr.  Bryant  has  given  his  children  a good  education  and  has  reason  to 
be  proud  of  them.  In  1874  he  was  engaged  in  building  two  miles  of  railroad,  and  also 
built  switch  and  station  houses.  In  1877  he  engaged  iu  the  saw  aud  grist-mill  business. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  the  Confederate  service  during  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  Com- 
pany II.  Fifty-third  Regiment,  and  served  two  years.  He  was  first  lieutenant,  and  his 
captain  bting  wounded  at  Fort  Donelson,  Mr.  Bryant  took  his  place  as  captain.  Our  sub- 
ject was  captured  and  taken  to  Indianapolis,  Johnson’s  Island.  Camp  Chase  and  at  Vicks- 
burg, where  he  was  exchanged.  He  is  an  enterprising  and  successful  farmer  and  stock 
raiser,  and  is  highly  spoken  of  by  his  many  friends. 

THOMAS  II.  BRYANT  is  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  born  An 


■ 


' 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


Oil 

gust  15,  1839,  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  In  1801  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Third  Ten 
nessee  Regiment,  under  Col.  *1.  C.  Browu.  He  was  captured  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson 
and  taken  to  Camp  Douglas,  where  he  was  imprisoned  seven  months.  He  was  then  ex- 
changed at  Vicksburg  and  immediately  rejoined  the  army.  He  participated  in  many  bat- 
tles and  was  wounded  and  captured  at  Raymond,  Miss.  After  his  release  he  again  joined 
his  command,  stationed  at  Meridian,  Miss.  He  was  disabled  there  and  came  home  on 
furlough,  and  was  captured  and  paroled  near  the  tirst  of  1804.  June  4,  1806,  he  wedded 
Emma  J.  Howard,  born  February  20,  184T,  in  Maury  County.  They  have  four  children: 
James  H.,  Hattie  AY.,  Frank  L.  and  Bessie  M.  Air.  and  Airs.  Bryant  are  members  of  the 
Alethodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and  he  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party.  His  parents., 
Edward  and  Elizabeth  (Amis)  Bryant,  were  both  born  in  Granville  County,  X.  C.,  in 
1778  and  1797,  respectively.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  miller.  He  was  a soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812  and  was  a Whig  in  politics.  He  died  in  1807  or  1868,  and  the  mother 
about  1835. 

JOHN  S.  CALDWELL,  farmer,  was  born  in  Alaury  County,  Tenn.,  February,  1811, 
and  is  the  son  of  William  H..  and  Elizabeth  (Stanfield)  Caldwell,  both  natives  of  Virginia. 
The  father  came  from  Virginia  to  this  county  in  1800.  He  was  a farmer  and  secured  a 
very  comfortable  competency.  His  death  occurred  in  October,  1854.  The  mother  died  in 
April,  1852.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  was  one  of  the  many  old  settlers 
who  received  their  education  in  the  rude  log  schoolliouses  of  a former  day.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-seven  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  Carter  Creek,  where  he  remained  for  five 
years.  He  subsequently  purchased  a farm  on  Bear  Creek  and  Jafter  living  there  sixteen 
years  removed  to  his  present  place,  where  he  lias  been  actively  engaged  in  farming  and 
stock  raising  ever  since.  November,  1839,  he  married  Sarah  A.  Jameson,  a native  of  this 
county.  To  them  were  born  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Alary  E.,  Robina 
C.,  Ellen  J.  (deceased),  Thomas  J.,  John  E.,  Emily  O.,  Robert  C.  and  Dora  AL  Air. 
Cal  (well  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of 
the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a Alason  of  good  standing  and  is  one  of  Alaury  County’s 
oldest  and  most  respected  citizens. 

WILLIE  G.  CECIL,  a progressive  young  farmer  of  Alaury  County,  Tenn., -was  born 
June  IS,  1801,  and  is  one  of  six  ckildreu  born  to  the  marriage  of  James  H.  Cecil  and  Julia 
Ingram.  James  Cecil  was  born  in  Hanover  County,  Va.,  in  July,  1812,  and  came  to  Ten- 
nessee in  1841  locating  on  a farm  in  the  Thirteenth  District  of  Alaury  County,  where  lie 
lived  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1883.  He  was  strictly  honest  in  his  business  transactions 
and  was  a warm  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  His  wife  was  born  in  Lebanon, 
Ivy.,  in  1833.  She  was  a member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church,  and  her  husband  be- 
longed to  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  AVillie  G.  Cecil  attended  the  Alaury 
County  common  schools,  and  entered  St.  Alary’s  Agricultural  College  at  Lebanon,  Ivy., 
in  September,  1876,  where  be  completed  his  course  and  graduated  with  honor  in  June, 
1818.  He  then  returned  home  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming.  In  his  political 
views  he  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  gives  his  support  to  that  party  on  all  occasions. 

NATHANIEL  B.  CHEAIRS,  the  popular  sheriff  of  Alaury  County,  Tenn  , was  born  in 
the  county  at  Spring  Hill.  September  8,  1848.  He  secured  a good  education  in  the  AYash- 
iugton  Lee  University  at  Lexington,  Va.,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  became  salesman  in  a 
wholesale  merchandise  establishment  in  Nashville,  continuing  one  and  a half  years.  He 
then  began  fanning  and  stock  trading  at  Spring  Hill,  but  in  August,  1884,  was  elected  to 
the  office  of  sheriff  of  the  county,  which  he  has  filled  faithfully  and  well  to  the  present 
time.  He  is  a Democrat  of  a progressive  type  and  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  II.  One  sou. 
John  AL,  is  the  result  of  his  marriage  to  Aliss  Annie  Alexander,  which  occurred  in  Octo- 
ber, 1875.  His  parents,  John  W.  and  Susan  T.  (Pointer)  Cheairs,  were  born  in  North  Car- 
olina and  Virginia,  respectively.  The  father  was  a merchant  and  farmer  by  occupation 
and  followed  the  former  occupation  in  New  Orleans  and  later  engaged  in  both  enterprises 
at  Spring  Hill,  Tenn.  He  died  there  in  January,  1873,  followed  by  his  widow  in  April. 
1874. 


912 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


OWEN  P.  CHEEK,  one  of  Maury  County’s  most  enterprising  citizens,  was  born  May 
7,  1831,  son  of  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  Cheek.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina, 
October,  1S01,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents  when  quite  young.  He  began  busi- 
ness for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  as  a farmer,  and  by  this  occupation  he  accumu- 
lated considerable  means.  He  was  married  and  became  the  father  of  a large  family.  His 
death  occurred  in  1873.  The  mother  was  born  in  Maury  County  March,  1815,  and  is  an 
exemplary  Christian,  she  is  still  living  at  the  old  homestead.  Our  subject  received  a 
limited  education,  although  enough  for  all  practical  purposes.  August  17, 1854,  he  wedded 
Susan  Huey,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  born  February  17,  1838,  and  the  daughter 
of  William  G.  and  Susan  (Bradley)  Huey.  By  this  marriage  our  subject  became  the 
father  of  ten  children;  Eliza  J.,  Susan  E.,  William  L..  Calvin  B.,  James  M.,  Ida  L.,  John 
T.,  Joseph  E.  J.,  Lises  E.  and  one  who  died  unnamed.  The  mother  of  these  children  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  [Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  has  many  warm  friends.  In  1861 
our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  II,  Forty-eighth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  was 
sworn  in  at  Nashville.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  Henry  and  taken  to  Chicago  where  he 
was  imprisoned  for  seven  months.  He  was  then  exchanged  and  sent  to  his  command  at 
Yicksburg.  He  was  all  through  the  war  and  was  a brave  and  gallant  soldier.  He  is  a 
Democrat  and  is  justly  recognized  as  an  upright,  honest  citizen. 

NIMROD  P.  CHEEK,  a prominent  farmer  of  Maury  County,  was  born  April  22,  1857, 
and  is  the  son  of  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  Cheek.  For  further  particulars  of  parents  see 
sketch  of  OwenP.  Cheek.  Our  subject  began  business  for  himself  in  1S74  as  a farmer,  and 
has  made  that  his  principal  occupation  ever  since.  In  1876  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Cornelia  C.  Gilliam,  a native  of  Maury  County,  born  June  IS.  1861,  and  the  daughter  of 
Harrison  O.  and  Mary  A.  (Pinkston)  Gilliam,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was 
born  in  Tennessee,  and  was  one  of  [Maury  County’s  most  successful  farmers.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church,  as  also  was  his  wife.  ;To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born 
an  interesting  family  of  four  children:  John  W.  H.,  born  April  28,  1877;  Huston  N.,  born 
August  6,  1880;  Arthur  B.,  born  August  11,  1882,  and  C.  L.,  born  September  7,  1884.  [Mr. 
Cheek  is  in  good  circumstances,  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church. 

GEORGE  CHILDRESS,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  a son  of  Adrian  D.  and  Nancy  B. 
{McGuire)  Childress,  was  born  at  Spring  Hill,  Maury  County,  May  5,  1849.  The  parents, 
who  also  were  natives  of  Maury  County,  removed  to  Lawrence  Count}'  in  1850,  where  the 
father  now  resides,  the  mother  having  died  in  January,  1884.  George  was  reared  and  re- 
ceived an  old  field  school  education  in  Lawrence  County.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  secured 
a clerkship  in  his  native  town  with  Mr.  J.  B.  Stephenson,  where  he  remained  ten  months, 
coming  to  Columbia  in  October,  1868,  and  secured  a clerkship  in  the  well-known  house  of 
Harris,  Frierson  & Co.  Upon  the  organization  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Columbia 
he  was  chosen  as  book-keeper,  which  position  was  retained  till  1872,  when  he  engaged  in 
general  insurance.  In  1874  he  was  elected  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Duck  River  Val- 
ley Railroad  Company,  and  was  later  appointed  superintendent,  which  positions  he  held 
for  about  eight  years.  In  1882  he  was  principal  in  the  movement  which  resulted  in  the 
organization  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Columbia,  of  which  he  has  ever  since  been 
the  cashier.  In  1883  he  w'as  appointed  clerk  and  master  of  chancery  court,  which  office 
! lie  manages  through  his  efficient  deputy,  I.  S.  Orman.  In  1876  he  married  Annette  Estelle 
Kuhn,  daughter  of  Edward  Kuhn,  who  was  several  times  mayor  of  Columbia,  and  one  of 
the  most  enterprising  men  of  the  county.  They  have  two  daughters.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics.  He  and  wife  are  strong  believers  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

ALLEN  B.  CHURCH,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Church  A Jack,  dealers  iu  dry 
goods,  groceries,  hardware  and  general  merchandise,  was  born  in  this  county  October  16, 
1846,  and  is  a son  of  Robert  C.  and  Lucy  (Fitzgerald)  Church,  natives,  respectively,  of 
North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  was  very  success- 
ful in  that  occupation.  He  died  about  1871.  The  mother  is  still  liviug  and  is  a resident 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


913 


of  the  old  homestead.  Our  subject  received  a good  common  education  and  remained  with 
his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Previous  to  this,  at  the 
age  of  eighteen,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E.  Ninth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  as  a 
high  private  with  the  above  company  for  live  months.  Then  on  account  of  sickness  he 
returned  home,  and  remained  there  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  began  farming 
and  soon  removed  to  a farm  on  Snow  Creek,  where  he  remained  one  year.  He  then 
moved  to  Leiper  Creek,  and  continued  farming.  In  1879  he  began  the  mercantile  bus- 
iness at  Theta  as  a partner  of  Mr.  Jack,  and  remained  there  about  three  years.  In  1880 
they  established  their  business  at  Carter  Creek,  where  they  are  at  present.  In  1806  he 
married  Emily  Oakley,  a native  of  this  count}’,  and  seven  children  were  born  to  this 
union:  Stephen  R.,  Oatey,  Arthur,  Jennette,  Tolitha,  Bessie,  and  an  infant  not  named. 
Mr.  Church  is  a Democrat  iu  politics,  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  COCHRAN,  one  of  Maury  County’s  most  highly  respected  citizens, 
was  born  in  this  county  June  7,  1811,  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Miligan)  Cochran.  The 
father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  May  2,  1781,  and  immigrated  to  Georgia  when  a young 
man,  afterward  living  in  Tennessee  for  a few  years.  He  went  back  to  Georgia,  where  he 
was  married,  after  which  he  came  back  to  Tennessee,  and  located  iu  Maury  County.  He 
died  June  30,  1859.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812  and  was  a brave  soldier.  The  mother  died 
May  15,  1864.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one 
began  business  for  himself  as  a farmer.  August  14,  1834,  he  wedded  Maria  R.  Dodson, 
and  to  them  were  born  these  children:  David  J.,  born  1836;  James  Brooks,  born  1838; 
Ascenitb  J.,  bora  1844,  William  II.,  and  an  infant  not  named.  Our  subject  received  a 
rather  limited  education,  but  enough  for  all  practical  purposes.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  O.  COFFEE,  M.  D.,  of  Columbia,  was  born  in  Ballard  County,  Ky.,  in 
1859,  aud  after  the  usual  common  school  trainiug  he  obtained  his  literary  and  medical 
education  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  graduated  from  the  Missouri  Medical  College  of  that 
city  in  1880.  He  first  began  practicing  in  the  blue-grass  State,  and  later  in  Illinois,  Mis- 
souri, Indiana.  Kansas,  New  York,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  May,  1885,  came  to  Tennessee, 
locating  first  in  Lebanon,  and  three  months  later  came  to  Columbia,  where  his  father, 
William  Coffee,  was  known,  and  his  grandfather,  Nathan  Coffee,  had  been  a well-known 
and  prosperous  business  man.  William  O.  has  acquired  a good  practice  in  the  short  time 
he  has  been  in  Columbia.  He  is  a member  of  the  Kentucky,  Illinois,  Missouri,  and  King’s 
County  (N.  Y.),  Medical  Societies,  and  was  one  time  a member  of  the  American  Medical 
Association.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  K.  of  H.  fraternity. 

JOSEPH  M.  COFFEY  is  considered  one  of  the  prosperous  citizens  of  Maury  County, 
Tenu.  He  was  born  March  23,  1844,  son  of  Hugh  W.  and  Jennie  (Gragg)  Coffey,  and  was 
reared  on  a farm.  At  the  breaking-out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Forty- 
eighth  Tennessee  Infantry,  Quarles  brigade,  and'was  an  active  participant  in  many  of  the 
bloodiest  battles  of  the  war.  He  was  captured  in  Nashville  and  taken  to  Camp  Douglas, 
where  he  was  imprisoned  about  four  months,  and  from  that  time  until  the  close  of  the 
war  he  was  a prisoner  at  Point  Lookout.  Md.  He  returned  home  June  30,  1865,  and 
immediately  began  tilling  the  soil.  November  30,  1876,  he  married  Maggie  J.  Coker,,  who 
was  born  in  Missouri  "November  2,  1858,  daughter  of  Jolm  M.  and  Sallie  A.  (Wilkes) 
Coker.  Hugh  M.,  born  in  1S77;  Roy  B.,  born  in  18^0;  Ollie  F.,  born  in  1881;  Sallie  E., 
born  in  1883,  and  Shirley  E..  born  in  1886,  are  the  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Coffey's 
union.  They  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  Mr.  Coffey  is  a 
Democrat,  and  an  energetic  and  successful  farmer. 

WILLIAM  R.  CONNER,  a successful  agriculturist  of  Maury  County,  Tenu.,  was 
born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  May  2*.  1827.  He  obtained  a practical  education,  and 
started  in  life  with  no  capital  save  his  hands  and  unbounded  energy.  lie  has  been  quite 
prosperous  in  his  business  undertakings,  and  is  now  a well-to-do  “tiller  of  the  soil.”  June 
4,  1852,  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar  Mi<s  Martha  Blocker,  daughter  of  Elijah  Blocker,  of 


9U 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Maury  County.  Three  children  blessed  their  union,  these  two  now  living:  India  B. 
(wife  of  Thomas  S.  Whiteside),  and  Addie  B.  (wife  of  E.  A.  Pogue).  Mr.  Conner  was  op- 
posed to  the  late  war,  and  accordingly  refrained  from  participating  in  it.  He  is  a stanch 
supporter  of  Republican  principles,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  and  is  a son  of  Alfred  and  Sidney  (Kennedy)  Conner,  who 
were  born  in  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  a farmer  In'  occupation,  and  died  iu  1843. 
The  mother  died  in  1S73. 

HORACE  S.  COOPER,  one  of  the  managers  of  the  Columbia  Ilerald,  was  born  in 
Bedford  County,  Tenu.,  in  April,  1S46,  and  is  a son  of  Edwin  and  Mary  (Stephens)  Cooper, 
who  are  natives,  respectively,  of  Williamson  County.  Tenu.,  and  Virginia.  Matthew  D. 
Cooper,  our  subject’s  grandfather,  moved  to  Maury  County  as  early  as,  or  prior  to,  1830, 
and  was  a successful  cotton  dealer  and  merchant  and  a prominent  Mason.  His  death  oc- 
curred in  Columbia  in  187S,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  Horace  S.  Cooper 
was  raised  in  his  native  county,  and  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  eighteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  entered  Yale  College,  from  which  he  graduated,  with  the  degree  of  A. 

. B.,  in  1868.  He  began  preparing  himself  for  the  profession  of  law,  and  began  practicing 
at  Shelby ville,  Tcnn..  in  1872.  continuing  until  1S79,  when  he  accepted  the  position  as 
deputy  clerk  and  master  of  the  chancery  court,  and  was  afterward  appointed  clerk  and 
master,  and  filled  the  position  fa.it hfnllly  and  efficiently  until  1883,  when  he  resigned  to 
resume  the  practice  of  law  and  manage  his  large  farm.  He  makes  a specialty  of  raising 
and  selling  fine  stock,  and  is  a successful  financier.  May  1.  1885,  he  accepted  his  position 
with  the  llcrald,  and  has  contributed  largely  to  the  success  of  this  well-known  paper. 

JAMES  C.  COOPER  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Catharine  Cooper,  and  was  born  in 
Maury  County,  Tenu.,  November  17,  1820,  being  the  fifth  of  their  fifteen  children.  Pie 
was  a soldier  in  the  Mexican  war,  serving  in  Company  C,  First  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
participated  in  the  battle  of  Vera  Cruz  and  several  minor  engagements.  In  1861  he  en- 
listed in  Company  C,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  follow- 
ing engagements:  Perry  ville,  Chickamauga,  Richmond,  and  numerous  skirmishes.  He 
was  twice  wounded.  September  12,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emarinthy  C.  Kinzer, 
and  to  them  were  born  the  following  eight  children:  John  T.  (deceased),  Albert  C.,  James 
H.,  William  D.,  George  Lee,  Robert  Burns.  Anna  B.  and  Callie  D.  Mr.  Cooper  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  an  earnest  worker  in  that  church. 
Politically  he  has  been  a life-long  Democrat,  and  was  constable  of  the  Eleventh  District 
for  a period  of  seven  years,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  that  office  in  an  efficient  manner. 
He  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  His  father  and  mother  were  natives  of  the 
“Palmetto  Stale”  and  Tennessee,  born  in  1790  and  1799.  respectively.  The  father  was  a 
prosperous  farmer,  and  lived  a long  and  useful  life.  Our  subject’s  maternal  grandmother 
was  ft  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Churc  h for  eighty  years,  and  lived  to  be  about 
one  hundred  years  old. 

HENRY  S.  COX.  physician  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  John  and  Martha  C. 
(Evans)  Cox,  the  father  being  a successful  stock  raiser  and  farmer  of  the  county.  He 
reared  bis  family  in  Maury  County,  and  in  1863  was  shot  by  a Federal  soldier  at  his  home. 
The  mother  died  prior  to  the  war.  Henry  S.  attended  the  Jackson  College  at  Columbia, 
and  when  twenty  years  old  became  a disciple  of  ^Esculapius,  studying  under  the  direction 
of  Dr.  W.  G.  J.  Hunter.  He  then  attended  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  inPhiladcl. 
phia,  and  graduated  as  an  M.  D.  iu  1860.  He  enlisted  as  fir^t  surgeon  of  the  First  Arkan- 
sas Sharpshooters,  and  later  served  with  Gen.  A.  M.  Stovall  as  surgeon  of  the  brigade. 
Since  the  war  he  has  resided  in  Columbia,  where  he  has  built  up  a fine  practice.  In  1866 
he  was  married  to  Rebecca  Martin,  by  whom  he  is  the  father  of  three  children:  John. 
Ella  and  Martin  S.  The  Doctor  was  au  old-line  Whig  until  that  party  ceased  to  exLt* 
and  since  that  time  has  been  a Democrat,  but  has  never  aspired  to  political  prominence, 
and  has  devoted  his  energies  and  talents  strictly  t<>  his  profession. 

STEPHEN  S.  CRAIG  was  born  in  the  Fourth  District  of  Maury  County  December 
14.  1833,  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  owing  to  circumstances  his  education  was  rather 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


015 


limited.  January  13,  1859,  lie  wedded  Mary  A.  Sharber,  a native  of  Rutherford  Countv, 
Term.,  born  January  13,  1S37,  and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  Sharber.  To  our  sub- 
ject and  wife  were  born  nine  childreu:  Robert  J.,  born  1859:  John  W.  S.,  born  in  1861. 
and  died  in  1882:  James  C.  born  in  1805:  Nancy  E.,  born  in  1868:  Lanella  R..  born  in  1809; 
Mary  L.  B.,  born  in  1872:  Wallace  J..  born  in  1S73:  L.  J..  born  in  1870;  Virgie  M.,  born 
in  1878,  and  Joseph  A.  T.,  born  in  1881.  Mr.  Craig  is  a successful  farmer  and  also  a 
wheelwright.  During  the  late  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee 
Regiment  of  Infantry.  lie  was  captured  and  taken  to  Nashvile,  where  he  was  paroled 
in  1805.  He  was  elected  magistrate  in  the  Fourth  District  of  Maury  County  March,  1882, 
and  holds  that  office  at  the  present  time  in  an  able  and  efficient  manner.  Himself  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  His  parents,  Robert  R. 
and  Rachel  (Miles)  Craig,  were  both  natives  of  South  Carolina,  the  former  born  Decem- 
ber 15,  1786,  and  the  latter  December  8,  1795.  The  father  was  married  in  South  Carolina 
and  came  to  Tennessee  soon  after,  locating  in  Franklin  County,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  for  three  years.  He  then  moved  to  Maury  County  and  continued  farming,  in 
which  he  was  quite  successful.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812  and  was  a gallant  soldier.  He 
died  November  18,  1854.  The  mother  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  for  nearly  forty  years  and  was  an  earnest  worker  in  the  cause  of  Christianity. 

JAMES  F.  CRAIG,  a native  of  Tennessee  and  well-to-do  farmer,  was  born  in  Maury 
County  May  1,  1830.  His  father,  Robert  Craig,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  where 
he  married  Mary  Sellers,  also  of  that  State,  and  came  to  Tennessee.  He  now  resides  in 
Maury  County  and  is  a widower,  his  wife  having  died  October  4,  1804.  Our  subject  is  a 
graduate  cf  Erskine  College,  South  Carolina.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war. 
serving  in  Company  B,  Thirty-second  Mississippi  Infantry,  from  March,  1862,  to  March, 
1804.  At  that  time  he  was  transferred  to  the  Third  Tennessee  and  served  in  this  capacity 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a member  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
is  a strong  Democrat  in  politics. 

THOMPSON  S.  CRAIG,  was  born-  in  the  Sixth  District  of  Maury  County  May  9, 
1849.  sou  of  Nathaniel  H.  and  Hattie  (Scott)  Craig.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina December  25,  1807.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  was  married  in  1828  and  became 
the  father  of  seven  children.  His  death  occurred  in  January,  1886.  He  "was  the  son  of 
John  and  Lucinda  Craig.  The  mother  of.  our  subject  was  born  in  Tennessee  December  14, 
1807,  and  died  about  1872.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sarah  Scott,  natives  of 
Ireland.  Our  subject  passed  his  early  life  on  the  farm,  and  began  business  for  himself  at 
the  age  of  twenty-three  as  a farmer.  February  22,  1877,  he  wedded  Ella  Cline,  a native 
of  Canada,  born  January  2,  1858,  and  the  daughter  of  John  L.  and  Augusta  (Simons) 
Cline.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  four  children:  Emmit  P.,  born  in  1878;  John 
L.,  born  in  1882;  Ruby,  born  in  1883,  and  Samuel  S , born  in  1885.  Mrs.  Craig  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a warm  advocate  of  Christianity.  Mr. 
Craig  is  a Democrat,  and  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  justly  recognized 
by  all  as  an  honest,  upright  young  man. 

MANN  DAWSON,  a well  known  and  well-to-do  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn., 
was  born  October  11,  1838,  and  is  the  youngest  of  a family  of  six  >ons  and  five  daughters 
born  to  John  and  Martha  G.  (Hunter)  Dawson,  who  were  natives  of  North  Carolina,  horn 
in  1780  and  1798  and  dk*d  in  1843  and  1878.  respectively.  John  Dawson  came  to  Tennes- 
see at  an  early  day  and  became  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Maury  County,  and  there 
passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  Mann  Dawson  attended  the  common  schools  of  Maury 
County  and  assisted  liis  parents  on  the  farm.  Later  he  attended  the  college  at  Lebanon, 
Tenn.,  where  he  finished  his  education.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  civil  war,  in 
May,  1801,  he  joined  Col.  Wade's  company.  Third  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  Fort  Donelson. 
Chickamauga,  Atlanta  and  numerous  others.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  Donelson,  and 
kept  a prisoner  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  seven  months.  He  was  exchanged  at  Vicks- 
burg, Miss.,  in  September,  1802,  and  returned  to  his  home  in  Maj%  1805.  lie  was  form- 
erly a Whig  in  politics,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  He  is  a Freemason. 


916 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


GEORGE  W.  DAVIDSON,  farmer,  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  George  W. 
and  Elizabeth  J.  (Wasson)  Davidson,  and  his  birth  occurred  in  Lawrence  County,  Tenn., 
June  22,  1847.  His  father  was  born  in  the  “Old  Dominion”  in  May,  1812,  and  came  with 
his  parents  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  locating  on  a farm  in  Lawrence  Couut}\  Our 
subject  spent  his  early  days  on  a farm  and  obtained  a good  common  school  education. 
He  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  the  latter  part  of  1862  in  Company  D,  Ninth  Ten- 
nessee Cavalry  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Franklin,  Thompson  Station  and  several 
minor  engagements.  He  was  paroled  May  12,  I860,  and  returned  to  Lawrence  Co.  and  en- 
gaged in  farming.  He  was  married,  October  16,  1868,  to  Chirena  I.  Alford,  and  the  birth 
of  two  sons  and  one  daughter  is  the  result  of  their  union:  George  M.,  James  W.  and 
Elizabeth  J.  Mrs.  Davidson  was  born  in  1845.  She  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  and  a faithful  wife  and  mother.  Mr.  Davidson  is  a Democrat,  and 
was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Thirteenth  District  November  4,  1884,  and  is  giving  entire 
satisfaction.  He  resides  on  a farm  near  Mount  Pleasant,  and  is  doing  well  financially. 

WILLIAM  H.  DAVIS,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  Jauuary  6,  1823, 
sou  of  Ephraim  and  Eliza  T.  (Allen)  Davis,  whose  marriage  occurred  1829.  The  father 
was  a Democrat  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  one  term.  He  was  a man  of  sound  judg- 
ment and  good  sense.  His  death  occurred  January  , 1882.  The  mother  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia in  1804  and  was  the  daughter  of  Hamblin  and  Silvina  (Maneer)  Allen.  They  w^ere 
natives  of  Virginia  and  came  to  Tennessee  about  1812  or  1813,  locating  in  Maury  County, 
where  they  tilled  the  soil.  Eliza,  our  subject’s  mother,  was  a member  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  and  died  in  1878.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  and  owing  to  cir- 
cumstances received  a rather  limited  education.  March  26,  1857,  he  married  Martha  E- 
Cannon,  a native  of  Lincoln  County,  Tenn..  born  December  20,  1837,  and  the  daughter  of 
George  M.  and  Nancy  M.  (Holeman)  Cannon,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  born  1820 
and  1822,  respectively.  Our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninth  Tennessee  Cavalry 
and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  many  battles  and  had  some  narrow  es- 
capes. He  is  the  father  of  nine  children:  Jennie  M.,  born  in  1858;  Benjamin,  born  in  1859; 
Felix  Z.,  born  in  1862;  William  E.,  born  in  1866;  Eliza  M..  born  in  1869;  Mary  A.,  born  in 
1871;  Hay,  born  in  1873;  Leah,  born  in  1875,  and  Omega  H.,  born  in  1878.  Mr.  Davis  has 
been  constable  for  four  years  in  the  Twenty-first  District  of  Maur}r  County,  and  was 
constable  from  1876  to  1880.  He  has  been  school  commissioner  for  eighteen  months,  and 
is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  K.  of  H.,  a Democrat 
- in  politics  and  is  recognized  as  an  honest,  upright  citizen. 

RALEIGH  P.  DODSON,  a well-known  liveryman  and  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the 
Bethel  House  of  Columbia.  Tenn.,  is  a native  of  Maury  County,  born  September  6,  1S45, 
sort  of  Raleigh  and  Lucinda  (Witherspoon)  Dodson,  wTho  were  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  was  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and 
died  a day  or  so  after  our  subject’s  birth.  Raleigh  resided  with  his  widowed  mother  in 
the  county  and  secured  an  ordinary  common  school  education.  He  served  in  the  late- 
war  in  Company  G,  First  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  at  the  battle  of  Perry  ville  was  capt- 
ured by  the  Federals  and  afterward  paroled.  After  his  return  he  engaged  in  the  livery 
business  in  Columbia,  which  he  has  continued  to  the  present  time,  being  a partner  of  M. 
C.  Mays.  In  1871  he  married  Loretta  Gill,  a native  of  the  county.  Mr.  Dodson  is  a Ma- 
son, Knight  Templar  degree  anil  a Democrat,  and  is  a prosperous  and  influential  resi- 
dent of  the  town. 

THOMAS  J.  DORSETT'S  birth  occurred  in  Maryland  April  22,  1831.  He  is  a son  of 
Thomas  and  Harriett  (Clagett)  Dorsett,  of  Maryland.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil. 
He  died  in  the  Episcopal  faith  April  7.  1847.  The  mother  still  survives  and  is  a resident 
of  Maryland.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  married  on  the  2d  of  March,  1852,  to  Miss 
Mary  Robinson,  daughter  of  Stewart  Robinson,  a resident  of  Maryland.  To  Mr.  Dorsett 
and  wife  wore  born  thirteen  children,  only  six  of  whom  are  living:  Laura  R.  (wife  of 
Otey  Walker,  a successful  merchant  at  Williamsport),  Lillie  G.  (wife  of  Samuel  Gray,  of 
Nashville),  Thomas  J.,  Mary  E.,  Harriett  and  Pauline.  Mr.  Dorsett  did  not  participate 


. 

■ 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


917 


in  the  late  war.  He  is  a warm  Democrat  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Royal 
Arch  degree.  Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  are  esteemed 
citizens  of  Maun'  County. 

WALTER  C.  DORSET,  M.  D.,was  born  in  Anne  Arundel  County,  Md.,  July  19,  1841, 
being  a son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Harriett  (Clagett)  Dorset,  of  Maryland,  where  the  father 
died  and  the  mother  still  resides.  Walter  C.  was  reared  to  manhood  on  a farm,  and  com- 
pleted his  education  at  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  at  Lexington,  Va.  In  1867  he  came 
to  Maury  County  and  resided  with  a relative,  Mrs.  Jane  H.  Y.  Greenfield.  He  began 
studying  medicine  with  the  late  Dr.  Samuel  Frierson.  Later  he  attended  Belle  view 
Hospital  Medical  College,  of  New  York  City,  aud  graduated  there  as  a physician  in  1870. 
Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  in  Columbia,  and  has  met  with  more  than  ordinary  suc- 
cess. He  is  strictly  a self-made  man,  and  by  his  own  efforts  and  devotion  to  his  calling 
has  gained  an  enviable  reputation.  In  January,  1886,  he  was  elected  health  officer  of 
Maury  County  by  the  county  court,  for  a term  of  four  years.  Marion  and  Hallie  B.  are 
the  children  born  to  his  marriage  with  Miss  Janie  M.  Arnell,  which  occurred  in  1871. 
Dr.  Dorset’s  political  views  are  Democratic.  He  is  a Mason,  and  he  and  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

SHADRACH  S.  DUGGER  is  the  fifth  of  eight  children  born  to  David  and  Catherine 
(Bailey)  Dugger.  David  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  Mrs.  Dugger  near  Bowling  Green, Ky. 
The  father  was  a Democrat  and  died  about  1829,  after  living  a useful  and  prosperous  life. 
The  mother  died  about  1860,  in  Henry  County,  Tenn.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Maury 
Count}7  February  20.  1S30,  and  has  parsed  the  life  of  an  agriculturist.  July  20,  1850,  he 
was  married  to  Martha  J.  Laneare,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  March  12,  i835,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Howell  and  Elizabeth  (Epperson)  Laneare.  They  were  born  in  Virginia  aud 
came  to  Tennessee  when  our  subject’s  wife  was  a small  child  and  located  in  Giles  County. 
The  father  died  in  1845  or  1846,  and  the  mother  in  1881.  To  our  subject  and  his  wife  were 
born  four  sons  and  four  daughters:  Samuel  G.,  born  in  1851;  Thomas  J..  born  in  1852; 
Corinna,  born  in  1856;  Elizabeth  L.,  born  in  1860;  Daniel  B.,  born  in  1866;  Leroy  S.,  born, 
in  1869;  Lorinda,  born  in  1872,  and  Isolana,  born  in  1876.  Mrs.  Dugger  is  a member  of 
the  Christian  Church,  and  her  husband  is  a Democrat.  He  has  resided  on  his  present 
farm  for  thirteen  years,  and  success  has  attended  his  efforts. 

JOHN  H.  ELLETT,  a well-known  citizen  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  on  the 
29th  of  October.  1836,  the  only  child  of  Thomas  P.  and  Susan  (Griffith)  Ellett.  Thomas 
P.  Ellett  was  born  near  Richmond,  Va.,  in  1802,  and  came  to  Maury  County  with  his 
parents  at  an  early  age.  He  was  a participant  in  the  Seminole  war,  and  was  a strong 
temperance  man.  He  died  in  Maury  County.  His  wife  was  born  in  that  county  about 
1806  and  died  in  1836,  an  earnest  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 
Our  subject  obtained  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  Maury  County,  and  later  attended 
Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  He  was  married  August  15,  1861.  to  Miss 
Ophelia  Kindel,  and  to  their  union  five  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born;  John  C. 
(deceased),  James  K.  (deceased),  William  M.,  Wadkins  B.,  Felix  M.,  Anna  L.  (deceased), 
Martha  W.  (deceased)  and  Katharine.  In  1862  Mr.  Ellett  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 
Army,  Company  I),  Third  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  a participant  in  the 
following  bloody  battles:  Vicksburg,  Raymond,  Jackson,  Miss~,  Port  Hudson,  Chicka- 
mauga  and  others.  He  served  as  first  lieutenant  of  his  company  until  May,  1865,  when  he 
returned  home.  Previous  to  the  war  Mr.  Ellett  was  a Whig,  but  since  that  time  he  has 
been  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

THOMAS  Y.  ENGLISH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  March  19.  1835, 
and  is  one  of  a large  family  of  children  born  to  John  and  Clara  (Willeford)  English.  The 
father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1800,  and  was  by  occupation  a farmer.  He  came 
to  Tennessee  with  his  mother  in  1810.  and  settled  on  a farm  in  Giles  County,  where  he 
lived  a long  and  prosperous  life.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  died 
July  26,  1879.  The  mother  was  a native  of  South  Carolina,  born  in  1810.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  was  a faithful,  conscientious  Christian. 


. 


. 


91S 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Her  death  occurred  September  26.  1SS5.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  educated 
in  Giles  County.  lie  came  to  Maury  County  in  1875,  and  settled  on  a farm  in  the  Eleventh 
District,  where  he  has  since  resided.  lie  enlisted  as  a private  in  the  Confederate  Army 
May  12,  1861,  Company  I,  Third  Tennessee  Volunteer  Regiment,  commanded  by  Col. 
John  C.  Brown,  of  Tennessee.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson.  Chicka- 
mauga.  Bayou,  Raymond  and  several  minor  ones.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Fort  Don- 
elson, and  taken  to  Camp  Morton,  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  untir  his  re- 
lease May  11,  1S65.  He  was  married  November  8, 1881,  to  Lissie  Spain,  a native  of  Maury 
County,  and  the  result  of  this  union  is  the  birth  of  three  sons:  Thomas  Y.,  born  August 
8,  1882:  John  W..  born  February  25,  1884,  and  Robert  J.,  born  February  23.  1S86.  Mr. 
Euglishis  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  one 
of  Maury  County’s  best  citizens. 

EPHRAIM  E.  ERWIN,  local  editor  and  business  manager  of  the  Columbia  ttrald, 
is  a native  of  Maury  County.  Tenn.,.born  September  18,  1848,  son  of  William  H.  and 
Jemina  A.  (Voss)  Erwin.  The  father  was  a native  of  Maury  County,  and  was  a prosper- 
ous farmer  and  stock  dealer.  He  served  as  constable  a few  years,  and  died  in  1858  or 
1859.  Ephraim  E.  resided  under  the  paternal  roof  until  his  father’s  death,  and  secured  a 
somewhat  limited  education  in  his  youthful  days.  This  he  overcame  in  later  years  by  his 
own  efforts.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  served  as  deputy  postmaster  of  Columbia 
four  t ears,  and  was  made  register,  and  later  served  as  clerk  of  the  county  court.  In 
1876  lie  accepted  the  position  of  accountant  in  the  chancery'  court,  filling  the  position 
with  credit  to  himself  and  the  satisfaction  of  the  people,  until  1883.  By  much  desultory 
stud}'  he  had  become  well  versed  iu  legal  lore,  and  in  1884  was  admitted  to  the  Maury 
County  bar,  but  never  entered  into  the  practice  regularly.  In  March,  1885,  he  accepted 
a position  on  the  Htrald , and  it  may  be  truthfully  said  that  the  success  of  the  paper 
is  in  a large  measure  due.  to  his  untiring  energy  and  ability.  In  1872  he  married  Bessie  R. 
Porter,  of  Maury  County,  who  died  in  March,  1874,  leaving  one  son.  Mr.  Erwin  is  a 
Democrat,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic,  Iv.  of  P.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  fraternities.  He  is  also 
a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

ERVIN  T.  ESTES’  birth  occurred  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  March  16,  1855.  He  is 
a successful  merchant,  and  was  united  in  marriage  August  5,  1877,  to  Miss  Virginia  T. 
Grant,  daughter  of  Thomas  U.  Grant.  Mr.  Estes  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  are  considered  among  the  reliable 
and  prominent  citizens  of  the  county.  Our  subject’s  parents  were  Orvin  T.  and  Hester  .1. 
(McBride)  Estes,  who  were  born  in  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  spent  their  lives  as  farm- 
ers. The  father  was  an  honest  and  upright  man,  and  died  in  1855,  a member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  South.  The  mother  still  survives  him,  and  is  a resident  of  Maury 
County,  Tenn. 

FLAVIUS  J.  EWING,  a well-known  business  man  of  Columbia.  Tenn.,  and  partner 
in  the  firm  of  Elam  A Ewing,  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  August  19,  1831,  son 
of  James  V.  and  Elizabeth  Ewing,  who  were  born  in  Virginia  and  Georgia,  respectively. 
The  father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  farmers  of  Tennessee,  and  suffered  all  the  privations 
incident  to  early  life  in  Tennessee.  He  died  in  Marshall  County  in  1881.  Our  subject 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county  and  finished  his  education  in  Jackson  Col- 
lege. of  Columbia,  and  several  of  the  best  Colleges  of  Virginia.  In  1860  he  came  to  Maury 
County  and  located  on  a farm  in  the  Twenty -first  District,  where  he  followed  farming 
and  stock  raising  until  1882,  when  he  removed  to  near  Columbia,  and  in  1883  engaged  in 
his  present  business  in  the  city,  and  has  by  his  many  good  business  qualities  contributed 
largely  to  the  success  of  the  firm.  Mary  L.  Akin  became  his  wife  iu  1859,  and  their 
union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  sons  and  four  daughters.  Robert  L.,  the  eldest  son.  is 
in  business  with  his  father.  Mr.  Ewing  was  originally  a Whig  in  politics,  but  since  the 
war  has  voted  the  Democratic  ticket.  He  served  two  years  in  the  quartermaster’s  de- 
partment of  the  Confederate  Army,  Gen.  Hardee’s  corps.  51  r.  and  Mrs.  Ewing  are  mem 
bers  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


■ 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


919 

H.  F.  FARISS.  postmaster  of  Columbia.  Tenn.,  son  of  Hugh  W.  and  grandson  of 
-James  Fariss,  who  came  to  Maury  County.  Tenn..  from  the  Carolinas  in  1800.  H.  F.  was 
born  November  19.  1839,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  removed  with  his  parents  to  West 
Tennessee,  and  secured  a common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  re- 
turned to  Maury  County  and  tilled  the  soil  until  I860,  when  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  in  Hampshire,  in  which  he  still  retains  an  interest.  In  1866  he  was  appointed 
postmaster  of  Hampshire,  and  served  almost  continuously  until  1882,  when  he  was 
-elected  county  trustee,  serving  until  1884.  then  resigned  and  was  appointed  to  the  p<»r- 
mastership  at  Columbia,  by  President  Arthur.  As  evidence  of  Mr.  Fariss’  popularity  it 
need  only  be  stated  that  he  has  successfully  held  various  public  offices  notwithstanding 
the  fact  that  he  is  a Republican  in  politics.  He  is  the  father  of  seven  children  by  Mary 
E.  Brooks,  whom  he  married  April  15,  1866.  Mr.  Fariss  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  he  is  a Mason  and  a member  of  the  K.  of  H. 

FRANK  L.  FITZGERALD,  merchant,  was  born  September  23,  1861,  and  is  a son  of 
Francis  M.  and  Caroline  (Chandler)  Fitzgerald,  both  natives  of  this  county.  The  father 
was  born  October  S.  1833,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  came 
lo  this  county  at  an  early  date  and  followed  the  occupations  of  farming  and  stock  raising, 
in  which  he  has  been  moderately  successful.  He  was  married  in  1857  and  is  the  father  of 
five  children:  Margaret  L.,  Frank  L.,  Willie  L.,  George  V.  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 
Air.  Fitzgerald  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  Company  A,  Forty  - 
eighth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  as  first  lieutenant  in  that  company  for  three 
years  He  was  the  son  of  Maston  and  Margaret  (Harder)  Fitzgerald,  both  born  in  Vir- 
ginia. Maston  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county  and  a soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.  He  died  in  1879,  and  his  wife  in  1868.  Our  subject’s  father  and  mother  are  still 
living  and  are  residing  on  the  old  Chandler  homestead.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the 
farm  and  received  a good  education  in  the  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty- two  he 
engaged  in  his  present  business,  in  which  he  has  been  very  successful.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics  and  an  enterprising  and  successful  business  man. 

WILLIAM  STUART  FLEMING,  chancellor  of  the  Eighth  Chancer}'  Division  of 
Tennessee,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  April  23,  1816,  eldest  son  of  Thomas  F.  and  Mar- 
garet E.  (Armstrong)  Fleming,  who  were  members  of  a colon}’  that  came  from  South 
Carolina  to  Tennessee  in  1805.  They  were  of  Seotch-Irish  descent,  and  strict  Presbyter- 
ians. William  S.  Fleming  was  taught  the  English  branches  by  his  father,  and  hi-  pre- 
paratory Greek  and  Latin  was  expounded  to  him  by  John  Barlaud,  a teacher  of  New 
York  City  who  visited  him  two  years.  He  entered  the  Sophomore  class  of  Yale  College, 
and  graduated  in  1838.  He  taught  school  in  Maury  County  a short  time,  and  then  began 
his  legal  studies,  being  admitted  to  practice  in  1842.  He  immediately  opened  a law  office 
in  Columbia  and  soon  commanded  a large  practice,  which  he  retained  as  long  as  he  re- 
mained in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  In  1860  he  removed  to  his  elegant  country  seat, 
which  was  destroyed  by  fire,  during  Hood’s  raid  in  Tennessee,  by  the  Federal  commander 
as  a military  necessity,  entailing  a loss  of  822,000.  He  also  had  fifty  slaves  emancipated, 
and  thirty  head  of  horses  and  mules  impressed.  In  1870  he  was  elected  chancellor,  and 
has  held  the  position  by  re-election  to  the  present  time.  He  is  cpiite  an  eloquent  orator, 
and  for  a period  was  editor  of  a literary  paper,  and  later  of  a political  paper,  but  at  the 
same  time  continued  his  practice.  He  was  a Whig,  and  although  a Southern  sympa- 
thizer, was  not  a participant  in  the  war.  He  is  now  a Democrat,  and  had  been  a ruling 
elder  in  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  twenty-three  years.  He  has  been  thrice  married, 
having  lost  two  wives  by  death.  September  5,  1839,  he  wedded  Frances  M.  Stephenson, 
who  died  in  1849,  having  borne  six  children,  three  of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  only 
two  now  living:  Thomas  F.  Fleming  and  Mrs.  A.  N.  Dobbins.  January  12,  1854.  he  mar- 
ried Mary  Witherspoon  Frierson,  who  died  in  1858,  having  borne  three  children,  all  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  February  8.  1860,  he  took  for  his  third  and  present  wife  Ruth  A. 
-(Johnson)  Booker.  To  them  were  born  three  children,  one  now  living.  William  Stuart, 
also  a member  of  the  legal  profession. 


. 


920 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


L.  G.  FLEMING  was  born  on  the  14th  of  February,  1847,  iu  Maury  County,  Tenn. 
His  parents,  William  O.  and  Winnie  (Richardson)  Fleming,  were  natives  of  Maury 
County,  the  father  born  in  ISOS.  He  was  a farmer,  and  succeeded  well  in  his  business  un- 
dertakings, and  became  the  father  of  eight  sons  and  six  daughters.  He  was  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  was  a man  of  strict  integrity  of  char- 
acter, and  a successful  farmer.  His  wife  died  in  1879  and  he  in  1S80.  Our  subject  is  a 
well-to-do  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  was  married  December  1,  1874,  to  Manda  Dodson, 
a daughterof  W.  W.  Dodson.  To  them  was  born  one  son,  George  W.,  August  29,  1875.. 
Mrs.  Fleming  died  October  30,  1875.  December  30,  1879,  Mr.  Fleming  married  Sammie 
E.  (Evans)  Fleming,  born  in  1855,  a daughter  of  John  Evans.  She  was  first  married  to 
Nathaniel  Fleming,  brother  of  our  subject,  and  by  him  became  the  mother  of  two  daugh- 
ters: Winnie,  born  in  1873,  and  Mattie,  born  in  1S75.  To  her  last  marriage  has  been  born 
one  son  and  one  daughter:  Ella  E.,  born  in  1881,  and  John  O.,  born  in  1883.  Mrs. 
Fleming  belongs  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  her  husband  to  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

ARCHIBALD  C.  FLOYD  was  born  in  Granville  County,  N.  C.,  November  16,  1857, 
son  of  John  W.  and  Margaret  J.  (Campbell)  Floyd,  of  North  Carolina,  where  the  father 
lived  and  died  and  the  mother  now  resides.  Our  subject  resided  with  his  parents  and  was 
educated  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill,  graduating  in  1882.  Dur- 
ing this  time  he  had  taught  school  at  intervals  to  secure  means  to  enable  him  to  complete 
his  collegiate  course.  The  year  following  his  graduation  he  became  a disciple  of  Black- 
stone,  and  entered  the  law  department  of  his  old  alma  mater . and  graduated  October  1, 
1883.  He  then  taught  school  a short  time,  and  obtained  a license  to  practice  from  the  su- 
preme court  of  that  State.  In  February,  1881,  he  came  to  Columbia,  and  has  since  prac- 
ticed his  profession  with  good  results.  He  is  a partner  of  George  W.  Hayes.  Since  Feb- 
ruary, 1886,  Mr.  Floyd  has  been  principal  of  the  Andrews  Public  School  of  Columbia, 
and  is  givinggood  satisfaction.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  South. 

LUNSFORD  B.  FORGEY,  M.  D.,  a successful  practitioner  and  farmer  of  Maury 
County,  Tenn.,  was  born  September  18,  1825,  and  is  a son  of  Hugh  and  Salina  (Shorter) 
Forgev,  natives,  respectively,  of  Tennessee  and  Georgia.  The  father  was  a wealthy  farm- 
er and  died  about  1879.  His  widow  is  still  living  and  is  a resident  of  the  “Lone  Star 
State”  Dr.  Forgey,  our  subject,  began  reading  medicine  under  Dr.  W.  W.  Dabner,  and 
- graduated  at  the  university  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  one  of  the  class  of  1851.  He  began  the 
practice  of  his  profession  in  Maury,  his  native  county,  and  has  met  with  the  success  his 
knowledge  of  medicine  and  his  skill  deserves.  In  October,  1856,  he  led  to  Hymen’s  altar, 
Miss  Sarah  D.  Adkin,  who  has  borne  him  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Will- 
, iam  S.,  Charles  A.,  James  H.,  Addison  H.  and  Anna  Lee  (twins),  Walter  E.  and  Thomas 
B.  Dr.  Forgey  is  a Democrat  and  Mason  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  M.  FRIERSON,  an  influential  farmer  of  Maury  Count}’,  Tenn.,  was  born  in 
that  county  October  18,  1818,  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  M.  A.  E.  (Blakely)  Frierson.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Williamsburg  District,  S.  C.,  born  October  17.  1784,  and  was  a til- 
ler of  the  soil.  He  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  noted  for  his  many  acts 
of  charity.  He  died  in  Maury  County,  November  16,  1846.  The  mother  was  also  a native 
of  South  Carolina,  born  in  1797,  and  was  for  many  years  a faithful  servant  to  the  cause  of 
Christianity.  She  died  in  December,  1865.  Our  subject’s  early  life  was  passed  in  mer- 
chandising in  Columbia.  After  five  years  of  successful  business  transactions,  he  retired 
to  the  farm  where  he  has  since  remained.  In  1819  he  wedded  Martha  G.  II.  Dawson,  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  and  to  this  union  were  born  nine  children:  John  D.,  Anna  E. 
Martha  G.  (who  died  in  1880),  Ella  T..Sallie  R.,  Lillie  A.,  Narcissa  A.,  who  died  in  1883, 
Irene  H.  and  Nettie.  Mr.  Frierson  is  a well-to-do  farmer,  having  a fine  farm  of  250  acres, 
all  well  cultivated  except  fifteen  acres  of  good  lumber.  He  is  a Democrat,  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  also  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


. 


■ 


. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


921 


WILLIS  R.  FRIERSON,  a widely  known  and  prominent  citizen  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  that  county  April  24,  1827,  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  M.  A.  E.  (Blakely) 
Frierson.  (For  further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  James  M.  Frierson.)  Our 
subject  received  a good  English  education  in  the  schools  of  Maury  County,  and  Septem- 
ber 29,  1851,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  A Goodloe,  a native  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.  The  result  of  this  union  was  the  birth  of  five  children:  Goodloe  M.,  Willie  T.,  Hin- 
ton S.,  Eustatia  (who  died  May  14,  1853)  and  Ada  V.  Mr.  Frierson  is  considered  one  of 
the  successful  farmers  of  Maury  County.  He  has  a good  farm  of  700  acres  on  the  Colum- 
bia & Hampshire  Pike,  about  nine  and  a half  miles  west  of  Columbia.  This  farm  he 
manages  in  an  admirable  manner.  Besides  farming,  he  is  engaged  in  merchandising  and 
has  a newr  business  room  on  the  pike  near  his  elegant  residence.  He  is  a Democrat  in  pol- 
itics and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

THEODORE  FRIERSON,  M.  D.,  a w'ell-known  medical  practitioner  of  Columbia, 
Tenn.,  and  native  of  the  county,  w’as  born  April  6,  1827,  son  of  John  Witherspoon  Frier- 
son, who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  while  preparing  for  the  Presbyterian  ministry, 
and  while  our  subject  was  an  infant.  He  was  a brother  of  the  eminent  Dr.  J.  W.  S.  Fri- 
erson, and  was  married  to  Grace  Stephenson.  Theodore  Frierson  was  reared  to  manhood 
in  Maury  County,  and  graduated  from  Center  College  at  Danville,  Ky.  He  then  began 
studying  medicine  with  the  uncle  mentioned  above,  and  later  attended  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  New  York  City,  and  graduated  in  1850.  He  practiced  in  Sliel- 
byville,  Tenn.,  a few'  months,  then  moved  to  Arkansas,  but  owing  to  ill-health  returned 
to  Tennessee.  He  served  as  private  parts  of  twro  }'ears  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and 
resided  in  Mississippi  until  the  close  of  the  conflict  He  returned  to  Tennessee  in  Jauuarv. 
1868,  and  after  residing  on  a farm  in  Maury  County  until  1880,  he  returned  to  Columbia, 
where  he  has  since  practiced.  In  1860  the  Doctor  wedded  Harriett  A.  Frierson,  a distant 
relative  of  his.  Their  children  are  Grace,  Walter  B.  and  Ida.  The  Doctor  is  independ- 
ent in  his  political  view’s,  but  w as  formerly  a Whig.  He  is  an  able  practitioner.  He  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

REV.  JOHN  STEPHENSON  FRIERSON  w’as  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn., 
December  27,  1829,  and  is  one  of  eleven  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  Robert  L. 
Frierson  and  Jane  Eliza  Stephenson,  born  in  1803  and  1807,  respectively.  The  father  died 
March  13,  1857;  both  he  and  wife  w’ere  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  on  a farm  and  attended  the  Stephenson  Academy,  where  he  received  a 
good  education.  In  1848  he  entered  Center  College  at  Danville,  Ky.,  and  graduated  in 
1851.  He  then  entered  the  Princeton,  N.  J.,  Theological  Seminary,  where  he  remained 
two  years.  January  11,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Martha  M.  Jordan,  daughter  of  S.  P.  Jor- 
dan, and  three  children  were  born  to  their  union:  Luther  L.,  Mary  J.  (wife  of  J.  W.  How- 
ard) and  Ida  J.  September  10,  1866,  Mrs.  Frierson  died,  and  February  8,  1870,  our  subject 
married  Martha  L.  (Granberry)  Duncan.  Her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  M.  Granberry, 
were  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1798  and  1804,  respectively.  Two  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frierson:  John  and  Douna  Maria.  Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  F.  & 

A.  M.,  and  has  attained  the  degree  of  Royal  Arch  Mason  He  is  a member  of  the  “Beta- 
Theta  Pi,”  a w’ell-know'n  literaryjsociet}'  of  the  East.  Rev.  Frierson  w*as  formerly  a 
Whig,  but  is  now  a stanch  Democrat,  and  for  many  years  has  been  president. of  the  board 
of  trustees  of  the  Mount" Pleasant  Female  Academy,  and  for  several  years  has  been  a 
member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  Columbia  “Atheneum.”  He  has  been  pastor  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Mount  Pleasant  for  the  last  thirty  years. 

JOE  H.  FUSSELL,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  attorney-general  of  the  Ninth  Judicial 
Circuit,  was  born  in  Maury  County  on  the  12th  of  January,  1836,  and  is  a sou  of  Henry 

B.  and  Eliza  C.  (Kincaid)  Fussell.  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  re- 
spectively. Both  of  our  subject’s  grandfathers,  John  Fussell  and  Joseph  Kincaid  were 
among  the  very  early  and  prominent  pioneers  of  Maury  County.  Henry  B.  was  reared 
in  Maury  County  and  removed  to  Columbia  when  our  subject  was  six  years  of  age,  and 
died  here  December  16,  1876.  lie  was  a carpenter  by  trade  and  was  an  old-line  Whig  in 


- ' 
c 


. . \ . ■ ■■■  ! " ; - - 


922 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


politics  as  long  a*  that  party  existed.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Columbia.  Joe  II.  was  educated  in  Columbia  and  graduated 
from  Jackson  College  in  1855.  He  taught  school  in  the  preparatory  department  one  year 
and  then  took  the  chair  of  mathematics  and  languages  in  his  old  alma  mater.  He  after- 
ward had  charge  of  the  mathematical  department  of  the  old  Ravensc-roft  School,  but  had 
been  a reader  of  Blackstone  in  the  meantime,  and  also  worked  at  the  carpenter’s  trade, 
which  he  had  learned  of  his  father,  and  taught  school  alternately,  iu  order  to  secure 
means  to  enable  him  to  complete  his  law  studies.  He  read  under  Col.  A.  X.  Looney,  and 
Judges  William  Martin  and  A.  O.  P.  Nicholson,  and  in  August,  1860,  was  admitted  to  the 
Maury  County  bar,  and  practiced  his  profession  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when 
he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  E,  First  Battalion  Tennessee , Cavalry,  afterward 
First  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  was  made  first  lieutenant  of  his  company,  and  the  last 
two  years  of  the  war  commanded  a squadron  of  the  regiment,  ranking  as  captain.  He 
served  four  years  and  was  with  his  company  iu  318  engagements.  After  the  surrender  of 
the  South  he  was  not  allowed  to  remain  in  Columbia  by  the  Federals,  owing  to  his  refusal 
to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  and  was  compelled  to  repair  to  the  Barrens,  where  he  re- 
mained a year.  In  1SG6  he  resumed  his  law  practice  in  Columbia,  continuing  until  1870. 
when  he  was  elected  attorney-general,  and  has  served  by  re-election  up  to  the  present 
time.  In  1882  he  was  nominated  by  what  was  known  as  the  State  Credit  Democratic  Con- 
vention for  governor  of  Tennessee,  but  was  defeated  by  the  low  tax  element.  In  1885  lie 
was  elected  president  of  the  Tennessee  State  Temperance  Alliance.  He  is  now  the  cham- 
pion of  the  prohibition  element  in  the  State  in  the  fight  against  the  whisky  ring.  He  is 
making  the  race  forjudge  of  the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit,  subject  to  the  August,  1886.  election. 
Margaret  Roberts  became  his  wife  in  January,  1873.  Mr.  Fussell  is  a Mason,  Knight  Tem- 
plar degree,  and  is  Post  and  Past  Commander  of  DeMolay  Commandery,  No.  3,  of  Columbia, 
and  is  Grand  Commander  of  the  State.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  ruling  elder  since  1856. 

JAMES  A.  GALLAWAY,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  the  Third 
District  of  that  county  September  1,  1832,  son  of  James  E.  and  Marion  Gallaway,  who 
w ere  married  December  14,  1824.  The  father  wras  born  August  27,  1798,  and  came  to  Ten- 
nessee soon  after  his  marriage,  locating  in  Maury  Count}',  w'here  he  engaged  in  merchan- 
dising and  farming.  He  was  a graduate  of  the  Chapel  Hill  College  in  North  Carolina  and 
was  widely  known  in  that  State  and  in  Tennessee.  His  parents  were  James  and  Elizabeth 
- Gallaway.  Our  subject’s  mother  wras  born  July  18,  1804,  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  the 
daughter  of  Robert  and  Mary  Gallaw  ay.  Robert  Gallaway  was  a member  of  the  Old 
School  Presbyterian  Church  and  filled  the  office  of  county  clerk  for  a period  of  forty 
years.  James  Gallaway,  our  subject’s  paternal  grandfather,  w as  born  in  Scotland,  and 
w'as  also  a member  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church.  His  wife  was  a “ Hardshell  ” 
Baptist.  Our  subject  received  a good  education  at  Gourd  Vine  Chapel  and  Salem  Acad- 
emy, and  began  business  for  himself  at  the  age  of  eighteen  as  a farmer  and  stock  raiser. 
November  20,  1856,  he  married  Prucilla  J.  Baird,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  bom 
May  27,  1837,  and  the  daughter  of  James  W.  and  Sarah  J.  (McLane)  Baird.  By  this  union 
our  subject  became  the  father  of  five  children:  Sarah  C.,  born  in  1857;  James  L.,  born  in 
1861;  William  II..  born  in  1866;  Charles  It.,  born  in  1870  and  Marion  V.,  born  iu  August.  1874. 
During  the  late  war  Mr.  Gallaway  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
was  stationed  at  different  points  until  1863,  when  he  joined  Joseph  Johnson’s  company. 
He  then  left  that  command  and  was  detailed  to  Gen.  Cherry,  taking  an  active  part  in  the 
fight  from  Dalton  to  Atlanta.  He  wras  known  as  one  of  the  immortal  thirteen  in  Forrest’a 
old  brigade.  He  was  paroled  at  Greenboro,  N.  C.,  with  Johnson's  command,  and  came 
home  August,  1865.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

MATTHEW  J.  GALLOWAY  an  old  and  influential  farmer  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  and  a native  of  this  county,  was  born  May  6,  1813.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the 
farm,  secured  a limited  education  in  the  rude  and  primitive  log  schoolhouse  of  his  boy- 
hood days,  and  began  tilling  the  soil  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now’  residing.  In  1837  he 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


92  3 


was  united  in  matrimony  to  Susan  Williamson,  a native  of  Giles  County;  they  had  six 
children,  only  four  of  whom  are  living:  Enoch  W.,  Samuel  W..  Irvin  T.  and  Julia.  George 
B.,  was  killed  at  Franklin,  November  30,  1804,  and  Pattison  J..  died  in  1876.  In  1852  our 
subject  purchased’ a farm  in  Perry  County  on  which  he  moved.  He  remained  there  fif- 
teen years,  and  then  returned  to  this  county  and  has  ever  since  remained  here.  His  par- 
ents were  Enoch  and  Anna  (Beal)  Galloway,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father 
immigrated  to  this  county  about  1809,  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  He  died  in  1807. 
The  mother  preceded  him  in  1835.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat,  and  himself  and  family 
are  worthy  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

CAPT.  JOHN  B.  GALLOWAY  may  be  mentioned  as  a native  and  successful  farmer 
of  Maury  County,  Tenn.  He  was  born  October  4,  1832,  and  obtained  a fair  education.  In 
1855  he  took  for  his  helpmate  through  life  Miss  Margaret  Hanna,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Hanna.  Anna  G.  (wife  of  Rev.  S.  W.  Haddon),  Ola  and  JohnC.,  are  the  three  living  of 
the  six  children  born  to  their  marriage.  Mr.  Galloway  served  in  the  late  war  in  Company 
B,  Ninth  Tennessee  Battalion  Cavalry  as  its  first  lieutenaut.  remaining  such  about  rwo 
years.  He  was  captured  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Donels^n,  and  remained  a prisoner  eight 
months  at  Johnson’s  Island.  After  being  released  he  was  made  captain  of  his  company, 
and  served  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  w*as  a brave  and  gallant  soldier  and 
officer.  He  and  wrife  are  Presbyterians  and  he  is  a Democrat.  His  parents,  James  and 
Jane  (Sellers)  Galloway,  were  natives,  respectively  of  South  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The 
father  was  a farmer  and  died  in  1809,  and  the  mother  about  1864. 

JAMES  M.  GEDDENS  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  March  23,  1816.  His  father, 
James  Geddens,  was  a native  of  Virginia,  born  in  1736.  and  was  by  occupation,  principally, 
a farmer.  He  came  to  Williamson  County  with  his  parents  in  1891  and  was  a participant 
in  the  war  of  1812.  He  married  Priscilla  Buford,  a native  of  Virginia,  who  bore  him  seven- 
children.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  September  21,  1837,  he  led  to 
the  hymeneal  altar  Caroline  A.  Thomason,  an  estimable  lady  and  a native  of  Alabama. 
To  this  union  were  born  these  children:  James,  William  B.,  John  W.,  Tully,  Josephus  T., 
Matthew  D.,  Eliza  H.  A.,  and  Carrie.  Josephus  T.  died  November  9,  1861,  and  Eliza  H. 
A.  March  6,  1874.  Mrs.  Geddens  died  May  6,  1880.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Church  and  was  always  faithful  to  the  cause  of  Christianity.  Mr.  Gedden  ; was  formerly 
a Whig  in  politics  but  is  now  a stanch  Democrat.  He  has  a good  farm  of  330  acres  all 
under  a good  state  of  cutivation  except  sixty  acres  of  woodland.  He  has  been  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  his  seventeenth  year. 

JOHN  H.  GILLIAM,  one  of  Maury  County’s  oldest  and  most  respected  citizens,  was 
born  in  Charlotte,  Va.,  Nov.  24,  1800,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Sarah  (Pettnes)  Gill- 
iam. They  were  both  born  in  Charlotte  County,  Va.  The  father  in  April  12,  1778.  and' 
the  mother  in  1782.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  in  1806  and  located  in  Rutherford  County 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  very  successfully  for  two  years.  He  then  moved  to  Maury 
County  and  locating  at  Rock  Springs  resumed  his  occupation  of  farming.  In  1812  he  built 
the  first  saw-mill  that  was  ever  built  on  Duck  River,  known  as  the  Wallace  Mill.  He  lived 
there  seven  years  and  then  purchased  a tract  of  land  north  of  Rock  Spring  and  engaged 
in  farming.  He  was  a “Hardshell”  Baptist  and  aDeinocrat.  His  death  occurred  October  l, 
1844.  The  mother  died  September  6,  1833.  Our  subject  began  business  for  himself  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  as  a farmer.  January  6,  1822.  he  married  Martha  Gilliam,  a native 
of  Charlotte  County,  Va.,  born  October  30,  1799,  and  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Estella 
(Marshy)  Gilliam,  both  natives  of  Charlotte  County,  Va.  By  this  marriage  our  subject  be- 
came the  father  of  four  children:  Sarah  P.,  born  in  1824;  Edward  II.,  born  in  1825;  Stc. 
plien  M.  born  in  1828,  and  Charles  W., born  in  1833.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  Sep- 
tember 27,  1863,  and  January  6,  1867,  our  subject  married  Julia  C.  Jones,  her  former  name 
being  Martin.  She  was  born  in  Maury  County  March  24,  1824,  and  is  a member  of  the- 
Christian  Church.  Our  subject  enjoys  very  good  health,  although  in  his  eighty-sixth  year, 
and  has  voted  the  Democratic  ticket  for  many  years. 

ROLAND  GOOCH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  August  30,  1830,  son 


■ 


924 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


of  William  S.  and  Alacy  (Jones)  Gooch,  both  natives  of  Granville  County,  N.  C.  The 
father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage,  and  emigrated  from  North  Carolina  in  about  1820. 
He  was  a farmer  and  a minister  of  the  Baptist  Church.  After  teaching  that  doctrine  for 
a number  of  }’ears  he  became  a minister  in  the  Christian  Church,  in  which  faith  he  re- 
mained until  his  death,  which  occurred  June  24,  1852.  The  mother  is  still  living,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-two.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he 
was  twenty -two  years  of  age,  securing  a good  classical  education.  He  then  removed  to 
St.  Francis  County,  Mo.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  as  a partner  with 
his  brother,  P.  H.  Gooch.  They  had.  at  that  time,  charge  of  the  mail  route  from  Farm' 
ington,  Mo.,  to  Iron  Mountain,  at  St.  Genevieve.  At  the  end  of  eight  years  he  removed 
to  western  Canada,  and  continued  the  mercantile  business.  In  1865  he  returned  to  his 
present  neighborhood,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  ever  since. 
In  1857  he  married  Nancy  E.  Jones,  a native  of  Bedford  County,  and  to  them  were  born 
eight  children,  two  of  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are  Mary  C.,  Rolena,  Benjamin  E., 
Thomas  R.  and  Ada  and  Bertha,  who  are  twins.  Mr.  Gooch  is  a Democrat  in  politics, 
and  himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Gooch  has 
been  a Master  Mason  since  1859. 

HON.  WILLIAM  B.  GORDON,  attorney,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Maury 
County,  July  23,  1839.  He  is  the  second  son  of  George  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Bradshaw)  Gordon, 
and  was  reared  on  a farm.  He  secured  a good  education  at  Jackson  College,  graduating  in 
1858.  He  then  began  studying  law  during  his  leisure  hours,  and  in  1860  was  licensed  to 
practice.  In  the  spring  of  1861  he  enlisted  in  Capt.  Hamilton’s  company,  Second  Battal- 
ion of  Confederate  Cavalry,  which,  after  the  first  year  of  the  war,  was  consolidated  with 
the  First  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Cavalry,  and  sometimes  known  as  Wheeler’s  brigade. 
He  was  wounded  and  captured,  June  4,  1863,  near  Franklin,  and  was  paroled  three  months 
later,  but  was  so  badly  disabled  that  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  further  service.  He 
practiced  his  profession  six  months  at  Lewisburg,  Tenn.,  and  then  returned  to  Columbia 
and  became  a partner  of  Joe  II.  Fussell,  remaining  in  partnership  with  him  until  the  lat- 
ter’s election  to  the  attorney-generalship.  Since  that  time  he  has  conducted  a fairly  large 
and  remunerative  practice  for  himself.  March  13. 1878,  he  married  Miss  Mary  L.  Franklin, 
of  Mississippi.  Mr.  Gordon  is  a Democrat,  and  was  city  attorney  of  Columbia  three  years. 
In  1870  he  was  elected  without  opposition  to  the  Tennessee  State  Legislature,  represent- 
ing Maury,  Williamson  and  Lewis  Counties.  He  is  at  present  candidate  for  chancellor  of 
the  Seventh  District.  He  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar,  a Knight  of  Honor,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presb3'terian  Church. 

JAMES  T.  S.  GREENFIELD,  M.  D.,  a successful  practitioner  of  his  native  county  of 
Maury,  Tenn.,  was  born  September  17,  1831,  son  of  Jerard  Greenfield,  who  was  born  in 
Maryland,  and  came  to  Tennessee  'when  a young  man  and  married  Miss  Catharine  Sand- 
ford.  He  practiced  medicine,  and  was  considered  one  of  the  most  skillful  physicians  of  the 
county.  In  early  days  he  would  frequently  get  lost  in  the  canebrake,  and  for  that  reason 
put  a bell  on  his  horse  so  that  he  could  be  found  when  wanted.  In  connection  with  his 
practice  he  carried  on  farming.  His  death  occurred  in  1847,  and  the  mother’s  in  1831. 
James  T.  S.  Greenfield  graduated  from  the  Pennsylvania  University  of  Philadelphia,  and 
was  one  of  the  class  of  1852.  He  began  practicing  in  Maury  County,  and  has  met  with 
well  deserved  success.  In  1884 Miss  Frances  O.  Lavender  became  his  wife,  and  to  their 
union  three  children — James  T.  S.,  Jane  II.  Y.  and  Zilpha — were  born.  The  Doctor  was 
opposed  to  secession,  but  being  a Southern  man  his  sympathies  were  with  his  people.  He 
is  a Methodist  and  a Democrat. 

JOHN  A.  GRIMES  is  one  of  the  five  children  of  Henry  A.,  and  Elizabeth  (Evans) 
Grimes,  and  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  February  19,  1840.  IIenr\r  A.  Grimes  was 
one  of-the  oldest  native  inhabitants  of  Maury  County,  and  died  May  9,  1881.  The  mother 
was  born  in  Warren  County,  and  was  a devoted  member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  John  A.,  our  subject,  received  a good  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Maury  County,  and  was  married  May  9,  1866,  to  Miss  Alice  M.  Moss.  They  are  the  par- 


■ ■ 


MAURY  COUNTY.  925 

ents  of  these  five  children:  Samuel  H.,  John  B.,  Robert  L.,  Archie  and  Minnie.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  Mr.  Grimes  enlisted,  July  4.  1861.  in  Company  F.  First  Tennessee 
Cavalry,  commanded  by  Capt.  A.  J.  Polk,  of  Tennessee,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Shiloh,  Corinth.  Iuka,  Lookout  Mountain,  Missionary  Ridge,  Chickamauga  and  many 
others.  He  was  taken  prisoner  in  3802.  near  Coffee,  Miss.,  and  was  kept  a prisoner  at  Al- 
ton, 111.  After  being  exchanged  he  rejoined  his  command  at  Spring  Hill,  Tenn..  in  the 
early  part  of  186*3  and  was  paroled  at  Charlotte,  X.  C.  in  May  1863.  He  then  returned  to 
Maury  County  where  lie  has  since  resided.  He  has  always  been  a Democrat  in  politics, 
and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

C.  DAVIS  HAM,  a successful  dealer  in  fine  stallions  and  jacks,  was  born  in  Lawrence 
County,  Tenn.,  November  20,  1848.  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  and  Lucinda  (Burns!  Ham. 
born,  respectively,  in  North  and  South  Carolina.  Henry  Ham  was  an  adept  at  the  black- 
smith’s trade,  a nd  followed  that  occupation  in  Lawrence  Count}*,  Tenn. .where  he  resided 
after  coming  to  this  State.  The  mother’s  death  occurred  on  the  19th  of  October.  1879. 
She  was  an  earnest  worker  in  the  cause  of  Christianity,  and  was  a consistent  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  the  owner  of  the  famous 
stallions,  Cleveland,  Hendricks  and  Black  Prince,  and  the  noted  jack.  Starlight.  He 
has  long  made  fine  stock  breeding  his  occupation  and  has  met  with  well  deserved  success. 
He  is  a strong  supporter  of  Democracy  and  is  a substantial  citizen  of  the  county.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

THOMAS  C.  HARDISON  was  born  in  Maury  County  December  30,  1829,  and  is  the 
son  of  Joel  and  Jane  (Long)  Hardison.  The  father,  a highly  respected  and  successful 
physician,  was  born  in  North,  Carolina  October,  1800,  and  came  with  his  parents  to  Ten- 
nessee when  quite  young.  He  married  and  located  in  Maury  County,  where  he  lived  a 
long  and  prosperous  life.  He  had  a good  education  and  was  a Democrat  in  politics.  He 
died  December  17,  1873.  The  mother  was  also  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1800,  and  died 
May  1884.  She  was  the  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  Long,  who  died  in  1846  and  1832, 
respectively.  Our  subject  received  a good  common  school  education,  and,  May  20,  1847, 
was  married  to  Frances  Fox,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  born  Marcn  19,  1823.  and 
the  daughter  of  John  and  Martha  (Harris)  Fox,  who  were  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the 
former  born  in  1784,  and  the  latter  in  1786.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  three  -on-: 
and  one  daughter  named  Hampton  J.,  born  1848;  Mary  J..  born  1849:  John  J.,  born  1852. 
and  James  H.,  born  in  1859.  Hampton  J.,  the  eldest  son,  secured  a fair  education  and  be- 
gan business  for  himself  at  the  age  of  eighteen.  In  1864  he  enlisted  in  Vaughn's  com- 
pany Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Cavalry,  and  was  faithful  to  his  duties. 
August  10,1865,  he  wedded  Martha  E.  Cheek,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn..  born 
February  20,  1848,  and  daughter  of  John  L.  and  Betsey  (Rine)  Cheek.  To  Hampton  and 
wife  were  born  these  children:  John  T.,  born  1866;  Texannah,  born  1867;  William  W.. 
forn  1870;  Tallie,  born  1872;  Mary  F.,  born  1874;  Jesse  P.,  born  1876:  Melvin  A.,  born  1S78. 
and  Hampton  E.,  born  1884.  The  father  of  these  children  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and 
a successful  farmer.  In  1863  Thomas  C.  Hardison,  our  subject,  was  elected  magistrate  in 
Maury  County  and  has  held  that  office  ever  since.  He  is  highly  spoken  of  by  all  his  ac- 
quaintances as  an  upright,  honest  citizen. 

ANDREW  J.  HARDISON  was  born  November  1,  1856,  son  of  Marshall  E.  and 
Eliza  A.  (Olds)  Hardison.  The  father  was  born  in  Maury  County  July  12,  1827,  and  was 
reared  on  the  farm.  He  was  constable  of  Maury  County  for  several  years  and  filled  the 
office  in  a creditable  manner.  He  was  married  November  2,  1853,  and  four  children  were 
born  to  him.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  war,  but  was  not  in  the  service  very  long  before 
he  was  taken  with  the  measles  and  returned  home,  where  he  remained  for  a short  time. 
He  was  afterward  captured  and  imprisoned  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  died  February  28, 
1862.  The  parents  of  Marshall  E.  Hardison  were  Humphrey  and  Harriet  (Woolard! 
Hardison.  Humphrey  Hardison  was  a farmer,  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  in  1832. 
She  was  the  daughter  of  James  and  Martha  Olds.  Her  father  being  a soldier  in  the  war 


58 


926 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


of  1812,  was  a Whig  and  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Our  subject  had  poor  ed- 
ucational advantages,  but  made  the  most  of  what  he  could  get.  December  25.  1SS4,  his- 
marriage  with  Millie  A.  Hardison  was  solemnized.  She  was  born  in  Maury  County  De- 
cember 20,  1S63,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Ira  and  Man*  Hardison.  Our  subject  is  a young 
man  but  has  been  very  successful  in  his  undertakings,  and  is  widely  known  as  a good 
farmer  and  stock  raiser.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

THOMAS  A.  HARRIS,  a widely  known  citizen  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Maury  Co..  Tenn.,, 
was  born  in  Halifax  County,  of  the  “Old  Dominion,  June  20,  1820.  He  is  the  second  son 
of  a family  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters  born  to  Thomas  F.  andjAnn  L.  (Cobb)  Harris, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Powhattan  County,  Va..  and  Granville  County,  N.  C.,  born  in  1770 
and  17S6.  The  father  was  a practicing  physician,  and  died  in  his  native  county  in  1861. 
The  mother  and  father  were  Presbyterians  in  faith,  and  died  in  their  native  State  in  1861 
and  1870.  Our  subject  resided  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  1846.  In  1839  he  was 
one  of  the  escorts  of  Gen.  Samuel  Houston  from  West  Tennessee  to  the  republic  of  Texas, 
which  trip  was  made  on  horseback.  In  June  of  1846  he  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war  in 
Company  C,  Tennessee  Cavalry.  The  regiment  was  formed  at  Memphis  and  commanded 
by  Col.  Jonas  E.  Thomas,  of  Maury  County,  and  at  Matamoras  joined  Gens.  Taylor  and 
Pillow’s  forces.  They  then  went  to  Tampico,  w*here  the  command  was  assumed  by  Gen. 
Winfield  Scott.  Mr.  Harris  w*as  discharged  at  New  Orleans  in  May,  1847.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  farming  in  the  Thirteenth  Di.>trict  of  Maury  County.  At  that  date  he 
was  married  Miss  Sarah  H.  Cooper,  of  Maury  County,  and  to  them  were  born  one  son 
and  one  daughter:  Millard  F.  (deceased)  and  Anna  L.  In  October,  1856,  Mrs.  Harris  died, 
and  December  23,  1859,  Mr.  Harris  wedded  Elizabeth  J.  Stockard.  They  have  one  child 
— Virginia  Lee.  Mrs.  Harris  died  October  8,  1868.  For  three  months  of  the  civil  war 
Mr.  Harris  was  second  lieutenant  of  the  State  militia.  The  company  was  transferred,  or 
forced  in  the  rebel  army,  resigned  and  returned  home.  He  was  a Whig  previous  to  the 
war,  and  since  that  time  has  been  a strong  advocate  of  Republican  principles  and  gives 
his  support  to  that  party.  He  was  in  Washington  when  the  news  came  of  Robert  Lee’s- 
surrender,  and  was  in  Ford’s  Theater  at  the  time  of  the  assassination  of  President  Lin- 
coln. Mr.  Harris  is  an  ancient  Odd  Fellow,  and  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
His  juvenile  career  was  somewhat  checkered  and  romantic,  with  many  incidents  of  pleas- 
ure and  hardships  in  thirty  States  and  four  Governments.  His  life  since  the  Mexican  war 
has  been  devoted  exclusively  to  his  family  duties  in  Maury  County,  Tenn. 

DUNCAN  HASTINGS,  an  old  and  much  respected  citizen  and  farmer  of  Maury 
County.  Tenn.,  was  born  October  15,  1817,  in  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  son  of  John  and 
Mary  Hastings.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  died  in  that  State  about 
1824,  when  our  subject  was  quite  young.  In  1825  the  mother  and  family  immigrated  to 
this  county  and  were  among  the  early  settlers.  The  mother  died  February  16,  1861,  at 
the  unusual  age  of  one  hundred  years.  Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  with  his 
mother  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  aud  as  the  educational  advantages  of  those 
early  days  were  not  what  they  are  now,  his  education  was  rather  limited.  He  then  began 
farming  for  himself  in  his  present  neighborhood,  where  he  remained  until  1S54,  when  he 
removed  to  his  present  place  and  has  since  resided  there.  June  7,  1858,  he  wedded  E.  N. 
Thomas,  a native  of  this  county,  who  died  July  30,  1863.  They  had  one  child  by  this- 
union,  who  died  in  1802.  April,  1868,  he  wedded  his  present  wife,  Elvira  Curl,  a native 
of  Hickman  County.  Mr.  Hastings  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  Mrs.  Hastings  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

SAMUEL  D.  HAYES,  one  of  Maury  County’s  enterprising  citizens,  was  born  in 
Granville  County,  N.  C.,  September  20,  1816,  son  of  William  and  Marinie  Hayes,  born  in 
Kentucky  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children: 
James.  Eliza,  Benjamin,  Charles,  Samuel.  Whitman  L.  and  William,  all  of  whom  are 
dead  with  the  exception  of  our  subject.  William  Hayes  farmed  very  successfully  in  North 
Carolina  for  several  years  and  then  came  to  Tennessee,  locating  in  Maury  County.  At 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


927 


the  time  of  his  death  he  was  residing  near  Troy.  He  died  in  1S74.  He  held  the  office  of 
sheriff  and  constable  of  his  county  in  North  Carolina.  He  was  a Democrat  and  served  in 
the  war  of  181*2.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  Samuel  D.  Hayes  became  overseer  for 
John  Moore  in  Alabama,  but  at  the  end  of  two  years  returned  to  Tennessee  and  farmed 
near  Duck  River  for  fifteen  years.  He  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Fannie  Smith,  who  was 
born  in  Virginia  in  1828,  and  was  a daughter  of  John  and  Nancy  (Hayes)  Smith,  natives 
of  Virginia.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the  late  war  and  died  in  1885.  Our  subject  and 
wife  have  four  sons  and  six  daughters:  William  S.,  born  in  1S48:  Nancy  E.,  born  in  1852; 
Eliza  B.,  born  in  1S55;  John  D.,  born  in  1857;  Marica  L.,  born  in  1859;  Martha  P.,  who 
died  in  1885;  Fannie  R.,  born  in  1861:  Mary  L.,  born  in  1863;  Sarah  W.,  born  in  1S66.  and 
Samuel  D.,  born  in  1869.  Mrs.  Hayes  belongs  to  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Hayes  is  a 
Democrat  in  political  views. 

GEORGE  W.  HAYES,  attorue}*,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  George  W.  and 
Margaret  E.  (Steuart)  Hayes,  and  was  born  in  North  Carolina  November  27,  1851.  The 
parents  were  born  in  Georgia  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  died  in  the 
latter  State  and  there  the  mother  still  resides.  Our  subject  w as  reared  and  received  a 
common  school  education  in  his  native  State.  He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  there 
until  April,  1881,  when  he  began  his  legal  studies  and  took  a two  years’  course  in  the  law 
department  of  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  and  was  licensed  to  practice  by  the 
supreme  court  of  that  State.  He  came  to  Columbia  in  November,  1883,  and  began  prac- 
ticing in  January  of  the  next  year.  He  is  a Democrat,  but  has  never  aspired  to  office. 
His  father,  however.  wras  a prominent  politician  in  his  native  State,  being  a member  of 
the  State  Legislature,  and  was  also  a soldier  in  the  late  war  with  the  rank  of  colonel. 
Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  unmarried. 
He  and  Archibald  C.  Floyd  are  partners  in  the  law  practice  and  are  recognized  as  suc- 
cessful members  of  the  Maury  County  bar. 

HIRAM  L.  HENDLEY,  register  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and  native  of  the  county, 
was  born  November  26,  1838,  son  of  George  S.  H.  and  Elvira  E.  (Foster)  Hendley,  who 
wore  born  in  the  “Palmetto  State.”  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  in  1832,  w'here  he 
married  and  became  a successful  tiller  of  the  soil.  He  died  when  our  subject  was  five  or 
six  years  of  age.  Hiram  L.  resided  on  the  farm  in  Maury  County  until  1850,  when  they 
removed  to  Wayne  County;  thence  to  Texas  in  1854.  Five  years  later  he  returned  to 
Maury  County.  He  received  an  ordinary  common  school  education,  and  in  1860  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Addie  E.,  daughter  of  Maj.  James  L.  Guest.  At  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  A,  Ninth  Battalion,  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
serving  until  the  fall  of  Fort  -Donelson,  when  he  was  captured  and  held  a prisoner  at 
Camp  Morton  seven  months.  He  was  exchanged  and  made  first  lieutenant  of  his  old 
company,  serving  thus  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  Dalton  and  Atlanta 
campaigns,  and  was  severely  wounded  in  the  thigh  at  Funnel  Hill,  but  returned  to  his 
command  in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle  of  Atlanta.  After  his  return  home  Mr. 
Hendley  clerked  until  1878,  with  the  exception  of  four  years  spent  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness for  himself.  At  the  latter  date  he  was  elected  register  of  Maury  County,  and  has 
filled  that  position  by  re-election  to  the  present  time.  He  is  one  of  the  board  of  aldermen 
of  Columbia,  and  is  an  active-Democrat.  His  wife  died  in  December,  1880,  leaving  three 
sons  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Hendley  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  is  also  a 
member  of  the  K.  of  II.  and  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JAMES  B.  HILL,  one  of  Maury  County’s  most  highly  respected  citizens,  was  born  in 
Georgia  May  18.  1807,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Jane  (Robertson)  Hill.  The  father  was 
born  in  Georgia,  married  in  that  State  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1806,  where  he  followed 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  a Democrat,  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church  and  died  in  1830.  The  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  the  results  of  her 
union  with  James  Hill  were  eight  children:  Alexander,  Olive,  Midleton.  Matilda,  Thomas, 
William  H.,  Jane  and  James  B.  The  mother  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  died  in  1840.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  began  business  for  him 


■ " 


928 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


self  at  the  age  of  twenty-two.  as  a farmer.  In  1830  he  married  Peggie  Denham,  a native 
of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  and  the  daughter  of  Robert  and  Nancy  J.  (Turner)  Den- 
ham. To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  three  children:  James  E.,  born  February  7, 
1831;  Nancy  J.,  born  November  12.  1832,  and  died  August  28.  1800.  and  Robert  II..  born 
June  6.  1834,  and  died  January  8,  1S54.  Mrs.  Peggie  Hill  died  in  183G,  and  in  183?  Mr. 
Hill  married  Nancy  Smith,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1809.  By  her  he  became  the 
father  of  two  daughters:  Sarah  E..  born  June  2.  1839.  and  died  June  15,  1854.  and  Mar- 
garet F.,  born  March  20,  1844.  Our  subject’s  second  wife  died  in  1846,  and  in  1848  he 
married  Elmira  Lancaster,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1811.  He  is  a Democrat  in  pol- 
itics, and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

DR.  J.  SPENCER  HILL,  a young  and  prominent  physician  of  Carter  Creek.  Maury 
County,  and  a native  of  this  county,  was  born  January  19.  1854.  and  is  the  son  of  Ashley 
and  Mar}'  (McKay)  Hill,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The 
father  immigrated  to  this  county  when  but  a small  boy.  and  served  an  apprenticeship  at 
stone  cutting  and  afterward  followed  that  business  as  a profession  for  a number  of  years, 
cutting  and  engraving  stone  monuments.  He  afterward  followed  the  vocation  of  farm- 
ing, at  which  he  was  quite  successful.  His  death  occurred  about  1869.  The  mother  still 
survives  him  at  the  advanced  age  of  sixty -six  years  and  is  a resident  of  the  old  homestead. 
Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
securing  a good  education  in  the  Stephenson  Academy  in  this  county,  and  also  the  Con- 
cord Academy.  He  then  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  A.  H.  Brown  and  remained 
with  him  over  a year.  He  then  attended  one  course  of  lectures  at  the  medical  department 
of  the  Washington  University,  at  Baltimore.  Md.,  after  which  he  returned  to  Columbia  and 
resumed  the  study  or  medicine  under  Dr.  Brown.  In  1876  he  attended  one  course  of  lec- 
tures at  the  Missouri  Medical  College  of  St.  Louis,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in 
the  sessions  of  1876  and  1877.  He  then  returned  to  Carter  Creek  and  began  the  practice 
of  medicine  at  that  place.  April  19,  1882  he  w'edded  Nona  C.  Russell,  a native  of  Hick 
man  County,  Tenn.,  and  the  daughter  of  Hon.  W.  B.  Russell.  She  died  December  17. 
1885,  and  left  one  child,  Nona.  Dr.  Hill  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a leading  member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  of  which  he  is  a steward.  He  is  a successful  practi- 
tioner and  his  practice  extends  over  a wide  space  of  country. 

~ THOMAS  J.  HOBBS  is  a son  of  Jordan  and  Martha  (Nicholson)  Hobbs,  and  was  born 
in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  November  13,  1830.  The  father  w^as  born  in  Georgia  in  1802  and 
the  mother  in  Tennessee  in  1803.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  our  subject 
being  the  fifth.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  a stone  and  brick-mason  and  belonged  to  the 
Masonic  fraternity.  He  died  in  1861  and  his  wife  in  1884.  Thomas  J.,  our  subject,  began 
farming  for  himself  when  twenty-one  years  of  age.  November  3. 1852,  he  married  Jane  C. 
Coffee,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County  March  13,  1836.  To  them  were  born  the  following 
children:  John  C.,  born  in  1853:  Jane  A.,  in  1854;  Martha  O.,  in  1858:  Clarence  J.,  in  1859; 
Mary  A.,  in  1862;  Lizzie  A.,  in  1864;  Thomas  M.,  in  1866;  Maggie  L.,  in  1868;  Emma  E.. 
in  1871;  Ernest  W.,  in  1874;  Cornelia  B..  iu  1877,  and  Bertha  J.,  in  1880  and  one  infant  son 
wrho  died.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hobbs  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

GEORGE  S.  HOGE,  native  of  Maury  County.,  Tenn.,  was  born  October  1,  1841,  and 
is  the  eldest  of  six  children  jof  Moses  and  Eliza  A.  (Napier)  Iloge.  The  father  was  born  in 
West  Virginia  in  1799,  and  came  to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  in  1819,  locating  on  a farm  in 
the  Twelfth  District,  where  he  spent  a long  and  useful  life  and  died  October  7,  1858.  His 
wife  wTas  born  in  1816.  George  S.  Hoge  received  a good  English  education  at  the  Mount 
Pleasant  Academy,  and  in  November,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Third  Tennessee 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Vicksburg,  Raymond,  Resaca,  Murfrees- 
boro,and  was  with  Hood  on  his  campaign  through  Tennessee.  He  was  captured  at  Murfrees- 
boro in  1864,  and  was  a prisoner  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  until  exchanged  at  Richmond.  Va.. 
March  4,  1865.  He  returned  home  in  1865  and  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  up  to 
the  present  time.  March  8,  1871,  he  w as  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Leora  Long,  and  to 
them  one  son,  Willie  Long,  was  born.  Mr.  Hoge  has  been  a life  long  Democrat  and  is  a 
well -to  do  farmer. 


' 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


929 


REV.  JEREMIAH  F.  HOLT  was  born  in  Maury  County  October  8,  1821,  and  is  a 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Powell)  Holt.  The  father  was  born  in  Burke  County,  N. 
C.,  in  1778,  and  was  by  occupation  a farmer.  He  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  earl}-  day 
and  settled  on  a farm  in  Maury  County,  where  he  lived  a long  and  useful  life.  He 
wa«  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  and  died  in  1833.  The  mother  was  also  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  1783.  She  was  a member  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
passed  from  this  life  in  1862.  Our  subject  passed  his  youthful  days  on  the  farm  and  re- 
ceived a good  English  education  in  the  schools  of  the  county.  October,  1845,  he  married 
Margaret  Ball,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church. 
She  died  in  1806.  In  1868  Mr.  Holt  wedded  Mary  E.  (Laird)  Harwood,  a native  of  Giles 
County,  and  the  results  of  this  union  were  these  children:  Albert  A.,  Jeremiah,  James  M. 
and  Robert  B..  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Holt  has  been  a life-long  Democrat  and  was 
magistrate  of  the  Eleventh  District  for  six  years.  He  is  a member  of  the  Primitive  Bap- 
tist Church  and  has  been  a minister  for  thirty-three  3*ears.  He  is  a successful  farmer, 
having  255  acres  of  good  land. 

JERRY  HOLT  is  a son  of  William  L.  Holt,  and  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn., 
October  8,  1856.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  May  12,  1802,  and  was  a son  of 
William  Holt,  who  came  to  Tennessee  when  William  L.  was  very  young.  He  was  first 
married  to  Harriett  Snell,  who  died  in  1842,  leaving  three  sons.  The  father  remained  sin- 
gle about  six  years  and  then  wedded  Lucy  A.  Taylor,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of 
four  sons  and  three  daughters.  William  L.  was  a Democrat,  and  departed  this  life  March 
20,  1878.  Jerry,  our  subject,  was  the  fourth  of  his  family,  and  began  doing  for  himself 
at  the  age  of  twenty  two.  March  1,  1883,  be  took  for  his  life  companion  Mollie  L.  Davis, 
who  was  horn  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  July  5,  1864,  and  is  a daughter  of  Owen  and 
Mary  (Shaw)  Davis.  Mr.  Holt  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party  and  is  a young  man  of 
energy  and  good  habits. 

JOHN  A.  J.  HOWARD  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  April  29,  1819,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  and  Fannie  (Pinkston)  Howard.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Caro 
lina  December  12,  1784,  and  came  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  when  a young  man.  In 
1806  he  was  married  and  became  the  father  of  four  children.  The  mother  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  June  5,  1786,  and  died  September  4,  1869.  The  father  died  October  20, 
1847.  Our  subject  began  business  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  as  a farmer.  No 
vember  24,  1853,  he  married  Mary  M.  Denham,  a native  of  Maury  County,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Robert  F.  and  Eleanor  (Watts)  Denham.  Mary  M.  Howard,  our  subject’s  wife, 
died  April  15,  1869.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and 
was  faithful  to  her  Christian  duties.  During  the  late  unpleasantness  between  the  North 
and  South  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  A.  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Regiment — after 
the  consolidation  it  was  Company  C,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Regiment.  He  was  in  the 
battle  at  Richmond,  Ky.,  and  served  fifteen  months,  after  which  he  received  an  honorable 
discharge  and  returned  home  December.  1862,  and  engaged  in  farming.  Our  subject  has 
held  the  office  of  constable  for  one  term  and  the  office  of  magistrate  for  a number  of  years. 

JOHN  W.  HOWARD  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (Hunter)  Howard,  and  was 
born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn..  April  27,  1847,  and  his  early  days  were  spent  in  laboring 
on  his  father’s  farm  and  in  attending  the  Mount  Pleasant  Academy.  In  September.  1864, 
he  joined  the  Confederate  Army,  enlisting  in  the  Ninth  Tennessee  Battalion,  ami  partici 
pated  in  the  following  hard-fought  battles:  Nashville,  Franklin,  with  Hood’s  campaign 
through  Tennessee.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Maury  County,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  mule  raising,  and  is  doing  well  financially.  April  24, 
1877,  he  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Frierson,  who  died  July  1,  1880,  leaving  one  son. 
William  Jordan.  In  politics  Mr.  Howard  is  a Democrat,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  His  father  and  mother  were  born  in 
Tennessee  in  1812  and  1816,  respectively.  The  father  was  an  agricultural.  The  mother 
was  a faithful  and  conscientious  Christian,  being  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  died  July  9,  1861. 


930 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


CAPT.  ISAAC  J.  HOWLETT,  merchant,  of  Culleoka,  was  born  in  Davidson  County, 
April  4.  1S39,  son  of  Addison  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Clemons)  Howlett.  Addison  Howlett  is 
of  Scotch  parentage,  and  a prominent  farmer  of  Davidson  County,  where  he  yet  lives. 
The  mother  died  in  1872.  Isaac  J.  secured  a fair  education,  and  in  1835  began  earning  his 
own  living  by  clerking  for  an  uncle.  S.  B.  Howlett,  in  Mooresville,  with  whom  he  re- 
mained until  1861.  He  then  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  was  captain  of  Com- 
pany F,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  captured  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Donel- 
son,  and  was  imprisoned  at  Columbus  and  Sandusky,  Ohio.  After  his  return  home  he 
farmed  for  about  a year  and  a half,  and  in  1868  went  to  Gadsden,  Tenn.,  and  engaged  in 
merchandising  in  partnership  with  William  Linder.  In  March.  1871,  he  sold  his  interest 
and  returned  to  Maury  County,  and  collected  for  his  uncle  until  December,  1879.  Ik*  then 
came  into  possession  of  the  store  by  his  uncle’s  will,  and  has  since  carried  on  the  business 
very  successfully.  He  owns  fifty  acres  of  land  and  his  business  house  and  residence  prop- 
erty. March  28,  1861,  he  married  Mary  R.  Howard,  and  they  have  six  children: 
Kirby  S.  (a  physician  of  the  county),  Mary  I.,  Jennie  L.  and  Lizzie  D.  (twins),  Minnie  31. 
and  Adah  B.  Mr.  Hewlett  is  a Democrat,  and  the  family  are  Presbyterians. 

HUNTER  A CO.,  who  creditably  represent  the  milling  interests  of  Maury  County, 
is  composed  of  James  31.  and  Eugene  D.,  sons  of  James  31.  and  3Iary  (3IcConnico)  Hun- 
ter, both  natives  of  3Iaury  Count}'  Tenn.  The  father,  James  31.,  Sr.,  followed  the  mill- 
ing business  all  liis  life  up  to  the  last  two  years,  at  which  time  he  was  stricken  with 
paralysis,  which  disabled  him  from  business,  and  from  the  effects  of  which  he  has  not  yet 
recovered.  He  was  one  of  the  first  millers  of  the  county,  and  at  one  time  owned  the  only 
water-wheel  in  3Iaury  County.  He  was  very  successful  in  this  business,  and  since  he 
has  re  tired  fium  active  life  his  sons  have  carried  on  the  business,  having  erected  a large 
four-story  mill  at  Carter  Creek,  which  is  equipped  with  the  latest  improved  machinery. 
Their  capacity  is  seventy-five  barrels  per  day,  and  their  chief  markets  are  Georgia.  Ala- 
bama and  Florida.  James  31.  Hunter,  Jr.,  is  a native  of  this  county,  and  was  born 
December  3,  1852.  He  received  a good  common  school  education,  and  was  put  in  the  mill 
to  work  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  being  steadily  employed  in  that  business  ever  since. 
December  19,  1877,  he  wedded  Georgia  Jameson,  a native  of  this  county,  and  a daughter 
of  William  A.  Jameson.  To  this  union  were  born  three  children:  Aris  31.,  Evan  3Y.  and 
Fred,  all  of  whom  are  living.  3Ir.  Hunter  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  classed  amoug 
the  leading  business  men  of  the  county.  Eugene  D.  Hunter  was  born  in  this  county  3Iay 
12.  1837.  After  reaching  the  years  of  manhood  he  began  the  mercantile  business  at  Car- 
ter Creek,  and  operated  this  in  connection  with  the  milling  business.  November  20. 
I860,  he  wedded  Mary  A.  Jameson,  a native  of  this  county,  and  a daughter  of  W.  A.  Jam- 
eson, and  to  them  were  born  three  children:  Bessie  E.,  Ethel  and  an  infant  not  named. 
3Ir.  Hunter  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  an  enterprising  and  successful  business  man. 

J.  3V.  IRWIN,  farmer,  was  born  in  3Iaury  County  April  30,  1854,  son  of  William  31. 
and  Fannie  Irwin.  The  father  was  a native  of  Hickman  County,  Tenn.,  born  in  1825,  and 
was  a tiller  of  the  soil.  He  was  a member  of  the  3Iethodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  died 
near  Macon,  3Iiss.,  in  1876.  The  mother  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1828.  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  3Iethodist  Episcopal  Church.  She  died  July  26,  1885.  Our  subject’s  early  life 
was  passed  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  school  at  the  3Iount  Pleasant  Acad- 
emy. 3Iay  2,  1876,  he  wedded  3Iollie  Hunter,  daughter  of  Dr.  W.  G.  J.  Hunter,  and  a 
native  of  3Iaury  County.  The  birth  of  four  children  followed  this  union:  Bertram  31., 
Knox  II.,  Horace  O.  and  Lelia  I.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  3Ir.  Irwin  has  been  a life-long 
Democrat,  and  is  a member  of  the  3Iethodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  justly  considered 
one  of  3Iaury  County’s  most  enterprising  and  moral  citizens. 

SA3IUEL  E.  G.  JACK,  a member  of  the  firm  of  Church  A Jack,  and  a prominent 
citizen  of  Carter  Creek,  3Iaury  Co.,  Tenn..  was  born  in  Washington  County,  111..  July 
14,  1837,  son  of  3Villiam  and  Lecey  J.  (Fitzgerald)  Jack,  both  natives  of  this  State.  The 
father  was  a successful  farmer,  and  his  death  occurred  about  1841.  The  mother  is  still 
living  and  enjoying  fair  health  on  the  old  homestead.  Our  subject  lived  on  the  farm  with 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


931 


his  Grandfather  Fitzgerald  until  he  was  about  eighteen  years  of  age,  securing  an  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools.  He  then  began  farming  on  Snow  Creek  and  was  steadily 
engaged  in  that  business  until  he  was  thirty-three  years  of  age.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in 
Maury  Light  Artillery,  and  remained  with  this  company  until  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelaon, 
when  he  was  taken  prisoner  and  and  retained  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  for  six  or  seven 
months;  was  then  exchanged  at  Vicksburg,  and  joined  the  Heavy  Artillery,  stationed  at 
Port  Hudson,  and  remained  there  ten  months;  he  was  then  paroled  and  returned  home. 
In  1S69  he  began  the  saw  mill  business  on  Knob  Creek,  where  he  remained  two  years.  He 
was  then  elected  constable  of  the  Tenth  District,  and  acted  as  such  for  four  years;  was 
afterward  elected  as  deputy  sheriff  for  two  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile 
business  at  Theta,  as  the  firm  of  Church  & Jack,  and  in  1880  established  his  present  busi- 
ness. In  1855  he  wedded  Miss  Louisa  Tennessee,  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  them 
were  born  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  William  E..  Rosena  S.  G.  Mr.  Jack  D 
a Democrat,  and  himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  JACOBS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn,  January  14,  1831. 
and  is  a son  of  Joseph  R.  and  Louisa  (McKee)  Jacobs,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
Joseph  Jacobs  became  fatherless  when  but  nine  years  of  age.  He  was  then  bound  out  to 
Williamson  Akins,  and  learned  the  blacksmith  trade,  which  occupation  he  followed  the 
principal  part  of  his  life.  He  also  followed  agricultural  pursuits  for  some  time.  His  death 
occurred  in  1S70.  He  started  in  life  but  a poor  boy,  with  nothing  but  two  strong  arms  with 
which  to  battle,  and  when  the  late  war  broke  out,  was  one  of  the  wealthiest  men  in  the 
county.  This  he  accomplished  by  hard  work  and  close  attention  to  business;  he  was 
the  son  of  William  Jacobs.  The  mother  died  in  1875.  Our  subject  remaiued  with  his 
parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  serving  an  apprenticeship  in  the 
blacksmith’s  trade,  which  business  he  followed  for  seven  years.  He  was  one  of  the  many 
old  settlers  who  received  the  rudiment  of  their  education  in  the  rude  log  schoolhouses  of 
those  early  days.  October  14.  1860,  he  wedded  Ann  E.  Parham,  a native  of  this  count}*, 
and  the  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  Parham.  Mr.  Jacobs  is  a Democrat,  and  one  of  Maury 
County’s  most  successful  farmers.  He  is  at  present  residing  in  the  house  built  by  Ezekial 
Polk,  grandfather  of  James  K.  Polk. 

ROBERT  C.  JAMESON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  September  5, 
1832,  and  is  one  of  ten  children  born  to  John  and  Elizabeth  (Rauntree)  Jameson.  The 
father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  this  county  about  1816.  He  was  a suc- 
- cessful  farmer,  and  secured  a very  comfortable  competency.  His  death  occurred  in  Octo- 
ber, 1861.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  died  August,  1868.  Our  subject 
lived  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  securing  a good 
practical  education.  He  then  began  teaching  school,  which  profession  he  followed  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee 
Regiment,  serving  as  a second  sergeant  until  the  reorganization,  remaining  with  that 
company  until  the  close  of  the  war  as  high  private  under  his  brother  Maj.  Thomas  E. 
Jameson.  After  the  war  he  returned  home  and  began  farming  and  stock  raising  on  his 
present  farm,  and  this  he  has  followed  ever  since.  December  20, 1866,  he  wedded  Marga- 
ret R.  McMeen,  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  theih  were  born  three  children:  Clarence 
IL,  John  W.  T.  and  Robert  C.,  all  living.  Mr.  Jameson  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  C.  JOHNSON  is  a native  Tennesseean,  born  in  Hickman  County  October  14. 
1844,  and  is  a son  of  Andrew  and  Meddy  (Cook)  Johnson,  who  were  also  born  in  Tennes- 
see. The  father  was  a tanner  and  stock  trader,  and  was  considered  an  upright  and  use- 
ful citizen.  His  death  occurred  in  November,  1865.  The  mother  died  in  1872  an  earnest 
member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Our  subject  received  a limited  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  started  in  life  for  himself  with  only  the  means  to  earn  his  livelihood 
which  nature  gave  him,  and  by  energy,  perseverance  under  difficulties,  and  economy  he 
has  accumulated  a considerable  property,  and  is  the  owner  of  259  acres  of  very  productive 
land.  He  was  married,  January  28,  1869,  to  Virginia  Mayberry,  who  has  borne  to  him 


- 


932 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


eight  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  William  K..  Horace  E.,  Lillian  A.,  Marvin,  Ella. 
Teunie  P.  and  Cordie  G.  Mr.  Johnson  served  in  the  late  war  in  Company  A,  First  Ten- 
nessee Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  captured  May  8,  1865,  but 
was  released  immediately  after  the  surrender.  Mr.  Johnson  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics . 

WILLIAM  J.  JONES,  a time-honored  farmer  of  Maury  County,  and  a native  of  that 
count}*,  was  born  November  4,  18*23,  son  of  Willis  and  Elizabeth  (Gee)  Jones,  both  natives 
of  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Maury  County,  and  was 
one  of  the  wealthiest  and  most  successful  farmers  of  his  day.  He  died  in  1834:  the 
mother  died  one  month  later  in  the  same  year,  at  the  age  of  forty  years.  Our  subject  on 
account  of  his  parents’  dying  when  he  was  quite  young,  was  reared  by  his  older  brothers 
and  sisters.  He  secured  a limited  education,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  began  farming  near 
Santa  Fe.  this  county.  In  1881  he  purchased  h is  present  farm  of  1,050  acres  of  good 
land,  which  was  part  of  the  land  granted  to  Ezekial  and  Thomas  Polk  for  services  ren- 
dered in  the  Revolutionary  war.  Our  subject  has  been  quite  successful  in  farming  and 
stock  raising,  and  has  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  Maury  County.  In  1841  lie  wedded  Em- 
ily Hanks,  a native  of  this  county  and  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Elijah  Hanks,  of  this  county. 
Her  death  occurred  in  1843.  In  1845  he  wedded  Harriet  Miller,  who  died  about  1860.  To 
this  union  was  born  one  child — John  L.  In  1862  he  married  Lucinda  McConnico,  a native 
of  this  county,  who  died  in  1877.  They  had  six  children,  Walter,  Minnie,  Eulae  E.,  Hal- 
lie,  Alverta  and  Ernest.  In  1879  Mr.  Jones  married  his  present  wife,  Nancy  Evans,  a na- 
tive of  Williamson  County.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  himself  an  attend- 
ant and  his  wife  a leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  F.  T.  JONES  is  a prosperous  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.  He  was  born 
in  Bedford  County,  of  the  same  State,  January  15,  1843,  and  is  a son  of  Lawrence  and 
Nancy  (Briante)  Jones,  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  an  enterprising  agricult- 
urist of  Bedford  County,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  a worthy  and  honest  man.  Decem- 
ber 29,  1866,  John  Jones,  our  subject,  was  united  in  the  bonds  of  marriage  to  Miss  Telitha 
Delk,  and  one  child  blessed  their  union,  named  Mary  Nancy  Ann.  Mrs.  Jones  is  a 
daughter  of  Jacob  B.  Delk,  a well-known  citizen  of  Maury  County.  M r.  Jones  is  a Dem- 
ocrat, politically,  and  was  an  ardent  advocate  for  the  union  of  the  States.  Although  he 
favors  Democracy  he,  as  a general  rule,  supports  the  man  and  princip  le. rather  than  the 
party.  He  is  an  Odd  Fellow  of  the  third  degree;  and  he  and  Mrs  . Jones  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  L.  JONES,  attorney  at  law,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  was  born  Sep  tember  1,  1848, 
and  after  receiving  a common  school  training  entered  Bethel  College,  Ky.,  and  after- 
ward the  literary  department  of  the  State  Uni  versity  of  Lexington,  Kv.,  from  which  he 
graduated.  He  then  entered  the  Lebanon  (T  enn.)  Law  School,  graduating  in  January, 
1871,  and  immediately  removed  to  Missouri  wh  ere  he  practiced  law  until  1878.  Since  that 
year  he  has  been  a successful  practitioner  of  Columbia.  He  is  an  uncompromising  Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  although  he  has  never  aspired  to  office  heretofore  he  is  at  present  can- 
didate for  attorney-general  of  the  Niqth  Judicial  Circuit,  subject  to  election  in  August, 
1886.  February  28,  1871,  Mr.  Jones  wedded  Emma  J.  Hamilton,  of  Wilson  County,  by 
whom  he  is  the  father  of  three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Jones  is  a stockholder  and 
director  of  the  Columbia  Gas  Company,  and  is  secretary  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the 
Herald  Publishing  Company,  of  Columbia.  In  the  winter  of  1863-64  he  served  as  private  in 
Company  A.  First  Tennessee  Cavalry,  being  one  of  the  youngest  soldiers  in  the  Southern 
Army,  and  the  youngest  in  his  regiment.  He  is  a son  of  William  J.  and  Harriett  (Miller) 
Jones,  natives  of  this  State  and  county.  The  father,  who  is  one  of  the  most  prosperous  of 
the  county,  is  a strictly  self-made  man,  and  is  a resident  of  the  Nineteenth  District  of 
Maury  County. 

SIMON  P.  JORDAN,  M.  D..  an  old  and  well  known  citizen  of  Maury  County,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  Stokes  County,  N.  C.,  October  1,  1794,  and  is  h son  of  John  and  Mary  (Sapp) 
Jordan.  The  father  was  bom  in  Pennsylvania  about  1756,  and  his  father  was  of  English 


, : ' 


5 


■ 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


933 


birth,  and  came  to  the  United  States  when  quite  young.  Our  subject’s  mother  was  born 
in  the  same  State  and  county  as  himself.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  Simon  P.  Jordan  entered 
the  university  at  Chapel  Hill,  X.  C.,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  with  honors  in 
ISIS,  and  was  a tutor  in  the  same  three  years.  While  in  the  freshman  class  James  K. 
Polk  became  a student  in  this  college.  In  Ala}*,  1821,  Dr.  Jordan  became  principal  of  the 
male  academy  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  filled  that  position  four  years.  While  tutor  in  the 
University  of  Xorth  Carolina  and  principal  of  the  academy  at  Columbia  he  studied  medi- 
cine, and  in  1S25  entered  the  State  University  of  Lexington.  Ky.,  and  graduated  with 
honors  in  1827.  Since  that  time  he  has  resided  in  Alt.  Pleasant.  In  the  fall  of  18*28  he 
was  married  to  Jane  T.  Lawrence,  born  in  1809  in  Xorth  Carolina,  and  three  children 
were  born  to  them:  Emily,  Martha  and  Mary,  all  of  whom  are  dead.  Dr.  Jordan  be- 
came a Mason  at  Chapel  Hill,  X.  C , in  18*20.  and  has  taken  the  degree  of  Master  Ala- 
son.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

E.  T.  JOURXEY  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  May  7,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of 
Nathaniel  T.  and  Mahala  C.  (Wantland)  Journey.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia 
March  7,  1811,  was  a farmer,  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church.  He  died  in  1874  a highly  respected  citizen.  His  parents  were  William  and  Mary 
(North)  Journey,  who  were  natives  of  England.  They  were  married  there  and  came  to 
the  United  States  soon  after,  locating  in  Virginia.  Here  William  engaged  in  the  tobacco 
business,  which  he  followed  successfully  for  some  years.  After  this  he  engaged  in  the 
hotel  business  at  Petersburg,  Va.,  but  gave  that  up  and  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  days 
in  farming.  He  died  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-five.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood 
days  at  work  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  country  schools.  December  7,  1807,  he 
married  Virginia  F.  Evin,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of  three  children:  Frederic  A., 
born  August,  1868,  and  died  December,  1868:  Cora  L.,  born  1871,  and  William  M.,  bom 
1876.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  September  *2*2,  1880.  She  was  a consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  Church.  December  12,  1SS1,  Air.  Journey  married  Esther  Denham,  and 
by  her  had  two  sons:  John  W.,  born  in  1882,  and  Frederic  V.,  born  in  1884.  Our  subject  was 
all  through  the  war;  was  in  most  of  the  noted  battles:  was  wounded  at  Pine  Alountain, 
and  afterward  during  a skirmish  was  captured  and  taken  to  Camp  Douglas.  He  suffered 
all  the  hardships  and  privations  incident  to  the  life  of  a soldier,  but  bore  up  under  all 
with  great  fortitude.  In  1870  Air.  Journey  was  elected  constable,  which  office  he  held 
until  1872.  He  was  then  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  and  held  this  position  two  years. 

AIARSHALL  N.  KERR  was  born  in  the  Sixth  District  of  Alaury  County,  and  is  the 
son  of  A.  AI.  and  C.  (Aloreen)  Kerr.  The  father  was  born  in  Orange  County,  X.  C.,  in 
1786,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1810,  locating  where  Spring  Hill  now  stands.  He  was 
engaged  in  farming  and  wagon-making.  In  1811  he  was  married,  and  became  the  father 
of  fourteen  children.  He  had  a good  education,  was  a Democrat,  and  died  August  5, 
1864.  The  mother  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1790,  and  died  Alarch,  1854.  Our  subject  grew 
to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  engaged  in  the  saw-mill  business.  In 
186*3  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fourth  Regiment  Cavalry.  His  first  battle  was  near  Xasli- 
ville,  and  the  second  at  Thompson’s  Station.  He  was  in  the  battle  at  Chickamauga,  was 
captured  there  and  taken  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago.  111.,  where  he  remained  nineteen 
months.  In  186-3  he  was  discharged,  returned  home  and  continued  the  saw-mill  business. 
He  married  Eliza  AIcGahey,  who  was  born  Alarch  8,  1856,  and  who  was  the  daughter  of 
David  and  Sarah  Orr,  and  became  the  father  of  one  son  and  one  daughter:  Kinl  K.,  born 
in  1856,  and  Mary  E.,  born  in  1859,  and  died  iu  1859.  Airs.  Kerr  died  in  August,  1875,  and 
in  December,  1875,  our  subject  married  Mary  L.  Park,  and  had  by  her  four  sous:  Andrew 
B.,  born  in  1881,  and  Marshall  B.,  born  in  1884;  two  children  died  in  infancy  unnamed. 
Mr.  Kerr  is  a Democrat,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  an  honest  and  upright  citizen. 

JOSEPH  B.  KERR,  of  Alaury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  October  19,  1833.  son  of 
William  aud  Alary  (Crafton)  Kerr,  born  in  Orange  County,  X.  C..  in  1781,  and  Tennessee. 
May,  18<X).  The  father  was  twice  married,  the  first  time  to  Kate  Ross,  by  whom  he  reared 
eleven  children.  Mrs.  Kerr  died  iu  18*26,  and  in  1827  he  married  our  subject’s  mother,  who 


- 


934: 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


bore  him  seven  children.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  mechanic  by  trade,  and  a Demo- 
crat and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  December  3,  1853,  and  his 
widow  in  1875.  Our  subject  began  working  for  himself  at  agricultural  pursuits  when  very 
young.  In  December,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry 
and  served  until  July,  1864,  being  a brave  and  faithful  soldier.  May  17,  1S70,  he  married 
Sarah  E.  Barker,  who  died  a few  years  after  her  marriage.  October  21,  1875,  he  led  to 
the  hymeneal  altar  Harriet  E.  Davidson,  who  was  born  in  Lawrence  County, Teun.,  March 
28,  1854,  daughter  of  George  and  Mary  E.  (Wason)  Davidson,  natives  of  Tennessee.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kerr  were  born  the  following  children:  William  A.,  born  1876:  Dais}’  E.. 
born  1877;  Pearl  W.  born  1S79;  George  D.,  born  1881;  Louisa  A.,  born  1883,  and  Rose  M., 
born  1885.  Mrs.  Kerr  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  Mr.  Kerr 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

FELIX  M.  KINDLE,  farmer,  was  bo-n  in  Maury  County  September  1.  1854,  son  of 
William  R.  aud  Sarah  (Cecil)  Kindle.  The  father  was  a native  of  Mississippi,  born  in 

1821,  and  was  by  occupation  a farmer.  He  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents  in  1826 
and  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  residing.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  is  one  of  the  best  citizens  of  Maury  County.  The  mother  is  a native  of  Ohio,  born  in 
1818,  and  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject’s  early 
life  was  passed  in  farming,  saw-milling  and  in  attending  school  at  Hampshire  and  Mount 
Pleasant  Academy,  where  he  received  a good  English  and  Latin  education.  December  2. 
1875,  he  wedded  Mollie  Irwin,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County,  and  the  following  children 
were  born  to  this  union:  Boyd  W.,  William  R.,  Cecil  and  Sadie.  Our  subject  has  been  a 
life-long  Democrat  in  politics.  He  has  a good  farm  of  165  acres,  and  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ABRAHAM  M.  KINZER’S  birth  occurred  in  Maury  Count}’,  Tenn.,  January  25, 

1822.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  began  doing  for  himself  with  little  or 

no  capital.  He  chose  farming  as  his  calling  through  life,  and  by  his  own  exertions  has  be- 
come the  possessor  of  299  acres  of  very  productive  land.  In  November.  1844,  he  was 
united  in  the  bonds  of  matrimony  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Lurk,  daughter  of  Elias  Lurk,  and 
seven  children  were  born  to  them,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Mary  (wife  of  Joseph  Dod- 

son), James  IL,  John  W.,  Bamly  (wife  of  Robert  Ladd)  and  Jefferson  D.  Mr.  Kinzer  be- 
longs to  the  Democratic  party,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Kinzer  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  George  and  Elizabeth  (Mayberry)  Kinzer  were  born  in  the 
“Keystone  State.”  The  father  was  an  agriculturist  and  departed  this  life  about  1833. 
The  mother  died  in  1846. 

JAMES  II.  KINZER  was  born  in  the  county  where  he  now  resides  in  1849,  son  of 
Abraham  and  Elizabeth  (Lurk)  Kinzer.  Abraham  Kinzer  was  a Tennesseean  by  birth 
and  was  an  enterprising  farmer  and  citizen  of  Maury  County.  James  H.  Kinzer  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county,  attending  the  common  schools  for  some  time. 
He  is  at  the  present  time  the  owner  of  200  acres  of  fertile  and  well-cultivated  land,  all  of 
which  he  acquired  by  his  own  exertions.  In  1874  Miss  Julia  Johnson  became  his  wife, 
this  lady  being  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  the  daughter  of 
Marvel  Johnson.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kinzer  have  three  children,  named  May  F.,  Anna  and 
Lillie.  Mr.  Kinzer  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  as  a Dem- 
ocrat in  politics  has-done  much  to  assist  his  party. 

GEORGE  WHITFIELD  KINZER  is  a son  of  Henry  and  Jane  (Stockard)  Kinzer  and 
' was  born  on  the  29th  of  October,  1826.  He  resided  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  J.  Lurk,  which  took  place  November  4,  1847.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Elias 
Lurk,  a well-known  citizen  of  the  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kinzer  were  born  eight  chil- 
dren. The  following  six  are  now  living:  Emma  E.  (wife  of  Dr.  W.  W.  Joyce),  Addie  J. 
(wife  of  William  Flygs),  John  W.,  Marshall  W.,  Mattie  and  Walter  W.  Mr.  Kinzer  was  a 
soldier  in  the  late  war,  serving  in  Company  A,  First  Tennessee  Cavalry,  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  is  a Democratic  politics  and  is  a Prohibitionist  in  the  broadest  meaning  of  the 
term.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  is  a 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


935 


member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Mr.  Kinzer’s  father  and  mother  were  born  in  Virginia 
and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  was  a skillful  wagon-maker  and  farmer  and  died 
in  1S71.  The  mother  died  in  1867.  ' Both  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

SETH  R.  KITTRELL  was  born  in  Granville  County,  N.  C.,  December  31.  1800,  be- 
ing the  youngest  of  four  sons  and  two  daughters  of  Joshua  and  Ruth  (Kittrell)  Kit  troll, 
both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  mother  came  to  Tennessee  with  our  subject  in  the 
fall  of  1820.  Our  subject  received  a good  education  in  Granville  County,  X.  C.  He  was 
married,  June  1,  1826,  to  Eliza  J.  Hunter,  and  three  sons  and  two  daughters  have  blessed 
their  union:  Jacob  II..  William  A.,  Hinton  G.,  Zulika  R,  and  Larissa  K.  The  two  elder 
sons  are  deceased.  Mr.  Kittrell  was  a strong  supporter  of  Whig  principles  until  the  death 
•of  that  party  and  since  that  time  has  supported  and  advocated  Democratic  principles.  He 
is  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  resides  on  his  farm 
near  Mount  Pleasant,  and  is  considered  one  of  Maury  Countjr’s  worthy  citizens. 

GEORGE  W.  KITTRELL.  an  old  farmer  and  merchant  of  Loco,  Maury  Co.,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  Sumner  County  that  State,  January  26,  1825,  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  H. 
(Rutherford)  Kittrell,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Kentucky,  respectively.  The  father 
came  to  this  State  about  1800  and  located  in  Maury  County.  He  was  a farmer  and  a sol- 
dier in  the  war  of  1812.  He  died  in  1867.  The  mother  died  in  1865.  Our  subject,  after 
assisting  on  the  farm  and  attending  the  district  school  where  he  received  a limited  educa- 
tion, farmed  for  one  year  and  then  enlisted  in  Capt.  A.  G.  Cooper’s  company,  of  J.  E. 
Thomas’  regiment  and  served  as  a sergeant  in  the  Mexican  war  until  1847,  when  he  was 
honorably  discharged  from  service.  He  then  returned  to  this  county  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  stock  raising.  In  1850  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Walker,  who  was  born  in  Davidson 
•County  and  became  the  father  of  five  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  James  B..  Phe- 
lix  H.  and  C’icily  A.  In  1855  he  removed  to  Perry  County  and  engaged  in  merchandising 
and  farming.  In  1879  he  returned  to  Maury  County  and  located  in  his  present  place.  In 
1879  Mr.  Kittrell  established  his  present  business,  merchandising,  which  he  operates  in 
•connection  with  farming.  He  is  a Democrat  and  has  been  postmaster  at  this  present 
place  for  five  years;  was  also  postmaster  and  magistrate  in  Perry  County  for  many  years. 
Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  and  he  has  been  a Mason  since 
1858. 

CHARLES  D.  KNIGHT,  a native  of  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  February  19, 
1857,  son  of  Andrew  J.  and  Leathy  L Knight.  The  father  was  born  in  Georgia,  and  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  began  farming  for  himself.  His  first  wife  was  Drucilla  Hardy,  who 
died  a few  years  after  marriage.  He  then  married  our  subject’s  mother,  who  bore  him 
these  children:  Dewitt  C.,  Martha  J..  Nancy  M.,  Mary,  Charles  D.,  W.  31.,  Luby,  Minnie. 
JEllen  and  Andrew  J.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Giles  County,  Tenn.  Our  subject  re- 
mained on  the  farm  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twentjr-two  years  of  age,  after  which  he 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  himself.  He  was  married  February  19,  1880,  to  Sallie 
B.  Craig;  her  former  name  was  Foster.  She  was  born  December  23,  1853,  in  Maury 
County,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Richard  S.  and  Sallie  A.  (Flemming)  Foster.  To  our  sub- 
ject and  wife  were  born  three  children:  Minnie  L.,  born  1881;  Various  L.,  born  1883  and 
Lillie,  born  1885.  Mr.  Knight  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  is  much  respected  by  all  who 
know  him. 

WILLIAM  H.  LANCASTER  was  born  November  29,  1818.  and  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  be  began  business  for  himself  as  a mechanic,  in 
which  he  was  quite  successful.  He  accumulated  considerable  means,  purchased  some 
good  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  married,  January  6.  1848,  Mary  A.  Hill,  who  was 
born  December  28,  1829,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Middleton  and  Elizabeth  (Cunningham) 
Hill.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight  children:  Samuel  L.,  William  L.  (de- 
ceased), Orison  E.,  Naomi,  Ella  R.,  Mary  L.,  William  R.  and  Martha  C.  Our  subject  s 
wife  was  faithful  in  her  Christian  duty  and  died  November  25.  1867.  In  1868  Mr.  Lan- 
-caster  was  married  to  Margaret  M.  Caskey,  a native  of  Maury  County,  born  September 


036 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


22.  1827,  who  bore  him  two  children:  William  R.  and  Martha  C.  Our  subject  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  in  which  he  has  been  a deacon  for  twenty -five  years. 
In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  nine 
months.  He  became  disabled,  received  an  honorable  discharge  and  came  home.  Michael 
and  Susan  (Anderson)  Lancaster,  our  subject’s  parents,  were  born  1780  and  1781,  respect- 
ively. Michael  Lancaster  was  the  son  of  Nathaniel  and  Hope  Lancaster,  and  was  a me- 
chanic by  trade.  He  was  married  in  Buckingham  County,  Ya..  and  came  to  Tennessee 
in  1808,  locating  in  Maury  County.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812  and  was  a brave  soldier. 
He  died  in  1862.  The  mother  lived  to  see  her  children  all  grown.  She  died  November 
5,  1876. 

FRANK  D.  LANDER,  recorder  of  the  city  of  Columbia,  is  a native  of  Hopkinsville, 
Ky.,  born  February  25.  1855,  but  removed  to  Columbia.  Tenn.,  with  his  mother  at  the- 
breaking  out  of  the  war,  his  father  being  in  the  Confederate  service.  He  completed  the 
common  branches  at  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  and  in  1875  accepted  a clerkship  in  the  Bank  of 
Columbia,  which  position  he  held  two  years.  In  the  meantime  he  began  versing  himself 
in  legal  lore  and  in  1877  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Maury  County  Courts.  In  1883 
he  was  elected  city  recorder  for  a term  of  two  years  and  has  served  by  re-election  up  to 
the  present  time.  He  votes  the  Democratic  ticket  but  belongs  to  the  younger  and  more 
progressive  school  of  Democracy.  He  is  one  of  the  successful  practitioners  of  the  county 
and  bids  fair  to  succeed  in  his  profession.  His  parents,  Russell  B.  and  Bettie  (Dunning- 
ton)  Lander,  were  natives  of  the  Blue-grass  State. 

ADDISON  LEFTWTCH,  M.  D.,  is  a successful  physician  of  Hampshire,  Tenn.,  and 
was  born  in  Maury  County  on  the  8th  of  August,  1835,  and  is  a graduate  of  the  Nashville 
University  of  Medicine,  being  one  of  the  class  of  1857.  He  began  practicing  his  profes- 
sion in  his  native  town,  and  has  met  with  the  success  his  skill  merited.  March  4,  1861,' 
the  nuptials  of  his  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  Jones  were  celebrated.  She.  is  a daughter  of 
Edwin  Jones,  a prominent  citizen  of  Maury  County,  and  became  the  mother  of  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Francis  T.,  Albert,  Arthur,  Sue  M.  and  Anna  V.  Our 
subject  advocated  the  union  of  the  States  in  the  late  war,  and  now  supports  the  Republican 
party.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject’s  parents  were 
Dr.  Joel  and  Mary  (Thorp)  Leftwich.  were  born  in  the  Old  Dominion,  where  he  was  a 
prominent  physician.  He  died  November  12,  1865,  and  the  mother  April  7,  1857.  Both 
were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

GEORGE  LIPSCOMB,  farmer,  of  Maury  Count}',  Tenn.,  was  born  in  North  Caro- 
lina in  1813,  and  is  a son  of  Archibald  and  Dorothea  (Pembelton)  Lipscomb,  who  were 
born  in  the  “Old  Dominion.”  The  father  was  a well-to-do  farmer  of  that  State.  His 
death  occurred  in  March,  1837,  and  the  mother’s  in  March,  1862.  Both  parents  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Baptist  Church.  The  father  was  a Revolutionary  soldier,  and  drew  a pension 
in  compensation  for  his  services  in  that  war;  this  his  wife  drew  up  to  the  time  of  her 
death.  In  June,  1837,  our  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Erwin,  daughter  of  Alex- 
ander S.  Erwin,  a prominent  citizen  of  North  Carolina,  and  one  of  Maury  County’s 
early  settlers.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lipscomb  were  born  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are 
living:  Archibald  A..  Emma  (wife  of  William  H.  McFall),  William  H.,  Theodocia  E., 
Benjamin  B.  and  Ida  (wife  of  William  J.  Erwin),  of  Arkansas.  Mr.  Lipscomb  served  in 
the  Florida  campaign  in  1836,  serving  as  first  lieutenant,  and  a part  of  the  time  as  cap- 
tain. He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  but  was  a Whig  previous  to  the  war.  He  was  an  ad- 
vocate for  the  union  of  the  States,  but  being  a Southern  man  his  sympathies  were  naturally 
with  the  South.  He  is  a Good  Templar  and  a Methodist.  His  wife  is  a Presbyterian. 

HENRY  LONG,  M.  D.,  of  Mount  Pleasant,  Maury  Co.,  Tenn.,  was  born  on  the  28th 
of  September,  1835,  and  is  the  second  son  of  six  children  born  to  Lemuel  and  Mary 
(Craig)  Long,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  was  a 
farmer,  and  came  to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  in  1826,  and  there  died  October  14,  1864.  Our 
subject  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  Mount  Pleasant,  and  afterward  stud- 
ied medicine  under  Dr.  S.  P.  Jordan  for  a period  of  three  years.  In  1855  he  entered  the 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


937 


medical  department  of  the  State  University  of  Nashville,  where  he  pursued  his  studies 
for  two  years,  and  graduated  from  the  Medical  University  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  with 
honors,  March  20,  1S58.  He  practiced  his  profession  in  Mount  Pleasant  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war,  when  he  was  appointed  by  the  State  hoard  of  Nashville  as  assistant  sur- 
geon of  the  First  Tennessee  Regiment.  In  1862  he  was  appointed  surgeon  of  the  Ninth 
Tennessee,  and  served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  resided  at  Mount 
Pleasant  for  a brief  period,  and  then  took  a course  of  lectures  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  and 
has  since  practiced  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.  September  9, 1ST2,  he  was  married  to  Fan- 
nie B.  Scurlock,  and  an  interesting  family  of  six  children  have  blessed  this  union:  Henry 
H.,  Joseph  S.  (deceased), Clarence  B.,  Frank, Leon  M.  and  Katie  W.  (deceased).  The  Doctor 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  and  is  a warm 
advocate  of  the  principles  of  his  part}'.  He  is  a skillful  physician,  aud  has  a lucrative 
practice. 

RUFUS  LONG  was  born  in  Maury  County.  Tenn.,  September  16,  1841.  and  is  the 
youngest  of  six  children  of  Lemuel  and  Mary  P.  (Craig)  Long.  Lemuel  Long  was  a pros- 
perous farmer,  and  w*as  born  in  Northampton  County,  N.  C..  in  1799.  He  came  to  Ten- 
nessee in  1820,  locating  in  Maury  County.  He  was  a strong  advocate  for  the  cause  of 
temperance,  aud  was  noted  for  his  many  deeds  of  charity.  His  death  occurred  Novem- 
ber 14, 1865.  Rufus  Long’s  boyhood  days  were  spent  on  a farm.  He  received  a good  En- 
glish education  in  the  common  schools  of  Maury  County,  and  in  the  fall  of  1861  enlisted 
in  Company  C,  Ninth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Col.  Jacob  BilTel.  He  was  at 
Lexington,  Cliickamauga,  Spring  Creek,  Day’s  Gap.  and  was  with  Forrest  in  his 
movements  through  Georgia  and  Alabama.  He  was  captured  at  Paper  Mills  in  1802, 
and  was  taken  to  East  Tennessee,  where  he  was  paroled  after  being  a prisoner  only  one 
week.  He  then  returned  to  Maury  County,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  farmed.  De- 
cember 28,  18T4,  he  was  married  to  Jennie  Gillespie,  and  four  children  have  been  born  to 
them,  namely:  Archie,  Washington,  Eula  and  Katie  W.  Mr.  Long  had  been  a life-long 
Democrat,  and  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  LONG,  a prosperous  young  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  bora 
in  Jackson  County,  Fla.,  December  15,  1860.  He  is  the  youngest  of  three  children  of 
Felix  H.  G.  and  Emily  B.  (Dickson)  Long.  Felix  Long  was  born  in  North  Carolina  June 
25,  1819,  and  when  a young  man  went  to  Florida  and  settled  on  a farm,  where  he  lived  a 
long  and  useful  life.  The  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina  December  1,  1822,  and  died 
March  8,  1864,  in  Jackson  County,  Fla.  She  wras  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  a true  Christian.  Our  subject  received  a good  education  in  Franklin  County, 
Tenn.,  and  was  married  October  3,  1882,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  B.  Long,  born  June  12,  1862. 
and  to  them  was  born  one  daughter,  named  Emily  Maria  Murphy  Hay.  Mr.  Long  votes 
the  Democratic  ticket,  and  resides  on  his  farm  three  miles  from  the  enterprising  village  of 
Mount  Pleasant. 

WILLIAM  MACK,  D.  D.  (deceased),  late  of  Columbia.  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Flushing. 
N.  Y.,  July  29,  1807.  He  obtained  a tine  classical  education  in  Union  College,  Schenec- 
tady, N.  Y.,  graduating  in  1831,  and  pursued  his  theological  studies  at  Princeton,  N.  J.. 
where  he  remained  three  years.  After  entering  upon  his  ministerial  labors  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Third  Presbyterian  Church  in  Rochester,  N.  Y..  and  remained  such  five 
years.  In  January,  1840,  he  came  to  Tennessee  and  took  charge  of  the  Second  Presby- 
terian Church  at  Knoxville,  where  he  continued  his  labors  until  December,  1843.  He  then 
removed  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  where  he  served  as  pastor  of  the  Second  Presbyterian 
Church  a number  of  years,  and  was  also  president  of  Jackson  College.  He  resigned  the 
latter  position  in  18-19,  but  continued  pastor  of  the  church  till  1857.  About  the  last 
tw’enty-tw’o  years  of  his  life  was  spent  in  Evangelical  work  in  Middle  Tennessee,  where 
he  was  beloved  for  his  many  virtues  and  truly  Christian  spirit.  I)r.  Mack  w as  a diligent 
and  painstaking  student,  frequently,  during  his  college  presidency,  spending  whole 
nights  in  study.  He  w'as  an  independent  thinker,  and  a man  gifted  with  more  than 
ordinary  culture  and  ability.  His  sermons,  which  were  usually  extemporaneous,  were 


93S 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


j 

characterized  by  method,  solidity  and  reasoning  power,  and  were  effectual  in  producing  a 
most  salutary  and  holy  influence.  He  was  instrumental  in  leading  many  young  men  to 
embrace  Christianity,  and  his  affectionate  and  fatherly  personal  appeals  to  them  led  many 
from  the  haunts  of  vice.  Owing  to  age  and  failing  health  he  went  to  Columbia,  S.  C., 
thinking  that  a more  southern  climate  would  prove  beneficial,  but  his  shattered  health 
continued  to  fail,  and  January  9,  1879,  his  eyes  were  closed  in  their  last  sleep.  He  died  at 
the  residence  of  his  son.  Rev.  J.  B,  Mack,  of  Columbia,  S.  C.,  leaving  a wife  and  several 
children  to  mourn  his  loss.  His  daughter  Mollie,  who  accompanied  him  South,  was  also 
with  him  at  the  time  of  his  demise.  He  has  a son,  E.  G.  Mack,  residing  on  a farm  near 
Columbia,  Tenn.,  who  is  an  honorable  citizen.  Rev.  Mack  was  an  honorary  member  of 
the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and  his  assistance  and  talks  did  much  good.  His  memory  will  remain 
green  in  the  hearts  of  many,  and  his  good  deeds  and  influence  will  prove  a lasting  monu- 
ment to  his  memory. 

HENRY  W.  MANN  was  born  in  Marshall  County  January  19,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of 
William  and  Mary  P.  (Wilson)  Mann.  The  father  of  our  subject  received  a good  educa- 
tion and  was  at  one  time  a prominent  merchant  in  Shelbyville  and  Lewisburg,  Tenn.,  but 
r the  latter  part  of  his  life  was  spent  in  farming,  in  which  he  was  quite  successful.  He  died 
January  9,  1853.  His  wife,  Mary  Mann,  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  June  15,. 
1822,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Martha  (Goodwin)  Wilson.  Mrs.  Mann  is  a 
worthy  member  of  the  old  Baptist  Church.  Our  subject  began  business  for  himself  at 
• the  age  of  twenty,  as  a farmer.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Seventeenth  Tennes- 
see Regiment,  and  was  in  many  battles  and  skirmishes.  He  was  captured,  exchanged, 

1 and  acted  as  scout  for  two  months,  nc  then  joined  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
Company  E,  and  was  in  the  100  days’  fight  from  Dalton  to  Atlanta,  and  was  again  cap- 
tured near  Pulaski  as  a bushwhacker,  and  had  his  choice,  death  or  an  oath.  He  took  the 
oath.  He  then  went  back  to  Company  E,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  remained 
with  this  until  the  surrender  in  1865.  January  28,  1869,  he  wedded  Nancy  W.  Dillahay, 
a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  born  February  27,  1853,  and  the  daughter  of  John  W. 
and  Louisa  (Murphey)  Dillahay.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  four  children:  Josie 
I., William  T..  Lee,  and  Edgar  (deceased).  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  finished  a good 
education  at  New  Hope  Academy. 

WILLIAM  G.  MARTIN  is  a native  of  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  born  September  22, 
1825,  and  reared  on  a farm.  July  27,  1852,  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Barrett,  born  January  10, 
1841,  and  daughter  of  Wade  and  Amelia  (Jones)  Barrett,  of  North  Carolina,  and  early 
settlers  of  Tennessee.  The  father  died  in  1870  and  the  mother  in  1886.  The  children 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  are  Ann  C.,  Mary  E.,  Henry  B.,  James  T.,  Jessie  L..  John  II. 
D.  and  William  M.,  and  three  infants  deceased.  She  w'as  a member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  died  March  28,  1876.  October  24  of  that  year  Mr.  Martin  married  Callie 
Barrett,  born  in  1840.  They  have  three  children:  June  F.,  George  E.  and  Amelia  W. 
In  the  fall  of  1862  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Regiment.Cav- 
alry,  and  served  until  January,  1865.  He  was  a faithful  and  brave  soldier.  He  is  a Dem- 
ocrat and  a son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  Martin.  The  father  was  born  in  Caldwell  County, 
N.  C.,  in  1797,  and  was  a son  of  Richard  Martin,  a Baptist  minister  and  a North  Caroli- 
nian. Henry  Martin  came  to  Tennessee  when  a young  man  and  married  a Miss  Carrol, 
who  died,  leaving  two  daughters.  He  then  married  our  subject’s  mother  and  became  the 
father  of  ten  children.  He  died  in  1843  and  his  wife  in  1870. 

THOMAS  T.  MARTIN  was  born  in  the  Sixth  District  of  Maury  Count}’,  Tenn., 
October  14,  1841,  son  of  Henry  and  Sarah  (Burnley)  Martin,  born  in  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia,  respectively.  Henry  Martin  was  born  in  1793,  and  was  a son  of  George  W. 
Martin.  At  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  between  the  North  and  South  our  subject  (in 
1862)  enlisted  in  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Battalion,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Thompson’s  Station,  Cliickamauga,  Knoxville  and  Franklin,  and  in  1864  was  detailed  as 
special  scout,  and  served  in  this  capacity  until  t he  surrender  in  1865.  After  his  return 
home  he  attended  school  at  Hartsville,  Tenn.,  for  some  time,  and  then  engaged  in  farm- 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


039 


ing.  and  was  married,  March  3,  1869,  to  Mattie  H.  Perry,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County 
September  8,  1850,  daughter  of  Burkley  Perry.  The  following  children  were  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Martin:  James  M.,  born  in  1871:  Lizzie  M.,  born  in  1873;  Sarah  T.,  born  in  1S76: 
Lillie  G.,  born  in  1878;  Burkley  V.,  born  in  1881;  Ivy  B.,  born  in  1S83,  and  Willie  T.. 
born  in  1886.  Our  subject  is  a successful  farmer  and  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

THOMAS  G.  MARTIN  was  born  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  September  27,  1881,  and  is 
one  of  ten  children  of  George  W.  and  Narcissa  (Pillow!  Martin.  The  father  was  born  in 
the  Old  Dominion,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of  six  years,  and 
located  with  them  in  Nashville,  and  was  engaged  in  that  city  for  many  years  as  a whole- 
sale dry  goods  merchant.  He  died  August  19,  1854,  from  an  accidental  gun-Shot  wound. 
He  was  prominently  connected  with  political  affairs,  and  was  once  nominated  as  candidate 
for  governor  of  Tennessee,  which  he  declined.  Thomas  G.’s  mother  was  born  in  Maury 
County,  Tenn.,  in  1811.  His  paternal  great-grandmother  in  the  early  settlement  of  Virginia, 
killed  a huge  black  bear  in  a hand-to-hand  conflict.  She  was  going  to  one  of  her  neighbors, 
and  had  to  pass  through  a dense  canebrake,  in  which  she  saw  the  huge  monster  reared  in  the 
attitude  of  battle.  Realizing  that  to  run  was  certain  death  she  advanced  and  dealt  him  a 
blow  with  a hickory  wagon  standard,  which  happened  to  be  lying  near,  and  crushed  in 
his  skull.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Gideon  Pillow,  was  an  aid-de-camp  of  Gen.  George 
Washington  during  the  Revolution.  December  21,  1854,  our  subject  was  married  to  Mary 
M.  Wingfield,  who  died  in  June,  1858,  having  borne  two  children:  George  W.  and  Ellen 
W.  November  22,  1860,  Mr.  Martin  wedded  Larissa  Kittrell,  and  one  son,  Seth  Kittrell, 
blessed  this  uniou.  lu  September,  1862,  Mr.  Martin  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Battalion  of 
Tennessee  Cavalry,  but  was  transferred  to  the  Ninth  Regiment  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
served  in  the  Georgia  campaign.  He  was  paroled  in  1865,  and  returned  to  Maury  County, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  R.  II.  MATTHEWS  is  a successful  tiller  of  the  soil  and  a native  of  Maury 
County,  Tenn.,  and  was  born  in  1838.  Newton  Matthews  was  born  in  this  State,  and  was 
married  to  Miss  Eliza  Mack.  He  was  fairly  well  to  do  in  worldly  goods.  His  death  oc- 
curred March  23,  1886.  His  widow  is  yet  living,  and  is  a resident  of  this  county.  Will- 
iam Matthews’  early  education  was  indifferent,  but  by  energy  and  economy  he  has  ad- 
vanced in  the  world  and  has  accumulated  some  property,  being  the  owner  of  a stock  of 
merchandise  and'sixty  acres  of  land.  William,  Fannie  D.  (wife  of  Philip  Evans;.  Bed- 
ford L.,  Elenora,  Juba  F.,  Jerome,  Robby  and  Sallie  E.  are  the  children  boru  to  his  union 
with  Fannie  Garrett,  which  was  solemnized  February  16,  1858.  Mr.  Matthews  served  in 
the  late  war  in  Company  B,  Ninth  Battalion  of  Cavalr}’,  commanded  by  Maj.  James  Akin, 
serving  with  his  company  two  years.  Owing  to  impaired  health  he  then  returned  home, 
but  afterward  joined  the  Ninth  Regiment  Cavalry,  and  served  about  six  months,  when 
he  was  again  compelled  to  return  home,  and  refrained  from  further  participation  in  the 
war.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  the  present  magistrate  of  his  district,  having  served  in 
that  capacity  twelve  years.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  he  is  a Mason. 

HENRY  MAYBERRY  is  one  of  Maury  County’s  successful  agriculturists.  He  is  a 
son  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Williams)  Mayberry,  and  was  born  in  the  county  where  he 
now  resides  May  31,  1808.  He  resided  with  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  after  attaining  a 
suitable  age  began  following  the  same  occupation  for  himself.  December  25,  1827,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  Kinzer,  and  twelve  children  were  born  to  their  union,  ten 
of  whom  are  now  living:  George  W..  Alice  E.  (wife  of  F.  O.  Howser),  Martha  A.  (wife 
of  James  Nance),  Mary  J.  (wife  of  James  Hill),  Robert  N.,  Henry  N.,  Columbus  P..  Mar- 
garet G.  (wife  of  Scott  Lurk),  Virginia  and  William  G.  Mr.  Mayberry  is  a Dem»>crat  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Mayberry  are  members  of  tbe  Moth- 
odist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Our  subject's  parents  were  natives  of  Virginia,  and  the 
father  was  an  enterprising  farmer.  He  was  a Methodist,  and  died  about  1851.  The 
mother  was  a Baptist,  and  died  in  1876. 


940 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


JAMES  M.  MAYES,  president  of  the  Columbia  Banking  Company  and  a promineul 
business  man  of  the  town,  is  a native  of  Maury  County,  born  March  3,  1827,  son  of  John 
M.  S.  and  Rebecca  S.  (Witherspoon)  Mayes,  both  South  Carolinians  by  birth.  John  M.  S. 
came  to  Tennessee  with  his  father,  I)r.  Samuel  Mayes,  in  1806,  locating  in  Williamson 
County,  and  the  following  year  removed  to  Maury  County.  He  has  been  a farmer  all  his 
life,  and  is  one  of  the  old  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county.  His  early  life  was  much 
devoted  to  hunting,  fishing  and  held  sports,  and  although  his  fortunes  suffered  severely 
during  the  late  war  he  still  retains  a comfortable  competency,  and  attained  his  ninetieth 
year  May  29,  1886.  He  seiwed  six  months  in  the  Seminole  war  in  1836,  and  was  an  old-line 
Whig  as  long  as  that  party  existed.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  was  a firm  sup- 
porter of  the  Union,  but  after  the  State  seceded  his  sympathies  were  with  the  South- 
ern cause.  Two  of  his  sons  were  in  the  Confederate  Array.  Our  immediate  subject 
resided  on  his  father’s  farm  and  secured  a good  education  at  Centre  College,  Danville,  Ky., 
graduating  in  1848.  He  then  began  the  study  of  law,  which  he  abandoned  six  months 
later  and  entered  mercantile  life  as  a clerk.  From  1851  to  1861  he  was  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  and  after  the  close  of  that  conflict,  up  to  1875,  he  kept  a hardware 
store,  and  then  retired  from  active  business  life  and  took  a tour  through  Europe.  In  1S78 
he  became  connected  with  the  First  National  Bank  of  Columbia,  and  has  acted  as  its 
president  up  to  the  present  time.  In  September,  1884,  he  became  connected  with  the 
large  dry  goods  firm  of  Frierson,  Mayes  & Co..  of  which  his  son  Walter  M.  is  active  man- 
ager. In  1857  Willie  B.,  daughter  of  John  W.  Cheairs,  of  Spring  Hill,  became  his  wife, 
and  two  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to  their  union.  Mr.  Mayes  is  strictly  inde- 
pendent in  politics,  but  has  generally  supported  the  Democratic  party  since  the  war. 

MILES  C.  MAYS,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Bethel  House,  of  Columbia,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  Maury  County  January  11,  1846,  son  of  Miles  II.  and  Elizabeth  P.  Mays,  who 
were  born  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  was  a successful  farmer 
before  the  war,  but  was  financially  ruined  during  that  conflict.  During  the  close  of  the 
war  he  followed  merchandising  until  the  latter  part  of  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Nash- 
ville, and  from  there  to  Dickson,  Tenn.,  where  he  owned  and  operated  a hotel  until  his 
death  September  10.  1885.  Miles  C.  Mays  acquired  a good  education  in  Jackson  College, 
being  a student  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  He  (in  1864)  enlisted  as  a private  in  Com- 
pany E,  First  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  until  the  conflict  closed.  Shortly  after  he  en- 
gaged in  the  livery  business,  with  which  he  has  been  connected  ever  since,  R.  P.  Dodson 
being  his  partner.  From  1872  to  1880  Mr.  Mays  conducted  the  Nelson  Hotel  of  this  city. 
In  1883  he  managed  the  Bethel  House,  and  two  years  later  he  and  Mr.  Dodson  purchased 
the  hotel,  which  they  have  operated  very  successfully  since  April,  1886.  January  20, 18S5. 
he  married  Maggie  Lee  Shaffer,  of  Terre  Bonne,  La.  Mr.  Mays  is  a Democrat,  and  is  an 
■enterprising  citizen  of  Maury  County. 

ROBERT  N.  McBRIDE,  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  is  a son  of  John  and  Hannah 
<Kinzer)  McBride.  John  McBride  was  born  in  Maryland,  and  came  to  Tennessee  at  an 
early  period,  where  he  followed  farming  until  his  death  in  1859.  His  wife  is  yet  living, 
and  is  a resident  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.  Robert  N.  McBride  was  born  August  31,  1841, 
and  spent  his  early  days  in  attending  school  and  laboring  on  his  father’s  farm.  May  12, 
1871,  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar  Miss  Helena  Williams,  daughter  of  W.  I).  Williams,  a 
prominent  man  of  the  county.  -They  became  the  parents  of  six  children,  four  yet  living: 
Dora  B.,  William  D.,  Mattie  P.  and  Robert  L.  Mr.  McBride  took  an  active  part  in  the 
late  war,  enlisting  in  Company  A,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  through- 
out the  struggle.  He  was  captured  at  New  Hope,  Ga.,  in  1863,  but  made  his  escape  in  a 
few  hours.  Our  subject  is  a warm  Democrat,  and  is  a Mason  of  the  Blue  Lodge  degree. 
He  and  Mrs.  McBride  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

WILLIAM  T.  McCLAIN  is  a son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (McMillan)  McClain,  and 
was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  August  29,  1820.  He  spent  his  earl}'  days  in  tann- 
ing, and  was  united  in  marriage,  July  30,  1839,  to  Miss  Mary  Coleman,  a native  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  to  them  were  born  four  children:  Robert  C..  Luther,  Catharine  and  Livonia, 


■ 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


941 


all  of  whom  are  dead.  January  29,  18-15,  Mrs.  McClain’s  death  occurred.  Mr.  McClain 
wedded  Mrs.  Martha  (Williams)  Dixon  August  24.  1847.  and  to  them  were  born  three  sons: 
Newton,  John  (deceased)  and  Jasper.  Our  subject  is  an  advocate  of  Democratic  princi- 
ples, and  was  constable  in  Maury  and  Lewis  Counties  for  a perion  of  sixteen  years.  He 
belongs  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  resides 
on  a farm  about  five  miles  from  Mount  Pleasant.  His  father.  John  McClain,  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  March  16,  1777,  and  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans.  He  died  in  Maury  County  April  5,  1881.  The  mother  was  born 
in  the  Blue-grass  State,  and  was  a Cumberland  Presbyterian  in  faith. 

CAPT.  ROBERT  B.  McCORMICK,  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county  May  4, 1832,  son  of 
William  C.  and  Dorcas  (Irwin)  McCormick,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father 
immigrated  to  this  county  from  North  Carolina  in  1829,  and  settled  where  Carter  Creek 
Station  now  stands.  He  farmed  for  a livelihood  and  wTa3  quite  successful.  His  death  oc- 
curred September,  1834,  at  Spring  Hill.  He  was  a man  of  strong  religious  feeling,  and 
•was  a leading  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  mother  died  in  1870.  Our  sub- 
ject remained  and  assisted  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  one  years  of  age, 
securing  a good,  practical  education  in  the  district  school,  and  subsequently  attended 
the  Franklin  University,  graduating  from  that  institution  at  the  sessions  of  1858  and  1859. 
He  then  came  to  his  present  neighborhood  and  established  the  Union  University,  of  which 
he  was  principal  until  May,  1861.  He  enlisted  in  Capt.  Pointer’s  company  of  the  Third 
Tennessee  Regiment,  serving  as  a high  private  for  about  six  months.  He  was  a non-com- 
missoned  officer  until  the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson,  when  he  was  captured  and  remained 
in  prison  ut  Sprin^Hcld  III  lor  ^svgu  iiicnths  He  vr ct s vlicn  exclmn^ccl  nnd  ths 

reorganization  of  the  Confederate  forces  was  elected  captain  of  Company  E,  Third  Ten- 
nessee Regiment,  and  remained  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1866  he  wedded 
Anna  Adkinson,  a native  of  this  county,  who  died  June  19,  1879.  They  had  four  children 
by  this  union;  Maury  M.,  Lizzie  D.,  Robert  B.  and  Dot,  all  living.  Mr.  McCormick 
taught  school  until  1868,  when  he  engaged  in  the  grist  and  saw-milling  business.  In  1879 
he  returned  to  school  teaching,  and  in  connection  farmed  to  some  extent.  In  1883,  on  ac- 
count of  ill  health,  he  quit  school  teaching  and  began  farming,  and  this  he  has  followed 
ever  since.  January  11,  1885,  he  wedded  his  present  wife,  Amanda  Eason.  Capt.  Mc- 
Cormick is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  an  attendant  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MALCOLM  MCDONALD,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (McAuley)  McDonald,  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  February  23,  1808.  The  parents  were  natives  of  Scotland  and  North 
Carolina,  respectively.  The  mother  died  in  Marshall  County,  Miss.,  in  1845.  Angus 
McDonald,  our  subject’s  grandfather,  owned  a boat  and  followed  coasting  as  an  oc- 
cupation. John  McDonald  came  to  Tennessee  in  1820  and  followed  the  following 
occupations:  merchandising,  tobacco  inspection,  teaching,  book-keeping  and  farming. 
He  was  a Mason  and  died  in  Marshall  County  in  1853.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  our 
subject  began  farming  for  himself.  October  18,  1836,  he  married  Caroline  K.  Essleman, 
born  in  North  Carolina  in  1810,  daughter  of  James  and  Ann  (Campbell)  Essleman,  natives 
of  Scotland.  Malcolm  and  Mrs.  McDonald  are  the  parents  of  one  son,  James  E.,  who 
was  born  April  3,  1839,  and  died  August  3,  1839.  Both  husband  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  has  been  an  elder  for  ten  years. 

ALEXANDER  W.  MCDONALD  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  September  2, 
1837,  and  is  a son  of  Allen  and  Temperance  (Henderson)  McDonald,  born  in  Maury  County 
October  16.  1800,  and  March  23,  1805,  respectively.  After  attaining  his  twenty-first  birth- 
day the  father  followed  farming  and  attained  a comfortable  competency.  The  mother 
died  October  30,  1848,  and  September  27,  1849,  he  took  for  his  second  wife  Olivia 
C.  Caskey.  His  death  occurred  June  26,  1862.  Alexander  W.  has  always  followed  the 
life  of  a fanner.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  First  Tennessee  Cavalry,  but  at  the 
end  of  three  years  was  detailed  to  superintend  a saddle  factory,  serving  in  this  capacil}’ 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  During  his  war  campaign  he  was  orderly  sergeant.  After  his 
return  home  he  engaged  in  the  saddlery  business  at  Culleoka,  which  he  followed  very 


so 


* 


942 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


successfully  several  years.  He  then  resumed  farming  and  the  lumber  and  saw-millin 
business.  At  the  end  of  a few’  years  he  sold  out  and  began  keeping  a confectionery  store 
in  Columbia  and  was  also  engaged  in  the  book  and  stationery  business,  and  later  sold 
pianos  and  organs.  August  *21,  1865,  he  married  Sarah  D.  Gracy,  born  October  *26.  1S43, 
in  Giles  County,  daughter  of  Joseph  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Bradshaw)  Gracy.  They  have 
nine  children:  Barnet  A.,  born  in  1866;  "William  E..  in  ISO'';  Lizzie  E..  in  1869;  Donald  G., 
in  1871;  Alexander  X.,  in  1873;  James  B.,  in  1875;  Luther  B.,  in  1878;  John  O.,  in  1881; 
and  Lura,  in  1883.  Mr.  McDonald  and  his  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church.  He  is  a well  educated  man  and  is  recognized  as  an  upright  and  honest 
citizen. 

COL.  EDWARD  C.  McDOWELL  is  a native  of  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  born  Novem- 
ber 5,  1840,  son  of  Capt.  John  L.  McDowell,  who  was  also,  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  was 
married  to  Nancy  Vance.  Edward  C.  was  reared  and  educated  in  Kentucky,  attending 
both  the  collegiate  and  law  departments  of  the  Transylvania  University  at  Lexington, 
Ky.,  and  graduated  in  law’  from  the  same  institution  in  1859.  In  1861  he  began  practicing 
in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  the  same  year  was  made  colonel  of  the  State  troops  at  that  place. 
After  Tennessee’s  secession  he  resigned  this  position  and  joined  the  Tenuessee  Artillery 
Corps  as  lieutenant,  and  served  until  July  9,  1863,  w’hen  he  surrendered  with  the  army  at 
Port  Hudson,  La.,  and  was  held  as  prisoner  of  war  at  Johnson’s  Island  and  Fort  Dela- 
ware until  June  16,  1865.  He  then  resumed  his  practice  at  Memphis,  where  he  remained 
until  October,  1874,  and  since  that  time  has  resided  and  practiced  his  profession  in  Col- 
umbia. September  16,  1873,  he  wedded  Bettie,  daughter  of  Leonard  D.  Myers,  whose 
sketch  appears  in  this  work.  Three  sons  and  three  daughters  were  born  to  their  union. 
Col.  McDowell  is  a Democrat  and  a Scottish  Rite  Mason  of  the  thirty-second  degree. 

SAMUEL  D.  F.  McEWEN,  a well-known  merchant  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  is  a native 
of  Maury  County,  where  he  was  born  July  10,  1S50,  son  of  John  A.  Mc-Ewen  (deceased), 
attorney  at  law,  of  Nashville.  Our  subject’s  early  education  was  obtained  in  his  native 
county.  He  attended  Yale  College  two  years  and  in  1870  started  in  business  in  Columbia 
as  clerk  in  the  bank  of  that  city.  He  afterward  became  book-keeper,  and  for  two  and  a 
half  years  was  teller.  Up  to  1879  he  was  in  the  grocery  business  in  the  city.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  a dry  goods  merchant,  and  has  shared  in  the  success  of  the  well-known 
firm  of  McEwen  & Dale.  He  married  Margaret  A.  Phillips,  May  15,  1873,  of  Monroe, 
La.  They  have  two  daughters.  Mr.  McEwer.  is  a Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  is 
a Mason — Knight  Templar  degree.  He  is  treasurer  of  the  Columbia  Jersey  Cattle  Com- 
pan}r,  and  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Maury  County  Trotting-IIorse  and  Breeding  As- 
sociation. He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

ROBERT  M ARTIN  McKAY,  son  of  Richard  A.  and  Eliza  J.  (Jennings)  McKay,  was 
born  in  Maury  County.  Term.,  June  5,  185*2.  His  father  was  a well-to-do  farmer  of  the 
county,  and  still  resides  in  the  Nineteenth  Civil  District  of  Maury  County,  where  he  is 
magistrate.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  years  Robert  M.  began  the  study  of  law,  and  when 
twenty-one  years  of  age  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  soon  established  a fairly  remunera- 
tive practice.  He  is  considered  a safe  counsellor  and  earnest  advocate,  and  has  won  de- 
cided distinction  and  eminence  among  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  State.  He  may  prop- 
erly be  said  to  be  a self-made  man,  and  is  endowed  with  qualities  which  have  enabled  him 
to  surmount  obstacles  whieh  would  have  discouraged  many  men.  Since  1875  he  has  been 
a partner  of  Hardin  P.  Figuers,  the  style  of  the  firm  being  McKay  & Figuers.  Air.  McKay 
is  a Democrat,  and  is  secretary  of  the  Democratic  State  Executive  Committee  and  member 
of  the  same  from  his  congressional  district.  He  is  chairman  of  the  Democratic  Executive 
Committee  in  his  Seventh  Congressional  District.  In  1884  he  wa3  one  of  the  committee 
appointed  by  the  County  Court  of  Maury  County  for  the  erection  of  the  new  jail.  He  is 
vice-president  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Columbia  and  one  of  its  directors,  and  an 
active  member  of  the  Merchants  A Manufacturers  Exchange  of  the  city.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  Columbia  Board  of  Education,  and  is  a Mason  (Knight  Templar),  and  was- 
one  of  the  committee  who  superintended  the  erection  of  the  handsome  Masonic  temple  of 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


Columbia,  Tenn.  In  1883  lie  was  candidate  for  mayor  of  Columbia  and  was  defeated  by 
twenty-four  votes,  the  whole  number  of  votes  being  $40.  Mr.  McKay  was  united  in  mar 
riage  to  Miss  Alice  F.  Rankin,  to  whom  he  had  been  engaged  twelve  years. 

HARDIN  PERKINS  FIGUERS,  of  the  him  of  McKay  & Figuers,  was  born  at  Frank- 
lin, Teun..  April  la.  1840,  and  was  educated  in  the  Carnton  High  School,  from  which  insti- 
tution he  graduated  in  December.  1806.  He  then  began  teaching  the  “young  idea”  at  Gum 
Springs.  Williamson  County,  continuing  until  1807.  The  following  year  he  entered  busi- 
ness life  as  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  establishment  of  J.  L.  Parks,  and  there  acquired  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  business  life.  In  the  early  part  of  1869  Air.  Figuers  engaged  in 
the  newspaper  business,  becoming  one  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  Franklin 
Review,  the  oldest  weekly  newspaper  in  the  State.  In  January,  187*2,  he  removed  to  Col- 
umbia and  became  one  of  the  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  Columbia  Herald.  Four 
years  later  he  began  editing  the  Columbia  Journal.  In  1875  he  formed  a law  partnership 
with  Air.  McKay,  anti  is  one  of  the  most  trusted  and  successful  practitioners  of  the  Alaurv 
County  bar.  He  is  an  eloquent  speaker  and  writer,  and  the  author  of  the  volume  “Ten- 
nessee Manual  of  Chancery  Pleadings  and  Practice.”  consisting  of  700  pages,  which  has 
won  high  praise  from  all  parts  of  the  State.  Air.  Figuers  is  a Mason  (Knight  Templar)  and 
Worshipful  Alaster  of.  F.  & A.  AI.  December  4,  1873,  he  wedded  Lily  Dale,  who  has 
borne  him  one  daughter.  His  parents,  Thomas  N.  and  Bethenia  H.  (Perkins)  Figuers 
were  natives  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn. 

RICHARD  A.  AIcKAY,  Esq.,  an  old  and  prominent  citizen  of  Carter  Creek.  Maury 
Co..  Tenn.,  was  born  in  this  county  February  28,  1819,  sou  of  Alexander  and  Rebecca 
(Claymaster)  AIcKay.  The  father  was  a native  of  .North  Carolina  and  one  of  the  early 
settlers  of  Alaury  County.  He  was  a farmer  and  in  very  comfortable  circumstances.  He 
died  July  21,  1870.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Teunessee,  and  died  February' 19,  1850. 
Our  subject  passed  his  boyhood,  on  the. farm  in  assisting  his  father  and  iu  the  schoolroom 
in  securing  an  education.  He  remained  at  home  until  the  death  of  his  father,  and  then 
purchased  his  father’s  estate  and  was  steadily  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until 
1876,  when  he  removed  to  his  present  place.  In  1870  he  established  a store  at  Carter 
Creek  and  engaged  in  merchandising  in  connection  with  his  farming  interests  until  about 
1883.  In  1882  he  %vas  appointed  agent  of  the  Louisville  & Nashville  Railroad  at  Carter 
Creek,  which  position  he  now  fills.  January  31,  1843,  he  wedded  Eliza  Jennings,  a native 
of  this  county.  They  had  eleven  children,  three  of  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are 
Alexander  W.,  Robert  AI.,  Cameron  H.,  Anna  E.,  Salhe  R.,  Ashley  J.,  Thomas  J.  and 
Phineas  E.  Air.  AIcKay  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  been  magistrate  of  the  Nine- 
teenth District  for  ten  years:  was  postmaster  at  Carter  Creek  about  twelve  years  up  to 
the  present  administration,  and  he  and  family  are  leading  members  .of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  is  an  elder.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Iv.  T.  Lodge. 

ALONZO  McKISSACK,  a prominent  citizen  of  Spring  Hill,  Alaury  Co..  Tenn.,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  January  14.  1835,  son  of  Orville  W.  and  Ellina  (AIcKissack)  Mc- 
Ivissack,  natives,  respectively,  of  Tennessee  and  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  from 
the  family  of  Archibald  AI.  AIcKissack,  who  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  State, 
and  still  survives  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-seven.  The  mother  also  survives  at  the 
age  of  seventy.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  securing  a good  school  education  at  Cumberland  University,  and  graduated  from 
the  law  department  of  that  institution  in  18G1.  Alay,  1801,  he  enlisted  in  Company  F, 
Third  Tennessee  Regiment,  serving  as  an  orderly  sergeant  and  remaining  as  such  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  a prisoner  six  months  at  Fort  Donelson,  eleven  months  at 
Fort  Delaware,  seven  months  at  Fort  Lookout  and  four  months  at  Fort  Elmira.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Alaury  County  and  began  farming,  which  occupation  he 
followed  for  two  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  at  Spring  Hill. 
In  1873  he  established  his  present  business,  carrying  a full  and  complete  line  of  drugs  and 
medicines  and  has  been  quite  successful.  September  1,  1880  he  wedded  Aliss  Almira 
Hardeman,  a native  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.  lie  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  wife  arc- 
members  of  the  Alethodist  Church. 


944 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


SAMUEL  H.  3IcKNIGHT,  31.  D.,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  December  25, 
1840,  son  of  Augustine  and  Keziah  (Roper)  McKniglit,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  was  a much  respected  aud  well-to-do  farmer  and 
departed  this  life  in  1883.  The  mother  died  in  1869.  Samuel  H.  McKnight  received  the 
rearing  aud  early  education  of  the  average  farmer’s  boy,  and  later  attended  the  medical 
department  of  the  Vanderbilt  University,  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  1S81.  He  immediately  began  practicing  his  profession  in  his  native  county 
and  is  doing  well.  In  1868  he  took  for  his  life  companion,  Miss  Mary  McKnight.  Luther, 
Lelian,  Cora,  Kate,  Samuel,  Mattie  Lee  and  two  deceased  are  the  children  boru  to  this 
union.  Dr.  McKnight  served  in  Company  B,  Ninth  Tennessee  Battalion,  Cavalry,  from 
the  time  of  his  enlistment  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  has  been  a licensed  Methodist 
minister  for  fifteen  years,  and  belongs  to  the  Republican  party. 

JOHN  D.  McLEMORE,  farmer  of  Maury  County,  and  a native  of  Williamson  County, 
was  boru  April  12,  1832,  and  is  one  of  nine  children  born  to  A.  J.  and  31.  S.  (Debrey)  3lc- 
Lemore,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a farmer 
by  occupation  and  came  to  Williamson  County  at  an  early  day  His  death  occurred  in  1849, 
and  his  wife  followed  soon  after.  He  was  the  son  of  Robert  McLemore,  who  was  of  Scotch- 
Irish  parentage.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of 
age,  securing  a common  school  education.  He  then  began  farming  on  his  father’s  tract  and 
remained  with  his  mother  until  her  death.  He  then  went  into  the  grocery  business  at 
Thompson’s  Station,  at  which  he  remained  for  three  years.  He  then  removed  to  this  county 
and  located  close  to  Columbia,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1862 
he  enlisted  in MCLemore's  company, Starn’s  regiment,  as  a high  private,  but  was  discharged 
in  1863  on  account  of  bad  health.  He  then  returned  home  and  was  assigned  a position  in 
the  commissary  department  at  Columbia.  In  1866  he  moved  back  to  Williamsoin  County, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  1884,  when  he  removed  to  his  present 
place,  and  he  has  been  steadily  engaged  ever  since  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  December 
8,  1858,  he  married  Lesey  Pope,  a native  of  Williamson  County,  and  to  them  were  born 
seven  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  now  living:  Atkins  P.,  Sidney  G.,  Jamie  and  Rob- 
ina.  Mr.  McLemore  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  himself  and  family  are  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  has  been  a member  of  the  Masonic  Lodge  for 
twenty-four  years,  and  is  also  a member  of  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  is  one  of  Maury  County’s 
best  citizens. 

LEMUEL  P.  McLEMORE,  an  energetic  farmer,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn., 
April  23,  1841,  and  is  a son  of  A.  J.  and  M.  S.  (Debrey)  McLemore.  [For  further  particulars 
of  parents  see  sketch  of  John  D.  McLemore].  Our  subject  secured  a good  practical  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools,  and  remained  with  his  parents  uutil  he  was  sixteen  years  of 
age.  He  then  resided  with  his  brother  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1872  he  purchased 
bis  present  farm  on  which  he  has  resided  ever  since,  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising. 
November  14.  1872.  he  w'edded  Lesey  31.  Frierson,  a native  of  this  county,  and  by  this 
union  is  the  father  of  two  children:  Wickliffe  F.  and  3Iary  31.  3Ir.  3IcLemore  is  a Dem- 
ocrat in  politics,  and  himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  31ethodist  Church.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  enterprising  farmersof  the  county,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  a moral,  upright 
citizen. 

JOHN  A.  3Ic3IEEN,  a'successful  farmer  of  3Iaury  County.  Tenn.,  aud  a native  of 
this  county,  was  born  January  21,  1838,  and  is  a son  of  Thomas  F.  and  Elizabeth  (3IcKay) 
Mc3Ieen,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  this  State.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil, 
and  in  connection  with  this  carried  on  a blacksmith  shop  His  death  occurred  3Iay  12, 
1854.  The  mother  died  3Iarch  10,  1849.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and 
secured  but  a limited  education.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  began  merchandising,  and  fol- 
lowed this  business  three  years,  after  which  he  began  farming.  In  1861  he  was  engaged 
in  the  commissary  department  of  the  Confederate  Army,  and  February  9, 1863,  he  enlisted 
in  Company  G,  First  Tennessee  Heavy  Artillery,  serving  with  them  until  captured  at 
Port  Hudson.  He  was  then  kept  prisoner  at  St.  Louis  a short  time,  and  was  afterward 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


^15 


stationed  at  Camp  Morton,  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  then  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  engaged  in  farming  until  1880,  when  he  re- 
moved to  his  present  place,  and  he  has  been  steadily  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising 
ever  since.  November  14,  1859.  he  wedded  Harriet  D.  Cook,  a native  of  Kentucky,  and 
to  this  union  were  born  five  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  now  living:  Thomas  S., 
John  W.  and  Charles  W.  Charley  died  in  1870,  and  Ashley  in  1868.  Mr.  McMeen  is  a 
Democrat,  and  himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

WASHINGTON  W.  MILLER,  an  old  and  prominent  farmer  of  Maury  County, Tenn., 
and  a native  of  that  county,  was  born  March  21,  1811.  aud  -is  the  youngest  sou  of  John 
and  Catharine  (Hall)  Miller,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  immigrated  to  this 
country  in  1806,  and  was  an  extensive  farmer.  His  death  occurred  in  1848.  The  mother 
died  when  Washington  W.,  our  subject,  was  but  a small  boy.  He  passed  his  early  life  on 
the  farm,  and  had  no  such  school  advantages,  in  the  rude  log  schoolhouses  of  his  boyhood 
days,  as  exist  at  present.  Notwithstanding  all  these  drawbacks  he  secured  a good  prac- 
tical education.  In  1851  he  removed  to  his  present  place,  on  which  he  has  been  steadily 
farming  ever  since.  In  1837  he  was  married  to  Susan  Hadley,  a native  of  this  State,  and 
to  this  union  were  born  four  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  living:  John  A.,  and 
Jemima  S.  Melville  J.  died  in  1S78,  and  William  C.  was  killed  in  the  army  in  1863. 
Mrs.  Miller  died  August,  1884,  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-one  years.  Our  subject  is 
a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  classed  among  Maury  County’s  oldest  and  most  honorable 
citizens. 

WILLIAM  F.  MOORE,  an  old  and  influential  citizen,  was  born  in  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  January  22,  1817.  son  of  Matthew  and  Sarah  (Smith)  Moore,  natives,  respectively, 
of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  father  moved  to  this  couuty  from  North  Carolina 
in  1807  or  1808  and  was  a farmer  of  considerable  note.  He  held  the  position  of  magis- 
trate of  the  Third  District  for  thirty-five  years.  He  died  in  1839,  was  a Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  the  son  of  Reuben  Moore,  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  about  1865.  William  F.  was  reared  on  the 
farm  with  his  parents  until  he  was  sixteen  years  of  age,  securing  a good  common  school 
education.  At  that  age  he  began  clerking  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Columbia,  where 
he  remained  for  seven  or  eight  years.  He  then  went  in  business  for  himself,  at  which  he 
was  very  successful.  In  1848  he  moved  back  to  the  farm  but  at  the  same  time  carried  on 
his  drygoods  business  at  Columbia.  In  the  same  year  he  wedded  Nannie  Boyd,  a native 
of  this  county,  and  to  them  were  born  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  are  now  living:  Mary 
J.,  Dora  M.,  William  L.,  Imogene,  Lillie  B.,  Laird  B..  Julia  R..  Robert  S.,  Walter  and 
Lucy.  Matthew  B.  died  in  1850  and  John  in  1860.  In  1853  Mr.  Moore  sold  out  here  and 
removed  to  Texas,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  cotton  business  and  also  in  stock  raising. 
In  1860  he  returned  to  the  old  homestead  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a Democrat  in 
politics  and  has  been  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  for  upward  of  forty  years. 

LEONARD  D.  MYERS  (deceased)  was  a native  of  Alabama,  born  May  1,  1821.  He 
was  reared  in  his  native  State  and  educated  in  the  East  Tennessee  University  at  Knox- 
ville. He  removed  to  Columbia  in  1845  and  read  law  under  Judge  Edmund  Dillahunty, 
and  was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  Maury  County  bar  in  1847  and  remained  in  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  here,  until  his  death  May  14,  1876.  He  married  Sara  H.  Caruthers, 
of  this  county,  a member  of  the  distinguished  family  of  that  name, who,  with  four  daugh- 
ters, still  survives  him.  He  was  an  active  Democrat  but  never  aspired  to  political  honors. 
He  served  as  a private  in  the  Confederate  Army,  in  the  Ninth  Tennessee  Battalion.  Al- 
though not  a member  of  any  religious  denonvuatiOn  he  was  a firm  supporter  of  Christian- 
ity and  contributed  generously  to  all  religious  aud  charitable  enterprises.  He  was  an 
enterprising,  liberal-minded  citizen  and  was  remarkable  for  a retentive  memory.  His 
mind  was  stored  with  legal  lore,  ready  at  his  bidding,  and  he  was  acknowledged  as  the 
leading  practitioner  of  the  Maury  County  bar  for  a number  of  years  and  had  a State  repu- 
tation for  legal  ability.  He  was  a man  of  strong  convictions  ami  manly  r .solutions,  and 
was  noted  for  his  devotion  to  his  friends,  llis  nature  revolted  at  anything  that  tended  to 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


940 


lower  the  standard  of  higher  manhood,  and  yet  the  gentler  elements  of  his  nature,  guided 
by  charity  for  all,  softened  the  rude  asperities  of  life. 

T.  P.  NOWLIN.  At.  D.,  is  a well-known  and  prominent  physician  of  Maury  County. 
Tenn..  was  horn  in  what  is  now  Alcorn  County,  Miss.,  January  30,  1853,  son  of  Janway 
W.  and  Sarah  H.  (Williams)  Nowlin.  The  father  was  a native  of  Marshall  County.  Tenn.. 
and  was  a dry  goods  merchant  in  Nashville  for  a number  of  years.  The  mother  was  a 
native  of  Nashville  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  1861  our  sub- 
ject and  his  father  came  to  Lawrence,  Tenn.,  located  on  a farm  and  engaged  in  a tannery. 
In  1870  he  entered  the  Farmington  Academy  where  he  received  a good  education.  In 
1871  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  J.  S.  Swanson,  with  whom  he  remained 
two  years  and  in  November,  1873,  eutered  the  medical  department  of  the  Vanderbilt  Uni- 
versity of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  from  which  he  graduated  with  honors  in  February,  1880,  and 
since  that  time,  has  followed  his  profession  in  Maury  County.  November  29,  1876.  he 
was  married  to  Callie  M.  Payne  and  one  daughter  was  born  to  them,  named  Mattie  Lee 
(deceased).  November  15,  1878,  Mrs.  Nowlin  died.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South  and  was  a devoted  Christian.  November  7, 1883,  Dr.  Nowlin  wed' 
ded  Fannie  S.  Payne.  The  Doctor  belongs  to  the  Democratic  part}*  and  is  a well-known 
and  successful  physician  of  Maury  County. 

DR.  HILLARY  L.  OLIVER,  a successful  practitioner,  was  born  in  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  December  8,  1828,  and  is  the  son  of  Hezekiah  and  Mahala  (Lewis)  Oliver.  The 
father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1787,  was  married  in  1822  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1825. 
He  located  in  the  Fourth  District  in  Maury  County,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  school 
teaching.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist,  Episcopal  Clinch  South  for  over  sixty  years. 
He  was  a Democrat  and  was  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  mother  was  also  born  in  Virginia  in 
1800  and  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  By  her  union  with 
Hezekiah  Oliver  she  became  the  mother  of  six  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  mother  died 
in  1840  and  the  father  in  1867.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  obtained  a 
good  English  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began  farming  for  himself  and  in 
1855  began  the  study  of  medicine.  He  graduated  in  his  medical  studies  at  New  Orleans 
School  of  Medicine  in  1860.  December  19,  1807,  he  wedded  Valderia  A.  Dilleliay,  a native 
of  Maury  County.  Tenu..  born  in  1850.  and  the  daughter  of  Marcus  G.  and  Alary  (Lancas- 
ter) Dillebay.  Our  subject  became  the  father  of  nine  children — six  sons  and  three  daugh- 
ters—named  G.  Meldon.  Emma  L.,  Dalton  A..  Edith,  Milton  I...  Ethel  (deceased),  Hillary 
G.,  Carl  L.  (deceased).  Hubert  L.  In  1861  our  subject  was  elected  captain  of  a volunteer 
company,  and  at  the  organization  of  the  regiment  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Fifty-second  Tennessee  Regiment.  After  remaining  in  the  service  for  four  months  he  re- 
ceived an  honorable  discharge  and  returned  home.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  is 
highly  spoken  of  by  all. 

WILLIAM  L.  ORMAN,  an  old  and  prominent  citizen  of  Spring  Hill.  Maury  Co.. 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  that  State  December  25,  1817,  and  is  the  eldest  child  of  Adam  and 
Martha  (Reams)  Orman,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The 
father  came  to  Williamson  County  about  1814.  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  as  a live- 
lihood. His  death  occurred  about  1850.  The  mother  followed  in  1874.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived a good  common  school  education,  and  after  attaining  the  years  of  manhood  served 
an  apprenticeship  at  the  carp’enter  and  cabinet  trade,  making  that  business  a profession 
until  a few  years  ago,  and  at  which  he  was  quite  successful.  In  1840  he  led  to  the  hy- 
meneal altar  Mary  North,  a native  of  Tennessee,  who  died  about  1850.  They  had  five 
children  by  this  union,  three  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  William  E.,  Robert  and  Rhoda. 
In  1853  Air.  Orman  married  Sarah  Childress,  a native  of  this  county,  who  died  in  1873. 
They  had  seven  children  by  this  union,  viz.:  James  S.,  Alaggie.  Anna  L.,  Henry,  Sallie  B., 
Jannie  C.  and  Julia,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Air.  Orman  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics, 
but  at  the  present  time  does  not  bother  much  about  politics.  Ilimself  and  family  are  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Air.  Orman  is  classed  among 
.the  leading  men  of  the  county. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


947 


GEORGE  W.  PARK,  a prominent  farmer  and  a leading  citizen  of  Maury  County,  was 
boru  October  1,  1840.  lie  is  the  son  of  J.  J.  A.  and  Althere  E^.  (Oliver)  Park,  was  reared 
on  a farm  and  was  attending  school  at  the  commencement  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  en- 
listed in  Company  F.  First  Tennessee  Regiment,  served  throughout  the  war  in  that  company 
and  was  in  many  battles.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  farming  for  one  year.  He  then  en- 
gaged in  the  milling  and  general  merchandise  business.  He  has  been  ticket,  express  and 
freight  agent,  and  also  postmaster  at  Park  Station,  where  he  is  now  living.  He  obtained  a 
fair  country  school  education  aud  was  married.  August  28,  1866,  to  AdeliaC.  Lancaster,  who 
was  born  August  28,  1S46.  To  this  union  was  born,  December  17,  1867,  one  child,  Erastus 
J.  Mrs.  Park  was  a devoted  wife  and  mother,  and  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  She  died  March  17,  1870,  and  December  13,  1870,  our  subject  was 
married  to  Emma  C.  Wright,  her  former  name  being  Emma  C.  Denton.  She  was  born  in 
Maury  Count}",  Tenn.,  September  3,  1849.  and  by  her  union  with  Mr.  Park  became  the 
mother  of  these  children:  Thomas  II.,  Martha  E.,  George  W.,  Cordie  D.  and  Katie  L. 
Our  subject  has  built  up  a very  thriving  business,  and  has  accumulated  sufficient  means  to 
enable  him  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  life.  In.  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

JAMES  S.  PERRY,  farmer,  was  born  June  2,  1826.  and  remained  with  his  parents  on 
the  farm  uutil  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  securing  a good  common  school.education. 
He  then  began  farming  for  himself  in  the  southern  portion  of  the  county,  near  Bigbyville, 
where  he  remained  but  a few  years.  He  then  leased  a farm  near  Columbia,  on  which  he 
remained  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  1863  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Ninth 
Tenuessee  Cavalry,  serving  as  a high  private  for  a short  time.  He  was  afterward  en- 
gaged in  the  commissary  department,  and  remained  in  this  capacity  until  he  ^as  cauturc-d 
and  paroled  in  1864.  He  then  returned  to  Hickman  County,  remaining  there  a few  days. 
Previous  to  this,  in  1833,  he  had  wedded  Susan  Hamilton,  a native  of  Davidson  County, 
and  to  this  union  was  born  one  child — Susan  D.  Mrs.  Perry  died  November  21,  1835,  and 
January,  1859,  he  wedded  xVnn  Smoot,  a native  of  this  county  and  a daughter  of  Dr. 
Smoot.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children,  Annette  and  Maggie  A.,  who  died  Janu- 
ary 20,  1885.  The  second  Mrs.  Perry  died  in  May,  1871,  and,  December  21,  1876,  Mr.  Perry 
married  his  present  wife,  E.  J.  Elvira  Sellers,  a native  of  this  county  and  a daughter  of 
Hardy  Sellers.  They  have  one  child  by  this  union — Alma  A.  T.  After  the  death  of  his 
first  wife,  Mr.  Perry  taught  school  for  six  years,  and,  in  1877.  he  purchased  his  present 
farm,  on  which  he  has  since  lived.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  the  confidence 
and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him.  He  is  the  son  of  Simpson  and  Elizabeth  (Thompson) 
Perry,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a farmer 
and  died  September  0,  1859.  He  was  the  son  of  William  Perry,  who  emigrated  to  this 
State  about  1803.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1880,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty- 
two. 

NATHAN  PERRY,  M.  D.,  is  a son  of  William  Perry,  who  was  a native  and  farmer 
of  North  Carolina,  and  there  wedded  our  subject’s  mother,  Elizabeth  Shaw.  William 
died  in  1822  and  his  wife,  who  was  a consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  died  in  1846.  Nathan  Perry,  when  a young  man,  began  reading  medicine  with 
Dr.  John  II.  Crisp,  of  Salem,  Miss.,  and  afterward  attended  the  famous  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  from  which  institution  he  graduated.  He  then  returned 
to  his  native  county,  whCre  he  has  since  successfully  practiced  his  profession.  In  October, 
1849,  his  marriage  with  Miss  Mary  J.  Amis  was  solemnized,  and  to  their  union  eight  chil- 
dren— Nancy  E.  (wife  of  Leroy  Scott),  Charles  A.,  Josiah  A.,  Willie  A.,  Lena,  John  S., 
Lulu  J.  and  Katie  C. — were  born.  In  1884  I)r.  Perry  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  death 
of  his  wife.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  a Mason 
of  the  Royal  Arch  degree.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

LEWIS  C.  PICKARD  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of  Maury  County’s  worthy 
tillers  of  the  soil.  He  is  a native  of  the  county,  born  July  22,  1848,  and  is  the  eldest  of  >ix 
children  of  Alex  S.  and  Rachel  (King)  Pickard.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  came  to  Tennessee,  locating  on  a farm  in  the  Twelfth  District  of  Maury  County, 


' 


948 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


where  he  died  in  1869.  His  mother  was  always  a resident  of  Maury  County  and  was  an 
earnest  worker  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  nuptials  of  our  subject's 
marriage  to  Miss  Sally  Craig  were  celebrated  February  15, 1S72,  and  they  have  rejoiced  in 
the  birth  of  eight  children — four  sons  and  four  daughters:  William  A.  (deceased),  Herbert 
B.,  Hardy  O.,  Joseph  L.,  Josie  C.  (deceased),  Mary  D.,  Katie  G.  and  Sallie  F.  Mr.  Pick- 
ard supports  the  principles  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  resides  on  his  farm  near  Mount 
Pleasant,  and  is  a good  farmer  and  honest  citizen. 

ANTHONY  L.  PILLOW,  M.  D..  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Maury  County, 
October  7,  1819,  sou  of  Abner  and  Mary  S.  (Thomas)  Pillow,  of  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia, respectively.  They  were  early  settlers  of  Tennessee,  the  grandfather,  John  Pillow, 
having  settled  near  Nashville  when  it  was  a small  place.  Abner  Pillow’s  brothers  were 
Col.  Way  Pillow,  Gideon  and  Mordica,  Gideon  being  the  father  of  Gen.  Gideon  J.  Pillow. 
Abner  Pillow,  who  was  a farmer  and  practical  surveyor,  was  engaged  in  locating  lands. 
He  was  a magistrate,  and  at  onetime  was  deputy  sheriff  of  the  county.  He  was  an  old  line 
Whig  in  politics,  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1860.  Anthony  L.  Pillow  was  reared  and  secured 
a good  literary  and  classical  education  in  Maury  County.  In  1841  he  began  studying  med- 
icine, and  graduated  from  the  Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  in  1845, 
and  began  practicing  in  Columbia  the  same  year.  The  Doctor  has  also  given  some  atten- 
tion to  farming,  and  was  a Whig  before  the  war,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  In  1847  he  wed- 
ded Mary  F.  Young,  of  Maury  County,  who  died  in  1873,  leaving  three  children:  Evan  Y.r 
Eugene  and  James  C.  (deceased). 

EVAN  Y.  PILLOW,  clerk  of  the  Maury  County  Circuit  Court,  was  born  in  the  old 
residence  of  James  K.  Polk  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  October  12.  1848,  son  of  Dr.  Antony  L. 
and  Mary  F.  (Young)  Pillow.  Evan  Y.  was  reared  in  Columbia,  and  received  a collegiate 
education  in  Lee  College,  of  Lexington,  Va.,  then  under  the  control  of  Gen.  Robert  E. 
Lee.  In  1870  he  began  storing  his  mind  with  legal  lore,  studying  under  the  direction  of 
Hon.  James  H.  Thomas.  He  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  Maury  County  courts  in 
1872,  and  did  so  until  1877,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  city  recorder,  which  office 
he  held  by  re-election  until  the  latter  part  of  1878.  He  then  resigned  and  made  the  race 
for  circuit  court  clerk,  and  was  elected  the  same  year.  He  served  a term  of  four  years  so 
faithfully  and  efficiently  that  he  was  re-elected  in  1882,  and  is  now  discharging  the  duties 
of  that  office.  Mr.  Pillow  is  a Democrat  of  the  younger  and  more  progressive  class,  and 
has  taken  an  active  and  leading  part  in  the  political  campaigns  during  the  last  ten  years. 
He  is  a Mason  of  the  Royal  Arch  degree,  and  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
' is  prominently  connected  with  the  public  and  private  enterprises  in  city  and  county. 

ROBERT  PILLOW,  M.  D.,  Columbia,  Tenn.,  is  a native  of  this  city,  born  April  4, 
1852,  son  of  William  H.  and  Elizabeth  T.  (Porter)  Pillow,  who  were  Tennesseeans  by  birth. 
The  father  was  a well-known  and  prosperous  money  speculator  of  Columbia,  and  died 
December  5,  1864.  He  was  at  one  time  constable  and  deputy  sheriff,  and  was  an  old-line 
Whig  and  a firm  supporter  of  the  Union  during  the  late  war.  Robert  Pillow  was  reared 
in  Columbia,  and  finished  his  education  in  the  Davidson  (N.  C.)  College.  In  1870  he 
became  a medical  student  under  Dr.  A.  L.  Pillow,  and  later  attended  lectures  in  the  med- 
ical department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  graduating  March  12,  1874.  as  an  M. 
D.  He  then  began  practicing  with  his  uncle  and  former  preceptor,  and  in  1879,  in  connec- 
tion with  W.  P.  Woldridge,  engaged  in  the  drug  business,  continuing  two  years.  Dr.  Pil- 
low has  been  a successful  practitioner,  and  is  a “Sky  Blue”  Democrat  in  politics.  He  is 
a Mason  of  the  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  is  Eminent  Commander  of  De  Molay  Com- 
mandery.  No.  3,  of  Columbia.  October  7, 1885,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sara  R.  Parrott, 
of  Cartersville.  Ga. 

JAMES  M.  PHILIPS,  citizen  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Williamson 
Count}'  June  3,  1846,  and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  H.  and  Margaret  J.  (May)  Philips,  natives  of 
Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  born  in  1812  and  1816,  respectively.  Jesse  Philips  followed 
farming  throughout  life,  and  was  married  in  1836,  becoming  the  father  of  two  sons  and 
four  daughters:  Mary  W.,  Mattie  II.,  Hugh  L.,  Annie  B.,  James  M.  and  Eliza  M.  The 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


940 


father  was  a Whig  in  polities,  and  was  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  Williamson 
County.  He  died  in  October.  1852,  mourned  by  many  frieuds.  Our  subject  was  engaged  in 
the  merchandise  business  in  Nashville  in  1871.  In  1S72  he  married  and  engaged  iu  farm- 
ing in  Williamson  County  for  several  years,  and  moved  to  Maury  Couuty  in  1$$2.  wh  ere 
he  has  since  been  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil.  He  was  married  to  Madora  Owen,  who  was 
born  July  19,  185*2,  daughter  of  John  C.  aud  Judy  A.  (Davis)  Owen.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Philips  were  born  three  sons:  Robert  L.,  born  in  1873;  Jesse  H.,  born  in  1876.  and  John 
O.,  born  in  1883.  The  father  and  mother  are  devoted  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  Philips  is  a Democrat,  and  is  much  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  his  friends. 

GEN.  LUCIUS  E.  POLK,  a well-known  and  respected  farmer  and  citizen  of  Maury 
County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  July  10,  1833,  son  of  William  J.  and  Mary  R. 
(Long)  Polk.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  1794,  and  was  b}-  occu- 
pation a farmer.  He  came  to  Tennessee  in  1836,  and  settled  in  the  Twent\--second  Dis- 
trict of  Maury  County,  where  he  remained  one  year,  after  which  he  moved  to  Columbia  and 
lived  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1860.  The  mother  was  » native  of  North 
Carolina,  born  in  1797,  and  was  a consistent  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  She  died 
at  Columbia  in  1885.  Our  subject’s  early  life  was  passed  on  the  farm.  In  1849  he  entered 
the  University  of  Virginia  at  Charlottesville,  and  remained  there  until  1852,  securing  a 
good  classical  education.  In  April,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  the  Confederate 
Army,  First  Company  of  Yell's  Rifles  of  Arkansas.  In  July  following  the  company  was 
transferred  to  Company  B.  Fifteenth  Arkansas  Volunteer  Infantry.  Our  subject  was  in 
the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Richmond  and  Perryville,  Ivy.,  and  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga, 
Missionary  Ridge  anu  Ring^olu  Gap,  Ga.,  where  he  displayed  the  greatest  efforts  of  his 
military  career.  April  11.  1862,  for  gallant  services  rendered  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  he 
was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  colonel  of  his  regiment.  In  the  following  December  he  was 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  in  which  capacity  he  served  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  He  was  paroled  at  Courtland,  Ala.,  in  June,  1865,  and  immediately  went  to  his 
home  in  Arkansas,  where  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  August  19,  1863,  he  wed- 
ded Sallie  M.  Polk,  a native  of  Laudersdale  County,  Ala.,  and  the  birth  of  four  sons  and 
one  daughter  followed  their  union:  Rufus  K.,  Mary  R.,  Lucius  E.,  William  J.  and  James 
K.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mrs.  Polk  was  born  September  2,  1843,  and  is  a consistent 
member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  In  1S66  our  subject  came  to  Tennessee  and  settled  on 
a farm  in  the  Eleventh  District  of  Maury  County,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was 
president  of  the  Columbia  Central  Turnpike  for  three  years,  and  for  a like  number  of 
years  was  its  efficient  secretary  aud  treasurer.  He  has  a farm  of  900  acres,  all  under  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  Politically  he  has  been  a life-long  Democrat,  and  was  magis- 
trate of  the  Eleventh  District  for  one  year. 

WILLIAM  T.  PORTER  is  a merchant  and  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  aud 
was  born  in  Williamsport  in  1836,  son  of  Dr.  Samuel  and  Catherine  (Todd)  Porter,  born  in 
South  Carolina  and  Virginia,  respectively.  The  father  was  a successful  practitioner  of 
Williamsport  for  forty  years.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  died  in  1873.  His 
widow  draws  a pension  from  the  Government  in  compensation  for  his  services.  William 
T.  was  a school  teacher  for  thirteen  years,  and  was  married,  September  11,  1866,  to  Mary 
Jane  Russell,  daughter  of  M.  M.  Russell,  a prominent  citizen  of  the  county.  Eight'sdns 
were  born  to  them:  Otey  J.\  Madison  R.,  Samuel  S..  Walter  J.,  Hugh  V.,  Joseph.  F.,  Hen- 
ry A.  and  one  deceased.  In  1862  Mr.  Porter  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Ninth  Battalion 
Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  served  as  hospital  steward  for  four  months  previous  to  his  en- 
listment, and  soon  after  that  time  was  made  quartermaster-sergeant,  and  served  in  this 
capacity  throughout  the  war.  Mr.  Porter  is  a warm  Democrat,  and  has  represented  his 
county  two  years  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  while  there  introduced  a bill  to  repeal  the 
corporation  charter  of  Williamsport.  His  motive  was  to  banish  whisky  from  the  town. 
The  bill  was  hotly  contested  by  both  sides,  but  was  passed.  Mr.  Porter  is  a Mason  of 
the  third  degree,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

AUSTIN  W.  POTTER,  an  old  and  influential  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was 
born  September  29,  1811,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of  six  children  born  to 


950 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Donaldson  and  Jane  (Wright)  Potter,  natives,  respectively,  of  Ireland  and  Virginia.  The 
father,  a mau  of  strong  mind  and  undoubted  piety,  settled  in  this  county  and  was  a min- 
ister of  the  Protestant  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  for  many  years  the  only  res- 
ident preacher  in  the  neighborhood,  and  almost  every  Sunday  he  had  an  appointment  to 
preach  either  at  some  private  house  or  under  the  wide-spreading  branches  of  the  tall  trees 
of  the  forest.  In  1806  he  removed  to  this  State,  and  in  1865  his  second  wife,  the  mother 
of  our  subject,  died.  Donaldson  Potter  died  in  1849.  Our  subject  was  a farmer  boy  and 
secured  a good  classical  education  in  Jackson  College,  of  this  county.  After  attaining  the 
years  of  manhood  he  began  teaching  school  in  this  county.  He  afterward  taught  school 
in  Williamson  County  for  six  months  and  then  began  the  mercantile  business  at  Spring 
Hill,  beginning  as  clerk  for  his  brother,  but  afterward  entered  the  firm  as  a partner.  In 
1849  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Amanda  Ellen  Haddox,  a native  of  Kentucky,  who 
died  June  7,  1SS1.  She  was  a noble  woman,  and  her  death  is  deeply  regretted.  She  was 
the  mother  of  four  children:  Ellen  F.,  Andre  J.  (deceased).  Mary  A.  and  Austin  W.,  Jr. 
In  1850  our  subject  began  trading  in  mules,  and  this  he  continued  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war.  After  the  war  he  began  farming  and  stock  raising  on  the  farm  where  he  is 
now  residing,  which  consists  of  790  acres.  Mr.  Potter  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  was 
appointed  postmaster  at  Spring  Hill  in  1845  by  Janies  K.  Polk,  and  remained  as  such  un- 
til he  resigned  in  1850.  He  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
he  has  been  a Mason  for  many  years. 

THOMAS  J.  REA  is  a son  of  John  and  Mary(Ussery)  Rea,  who  were  both  Tennessee- 
ans by  birth  The  father  was  a prosperous  farmer  and  was  considered  a substantial  citi- 
zen of  Maury  County  Hi«  demise  occurred  in  1862.  The  mother  still  survives  and  makes 
her  home  in  Giles  County,  where  our  subject  was  born,  in  1845.  He  attended  the  commou 
schools  near  his  home  and  started  in  life  for  himself  with  a small  capital.  By  all  the  vir- 
tues necessary  to  success  in  worldly  affairs  he  has  become  the  owner  of  339  acres  of  very 
productive  land  and  two  houses  and  lots  in  Columbia.  John  C.  and  Nannie  B.  are  the 
children  born  to  his  marriage  with  Miss  Luira  Locke, which  was  solemnized  in  1.869.  Mrs. 
Rea  is  a daughter  of  W.  A.  Locke,  a prominent  citizen  of  Giles  Couuiy.  Mr.  Rea  was  a 
participant  in  the  late  war,  serving  in  the  Ninth  Tennessee  Cavalry  about  three  mouths, 
when  his  company  was  disbanded  and  he  returned  home.  He  and  Mrs.  Rea  are  members 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat,  politically. 

R.  H.  REESE  may  be  mentioned  as  a skillful  wheelwright  and  carpenter  of  Maury 
County,  Tenn.  He  is  a son  of  M.  J.  and  Elizabeth  (Cook;  Reese,  who  were  born  in  Ala- 
bama and  Tennessee,  respectively.  J.  M.  Reese  was  also  a wheelwright  by  trade  aud 
followed  that  occupation  in  Tenuessee  until  his  death  April  21.  1866.  He  belonged  to 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  nuptuals  of  our  subject’s  marriage  to  Jane  Roach,  daugh- 
ter of  John  M.  Roach,  a prominent  citizen  of  Maury  Count}*,  was  celebrated  on  the  21st  of 
November,  1882.  Two  children  were  born  to  them,  only  one  of  whom  is  now  living,  Ad- 
die  E.  Mr.  Reese  is  a Democrat  and  gives  liis  support  .to  that  party  on  all  occasions.  He 
and  wife  are  among  the  respected  and  esteemed  citizeus  of  Maury  County.  His  birth  oc- 
curred November  25,  1852. 

JAMES  S.  RENFROE’S  birth  occurred  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  February  14,  ISIS, 
son  of  William  and  Eliza  A.  (Craftin)  Rcnfroe,  the  former  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1798, 
and  the  latter  in  Virginia  in  18<>0.  The  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  curly  pioneers 
of  this  county  and  State,  and  the  father  was  married  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  became 
the  father  of  eleven  children,  James  S.  being  the  eldest.  He  was  constable  of  this  county 
several  terms  and  died  in  1S46.  His  wife  died  in  1850.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm. 
In  1848  he  was  married  to  Delia  R.  Calvert,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County,  in  1824. 
daughter  of  Joseph  W.,  and  Catharine  (Lawrence)  Calvert.  William  C.,  born  in  1849;  Nar- 
oissa  E.,  born  in  1851;  Eliza  C.,  bom  in  1855;  Joseph  S.  and  Mary  D.,  born  in  1858,  and 
Alice  D.,  born  in  1864,  were  the  children  horn  to  this  union.  Mrs.  Rcnfroe  died  October 
28,  1872,  and  her  husband  remained  single  until  1883  when  he  married  Sarah  M.  (Collier) 
Davis.  She  was  born  in  1829  and  is  a daughter  of  Archie  and  Mary  (Hight)  Collier,  and 


■ 


- 


MAUKY  COUNTY. 


051 


a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mr.  Renfroe  has  been  an  elder  in 
the  Baptist  Church  for  twenty-five  years.  He  has  been  magistrate  of  his  district  for 
twenty-six  successive  years,  and  is  a Democrat,  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

WEBB  RIDLEY.  Jr.,  is  a well-to-do  young  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and 
was  born  on  the  loth  of  January,  1859.  He  is  the  eldest  of  four  children  born  to  J.  W.  S . 
and  Annie  (Pillow)  Ridley.  Both  parents  were  born  in  Maury  County:  the  father.  Decem- 
ber 31,  1824.  He  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  in  the  Ninth  District.  The  subject  of  our  sketch 
was  a student  in  the  Mount  Pleasant  Academy  until  1875,  when  he  entered  the  Central 
University  of  Richmond  Ky.,  where  he  receive  1 a good  English,  Latin  and  German  edu- 
cation. He  then  returned  to  his  father’s  farm,  and  on  the  26th  of  September,  1883,  was 
united  id  matrimony  to  Miss  Madge  Whitney,  a resident  of  Montgomery  Count}*,  Ky.  She 
is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  is  an  earnest  worker  in  that  faith.  Mr.  Ridley 
has  a goed  and  well  cultivated  farm  near  the  village  of  Mount  Pleasant,  and  has  been 
fairly  prosperous  in  his  business  ventures. 

JOHN  J.  ROLJXTREE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Williamson  County  August  18,  1815,  and 
is  a son  of  Andrew  and  Mary  (Robison)  Rountree,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The 
father  immigrated  from  North  Carolina  to  Williamson  County  about  1800  and  in  1817  re- 
moved to  this  county.  He  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  died  in  1841.  The  mother  followed 
in  18G4  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.  Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  had  reached 
man’s  estate  and  secured  a good  common  school  education  for  the  advantages  that  were 
to  be  had  at  that  early  day.  In  1838  he  wedded  Margaret  McTee,  who  was  born  in  this 
-county.  This  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  living: 
Charles  "Yv TV  illiaiu  A . Emily  J.  (deceased).  Mary  A.,  Margaret  J.  (deceased;.  John  M.. 
Thomas  F.  and  Kansas  L.  In  18C7  our  subject  removed  to  his  preseut  location,  where  lie 
has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  ever  since.  In  1872  he  wedded  his  present 
wife,  Susan  H.  Borders,  who  was  born  in  Mississippi.  They  have  two  children:  Ida  R. 
and  Johnnie  E.  Mr.  Rountree  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  family  belong  to  the  Christian 
Church. 

DANIEL  RUDY, a well-known  and  prominent  citizen  of  Maury  County, Tenn. .was  born 
in  Pickaway  County, Ohio,  November  23,1841,  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  (Ludwick)Rudy. 
The  father  was  a native  of  Switzerland,  born  in  1797,  and  immigrated  to  America  in  1810. 
He  went  to  Ohio  in  1822  and  was  engaged  in  milling  in  Pickaway  County.  In  1832  he  re- 
tired to  a farm  where  he  lived  until  his  death  in  1852.  He  was  for  many  years  a magis- 
trate and  filled  the  office  in  a capable  and  satisfactory  manner.  The  mother  was  a native 
of  Pickaway  County,  Ohio,  born  in  1808;  she  died  in  her  native  county  in  I860.  Our  sub- 
ject’s early  life  was  passed  principally  in  farming.  He  received  a good  English  education 
in  the  common  schools  of  Pickaway  County  and  in  October,  18G8,  he  married  Mary  Zei- 
ger,  a native  of  Pickaway  County.  To  this  union  were  born  seven  children:  Philip  Z . 
Jacob  L..  Daniel,  Charles,  Herman,  Mary  A.  and  Catherine,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Iu 
1880  Mr.  Rudy  came  to  Davidson  County  and  settled  on  a farm  near  Nashville,  where  he 
remained  until  1886,  when  he  moved  to  Maury  County  aud  settled  on  a farm  in  the  Thir- 
teenth District  where  he  has  since  resided.  Politically  he  has  been  a life-long  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  J.  SCOTT’S  birth  occurred  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  April  19,  1821;  he 
Is  a son  of  Andrew  Scott,  who  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  and  was  brought  to  Tennessee 
when  very  young.  He  was  a son  of  Samuel  Scott,  and  was  married  to  Mary  D.  Mat- 
thews, of  North  Carolina,  who  bore  him  fourteen  children,  our  subject  being  the  third 
of  the  family.  Andrew  Scott  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church:  and  was  a mag- 
istrate in  Maury  County  for  a number  of  years.  He  was  a farmer  of  considerable  meap* 
and  died  about  1874.  His  wife’s  death  occurred  about  a year  previous.  William  J.  spent 
-his  early  days  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  began  farming 
for  himself.  May  1,  1856,  he  wedded  Mahala  T.  Martin,  born  near  Hartsville,  May  8, 
1832,  daughter  of  Henry  Martin.  They  have  five  sons  and  two  daughters  ; Henry  (\.  horn 
in  1857;  Miles  E.,  horn  in  1868  ; Andrew  D.,  born  in  I860  , James  F.,  bom  in  1863  ; Leah, 
'born  in  1866  ; Mary  A.,  born,  in  1868,  ami  William  A.,  born  iu  1870.  Mr.  Martin  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 


** 


' 


952 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


GEORGE  W.  SCRIBNER  was  born  in  the  Eighth  District  of  Maury  County,  September 
16,  1822,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Noles)  Scribner,  The  father  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  in  1798,  and  was  the  son  of  Lewis  S.  Scribner,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  moved  to  Tennessee  when  John  Scribner  was  but  eight  years  old.  He  died  in  1836. 
John  Scribner  was  reared  ou  a farm,  was  married  October  27,  1817  and  became  the  father  of 
six  children:  James  N.,  George  W.,  Butler  N.,  Sarah  B.,  John  A.  T.  and  Susan  R.  Nancy 
Scribner  was  born  May  3,  1798,  was  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  died 
in  1851.  John  Scribner  was  then  married  to  Rebecca  A.  Aoidlett,  and  by  her  has  six  chil- 
dren. He  was  an  elder  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  a truly  good 
man.  He  died  in  1878.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  began  business  for  himself 
at  the  age  of  nineteen.  In  1841,  Matilda  J.  Hiland  became  his  wife.  She  was  born  in  Dick- 
son County,  Tenn.,  in  1825,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Joseph  D.  and  Eliza  (Baxter)  Hiland. 
To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight  children— Sarah  C.,  MaryE.,  Marsus  M.  (de- 
ceased), John  H.,  Nancy  T.,  Thomas  C.  and  James  M.  The  fourth  daughter  died  in  in- 
fancy. In  1875  our  subject  was  married  to  Sarah  M.  Perry,  who  was  born  in  Marshall 
County,  Tenn.,  April  9,  1859.  She  is  the  daughter  of  Jerry  and  Mary  M.  (Jones)  Perry. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scribner  were  born  two  sons:  Jeremiah  B.  and  George  B.  Our  subject 
has  been  engaged  in  the  milling  business  for  fourteen  years.  He  was  a brave  soldier  and 
was  all  through  the  war. 

JOHN  A.  T.  SCRIBNER  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  December  18,  1832,  and  is 
the  son  of  John  and  Nancy  (Noles)  Scribner.  For  further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch 
of  George  W.  Scribner.  Our  subject  remained  ou  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age;  he  then  began  working  for  himself.  He  received  a limited  education,  though  by  dili- 
gence he  managed  to  secure  enough  for  the  business  of  life.  In  1852  he  married  Huldali 
G.  Garrett,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and  who  is  the  daughter  of  William 
and  Dolly  (Ham)  Garrett.  To  Mr.  Scribner  and  wife  were  born  an  interesting  family  of 
six  children:  Mary  J.,  born  in  1853;  Willie  J.,  born  in  1853;  George  W.,  born  in  1855; 
Nancy  A.,  born  in  1859  ; James  W.,  born  in  1865,  and  Laura  A.,  born  in  1868.  Septem- 
ber, 1868,  Mrs.  Scribner  died,  and  in  1869  Mr.  Scribner  wedded  Mollie  E.  Benton, 
who  was  born  October  3,  1844.  By  her  he  became  the  father  of  four  children;  Alice  O., 
born  in  1870;  Butler  M.,  born  in  1872  ; Malcia,  born  in  1873,  and  Sue  A.,  born  in  1875. 
Mr.  Scribner’s  second  wife  died  August  1,  1876,  aud  he  took  for  his  third  wife  Mrs.  Mar- 
garet F.  Turner.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  a worthy  member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

HIAL  PAUL  SEAYY,  manager  of  the  Grand  Opera  House,  of  Columbia,  Tenn., 
was  born  near  Woodstock,  of  the  “Green  Mountain  State,”  May  21,  1842,  son  of  Isaac 
and  Rebecca  (Paul)  Seavy,  of  New  Hampshire.  Hial’s  early  days  were  spent  in  Ver- 
mont, where  he  secured  an  academical  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  left  the  farm 
and  learned  photography  in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained  three  years  as  appren- 
tice and  journeyman.  In  1868  he  came  to  Columbia.  Tenn.,  aud  purchased  a gallery  in 
the  city,  and  has  successfully  carried  on  the  business  ever  since,  but  has  done  this  in  con- 
nection with  other  callings.  He  is  an  accomplished  musician,  and  served  in  the  Federal 
Army  as  leader  of  the  Second  Vermont  Brigade  Band.  He  organized  the  celebrated  Co- 
lumbia Helicon  Band,  of  which  he  was  leader  for  eight  years  until  it  disbanded.  He  has 
also  been  connected  with  journalism  for  the  last  ten  years,  aud  has  been  regular  corre- 
spondent at  Columbus  for  Nashville  dailies  during  this  time.  Since  the  erection  of  the 
new  opera  house  he  has  been  its  efficient  manager.  In  1869  he  married  Louise  G.  Strach- 
auer,  a native  of  Nashville,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  two  sons  and  one  daughter.  He 
belongs  to  what  is  popularly  known  in  Tennessee  as  the  “ sky-blue  Democracy.”  He  is  a 
Mason,  Royal  Arch  degree,  and  is  Post  Chancellor  of  the  K.  of  P.  lodge,  but  is  not  a 
member  of  the  present  lodge. 

DR.  JOSEPH  W.  SHARBEIi,  a prominent  citizen  and  physician  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn,  was  born  in  this  State  November  4,  1818,  and  is  one  of  the  children  born  to  John  E. 
and  Parthenia  (Jones)  Sharber.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  one  of 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


953 


the  early  settlers  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation  and  was 
quite  successful  in  that  pursuit.  His  death  occurred  in  1S59.  The  mother  was  a native 
of  Tennessee  and  died  in  1833.  Our  subject  was  a farmer  boy  and  remained  with  his  par- 
ents until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then  attended  school  at  Murfreesboro  for 
three  sessions,  after  which  he  taught  two  sessions  of  school  at  Mount  Vernon  and  half  a 
session  at  Dogwood  Grove,  Bedford  County.  While  teaching  at  Mount  Vernon  he  began 
the  study  of  medicine  with  a view  of  making  it  a profession,  and  about  1841  began  study- 
ing medicine  with  Dr.  Boskett,  and  in  1S43  began  practicing  with  the  above  named  phy- 
sician. At  the  end  of  a year  he.  located  at  Eagleville  and  practiced  medicine  for  three 
years.  He  then  attended  one  course  of  lectures  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
graduated  from  that  institution  in  1845.  He  then  returned  to  Eagleville  and  resumed  the 
practice  of  medicine.  In  184?  he  moved  to  his  present  place  and  practiced  medicine,  and 
also  farmed  to  some  extent.  His  reputation  as  a learned  and  skillful  physician  spreads  far 
and  wide,  and  his  practice  covers  a large  scope  of  country.  In  1846  he  wedded  Mary  J. 
Porter,  a native  of  this  county,  and  a daughter  of  James  B.  Porter.  To  them  were  born 
nine  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Her  name  is  Fannie  P.  James  P.  died  in  1S4S: 
John  P.  died  in  1855  ; Joseph  W.  died  in  1855  ; Lura  died  in  1S65  : Mary  E.  died  in 
1865;  Dr.  Wiliam  B.  died  in  1879;  Walter  S.  died  in  1879,  and  E.  Burk,  died  in 
1883.  Dr.  Sharber  has  been  a Mason  for  eighteen  years  and  an  Ancient  Odd  Fellow  for 
nearly  forty  years.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  he  being  an  elder  in  that  church  for  about  forty- 
four  years. 


SHAW  is  a native  of  Orange  Couut  > , N.  C. , born  April  1,  1803,  >uu 
of  Joseph  B.  and  Martha  (Gooch)  Shaw,  born  in  Maryland  and  Virginia.  The  father  was 
born  in  1774  and  is  a son  of  Joseph  Shaw,  a native  of  Maryland  and  a Revolutionary  sol- 
dier. The  Shaw  family  came  to  Tennessee  when  our  subject  was  about  eighteen  years  of 
age.  The  father  died  in  1863  and  the  mother  in  1854.  William  was  one  of  ten  children 
and  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He 'has  always  followed 
the  life  of  a farmer  and  is  very  successful.  In  1835  he  married  Jaue  Rountree,  daughter  of 
Andrew  Rountree,  of  North  Carolina,  and  to  them  were  born  Mary  O.,  Thomas  B.,  Martha 
I..  James  P.,  Emily  E.,  Margaret  E..  William  F.  A.,  Joseph  J.  and  Andrew  J.  Mrs.  Shaw 
died  July  22,  1864,  and  November  15,  1865,  Mr.  Shaw  wedded  Mary  A.  E.  Renfroe,  who 
was  born  in  Maury  County  in  1827.  To  them  was  born  one  son.  Barclay  R.,  born  in  1868. 
Mr.  Shaw  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  was  a magistrate  of  AYilliamson  County 
a number  of  years.  He  has  been  a citizen  of  Tennessee  for  about  sixty  years  and  is  recog- 
nized as  an  honest,  upright  citizen. 

THOMAS  D.  SIMMONS,  farmer,  was  born  October  6,  1842,  and  received  a good 
common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Thirtv- 
second  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  as  a high  private  in  that  company  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  began  farming.  In  1866  he  removed  to  his 
mother’s  farm  in  this  county,  where  he  remained  until  1871.  He  then  purchased  hi>  present 
farm  and  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  In  1870  he  wedded 
Sarah  A.  McKee,  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  them  were  born  nine  children:  Robert  H., 
Thomas  G.,  Mary  A.,  William  C.,  McKee,  Quinton,  Eva,  Charlie  and  Edward,  all  of 
whom  are  living.  Air.  Simmons  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  himself  and  family  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  classed  among  the  enterprising  and 
successful  farmers  of  the  county  and  is  a respected  citizen.  His  parents  were  Thomas 
A.  and  Eliza  A.  (German)  Simmons,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a 
farmer  and  was  moderately  successful  in  this  occupation.  Ilis  death  occurred  in  1862. 
The  mother  still  lives  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-seven  and  is  a resident  of  Maury 
County. 

REV.  FRANKLIN  G.  SMITH  (deceased)  was  born  in  Bennington,  Vt.,  December 
14.  1797,  and  was  educated  at  Princeton  (N.  J.)  Theological  Seminary  and  graduated  at 
the  remarkably  early  age  of  fifteen.  He  began  preparing  himself  for  the  Presbyterian  min- 


954 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


istry,  but  changed  his  views  while  in  college  and  espoused  the  Episcopal  faith.  He  con 
ducted  a private  school  in  Milledgevillc,  Ga.,  some  years,  and  then  went  to  Lynchburg, 
Ya.,  and  started  a school  for  young  ladies,  and  also  organized  the  St.  Paul’s  Episcopal 
Church  of  that  city  in  1822,  of  which  lie  was  rector  during  his  residence  there.  He  was- 
married  to  Sarah  A.  Davis,  in  1835,  and  a year  later  removed  to  Columbia,  Tenu..  and 
took  charge  of  the  Female  Institute  of  that,  city.  In  1852  he  established  the  At heneum, 
which  he  has  conducted  during  his  lifetime.  During  the  war  he  was  a refugee,  owing  to- 
his  outspoken  sentiments  in  favor  of  the  Confederate  cause.  Ilis  wife  conducted  the  school, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned,  but  died  August  4 of  the  following  }*ear.  He  be- 
queathed his  property  to  his  wife  and  she  managed  the  Athencum  until  her  death,  Janu- 
ary 11,  1871.  Of  their  eight  children  three  sous  and  two  daughters  are  now  living:  Fan- 
nie P.  (wife  of  Maj.  L.  M.  Hasea,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,),  Capt.  Robert  D.,  present  principal 
of  the  Athencum;  Dr.  W.  A.,  Prof.  Frank  II.  and  Carrie  E.,  all  of  whom  are  teachers  in 
the  various  departments  of  the  school.  Rector  Smith  was  a man  of  extraordinary  literary 
ability.  He  was  editor  and  founder  of  The  Guardian,  a monthly  journal  of  high  order,  started 
in  1841,  and  is  yet  published  by  the  family.  He  may  be  called  the  founder  of  the  educational 
interests  in  this  part  of  the  State,  and  was  never  known  to  turn  away  a pupil,  no  matter 
how  poor,  who  was  desirous  of  obtaining  an  education.  lie  was  one  of  the  finest  educa- 
tors in  the  country  and  his  views  and  teaching's  were  acknowledged  as  undoubted  authority 
by  many  of  the  best  educators  of  the  land. 

CAPT.  ROBERT  D.  SMITH,  principal  of  the  Columbia  Athencum.  was  born  Octo- 
ber 9,  1842,  son  of  the  late  Rev.  Franklin  G.  Smith.  He  was  educated  by  his  father,  and 
completed  a scientific  and  literary  course  with  him.  He  served  in  the  late  war  in  Com- 
pany B,  Second  Tennessee  Infantry,  enlisting  in  April,  1801.  He  was  promoted  at  the 
battle  of  Shiloh  to  first  lieutenant  on  Gen.  Claiborne’s  staff,  and  served  with  Gens.  Clai- 
borne, Polk  and  Walthall  until  the  surrender,  being  promoted  to. the  rank  of  captain  dur- 
ing the  Daiton-Atlanta  campaign.  He  participated  in  every  battle  of  the  war  that  the 
Army  of  Tennessee  was  engaged  in  except  Chickamauga,  when  he  was  sick  in  the 
hospital.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  completed  his  education,  hav- 
ing, however,  made  great  progress  in  mathematics  while  in  the  service  by  much  desultory 
study  with  members  of  the  engineer  corps  of  the  army.  He  assumed  management  of  the 
Atheneum  after  the  war,  which  he  has  ever  since  retained,  and  upon  the  death  of  his 
mother  became  the  principal  and  prime  manager  of  the  school.  In  18G7  he  married  Mar- 
garet I.,  daughter  of  Hon.  James  II.  Thomas,  of  Maun*  County.  Two  sons  and  one 
daughter  have  blessed  this  union.  Mr.  Smith  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar  degree,  and 
he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

MUNFORD  SMLT1I  is  a well-known  and  worthy  citizen  of  Maury  County,  and  was 
born  August  18.  1842,  and  is  one  of  nine  children  of  Munford  and  Elizabeth  (Byrum) 
Smith.  Munford  Smith,  Sr.,  was  a native  of  East  Tennessee,  born  in  1805,  and  his  wife 
of  Maury  County,  Tenn.  Our  subject’s  early  days  were  spent  on  a farm,  and  he  was  ed- 
ucated at  Mount  Pleasant,  Columbia,  and  Florence,  Ala.  May  17,  1SG1,  be  joined  Com- 
pany C,  Third  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Fort  Donelson, 
Chickamauga,  Port  Hudson,  Raymond,  Miss.,  and  many  engagements  of  lesser  note.  He 
was  paroled  at  Greensboro,  X.  C.,  in  May,  18G5,  and  immediately  returned  to  Maury 
County  and  settled  on  a farm.  He  was  married,  November  21,  1871,  to  Miss  Anna  M. 
Cecil,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  six  children:  William  C..  Julia  I.,  Flora  K.,  Anna 
M.,  Julia  E.  and  Virginia  L.,  the  latter  two  being  deceased.  Politically  Mr.  Smith  is  a 
Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  F.  & A.  M.,  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South,  and  is  considered  one  of  Maury  County’s  moral  and  energetic  citizens. 

PATRICK  H.  SOUTHALL,  Jit.,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  September  9. 
1853,  son  of  Patrick  II.  Southall,  a farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Maury  County.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  in  the  county,  and  in  1872  entered  the  Cumberland  University  of  Leb- 
anon, Tenn.,  graduating  from  the  literary  department  in  1875,  and  a year  later  grad- 
uated from  the  law  department  of  the  same  institution.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  lie 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


955 


came  to  Columbia,  where  he  hai.  became  a successful  practitioner,  and  was  for  a time  a 
partner  of  L.  P.  Padgett.  He  is  now  practicing  alone,  and  is  doing  well.  He  is  a Demo- 
crat, and  favors  a protective  tariff,  and  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  vice-president  of  the  city  board  of  education, 
and  takes  quite  an  active  interest  in  the  local  campaigns,  and  has  won  quite  a reputation 
as  an  orator. 

THOMAS  \Y.  SOWELL,  one  of  Maury  County’s  most  enterprising  citizens,  was  born 
December  28,  1856,  son  of  William  J.  and  Emily  .T.  (Hardison)  Sowell,  both  of  whom  were 
born  in  Maury  County  in  1824  and  1833,  respectively.  The  father  was  a successful  farmer 
and  became  the  owner  of  several  hundred  acres  of  land.  He  enlisted  as  colonel  Jn  the 
late  war)  of  the  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was  a brave  and  faithful  officer.  He 
was  married  in  1850  and  became  the  father  of  the  following  family:  William  I.,  Alice  J.. 


Thomas  W.,  Fannie  P..  Felix,  Emily  E..  Wallace  T.,  Carrie  E..  James  D.  and  Albert  B. 
The  father  was  a teacher  in  early  life.  He  died  on  the  13th  of  August,  1884.  The  mother 
is  yet  living.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  began  working  for  himself  at  the  age 
of  eighteen  as  clerk  in  the  mercantile  business  for  about  eighteen  months.  He  then 
worked  in  his  father’s  mill  one  year,  autl  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for 
himself  two  years.  being  fairly  successful.  October  25,  1883,  he  wedded  Jennie  R.  Chis- 
holm, born  in  Alabama  January  15,  I860,  daughter  of  Dr.  Lewis  C.  and  Jane  Chisholm. 
The  father  was  born  in  Alabama  in  1821  and  the  mother  in  1827.  Dr.  Chisholm  gradu- 
ated from  a dental  college  in  Nashville  and  was  professor  in  the  same  one  year.  The 
mother  died  in  1S62,  and  the  Doctor  afterward  married  Isabel  Dickson,  of  Alabama.  Our 
subject  and  wife  have  two  children:  Barkley,  born  August  30.  1884  (deceased’,  and 
Nina,  born  September  15,  1885.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sowell  belong  to  the  Christian  Church  and 
he  is  a supporter  of  Democratic  principles. 

GEORGE  W.  STACIvARD,  a well-known  agriculturist  of  Maury  Count}',  Tenn..  was 
born  in  Rutherford  County  November  6,  1823,  son  of  Nathan  and  Mary  (Kinzer)  Stockard, 
natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  father  was  an  enterprising 
farmer  and  was  regarded  by  all  as  a moral,  upright  man.  His  death  occurred  in  1879 and 
the  mother’s  in  1853.  The}'  were  Methodists  in  belief.  The  subject  of  our  memoir  was 
united  in  matrimony  in  1862  to  Miss  Sallie  Walker.  Mr.  Stackard  is  a Democrat  in  his 
political  views  and  gives  his  support  to  that  party  on  all  occasions.  He  is  at  the  present 
time  magistrate  of  his  district  and  has  served  in  this  capacity  for  the  last  fifteen  years. 
In  1865  Mr.  Stackard  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  but  abandoned  that  iu  1877.  By 
his  energy,  enterprise  and  economy  he  has  accumulated  considerable  property. 

WILLIAM  W.  STANLEY,  a young  and  enterprising  farmer  of  Maury  County,  and 
a native  of  that  county,  was  born  February  27,  1846,  and  is  a son  of  Austin  C.  and  Rhoda 
C.  (McConnico)  Stanley,  both  of  wTiom  were  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a 
farmer  and  the  son  of  Wright  Stanley,  aud  during  the  late  war  enlisted  in  the  Fourth 
Tennessee  Regiment  and  served  as  a high  private  until  be  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  War- 
trace,  Tenn.,  in  1862.  The  mother  died  in  1856.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  seventeen  years  old,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He  then 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee,  serving  as  high  private  until  December, 
1864,  when  he  joined  the  Sixteenth  Confederate  Cavalry  Regiment  and  remained  there 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  *He  then  returned  to  this  couuty  and  began  farming.  About 
1868  he  purchased  his  present  property,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  >tocb 
raising.  In  1866  he  was  married  to  Ellen  Rountree,  a native  of  this  county.  They  have 
five  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  living:  Thomas  A.,  Carrie  I.  and  William  W.,  Jr. 
Mr.  Stanley  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

WILLIAM  K.  STEPHENS,  a successful  merchant  of  Culleoka,  Maury  Co..  Tenn., 
was  born  iu  Marshal  County,  January  7,  1852,  son  of  Thomas  M.  and  Mary  (Goodrich) 
Stephens,  born,  respectively,  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  father  came  to  Culleoka, 
Tenn.,  in  1858,  and  followed  the  mechanic’s  trade  several  years,  but  lately  lias  gived  his 
attention  to  farming.  Our  subject  received  his  education  under  Prof.  Webb,  of  Culleoka; 


» L.t.«  . . ..  ] V.l  » 


956 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


at  the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  doing  for  himself,  and  became  a partner  in  the  firm  of 
C.  B.  Abernathy  & Co.,  and  after  Mr.  Abernathy’s  death  he  purchased  his  interest,  and 
since  1888,  has  been  sole  proprietor  with  the  exception  of  one  month.  Mr.  Stephens  has 
succeeded  well  in  his  business  enterprises  and  has  a fine  stock  of  goods.  He  has  a farm 
consisting  of  seventy  acres,  and  May  8,  1873,  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  O.  Wilkes,  daugh- 
ter of  B.  L.  Wilkes;  they  have  five  children:  Thomas  N.,  William  K.,  Leroy  W.,  Walter 
S.  and  Mary  C.  Mr.  Stephens  is  a Democrat,  and  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Culleoka, 
March  3,  1874.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

SAMUEL  R.  STONE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Fayette  County,  Ivy.,  July  21,  1827,  and 
and  is  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (Berry)  Stone,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  father  was 
an  extensive  farmer,  owning  at  his  death  1,200  acres  of  as  good  land  as  Kentucky  affords, 
to  be  divided  among  his  children.  His  death  occurred  in  1872,  and  the  mother  followed 
in  the  same  year.  Our  subject  assisted  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
securing  a good  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  then  began  farming  for  himself  in 
Kentucky  until  1884,  when  he  removed  to  this  county,  renting  his  Kentucky  land.  He 
purchased  the  Cooper  farm  of  537  acres,  on  which  he  has  been  steadily  engaged  ever  since. 
In  1854  he  wedded  Mary  Marshall,  native  of  Kentucky,  and  they  have  five  children  by 
this  union:  Walker  J.,  William,  Birdie,  Samuel  and  Jessie.  Mr.  Stone  is  a Democrat  iu 
politics,  and  himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

REV.  JOSEPH  HART  STRAYHONE,  a -well-known  farmer  and  influential  citizen 
of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and  a native  of  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  was  born  October  12, 
1821,  son  of  Daniel  and  Penelope  (Berry)  Straylione.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  also 
born  in  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1822.  He  located  on  a farm  in 
Maury  County  and  lived  there  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1824.  He  was  a "worthy 
member  of  the  Presb}rterian  Church.  The  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  was 
also  for  many  years  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  later  years  she  became  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Her  death  occurred  in  1848.  Our  subject 
passed  his  youthful  days  in  aiding  his  father  on  the  farm.  January  6,  1843,  he  wedded 
Mary  C.  Aikins,  a native  of  Maury  County  and  the  daughter  of  John  Aikins.  The  fruits 
of  this  union  were  the  following  children:  Nellie  C.,  John  Alison,  Jennet  E.  and  William 
Bascom.  In  March,  1859,  Mrs.  Strayhone  died;  she  was  an  excellent  woman  and  a devout 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  September,  1859,  our  subject  took  for  his 
second  wife  Olcvia  A.  Mullins,  a native  of  Bedford  County  and  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Will- 
iam Mullins.  This  second  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children:  H.  Elizabeth  B.  and 
William  D.,  both  living.  In  1852  Mr.  Strayhone  became  proprietor  of  a tannery  in 
Lawrence  County,  which  business  he  successfully  managed  for  twenty  years.  In  1861  he 
enlisted  as  a private  in  the  Confederate  Army,  in  the  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Regiment 
Volunteer  Infantry,  to  serve  as  chaplain.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Richmond  and 
Perryville,  Ivy.,  and  was  honorably  discharged  at  Shelbyville,  Bedford  County,  in  1862. 
He  immediately  returned  to  Lawrence  County  and  resumed  the  tannery  business.  He  re- 
ceived a good  education  in  the  schools  of  Maury  County,  and  has  been,  politically,  a life- 
long Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  has  been 
a minister  of  the  gospel  since  1849.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Tennessee  Conference, 
joined  that  body  in  1868,  and  had  traveled  as  itinerant  preacher  three  years  previous  to 
joining  the  conference.  He  has  a farm  of  157  acres,  and  is  a member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity. 

PATRICK  SULLIVAN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Ireland  in  September,  1823.  He  is  one 
of  eight  children  born  to  Flourence  and  Honora  (Reyney)  Sullivan.  The  father  was  a na- 
tive of  Ireland,  born  about  1800,  and  "was  by  occupation  a well-to-do  farmer.  He  was  an 
ardent  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance,  and  was  a member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church.  He  died  in  1882.  The  mother  was  also  a native  of  Ireland,  born  about  1803;  she 
■was  a member  of  the  Roman  Catholic  Church  and  a devout  Christian.  She  died  in  1884. 
Our  subject’s  early  life  was  employed  iu  the  shoe-making  business.  He  came  to  America 
:n  1849,  and  in  1851  settled  in  Maury  County,  where  he  was  employed  as  a laborer.  In 


. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


9o7 


1853  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Hand,  a native  of  Maury  County,  and  to  tais  union  were  born 
these  children  named:  Flourence,  Patrick  S.,  John,  James.  Timoth}',  Honora,  Julia,  Kate 
.and  Margaret,  all  living  except  Mary  A.,  who  died  in  1856.  Mr.  Sullivan  is  a Democrat, 
and  has  a good  farm  of  eighty-five  acres.  He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  Church,  and  is  a well  respected  citizen. 

C.  TAYLOR  was  born  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  July  6,  1S18.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
he  began  business  for  himself.  He  has  given  bis  attention  to  farming.  December  24, 
1839.  he  married  Elizabeth  B.  Foster,  born  in  1819,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Elizabeth 
Foster.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor  were  born  the  following  children:  James  R.,  William. 
Sarah  P.,  Frauces  M.,  George  C..  Jasper,  Callie  D.,  Martha.  Cornelia,  and  an  infant 
deceased.  At  the  latter’s  birth  the  mother  died,  and  May  10,  1S66,  Mr.  Taylor  married 
Mary  E.  (Thompson)  Fowler,  and  by  her  is  the  father  of  four  children:  Calabie  M.,  Burt 
E.,  Floyd  A.  and  Earl  F.  (deceased).  Mr.  Fowler  is  a Democrat  and  a wealthy  farmer. 
His  wife  is  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  the  mother 
of  two  sons  by  her  former  marriage:  Walter  W.  and  Joseph  C.  Both  are  in  Texas,  the 
former  a physician,  and  the  latter  a salesman  in  a drugstore.  Our  subject’s  parents  were 
James  and  Martha  (Washam)  Taylor,  both  born  in  Virginia.  They  were  married  in  1815, 
and  came  to  Tennessee  soon  after  the  birth  of  their  first  child  and  located  in  Giles  County. 
They  died  in  1821  and  1836,  respectively. 

HOX.  GEORGE  C.  TAYLOR,  attorney  at  law,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  member  of 
the  Forty- fourth  General  Assembly  of  Tennessee,  is  a native  of  Maury  County,  born 
December  9,  184S,  son  of  Claybourne  Taylor,  a well  known  and  worthy  farmer  of  the 
county.  George  C.  Taylor  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  In  1862  being 
only  fourteen  years  of  age,  he  ran  away  from  home,  and  entered  the  Confederate  Army, 
enlisting  in  Company  F,  Forty-eighth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  serving  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  being  one  of  the  youngest  soldiers  of  the  Tennessee  army.  He  was 
seriously  wounded  in  the  hip  at  Atlanta,  from  which  he  still  suffers.  After  his  return 
home  he  attended  school  and  clerked  in  a store  until  1866, when  he  went  to  Arkansas, where 
he  farmed  and  taught  school.  In  1869  he  returned  to  Columbia,  and  began  studying  law 
with  Hon.  James  H.  Thomas,  and  vras  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1871.  He  is  an  uncompro- 
mising Democrat,  and  as  such  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  in  the  fall  of  1884.  and 
served  writh  credit.  In  1872  he  wedded  Laura  Burte,  who  died  less  than  a year  after. 
June  8,  1874,  he  married  Mrs.  Susie  D.  Stone.  They  have  two  daughters:  Laura  C.  and 
Georgie  C.  Mr.  Taylor  is  one  of  the  successful  members  of  the  Maury  County  bar,  and 
is  an  able  and  popular  representative  of  the  people. 

WILLIAM  C.  TAYLOR  was  born  October  18,  1852,  in  Marion  County,  Ky.,  and  is  a 
son  of  Clark  and  Frances  M.  (Tucker)  Taylor,  both  of  whom  were  Kentuckians  by  birth, 
and  are  now  deceased.  The  father  was  a resident  of  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  at  the  time 
of  his  death.  William  C.  was  reared  and  educated  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  attending 
the  Lebanon  Kentucky  Seminary,  and  also  St.  Mary’s  College,  near  that  city.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-one  he  began  his  legal  studies  at  Danville,  Ky.,  continuing  there  until  1875, 
when  he  came  to  Columbia  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he  has 
continued  up  to  the  present  time,  and  has  met  with  very  flattering  success.  He  is  a strong 
supporter  of  Democratic  principles,  and  has  held  the  office  of  city  attorney  for  five  years, 
giving  the  best  of  satisfaction  in  the  performance  of  his  duties.  He  is  a Mason  of  the 
Knight  Templar  degree. 

DR.  HEZEKIAH  TERRELL,  a prominent  physician  and  farmer  of  Maury  County; 
was  born  February  15,  1815,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.  He  was  reared  in  the  country 
and  secured  a good  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  began  the 
study  of  medicine  at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  where  he  remained  over  two  years.  He  then  at- 
tended a course  of  lectures  at  the  Medical  University,  of  Louisville.  In  1843  he  began 
the  practice  of  medicine,  which  he  has  been  engaged  in  ever  since.  He  has  an  extensive 
practice  and  has  been  very  successful.  December  20,  1838.  he  wedded  Margaret  S. 
Dabney,  a native  of  Williamson  County,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children,  only  five 


60 


, 


958 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


of  whom  are  living:  Mary  E.f  William  J.,  Alexander  C.,  Joel  and  Anna.  Dr.  Terrell  was 
an  old  line  Whig  before  the  war,  but  since  that  time  has  voted  with  the  Democratic 
party.  Himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  The  Doctor  has  been 
a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  since  1852.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary  (House) 
Terrell,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  a pioneer  settler  of  Williamson 
County,  emigrating  from  North  Carolina  to  that  county  in  180G.  He  was  a farmer  and 
blacksmith.  His  reputation  as  a skilled  mechanic  spread  far  and  wide.  He  died  April 
25,  1826.  The  mother  followed  August  13,  1842. 

JOHN  M.  TERRY,  a well-known  citizen  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in 
Warren  County,  N.  C.,  February  21,  1821.  He  is  the  sixth  of  eleven  children — six  sons 
and  five  daughters — born  to  the  marriage  of  David  Terry  and  Nancy  B.  (Jordan)  Terry. 
The  parents  were  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  and  came  to  Maury  County.  Teun., 
about  1831,  and  settled  on  a farm  in  the  First  District,  where  they  resided  until 
their  respective  deaths  in  1834  and  1856.  John  M.  Terry’s  early  life  was  spent  on  his 
father’s  farm.  He  attended  school  at  the  Mount  Pleasant  Academy,  where  he  secured  a 
good  English  education.  May  16,  1867,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Cald- 
well, of  Maury  County,  and  five  children— two  sons  and  three  daughters— blessed  their 
union:  John  O.,  Madison,  Nannie  Seymoura,  Carena  G.  and  Zula.  Mrs.  Terry  was  born 
May  12,  1841.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  was  a 
faithful  helpmate  to  her  husband.  She  died  February  11.  1882.  Mr.  Terry  has  been  a 
life-long  Democrat  and  is  a strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  his  party.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JAMES  M.  TIN  DEL  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  February  iO,  1838,  and  is 
the  son  of  Anderson  Tindel,  who  was  born  June  2, 1809,  and  who  came  to  Tennessee  when 
young,  locating  in  Bedford  County.  He  engaged  in  farming,  which  he  followed  very 
successfully  for  several  years.  He  then  moved  to  Maury  County  and  located  in  the 
Fourth  District,  where  he  still  continued  farming,  but  in  connection  worked  at  the  shoe- 
maker’s trade.  By  his  marriage  to  Lety  Caffe,  who  was  born  in  1808,  he  became  the 
father  of  eleven  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  one.  The  mother  of  these  children  was 
a member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  was  faithful  to  her  Christian  duties.  She  died 
January  1,  1873.  The  father  was  also  a member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  died  June 
14,  1879.  Our  subject  reached  his  majority  on  the  farm,  and  in  1863  enlisted  in  the  Forty- 
eighth  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Infantry.  He  was  at  Fort  Henry  guarding  stock  about  the 
time  of  the  battle  at  Fort  Donelson.  He  escaped  from  Fort  nenry  and  came  home,  where 
he  remained  but  a short  time.  He  then  went  through  Mississippi  to  Jackson,  and  after- 
ward came  home.  January  2,  1868,  he  wedded  Adeline  Jones,  a native  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  born  May  7,  1850,  and  the  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Sarah  (Moore)  Jones.  To  our 
subject  and  wife  was  born  one  child,  a daughter,  Lettie  A.,  born  August  29,  1868.  Mr. 
Tindel  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  and  have  the  re- 
spect of  all  who  know  them. 

THOMAS  J.  TINDEL  was  bom  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  May  2,  184‘>.  and  is  the 
son  of  Anderson  and  Lety  (Caffe)  Tindel.  (For  further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch 
of  James  M.  Tindel.)  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  owing  to  circumstances  his 
education  was  rather  limited,  but  by  his  own  exertions  he  has  gained  sufficient  education 
for  the  business  of  life.  November  7,  1867,  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar  Van  I).  Cheek, 
and  by  this  union  he  became  the  father  of  an  interesting  family  of  five  children — four  sons 
and  one  daughter:  George  W.,  born  May  4,  1869;  Lillie  L..  born  November  16.  1871; 
Jackson  P.,  born  September  3,  1874,  and  died  September  15.  1876;  Wilburn  born  April 
17,  1878,  and  Henry  M.,  born  October  24,  1881.  Mr.  Tindel  is  justly  recognized  as  an  hon- 
est, upright  citizen,  and  has  many  warm  friends. 

DR.  JAMES  T.  S.  THOMPSON  was  born  in  this  county  February  6,  1836,  and  is  one 
of  six  children  born  to  the  union  of  Capt.  Absalom  and  Mary  B.  (Sanford)  Thompson, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was  from  the  family  of 
John  Thompson,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Williamson  County,  who  was  born  in  1800.. 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


959 


Capt.  Thompson  has  filled  a large  space  in  the  history  of  the  community  for  the  last  half 
century.  He  has  taken  a lively  interest  in  developing  the  resources  of  the  country  and  in 
promoting  the  cause  of  education.  He  was  one  of  the  projectors  and  liberal  supporters 
of  Jackson  College,  and  after  its  removal  to  Columbia  he  was  an  active  participant  in  the 
establishment  of  both  the  Female  and  Male  Academies  of  Spring  Hill,  and  was  a trustee 
of  both  schools  for  many  years.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  since 
1833,  and  was  ordained  one  of  its  ruling  elders  in  May,  1844.  His  death  occurred  Febru- 
ary 17,  1881.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  passed  his  youth  on  the  farm  with  his  parents. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  began  reading  medicine  with  Dr.  S.  T.  McMurray  with  a view 
of  making  it  a profession.  He  attended  two  courses  of  lectures  at  the  Nashville  Medical 
College,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  at  the  sessions  of  1857-58.  lie  then  returned 
to  Maury  County  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he 
enlisted  in  Company  E,  Third  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantry,  serving  as  lieutenant  until 
the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson,  after  which  he  served  as  assistant  surgeon  of  Robertson's  bat- 
ter}", and  at  tlie  exchange  of  his  regiment  was  made  surgeon  of  the  Third  Tennessee  Reg- 
iment, and  remained  as  such  for  three  years;  after  which  time  the  regiments  consolidated, 
and  he  then  joined  Gen.  Joseph  E.  Johnston's  staff,  and  remained  with  him  until  Gen. 
Hood  took  charge  of  the  army,  and  served  in  the  same  capacity  under  the  latter  General 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  resumed  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine. At  the  end  of  a year  he  removed  to  Corinth,  Mississippi,  and  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  milling.  He  remained  in  this  State  until  1876,  when  he  returned  to  this  county, 
locating  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising 
ever  since.  November  30,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  MaryL.  Cheairs.  a native  of 
this  county  and  the  daughter  of  John  W.  Cheairs,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in 
these  pages.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  were  born  nine  children,  eight  of  whom  are 
living,  viz.:  Mary  P.,  John  C.  (deceased),  James  M.,  Thomas  St.  C.,  Leo  Duloney, 
Hattie  C.,  Myra  R.,  Susie  P.  and  an  infant  not  named.  The  Doctor  is  a Democrat  in  pol- 
itics, and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Thompson  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Church. 

HARVEY  S.  THOMPSON’S  birth  occurred  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  June  20,  1843.  He 
is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  was  raised  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  His  educa- 
tion consists  of  good  common  schooling,  which  he  greatly  improved  by  much  desultory 
reading  and  study.  After  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  he  enlisted  as  private  in  the 
Third  Tennessee  Infantry  in  1803.  and  served  about  one  year  in  the  Confederate  Army. 
He  followed  farming  and  school  teaching  in  Marshall  and  Maury  Counties,  Tenn.,  also  in 
Mississippi  two  years,  and  in  the  meantime  stored  his  mind  with  the  legal  lore  of  Black- 
stone.  In  187G  he  had  so  mastered  the  profession  that  he  gave  up  pedagoging  and  came 
to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  Columbia  bar,  and  there  he  has  since 
practiced  his  profession  with  success.  Mr.  Thompson  was  raised  a Whig,  but  is  now  In- 
dependent in  his  political  views.  In  1883  he  was  appointed  United  States  commissioner 
for  the  Middle  District  of  Tennessee,  and  has  since  filled  the  position  in  a highly  satis- 
factory manner.  Mr.  Thompson  is  unmarried,  and  is  a son  of  David  N.  and  Eliza 
(Shields)  Thompson,  who  were  born  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  where  they  have  both  long 
been  tenants  of  the  grave-yard  at  old  Elkridge,  which  contains  one  of  the  most  ancient 
and  honored  Presbyterian  Churches  in  that  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  strictly 
a self-made  man;  the  war  left  him  entirely  penniless. 

WILLIAM  E.  TOMLINSON,  a successful  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born 
in  Giles  County,  this  State,  in  1833,  being  a son  of  John  and  Anna  (Murphy)  Tomlinson., 
who  were  born  in  North  Carolina,  where  the  father  followed  the  life  of  an  agriculturist 
and  became  quite  well  to  do  in  worldly  goods.  He  died  about  1838.  The  mother  is  still 
living  and  is  a resident  of  Giles  County,  Tenn.  William  E.,  our  subject,  assisted  his 
father  on  the  farm  and  was  married  in  March,  1874,  to  Martha  English,  and  one  child 
blessed  this  union:  Mary  S.  Mr.  Tomlinson  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war,  enlisting 
in  Company  E.  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  for  three  years,  at  the  exj)ir 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


D60 

ation  of  which  time  he  was  transferred  to  Gen.  Forrest’s  division  and  served  until  the 
surrender  of  Lee.  Mr.  Tomlinson  is  a Democrat  politically,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
fraternity.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  H.  TOOMBS  was  born  near  Culleoka,  Tenn.,  January  6.  1819,  son  of  Johu  and 
Catherine  (Wems)  Toombs.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1793.  and  came  to  Ten- 
nessee with  his  parents.  Edmund  and  Sabra  Toombs,  when  a small  lad.  He  became  a 
prosperous  farmer  of  Davidson  County,  and  died  in  1830,  and  his  wife  about  1852.  John 
H.  was  their  third  child.  He  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  after 
attaining  his  majority  began  earning  his  own  livelihood  at  farming.  In  1844  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Elizabeth  P.  Hill,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County  May  20,  1822,  daughter 
of  William  C.  and  Maria  (Dickson)  Hill,  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Georgia  in  1795  and 
1797,  respectively.  They  were  early  pioneers  of  Tennessee  and  were  farmers  of  Maury 
County.  The  father  died  in  1835  and  the  mother  in  1870.  Mr.  Toombs  is  a Democrat 
and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JOSEPH  M.  TOWLER,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Lexington.  Ky.,  July  17,  1822,  and  is  of 
English-Scotch  descent.  His  father  died  when  he  was  eleven  years  of  age, and  he  removed 
to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  in  1833,  and  was  educated  in  La  Grange  College,  Alabama,  and 
afterward  served  as  one  of  the  faculty  in  the  same  eight  years.  After  attaining  his 
majority  he  began  studying  medicine  under  Dr.  B.  W.  Dudley,  and  graduated  from  the 
medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in  1847.  He  then  returned  to 
Columbia,  where  he  has  since  continued  the  practice  of  his  profession  and  is  considered  a 
highly  eminent  physician.  He  is  a member  of  the  American  Medical  Association,  and 
-ex-president  of  the  Tennessee  State  Medical  Society.  Joseph  is  his  son.  born  to  his  mar- 
riage with  Catharine  Chapman  Voorhies,  of  Maury  County,  which  occurred  March  10, 
1847.  He  is  a prominent  Mason,  being  Past  Grand  Commander  of  the  State.  He  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  is  an  elder  in  the  same.  He  was 
originally  an  old-line  Whig.but  since  the  war  has  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party.  He 
served  as  first  surgeon  of  Col.  Biffle’s  regiment  in  the  civil  war,  and  later  as  brigade  sur- 
geon of  Gen.  John  Adams  until  he  was  captured  and  paroled.  He  has  been  resident 
-physician  of  the  noted  summer  resort  at  Waukesha,  Wis.,  for  the  last  ten  years,  where  he 
annually  spends  his  summers. 

JOSEPH  F.  TUCKER,  editor  and  manager  of  the  Maury  County  Democrat  at  Col- 
umbia, Tenn.,  is  a son  of  Joseph  F.  and  Mary  J.  (Faris)  Tucker,  who  were  Tenneesseans 
by  birth.  Joseph  F.  was  born  December  14.  1S53,  and  attended  the  schools  of  his  native 
-county  and  finished  his  education  at  Louisville.  Ky.,  taking  an  academical  course.  He 
was  salesman  in  a mercantile  establishment  a number  of  years,  and  afterward  accepted 
the  position  as  traveling  salesman  for  a Louisville  firm.  For  several  years  he  was  local 
editor  of  the  Columbia  Herald  and  conducted  a campaign  paper  at  Bowling  Green,  I\y.. 
during  the  campaign  of  1884.  In  February.  1885,  he  returned  to  Columbia  and  has  since 
-edited  the  Democrat  of  that  city,  in  which  he  is  ably  assisted  by  his  brother,  Jesse  P. 
Nannie  May  is  a daughter  born  to  his  marriage  with  Miss  Ada  B.  Webster,  which  occurred 
in  October,  1884.  Mrs.  Tucker  is  a native  of  Williamson  County,  and  our  subject  belongs 
to  the  K.  of  H.  fraternity. 

OTEY  WALKER,  merchant  and  agriculturist,  is  a son  of  Asberry  and  Sarah  (Jossev) 
Walker  and  is  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  born  July  31,  1849,  and  May  30.  1878. 
xinited  his  fortune  with  Miss  Laura  Dorsett,  daughter  of  T.  J.  Dorsett,  a well-known  citizen 
of  Maury  Count}’.  To  their  union  was  born  one  child,  Sarah  E.  Mr.  Walker  is  a strong 
supporter  of  Democratic  principles  and  is  a believer  in  Episcopalianism,  and  his  wife  is  a 
worthy  member  of  that  church.  Asberry  Walker  was  an  enterprising  merchant  and  was 
regarded  as  one  of  Maury  County’s  most  substantial  citizens.  His  death  occured  in  1800. 
The  mother  is  still  living,  and  is  a resident  of  Maury  County. 

MRS.  SARAH  J.  WEBSTER,  is  a daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sallie  (Vaughn)  Weakley, 
and  was  born  in  1818.  Her  parents  w’ere  both  born  in  the  “Old  Dominion,’’  the  father 
being  a skillful  surveyor  and  enterprising  farmer  of  that  State,  where  his  death  occurred 


. 

* 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


061 


about  1830.  The  mother  died  ten  years  later  and  she  and  her  husband  were  worth}’ 
members  of  the  Methodist  Church.  Our  subject  -was  married,  on  the  17th  of  March,  1836,  to 
James  H.  Webster,  an  industrious  farmer  of  Maury  County,  and  their  union  was  blessed 
with  eleven  children,  the  following  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Fannie  P.  (wife  of  Thomas 
S.  Porter),  Roenia  C.,  James  J.,  Mattie  J.  (wife  of  Shade  Murray),  Lizzie  D.,  Kate  W.  and 
Frank  W.  Mr.  Webster  died  in  1873.  His  widow  is  an  accomplished  lady  and  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  She  owns  considerable  land,  aud  is  much 
esteemed  by  her  neighbors  and  friends. 

WILLIAM  J.  WEBSTER,  attorney  at  law,  of  Columbia,  son  of  William  J.  and 
Mary  A.  (Porter)  Webster,  and  grandson  of  Jonathan  Webster  and  Nimrod  Porter,  who 
were  early  pioneers  and  farmers  of  Maury  County.  The  former  was  for  many  years 
sheriff  of  the  county.  William  J.  Webster.  Sr.,  was  a farmer,  a Democrat  and  a mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  in  1859,  followed  by  his  widow  in  18CS.  Our 
subject  was  born  October  17,  1847,  and  in  additiou  to  the  common  school  education  he  at- 
tended the  Washington-Lee  University,  of  Lexington,  Ya.,  and  then  entered  the  Leb- 
anon (Tenn.)  Law’  School,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1S69.  During  the  year  18G9  he 
was  admitted  to  practice  at  the  bar  of  Maury  Count}’,  and  has  followed  his  profession  in 
Columbia  with  well-deserved  success.  October  23,  1872,  Mary  C.  Allison  became  his  wife 
and  the  mother  of  his  three  children:  William  J.,  Hyleman  A.  and  Virginia  31.  Mrs. 
Webster  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Air.  Webster  is  a member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  and  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  has  given  much  attention  to  raising  and 
breeding  fine  stock,  and  is  a one-half  owner  and  president  of  the  Columbia  Jersey  Cattle 
Company. 

PROF.  HENRY"  1”.  WEISSINGER.  an  enterprising  farmer  of  Maury  County,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  Wilson,  Ala.,  February  9,  1842.  and  is  the  youngest  son  of  Leonard  Weissin- 
ger  by  his  second  wife.  Eliza  31.  (Bond)  Weissinger.  His  first  wife  was  a 3Iiss  Cobb,  who 
died  in  1839.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  a native  of  Georgia,  and  was  a farmer  by  oc- 
cupation. At  one  time  he  edited  a paper  in  Perry  County,  Ala.,  but  moved  to  this  county 
in  1872.  His  death  occurred  in  1876.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was  born  in  North  Car- 
olina, but  resided  the  principal  part  of  her  life  in  3Iarion,  Ala.  She  was  gifted  with  rare 
moral  and  intellectual  endowments,  which  were  carefully  cultivated  under  the  judicious 
supervision  of  3Iiss  3Iary  Burk,  her  mother’s  sister,  one  of  the  best  educators,  as  well  as 
one  of  the  best  women  of  her  day.  Our  subject  received  a collegiate  education  at  the 
Howard  College  of  Alabama,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1862  with  the  degree 
of  A.  31.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Twenty-eighth  Alabama,  serving  as  a high 
private,  but  afterward  sergeant  of  the  company.  He  then  joined  Company  I,  of  the 
Tw’enty-fifth  Alabama  Regiment,  and  served  as  lieutenant  of  the  company.  In  1864  he 
joined  his  brother’s  staff  aud  served  as  captain  until  the  close  of  the  war,  He  then  re- 
turned home  and  began  teaching  school,  and  followed  that  profession  in  that  State  until 
1868,  when  he  returned  to  3Iount  Pleasant,  3Iaury  County,  and  continued  teaching 
school,  remaining  there  until  1873.  He  then  moved  to  West  Tennessee  and  taught 
in  a high  school  for  three  years.  In  1875  he  removed  to  Spring  Hill,  3Iaury  County, 
and  taught  there  until  1881.  In  1884  he  began  farming  on  his  present  place,  where  he  has 
been  steadily  engaged  ever  since.  In  1870  he  wedded  Emily  E.  3Iiller,  a native  of  this 
county,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  children:  Henry  Y.,  Alary  L.,  Charles  31.,  George 
J.,  Leonard  A.,  William  31.  and  Anna  31.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Prof.  Weissinger  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  all  his  family,  with  the  exception  of  one,  are  members  of 
the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church. 

JA3IES  L.  WHITE  was  born  in  3Iaury  County,  Tenn.,  December  31,  1842;  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  he  began  farming  for  himself,  and,  September  6,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Ophelia  T. 
Davidson,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  born  September  5,  1847,  and  the  daughter 
of  John  and  Martha  (Davis)  Davidson.  To  our  subject  and  wife  -were  Txrn  these  chil- 
dren: John  W.,  George  31.,  3Yillie  E.,  E.  31.,  3Iargaret  E.,  James  E.,  Patiie,  Grover  C. 


. 

■ 

' 

’ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


962' 

In  1862  Mr.  White  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Forty-eiglitli  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  left  for 
Jackson,  Miss.,  where  he  remained  a short  time  and  then  came  home.  He  then  joined 
Company  F.  First  Tennessee  Regiment  Cavalry  and  went  to  Mississippi,  Alabama. Georgia. 
South  Carolinia  and  North  Carolina,  after  which  he  was  paroled  and  returned  home.  In  1878 
he  was  elected  constable  and  served  four  years.  In  1882  he  was  elected  magistrate,  and  holds 
that  position  at  the  preseut  time.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics.  Our  subject’s  parents,  Will- 
iam and  Margaret  White,  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The 
* father  was  born  in  1811,  and  was  the  son  of  Lewis  and  Nancy  White.  He  was  a farmer, 
an  upright  citizen  and  had  many  friends.  He  died  in  1855.  The  mother  was  a member 
of  the  Christian  Church  and  was  always  ready  and  willing  to  aid  in  the  cause  of  Christi- 
anity. 

WASHINGTON  CURRAN  WIIITTHORNE  was  born  in  that  part  of  Lincoln  County 
subsequently  made  a part  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.;  was  raised  in  Bedford,  attended 
school  at  Arrington  Academy  in  Williamson,  Campbell  Academy  in  Wilson,  and  graduated 
at  East  Tennessee  University.  He  was  a student  of  law  under  James  1\.  Polk  at  the  time 
of  his  election  to  the  presidency,  and  entered  into  the  politics  of  the  State  at  an  early  age: 
was  a member  of  the  State  Senate  in  1855-56  and  1857-58,  and  was  speaker  of  the  House 
of  Representatives  in  1859-60,  having  been  elected  to  the  House  over  W.  L.  McConnico, 
the  Whig  candidate,  and  one  of  the  foremost  orators  in  the  State.  In  1860  he  was  selected 
by  his  party  as  a candidate  for  elector  for  the  State  at  large.  He  canvassed  the  State 
from  one  end  to  the  other,  meeting  more  competitors  of  the  ablest  of  his  opponents  than 
was  ever  done  in  any  former  political  canvass  in  the  State.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  he  became  assistant  adjutant-general,  serving  with  Gen.  Andersen  in  West  Virginia 
in  1861.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  to  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Columbia, 
m which  he  achieved  great  success  until  the  year  1871, when  he  was  elected  to  the  Forty-sec- 
ond congress  where  he  continued  to  serve  without  intermission  until  the  close  of  the  Forty- 
seventh  Congress.  During  his  service  in  Congress,  his  most  marked  work  was  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Committee  on  Naval  Adairs,  of  which  he  was  chairman  for  six  years.  Of  Gen. 
Whitthorne’s  services  to  his  party  and  country  since  the  war,  it  is  unnecessary  to  speak  at 
length.  He  has  served  both  with  untiring  zeal,  energy  and  ability.  While  earnest,  bold 
and  energetic  by  nature,  he  combines  with  those  qualities  a prudence,  conservatism  and 
sagacity  which  gives  them  extraordinary  weight  and  influence.  He  was  appointed  to  the 
Senate  by  Gov.  Bate  to  fill  the  unexpired  term  of  Senator  Howell  E.  Jackson,  appointed 
United  States  Circuit  Court  Judge. 

REV.  WILLIAM  H.  WILKES,  a native  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  May  7, 
1821.  He  is  the  son  of  Richard  A.  L.  and  Judith  (Harris)  Wilkes,  who  were  natives  of  the 
‘“Old  Dominion,”  immigrating  to  Tennessee  in  1806,  which  remained  their  home  until 
their  respective  deaths  in  1S67  and  1880.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  educated  prin- 
cipally at  the  Triune  and  Pleasant  Grove  Academies.  At  eighteen  years  of  age  he  entered 
the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His  appointments  have  iucluded  the 
towns  of  Springfield,  Wartrace,  Mount  Pleasant,  Spring  Hill,  Pulaski,  Franklin,  Nashville 
and  Columbia.  Mr.  Wilkes  was  married  January,  1S48,  to  Miss  Mary  K.  Amis,  who  died 
in  1856,  leaving  three  children:  Izora  (Mrs.  C.  S.  Williamson),  Richard  (who  served  in  the 
State  Legislature  in  1881  and  1882),  and  Alice  (Mrs.  Rev.  W.  R.  Peebles).  His  second  mar- 
riage was  to  Miss  Zurelda  Amis,  who  died  soon  after  her  marriage  leaving  one  daughter. 
Mary  K.,  wife  of  Thomas  E.  Andrews.  His  present  wife  was  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Martin) 
Johnson.  Mr.  Wilkes  has  been  for  many  years  connected  with  the  movements  to  advance 
the  interest  of  education  by  the  establishment  of  schools  of  high  grade. 

COL.  NATHANIEL  ROBARDS  WILKES  was  born'  in  Oxford,  Granville  Co., 
N.  C.,  July  26,  1833,  son  of  James  II.  and  Eliza  (Robards)  Wilkes,  who  were  born  in  Vir- 
ginia and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  removed  with  his  wife  and  family  to 
this  State  in  1837,  and  located  in  Maury  County.  Here  he  farmed  and  taught  school.  He 
served  about  six  years  in  all  as  magistrate,  and  was  also  superintendent  of  the  county 
schools  two  years.  He  died  in  1879.  Nathaniel  R.  Wilkes  was  reared  in  Maury  Count}', 


MAURY  COUNTY. 


903 


and  graduated  from  Jackson  College  in  July.  1S54.  A year  later  he  began  the  study  of 
law  with  a view  to  making  it  a profession  and  remained  with  Frierson  & Fleming  until 
1857.  He  advanced  rapidly  in  his  profession  as  a lawyer  of  ability  and  promise,  and  for 
two  years  was  a partner  of  'William  H.  Polk.  At  a later  period  he  was  associated  with 
N.  H.  Burt,  an  eminent  member  of  the  Chattanooga  bar.  From  1865  to  1867  he  practiced 
with  H.  T.  Osborne,  and  from  1870  to  1870  with  J.  L.  Bullock.  Mr.  Wilkes  is  a partner 
of  Mr.  Padgett,  and  his  well-established  reputation  as  a lawyer  has  contributed  largely  to 
the  success  of  this  tirm.  Col.  Wilkes  is  a Democrat,  but  was  a Whig  previous  to  the 
war.  He  twice.enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  but  after  a service  of  ten  months  he  was 
discharged  on  account  of  physical  disability  contracted  during  service.  In  October.  1858, 
he  and  Miss  Jennie  Thompson  were  united  in  marriage.  Mrs.  Wilkes  died  in  1850,  leav- 
ing no  issue.  June  23,  1875,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Y.  Baird,  who  was  born  in  Nashville. 
Col.  Wilkes  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar  degree.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of 
P.  and  K.  of  H.  Mrs.  Wilkes  is  an  Episcopalian  in  faith. 

MRS.  LENNIE  M.  WILKES,  widow  of  James  H.  Wilkes,  was  born  in  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  November  21,  1S35.  She  is  a daughter  of  W.  R.  and  Cynthia  (Davidson)  Caldwell, 
who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee;  respectively.  The  father  followed  the 
occupation  of  tilling  the  soil,  and  accumulated  considerable  property,  and  is  now  a resi- 
dent of  Mississippi.  The  mother  was  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  died  in  1S62.  Mrs.  Wilkes,  our  subject,  was  twice  married:  the  first  time  to 
G.  W.  Kinzer  in  1857,  and  six  children  were  born  to  them,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Will- 
iam J.,  E.  C-,  Ella  M.,  W.  O.,  Charles  H.  G.  and  Ethel  G.  Mr.  Kinzer  was  a good  busi- 
ness? man,  and  was  much  respected  by  his  fellow- men.  He  departed  this  life  in  1873.  Kis 
widow  was  married,  in  1874,  to  James  H.  Wilkes,  and  to  them  was  born  one  child,  a son, 
Joseph  T.  In  1879  Mr.  Wilkes  died.  Since  that  time  Mrs.  Wilkes  has  managed  her  farm, 
and  is  doing  well  financially.  She  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  H.  WILKES,  M.  D.,  of  Columbia,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Maury  County  July 
26,  1839,  and  is  a brother  of  N.  R.  Wilkes,  whose  sketch  precedes  this.  James  H.  at- 
tended the  Jackson  College,  of  Columbia,  and  in  1858  became  a disciple  of  iEsculapius 
under  Drs.  A.  H.  & W.  H.  Brown.  Later  he  attended  lectures  in  the  medical  department 
of  the  Nashville  University  (now  Vanderbilt),  graduating  in  1862.  He  was  assigned  hos- 
pital duty  for  the  Confederate  Army  as  assistant  surgeon,  continuing  one  year,  when  he 
was  promoted  to  first  surgeon.  At  the  time  of  the  surrender  he  was  acting  surgeon  for 
Gen.  Thomas  Harrison’s  Texas  brigade  of  cavalry.  He  remained  at  home  during  1866, 
but  in  1867  removed  to  Arkansas,  where  he  remained  two  years,  and  then  returned  to 
Maury  Count}’,  Tenn.,  but  shortly  after  began  practicing  in  Edgefield,  a suburb  of  Nash- 
ville. In  the  latter  part  of  1869  he  returned  to  Maury  County,  and  in  1880  removed  to 
Columbia,  where  he  has  since  resided  and  practiced.  He  is  a member  of  the  State  Medi- 
cal Society  and  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  a Democrat.  In 
1868  he  was  married  to  Dora  I.  Davis,  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  two  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters have  blessed  their  union. 

GEORGE  C.  WILLIAMSON  was  born  near  the  waters  of  the  Little  Harpeth  River 
January  19,  1815,  son  of  Samuel  and  Judith  (Woodfin)  Williamson,  born  in  the  Old  Do- 
minion in  1786  and  1796,  respectively.  The  father  was  a son  of  Cutbert  Williamson  (who 
was  a farmer  and  an  1812  soldier)  and  followed  the  mechanical  trade  until  his  death.  He 
was  the  father  of  eight  children,  and  he  and  wife  were  worthy  and  consistent  Christians. 
He  was  in  the  war  of  1812  and  was  a Whig  in  politics.  He  died  in  1860  aud  the  mother  in 
1873.  Our  subject  began  farming  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty  and  March  31,  1836,  he 
married  Mildred  A.  Brown,  born  in  Maury  County  in  1818,  daughter  of  Charles  E.  and 
Elizabeth  (Acres)  Brown.  The  children  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson  are  Charles  S., 
born  in  1837;  John  T.,  born  in  1839;  James  G.,  born  in  1842.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  is 
a Democrat. 

JOSHUA  L.  WILLIAMS’  birth  occurred  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  October  13,  1829. 


964 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


He  attended  the  common  schools  and  later  in  life  began  farming  and  merchandising,  in 
which  he  was  very  successful,  and  now  owns  600  acres  of  very  productive  land.  He  was- 
married  in  1874  to  Miss  Martha  Peller,  daughter  of  David  W.  Peller,  and  four  children 
have  blessed  their  union:  Samuel  W.,  Lottie  G.,  Sarah  G.  and  Archibald  D.  Mr.  Will- 
iams is  a Democrat  in  politics,  but  was  formerly  a Whig,  and  has  served  his  county  in  the- 
capacity  of  clerk  and  master  of  the  chancery  court  six  years.  He  and  Mrs.  Williams  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  he  is  a Freemason  and  a son  of  Gen.  William 
D.  and  Sarah  G.  (Earley)  Williams,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  re- 
spectively. The  father  was  a farmer  and  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Maury  County, 
Tenn.,  coming  to  this  State  in  1806.  His  death  occurred  in  1S59.  The  mother  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  aud  died  in  1884. 

MAJ.  JOHN  T.  WILLIAMSON,  attorney  at  law,  of  Columbia,  Tenn..  was  born  in 
Maury  County  August  11,  1839.  son  of  George  C.  and  Mildred  A.  (Brown)  Williamson,  the 
former  born  in  Giles  County  and  the  latter  in  Maury  County.  John  T.  was  brought  up- 
on a farm  in  the  county  and  finished  his  literary  education  in  the  Cumberland  University 
at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  He  became  a student  of  Blackstone  shortly  before  the  war,  but  in 
1861  entered  the  Confederate  Army  as  brevet  second  lieutenant,  Capt.  Jones'  company,. 
Third  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry.  In  1863  he  was  promoted  to  major  of  the  Fifty-first 
Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  uutil  the  close  of  the  w ar.  He  then  returned  and  resumed 
his  legal  studies,  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  1868.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  a suc- 
cessful practitioner  of  Columbia  and  has  met  with  the  success  his  knowledge  of  legal  lore 
and  his  industry  merited.  In  1869  he  married  Miss  Albina  G.  Bugg,  of  Charlotte  County, 
Va.  They  have  four  children — one  son  and  three  daughters.  Mr.  Williams  is  a Democrat, 
and  was  mayor  of  the  city  of  Columbia  in  1877-78.  In  1882  he  was  elected  to  the  State 
Senate  from  Maury  and  Lewis  Counties.  He  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  is 
a member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum.  He  and  wife  belong  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

WALTER  P.  WOOLDRIDGE  is  a son  of  Dr.  Ferdinand  S.  and  Louise  T.  (Parrish)- 
Wooldridge,  both  natives  of  Williamson  County  and  members  of  prominent  families  of 
that  county.  The  father  was  a prosperous  physician  and  druggist  of  Franklin,  and  died 
there  in  1869.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Franklin,  Tenn.,  May  31,  1856,  and  after  securing 
an  ordinary  high  school  education,  came,  in  1870,  to  Maury  County  aud  engaged  as  clerk 
in  the  drug  business  with  Titcomb  & Williams,  and  afterward  with  R.  M.  Frierson  and 
T.  B.  Rains,  of  Columbia.  In  1878  he  engaged  in  selling  drugs  on  his  own  responsibility, 
in  which  he  has  remained  to  the  present  time.  He  has  met  with  more  than  ordinary  suc- 
cess, which  fact  is  due  to  his  energetic  and  industrious  business  habits  and  strict  integrity. 
He  is  identified  with  many  private  and  public  enterprises  of  Columbia.  April  27,  1882,  he- 
married  Miss  Eliza  Keesee,  of  Clarksville,  Tenn.  They  have  one  daughter,  named  Louise 
D.  Mr.  Wooldridge  is  a Mason  and  a Knight  of  Pythias,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Wooldridge 
are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 

JAMES  C.  WOOTEN,  vice-presidCnt  of  the  Columbia  Banking  Company,  was  born 
in  Fayetteville,  N.  C.,  June  18,  1832,  and  is  a son  of  Shedrick  O.  and  Elizabeth  (Blake)- 
Wooten.  The  father  came  from  North  Carolina  to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  in  1833.  He 
was  originally  a hatter  by  trade,  but  followed  milling  and  farming  in  this  county.  He 
died  in  1851.  James  C.’s  rudifhentary  education  was  limited,  but  he  afterward  attended 
the  Jackson  College  during  1852-53.  He  then  began  clerking  for  S.  F.  Mayes,  and  soon 
became  a partner  in  the  firm  of  Mayes,  Wooten  & Co.,  but  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
he  abandoned  the  business  and  enlisted  as  a private  in  Capt.  Gordon’s  company,  of  the 
Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  afterward  appointed  to  the  quartermaster’s- 
department  in  the  Confederate  Army,  ranking  as  captain.  After  his  return  home  he  was 
made  agent  for  the  Nashville  & Decatur  Railroad  and  held  the  position  three  years,  after 
which  he  engaged  in  the  wholesale  grocery  and  cotton  business,  with  T.  W.  Keesee  & 
Co.,  remaining  one  year.  He  was  married  in  1809  and  then  removed  to  Leighton,  Ala., 
aud  was  engaged  there  for  fifteen  years  in  buying  aud  selling  cotton  to  Memphis  and  to- 


... 

„ 


. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


965 


Eastern  spinners,  but  returned  in  1885,  and  has  since  been  identified  with  the  Columbia 
Banking  Company  in  the  capacity  of  vice-president,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  stockhold- 
ers. He  still  retains  a large  interest  in  Leighton.  Ala,  owning  and  managing  several  large 
cotton  plantations  there,  as  well  as  other  property.  He  married  Hattie  A.  Abernathy,  of 
Alabama,  in  1S69,  and  by  her  is  the  father  of  three  children:  John  T.,  .William  B.  and 
Emma.  Mr.  Wooten  is  a Democrat,  a Mason  and  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.  He  is  essen- 
tially a self-made  man  and  has  a handsome  competency,  which  he  has  acquired  by  his 
own  exertions.  He  spent  one  year  traveling  in  Europe,  visiting  most  of  the  large  cities  in 
England  and  on  the  Continent,  and  has  of  late  years  traveled  over  all  the  Western  Terri- 
tories, having  visited,  at  various  times,  all  the  States  of  the  Union.  He  owns  a handsome 
residence  in  Columbia,  which  he  now  occupies. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 

WILLIAM  E.  ALEXANDER,  a prominent  citizen  of  Williamson  County,  was  born 
in  this  State  July  8,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  W.  and  Phoebe  (Williams)  Alexander, 
both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  born  July  8,  1800,  am!  moved  io  this  county 
in  1807.  He  was  a Mason  in  good  standing  and  was  noted  for  his  hospitality.  The  moth- 
er was  born  in  1709,  and  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  The 
father  died  October  19,  1870.  Our  subject  followed  agricultural  pursuits  from  early  boy- 
hood. In  1852  he  wedded  Miss  Antoinette  Lavender,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  1834, 
and  the  daughter  of  Nelson  and  Purmelia  (White)  Lavender.  To  our  subject  and  wife 
were  born  eight  children:  William  C.,  Laura  A.,  Ebenezer  C.,  Lucy  F.  (deceased),  An- 
toinette V.  (deceased),  Yolona  L.,  Viola  Y.  and  Nora  L.  In  1865  Mr.  Alexander  moved 
to  his  farm,  which  lies  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  county,  and  contains  107  acres 
of  finely  cultivated  land.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  mem- 
bers of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

S.  ANDERSON,  an  influential  citizen  of  this  district,  was  born  in  Williamson  Couuty 
in  the  year  1825,  and  is  one  of  eight  children  born  to  Joseph  and  Sallie  (Hartley)  Ander- 
son. Mr.  Anderson  has  followed  farming  from  early  boyhood.  In  1847  he  married  Miss 
Ella  Hartley,  a native  of  this  county,  born  in  1827,  and  the  daughter  of  Laburn  and 
Nancy  (Carson)  Hartley".  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  nine  children  : Sarah  C., 
born  August  14,  1849;  Thomas  W.,  August  14,  1851;  JohnW.,  August 27,  1853;  William 
P.,  March  27.  1854;  Sophia  E.,  April  11,  1856;  Robert  B.,  deceased,  born  April  27,  1858; 
Berry  G.,  born  January  27,  1861;  Eliza  J.,  August  27,  1864,  and  Tennessee,  March  29, 
1868.  In  1857  our  subject  moved  to  the  farm  upon  which  he  is  now  living,  which  is  known 
as  “Cross  Key's.”  It  contains  190  acres  of  land  in  a fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  and  wife  are  worthy 
members  of  the  Cumberland" Presbyterian  Church. 

REV.  MARK  LYELL  ANDREWS  was  born  on  the  2d  day  of  December,  1796,  be- 
tween Lexington  and  Richmond,  Ky.  His  parents  were  born  and  reared  in  the  State  of 
Virginia,  married  and  moved  to  Kentucky  in  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1795.  In  1810  the 
father  of  our  subject,  George  Andrews,  moved  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn.  May'  16, 
1816,  our  subject  married  Eliza  Dean,  and  in  the  fall  of  1819  he  became  impressed  relig- 
iously and  sought  for  and  found  pardon,  after  which  he  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  November,  1819,  and  was  licensed  as  a local  preacher  in  September,  1822.  In 
1826  he  was  ordained  deacon  by  Bishop  Soule,  and  in  1836  was  ordained  an  elder,  at  Col- 
umbia, by  Bishop  Roberts.  In  the  economy'  of  the  church,  there  being  no  provision 


. 


966 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


made  to  support  her  local  ministers,  he  was  forced  to  look  to  other  sources  for  employ- 
ment to  support  a large  and  growing  family.  In  March,  1840.  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the 
Circut  Court  of  Williamson  County,  and  re-elected  thereafter  from  time  to  time  until  the 
year  1874,  having  held  the  office  continuously  for  a period  of  34  years.  This  is  a long  time 
to  hold  an  office,  especially  in  a country  notoriously  fond  of  rotation  in  public  life.  In  1874. 
his  health  declining  at  that  time,  he  withdrew  from  any  further  wish  to  serve  the  public, 
and  retired  to  private  life.  He  died  at  his  residence  two  miles  west  of  Franklin,  November 
16, 1878.  at  the  age  of  eighty-one.  He  was  a blessing  to  the  dying,  and  stood  by  the  bedside 
of  more  dying  men  and  women  than  most  any  one  else  in  our  State  history.  He  was  an 
example  to  the  living  and  a benefactor  to  his  race.  The  world  is  vastly  better  off  from 
his  having  lived  in  it,  and  is  indeed  poorer  in  Christian  charity  now  that  he  has  gone  to 
his  reward. 

JOHN  ANDREWS,  an  influential  citizen  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  in  this 
State  December  18, 1813.  His  father.  James  Andrews,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1783. 
and  in  1805  was  married  to  Jane  McGuire,  also  a native  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  born  in 
1787.  To  this  union  were  born  seven  children — six  sons  and  one  daughter — all  dead  but 
our  subject.  The  father  fought  in  the  Creek  Indian  war  and  died  in  1850.  The  mother 
died  in  1845.  Our  subject  took  to  the  hymeneal  altar,  September  20,  1840,  Minerva  Mat- 
thews, who  was  born  in  this  State  February  28,  1818,  and  who  is  the  daughter  of  Isham 
and  Mary  B.  (Simms)  Matthews,  the  former  born  in  1782  and  died  in  1862,  and  the  latter 
born  1788  and  died  in  1865.  Our  subject  and  wife  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Nan- 
Die  R.,  born  July  18,  1841;  Mary  E.,  born  January  20,  1845.  and  Lucy  J.,  born  August  23, 
1846.  Mr.  Andrews  followed  farming  until  1838,  after  which  he  clerked  in  a drug  store  at 
Franklin.  In  1847  he  began  merchandising  at  Peytonsville  this  district  and  was  very  suc- 
cessful in  that  business.  He  was  also  postmaster  there  for  two  years.  In  1853  he  moved  to 
his  present  fann  -which  consists  of  223  acres  of  good  land.  He  has  besides  this  farm  144 
acres  of  land  in  this  district.  He  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  Mr.  Andrews  is  a stanch  Democrat. 

WILLIAM  ARMSTRONG,  deceased,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  the  year  1809,  and  like 
the  average  country  boy  received  his  educatiou  in  the  primitive  schools.  In  1813  he  came 
to  Tennessee  and  located  in  Williamson  County.  He  entered  on  life’s  journey  with  Miss 
Elizabeth  Leigh  as  his  companion  November  2, 1836.  Mrs.  Armstrong  was  a daughter  of  Ben- 
jamin Leigh,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  who  immigrated  to  Tennessee  in  1812,  and  married 
Martha  Whitby.  Only  two  children  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  xYrmstrong:  Will- 
iam W.  and  Benjamin  F.,  both  of  whom  are  dead:  William  W.  died  November  18,  1860, 
and  Beniamin  F.  died  while  in  the  service  of  his  country  during  the  late  civil  war 
between  the  North  and  the  South.  Our  subject  moved  to  the  Seventh  District,  Williamson 
County,  in  1838,  to  the  place  known  as  “ Rocky  Hill,”  where  he  died  February  20,  1879. 
He  -was  a man  who  had  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him,  and  was  a -worthy 
member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Armstrong  is  still  living  at 
Rocky  Hill,”  six  miles  north  of  Franklin,  and  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  ATWOOD  was  born  in  what  is  now  Stokes  County,  N.  C.,  October 
22,  1846,  son  of  William  F.  and  Mary  (Steele)  Atwood,  and  of  English  descent.  The  father 
was  born  in  Virginia  in  1803,  and  the  mother  in  North  Carolina  in  1808:  they  both  died  in 
North  Carolina.  Our  subject  came  to  Tennessee  in  1868  and  settled  at  Nashville,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  broom-making  business.  This  he  continued  in  that  city  until  1873.  after 
which  he  clerked  in  a grocery  store  until  1876.  He  then  engaged  iu  the  grocery  business 
for  himself  and  has  since  continued  that  occupation.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  business 
men  of  the  county,  and  handled  last  year  over  400.000  pounds  of  broom  corn.  May  28, 
1878,  he  wedded  Maggie  A.  Sinclair,  of  this  county,  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
three  children:  John  B.,  Bessie  May  and  Jeneva  V.  Mr.  Atwood  is  a Democrat,  a mem- 
ber of  the  K.  of  II.,  and  also  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mrs. 
Atwood  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


O t 


ROBERT  A.  BAILEY,  son  of  Albert  H.  and  Louise  A.  (Figuers)  Bailey,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Franklin,  Teun.,  September  11,  1849.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia,  and 
at  an  early  day  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Franklin.  He  was  both  a farmer 
and  merchant,  and  in  early  life  was  married  to  Miss  Louisa  A.  Figuers,  and  four  children 
were  born  to  them:  John  H..  William  T.,  Patrick  R.  and  Robert  R.  The  father  died  in 
1852,  and  his  son  John  II.  died  August  4,  1845.  William  T.  was  killed  at  the  battle  of  Mis- 
sionary Ridge.  Our  subject  resided  on  his  father’s  farm  until  the  year  1808,  when  he  en- 
gaged as  salesman  in  the  dry  goods  house  of  J.  W.  Harrison,  where  he  remained  six  years. 
He  then  engaged  in  the  same  business  for  himself,  but  in  1875  sold  his  stock  of  goods  iu 
Franklin  and  purchased  a farm  in  the  adjoining  county.  In  1872  he  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Leonora  Mayberry,  and  three  children  have  blessed  their  union:  Henry  M.. 
William  T.  and  Robert  A.  Mrs.  Bailey  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

THOMAS  R.  BARRICK,  station  agent  and  general  manager  for  the  Louisville  & Nash- 
ville Railway  at  this  plaee,  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Ky.,  November  7,  1862,  and  is  the  son 
•of  J.  R.  and  Lou  M.  (Moss)  Barrick.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of  Barren  County, 
Ky.  The  father  was  born  in  1824,  and  for  a number  of  years  was  editor  of  the  Atlanta 
Constitution , and  gained  some  prominence  as  a writer  and  contributor  to  some  of  the  lead, 
ing  papers  and  magazines  of  the  country.  He  died  at  Atlanta  in  1869.  The  mother  was 
born  in  1820  and  died  in-1885.  The  subject  was  educated  at  the  schools  of  his  native 
-county,  and  the  early  years  of  his  business  life  were  spent  in  the  drug  and  dry  goods  busi- 
ness as  clerk.  At  sixteen  years  of  age  he  began  the  study  of  telegraphy.  In  1880  he  was 
telegraph  operator  at  Columbia,  Tenn.  In  1882  he  came  to  Franklin,  where  he  has  ever 
since  been  station  agent.  He  attends  to  all  the  railway  business  at  this  place,  and  enjoys 
.a  lucrative  and  responsible  position  with  the  Louisville  & Nashville  Company.  He  is 
thorough ly  posted  in  railway  affairs,  and  is  one  of  the  most  popular  railroad  men  on  the 
Louisville  & Nashville  line.  January  20,  1886,  he  wedded  Miss  Mattie  A.  Brown,  a daugh- 
ter of  Benjamin  and  Virgin  Brown,  of  this  county.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Barrick  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  They  are 
leading  young  people  of  the  county. 

JOHN  J.  BEECH,  druggist,  was  born  in  Williamson  County  November  12,  1826, 
son  of  Robert  A.  and  Martha  C.  (Beech)  Beech,  and  is  of  English  extraction.  His  father 
was  born  in  Nottaway  County,  Va.,  in  1798,  and  his  mother  in  Charlotte,  Va.,  in  1800.  His 
paternal  grandfather,  John  Beech,  was  also  a Virgiuian,  and  was  a faithful  soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  The  Beech  family  came  to  Williamson  County  from  Virginia  at  a 
very  early  day,  and  here,  in  1843,  the  mother  of  our  subject  died,  and  his  father  followed 
in  1855.  Our  subject,  John  J.  Beech,  passed  his  youthful  days  on  the  farm  and  secured  a 
good  education  in  the  Franklin  schools.  In  1844  he  went  to  Nashville  and  began  learn- 
ing the  drug  business,  and  in  1851  commenced  the  same  business  for  himself  in  Nashville  iu 
partnership  with  Dr.  Samuel  Flemming.  This  he  continued  until  1860,  when  he  removed 
to  Austin,  Tex.,  and  for  four  years  was  very  successfully  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in 
that  city.  In  1865  he  removed  to  Franklin,  and  in  1866  began  the  drug  business  in  this 
place,  where  he  has  since  continued.  He  is  the  oldest  druggist  in  Franklin  and  one  of  the 
oldest  in  the  State.  In  1851  he  wedded  Sarah  J.  Johnson,  of  Williamson  County,  and  be- 
-came  the  father  of  one  son,  Eugene  L.  Mr.  Beech  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

THOMAS  O.  BETTS  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Clarissa  (Whittingtou)  Betts,  and  was 
born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn..  November  21,  1834.  The  Betts  family  are  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject  moving  to  Nashville  at  an  early  day,  and 
erecting  the  first  hotel  in  the  place.  He  afterward  moved  to  Belleview  and  operated  a 
grist-mill  and  distillery  for  a number  of  years.  Our  subject’s  father  was  a tanner  by 
trade,  and  owned  a farm  on  Harpeth  River.  He  became  the  father  of  ten  children,  and 
died  in  1845.  Our  subject  is  one  of  five  surviving  children,  and  from  earl}'  youth  has 
shown  aptitude  for  merchandising  and  has  always  followed  that  occupation.  In  1875  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  M.  Burk,  who  is  a native  of  Washington  City.  Mr.  Betts 


96S 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


began  merchandising  in  Thompson’s  Station  in  1S77,  under  the  firm  name  of  T.  O.  Betts- 
& Co.  They  carry  a stock  of  $8,000.  and  do  an  annual  business  of  $13,000. 

WILLIAM  F.  BINGHAM  was  born  in  the  county  where  he  now  resides,  September 
25,  1838,  son  of  James  J.  and  Amelia  (Haley)  Bingham,  and  is  of  Irish  lineage.  The 
parents  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C.,  and  Halifax  County,  Va.,  in  1800  and  1807,  aud 
died  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1876  and  1872,  respectively.  Their  family  consisted 
of  nine  children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth.  He  received  a common  school  education, 
and  learned  the  tanner’s  trade,  which  he  followed  three  years.  He  enlisted  in  the  First 
Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  four  years.  He  was  slightly  wounded  at  the 
battle  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and  was  a participant  in  some  of  the  hardest  fought  battles 
of  the  war.  Since  the  close  of  that  conflict  he  has  followed  farming,  with  the  exception 
of  six  years,  when  he  served  as  sheriff  of  Williamson  County,  ne  was  married.  March  1, 
1867,  to  Miss  Susan  Davis,  of  the  same  county  as  himself.  Mr.  Bingham  is  a Democrat, 
and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  fraternities.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  J.  BINGHAM,  farmer  and  merchant,  was  born  November  22,  1840,  in  Will- 
iamson County,  Tenn.,  son  of  J.  J.  and  Amelia  (Haley)  Bingham,  and  is  of  Irish  descent. 
The  family  came  from  North  Carolina  to  Tennessee  at  a very  early  day.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived a common  school  education,  and  has  made  farming  his  chief  occupation  through 
life.  He  was  in  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  Confederate  States  Army,  and  served 
one  year.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Luversa  E.  Dodd,  September  27,  1864.  They  have 
had  five  children,  four  now  living:  Thomas  R.,  born  in  1865;  Laura  Lee,  born  in  1868; 
Jennie  D.,  born  in  1870,  and  Sallie  M..  born  in  1872.  Mr.  Bingham  and  wife  belong  to 
the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Bingham,  by  his  untiring  application  to  business,  has  secured 
reasonable  results,  and  is  now  spending  a happy  life  with  his  family. 

THOMAS  H.  BOND  was  born  July  26.  1826,  and  is  a son  of  William  Bond,  who  was 
an  early  settler  of  Tennessee  and  a native  of  Virginia.  He  located  in  Williamson  County 
in  1804  and  a year  later  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Dabney,  of  North  Carolina,  and  thir- 
teen children  were  born  to  them  : Sidney  S.,  Margaret,  Lucy,  Elizabeth,  Bethenia,  John 

D. ,  Morris  L.,  Charles  A.,  William  J.,  Thomas  H.,  Robert  W.,  Benjamin  F.  and  Nancy  D 
William  and  Nancy  Bond  died  in  1850  and  1868,  respectively.  They  were  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  The  place  of  our  subject’s  nativity  was  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
where  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  September  12,  1850,  he  wedded  Miss 
Mary  M.  Banks,  who  bore  him  twelve  children — Henry  M.,  Laura  E.,  Bethenia  D.,  Annie 
M.,  James  D.,  Benjamin  F.,  Thomas  H.,  Florence  L.,  William  W.,  John  D.,  Morris  L. 
and  Nannie  D.  Bethenia  died  in  1861,  Morris  L,  in  1867,  and  John  D.  in  1884.  In  1845 
our  subject  began  merchandising  in  Nashville,  continuing  six  years,  and  then  returned  to 
Williamson  County  and  resumed  farming.  He  owns  a very  fine  tract  of  land  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat  and  was  a Whig  before 
the  dissolution  of  that  party. 

JAMES  C.  BOSTICK  w'as  born  in  1835,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenu.  He  is  a son 
of  James  A.  and  Nancy  Bostick,  and  grandson  of  John  and  Mary  G.  Bostick,  who  were 
born  in  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Tennessee  in  1809.  Our  subject’s  mother  was  the 
daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  King,  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Tennessee  at 
au  early  date.  The  parents  of  our  subject  were  married  in  this  State  in  1827.  To  them 
were  born  eight  children  : Thomas  Iv.,  Mary  J.,  James  C.,  Manoali  II.,  Sarah  P..  Martha 

E. ,  John  aud  William.  James  C.  attended  the  Hardeman  Academy,  near  Triune,  in 
1854-55,  and  the  Western  Military  Academy,  in  Sumner  County,  Term.,  where  he  fitted 
himself  for  civil  engineering,  and  in  1856  served  in  that  capacity  for  the  Louisville  & 
Nashville  Railroad.  Three  years  later  he  abandoned  this  and  engaged  in  the  lumber 
business  in  Nashville.  Tenn.,  the  firm  being  known  as  Bostick  & Abston.  At  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Thirteenth  Tennessee  Cavalry  under  Gen. 
Morgan,  and  participated  in  all  the  principal  battles.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned 
to  Sumner  County,  where  he  remained  until  1869,  when  he  moved  to  Williamson  County 


* 

' 


■ 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


969 


where  he  now  resides.  In  1859  he  wedded  Fannie  L.  Abston,  daughter  of  Merry  anil 
Mary  Abston.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bostick  five  children  were  born  : James  A.,  Merry  C., 
Mary  A.,  Sallie  P.  and  Fannie  M.  Mr.  Bostick  was  elected  count)*  surveyor  in  1873,  and 
justice  of  the  peace  in  1871,  which  office  he  still  holds.  Mrs.  Bostick  died  in  1885.  She 
was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  as  is  her  husband.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics  and  is  of  English  descent. 

JOSEPH  H.  BOWMAN  was  born  July  5,  1847,  in  Madison  County,  Miss.,  where  he  re- 
mained until  the  death  of  his  father.  He  then  came  to  Tennessee  and  located  near  Frank- 
lin, where  he  received  his  education.  March,  1863,  Mr.  Bowman  shouldered  his  musket 
and  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Thirty-second  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Infantry.  He  was  in 
Bragg’s  retreat  from  Tennessee,  and  also  with  Johnston  in  Georgia.  He  received  a wound 
June  22,  1864,  from  which  he  feels  the  effects  to  this  day.  He  was  paroled  May,  1865. 
After  the  war  he  clerked  in  a store  in  Franklin,  and  afterward  went  to  Nashville  and 
clerked  there  for  some  time.  Leaving  Nashville  he  wedded  Miss  Jennie  E.,  second  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Margaret  S.  Brown.  Mr.  Brown  died  January  13,  1870.  Mrs.  Brown 
is  still  living,  and  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Our  subject  moved  to  Williamson 
County  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  by  his  union  with  Jennie  E.  Brown  became  the  father 
often  children:  Thomas  B.,  William  H.,  Joseph  H.,  Maggie  B.,  Elizabeth  M.,  George  B.. 
Jennie  B.,  Inez  B.,  Dunklin  C.  and  James  G.  Mr.  Bowman  has  a fine  farm  of  about  148 
acres,  and  it  is  known  as  the  “Owl  Nest  Farm.”  Mrs.  Bowman  is  a worthy  member  of  the 
Christian  Church.  Our  subject’s  father,  William  Bowman,  was  born  January  8,  1809,  and 
received  his  education  in  the  University  of  Nashville.  September  20,  1843,  he  wedded 
Miss  Elizabeth  M.  Maney,  daughter  of  William  Maney,  of  Franklin.  William  Bo-.vmau 
was  a Master  Mason,  and  died  at  his  residence  in  Mississippi,  June  27,  1853.  The  mother 
is  still  living,  and  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  She  was  formally 
years  a teacher  in  Ward’s  Seminary  at  Nashville. 

PHILIP  BOXLEY,  son  of  Harrison  and  Nancy  (Claude)  Boxley,  was  born  July  16, 
1841,  in  Williams  County,  Tenn,  Harrison  Boxley  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  immigrated 
to  Tennessee  about  1828,  and  settled  in  Williamson  County,  where  he  afterward  became  a 
well-to-do  farmer.  His  wife  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children: 
Philip  and  James.  Mrs.  Boxley  died  in  1S44,  and  Mr.  Boxley  wedded  Mrs.  Maury  ;a 
widow),  who  bore  him  one  child,  a daughter  named  Mary.  Our  subject  was  educated  in 
the  country  schools,  and  in  1871  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hattie  Boxley.  He  en- 
listed in  the  Southern  Army  in  1861,  in  the  Twentieth  Tennessee  Regiment,  under  Col. 
Battle,  and  was  a participant  in  the  following  battles:  Shiloh,  Missionary  Ridge,  Chatta- 
nooga, Franklin.  Atlanta  and  Vicksburg.  In  1869  he  removed  to  Arkansas,  where  he  re- 
mained two  years,  when  he  returned  to  Tennessee  and  located  on  the  West  Harpeth  River, 
in  Williamson  County,  where  he  owns  a fine  farm  and  is  a good  citizen. 

WILLIAM  W.  BROOKS  was  born  in  Franklin  County,  N.  C.,  in  1817,  and  is  the  sou 
of  Christopher  and  Martha  Brooks,  who  were  married  in  North  Carolina,  December  22, 
1808,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1824.  They  became  the  parents  of  six  children:  Martha 
A.,  Susan,  Christopher  B.,  William  W.,  Mary  F.  and  Alexander  N.  B.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived good  educational  advantages,  andhas  spent  his  days  in  farming  and  blacksmi  thing. 
He  located  on  his  present  farm  in  1852.  It  consists  of  198  acres  of  valuable  laud,  well- 
improved,  near  Owen’s  Station.  Mr.  Brooks  started  in  life  with  but  little  capital,  except 
his  hands  and  willing  heart,  and  by  his  energy  and  good  management  is  in  very  comforta- 
ble circumstances,  financially.  July  11,  1847,  he  wedded  Martha  Alley,  who  was  born  in 
August,  1828,  in  Williamson  County.  She  is  a daughter  of  Walter  and  Perna  C.  Alley, 
of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brooks  have  these  four  children:  William.  MaryE.. 
Martha  J.  aud  Eliza  L.  Mrs.  Brooks  died  May  29, 1872,  and  Mr.  Brooks  took  for  his  second 
wife  Mary  C.  Brown  (widow  of  Dr.  H.  T.  Brown),  daughter  of  David  and  Mary  C.  Beech. 
She  was  born  August  14,  1833,  and  became  the  mother  of  one  child,  Kate  B.  Mr.  Brooks 
belongs  to  the  Democratic  party  and  is  of  English  extraction. 

JOHN  A.  BUCHANAN  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  December  16,  1835, 


. 

■ 


. 


. 


970 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


son  of  Moses  and  Sarah  Buchanan,  and  grandson  of  Maj.  John  Buchanan,  who  emigrated 
from  Scotland  to  America  about  1750  and  was  a participant  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and 
the  war  of  1S12.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Tennessee  April  4,  1806.  and  the 
mother  July  16,  1810.  She  was  a daughter  of  James  and  Ann  IRidley  who  were  born  in- 
Tennessee.  Moses  Buchanan  and  his  wife  were  married  about  1826  and  became  the  par- 
ents of  these  children:  Sarah  A.,  Mary  J.,  James  A.,  Elizabeth  C.,  John  A.,  Katherine  L., 
Tennessee L., George  R., Samuel  J.. Moses  R.,  Hance  H. , Henry  S., Nannie  A.  and  Virginia  L. 
John  A.,  our  subject,  received  a liberal  education  and  in  early  life  was  engaged  in  the  mill- 
ing business  with  his  father.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  Doug- 
las’ regiment  and  was  third  lieutenant  of  Carter’s  company.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he 
was  captured  and  taken  to  Murfreesboro  but  after  a short  time  was  paroled  and  returned 
home  to  Rutherford  County.  March  21,1860,  he  wedded  Miss  Ridley  who  was  born 
in  Giles  County,  September  23,  1842,  daughter  of  William  and  Minerva  T.  Ridley. 
Our  subject  located  on  his  present  farm  of  160  acres  in  1879.  He  is  the  father  of  these 
children:  Moses  R.,  born  July  14,  1861,  and  died  January  8,  1885:  Sallie  M..  born  Novem- 
ber 7, 1 1863 ; John  B.,  born  December  29,1866,  and  died  September  24,  1872;  Henry  L.,  born 
October  16,  1869;  Nannie,  born  October  6,  1871,  and  died  October  12,  1872;  Mattie  L..  born 
August  18,  1873;  Willie  M.,  born  October  21,  1875,  and  died  October  1,  1876:  Scrap  II.. 
born  December  31,  1877,  and  Jimmie,  born  May  8,  1880.  Mr.  Buchanan  is  a Democrat  in 
politics  and  in  1880  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buchanan  have  two 
adopted  daughters:  Nannie  P.,  born  December  11,  1866,  and  Beulah  C.,  born  November  8r 
1871,  daughters  of  William  and  Isabella  Ridley. 

E.  B.  BUCHANAN,  farmer,  was  burn  in  Wiiiiamson  County,  Tenn.,  August  9,  1840, 
son  of  Robert  S.  Buchanan,  who  was  born  in  this  county  February  3,  1818.  He  received 
a common  school  education  and  was  married  m 1838  to  Miss  Harriet  Bateman  and  our  sub- 
ject is  the  second  of  their  twelve  children.  The  father  died  in  June,  1883,  and  the  mother 
in  March,  1S62.  The  family  first  came  to  Tennessee  from  Pennsylvania  in  1778,  and 
■were  among  the  first  settlers  of  Nashville.  Our  subject  received  an  academic  education 
at  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he 
began  working  for  the  Memphis  & Charleston  Railroad  Company,  and  resided  in  Collier- 
ville until  the  breaking  out  of  the  -war.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Fourth  Tenn- 
essee, and  was  in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Corinth,  Murfreesboro,  and  the  Atlanta  cam- 
paign. He  was  captured  June  21,  1864,  but  made  his  escape  at  Murfreesboro  and  re- 
turned home  but  soon  re-enlisted  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Franklin  and  Nashville.  After 
his  return  home  he  began  clerking  on  a steam-boat,  continuing  one  year  and  then  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  Nashville  one  year.  He  then  taught  school  the  following 
year  and  later  eDgaged  in  farming.  He  wras  deputy  sheriff  from  September,  1870,  to  Sep- 
tember 1874,  and  has  been  justice  of  the  peace  from  1874  to  the  present  time,  his  term  ex- 
piring in  1838;  has  also  been  deputy  county  clerk.  He  was  married,  Febuary  2,  1868, 
to  Miss  Mattie  McKay,  daughter  of  John  P.  and  Margaret  McKay.  They  are  the  parents 
of  these  children:  John  M.,  Hattie,  R.  D.,  and  Willie  E.  Mr.  Buchanan  is  a Democrat  and 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  II.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  and  wife 
belong  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

REV.  CLAUDIUS  BUCHANAN,  a native  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  Decem- 
ber 17,  1842.  His  father,  Joseph*  Buchanan,  was  born  in  this  State  about  1809,  and  in  1836 
he  wedded  Martha  Edmiston,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  about  1809.  To  this  union  were 
born  seven  children,  two  of  whom  are  yet  living,  our  subject  being  one  of  them.  The 
father  died  in  1876.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  John  Buchanan,  was  born  in  Washington 
Couuty,  Va.,  in  1772,  and  married  Margaret  Edmondson  in  1793;  she  wras  also  a native  of 
Virginia,  born  about  1774.  They  came  to  Tennessee  about  1800  and  purchased  200  acres 
of  land  in  this  district  ou  what  is  known  as  the  “Old  High  Tower  Road.’’  lie  died  in 
1820  and  the  grandmother  in  1858.  Our  subject  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  the 
principal  part  of  his  life.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twentieth  Tennessee  Regi- 
ment, was  taken  prisoner  at  Missionary  Ridge,  imprisoned  at  Rock  Island,  III.,  and  re- 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


911 


tained  there  fifteen  months.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  in  1SG6  was 
married  to  Miss  Dolly  J.  Smithson,  a native  of  this  State,  born  October  12,  1844,  and  the 
daughter  of  Sylvanus  and  Louisa  Smithson,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennes- 
see. The  father  was  born  about  1791  and  served  as  a private  in  the  late  war;  was  wound- 
ed in  the  Cheat  Mountain  campaign.  He  died  in  1872  and  the  mother  in  1850.  To  our 
subject  and  wife  were  born  six  children:  Josephine  E.,  born  September  11,  1867;  51. 
Blanche,  born  December  29,  1869;  William  C.,  born  August  10,  1871;  John  B.,  born  July 
24,  1874;  Lillian  M.  born  September  10,  1877,  and  Gerald  M.t  born  March  28,  1870.  In 
January,  1867,  Mr.  Buchanan  moved  to  the  farm  upon  which  he  is  now  living  and  in  1870 
purchased  it  from  his  father.  It  contains  300  acres  of  medium  land  in  a fair  state  of  cul- 
tivation. In  1871  he  obtained  license  to  preach,  and  has  since  been  a local  preacher.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  is  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  and  wife  are  de- 
vout members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOSIAH  BUTT  wras  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  February  6,  1832,  son  of  Nathan- 
iel and  Rebecca  Butt,  who  were  born  in  this  State.  Nathaniel  Butt  was  the  son  of  James 
Butt,  who  came  to  this  State  from  the  “ Old  Dominion  ” aud  settled  in  Davidson  County 
about  1814.  The  mother,  Rebecca  Butt,  was  a daughter  of  Joseph  E.  Cook,  who  came 
from  North  Carolina  to  this  State  in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century.  The  parents 
of  our  subject  were  married  about  1828,  and  to  their  union  were  born  five  children — three 
sons  and  two  daughters:  Arthur,  Josiah,  Mary,  Rebecca  and  Nathaniel.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  in  1866  located  on  his  present  farm,  where  he  has 
followed  tilling  the  soil,  wagon-making  and  blacksmithing,  and  is  the  owner  of  175  acres 
of  valuable  farming  land.  By  the  sweat  of  his  brow  he  has  acquired  his  present  property, 
and  deserves  much  credit  therefor.  January  19,  1854,  he  wedded  Martha  Jackson,  daimh' 
ter  of  John  J.  Jackson,  a native  of  North  Carolina.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Butt  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  at  Concord.  To  them  were  born  nine  children: 
Porterfield,  Theodore,  Clara,  Joanna,  Willie,  Georgiana,  Ada,  Olive  aud  Nettie.  Mr.  Butt 
is  a member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  the  family  are  of  German-Irish  descent. 

ANDREW  CAMPBELL  is  a son  of  William  and  Margaret  (Stewart)  Campbell,  and 
was  born  in  the  year  1818  in  Donegal  County,  Ireland.  His  father  was  a native  of  the 
same  country,  and  died  there  about  1839.  He  was  the  father  of  five  sons:  John,  William 
S.,  Andrew,  James  and  Patrick.  John,  William  and  James  are  dead.  Our  subject’s 
mother  was  of  English  descent,  belonging  to  the  Stewart  family  of  that  country,  who  set- 
tled in  the  northern  part  of  Ireland  in  1690,  and  in  1790  came  to  the  United  States  and 
located  in  East  Tennessee.  Our  subject  came  to  Tennessee  in  1839,  and  located  near 
Franklin.  He  received  an  excellent  education  at  Bethany  College,  Va.,  and  after  gradu- 
ating returned  to  Tennessee,  where  he  followed  school  teaching  in  Williamson  and  David- 
son Counties  thirty-five  years.  Since  1883  he  has  followed  farming  on  a large  scale,  anti 
in  politics  was  a Whig  until  the  death  of  that  party,  when  he  became  identified  with  the 
Democratic  party.  The  family  have  always  been  prominent  citizens  of  the  county. 

NEWTON  CANNON,  dealer  in  hardware  and  groceries,  was  born  near  Franklin  June 
14,  18-16,  son  of  William  P.  and  Susan  A.  (Perkins)  Cannon,  and  of  French  and  English 
descent.  The  family  is  traced  back  to  three  brothers  who  came  to  America.  One  settled 
in  Maryland,  one  in  South  Carolina,  and  the  other  in  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  is 
traceable  to  the  North  Carolina  branch  of  the  family.  The  paternal  grandfather  of  our 
subject  was  Newton  Cannon,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Williamson 
County  in  early  life.  He  was  a saddler  by  trade,  a colonel  in  the  Seminole  war,  under 
Jackson,  and  was  twice  governor  of  Tennessee,  and  a member  of  Congress.  He  was  one 
of  the  early  prominent  men  of  this  State,  a leader  of  the  Whig  party,  and  died  at  Nash- 
ville in  1842.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  this  county  in  1816,  and  wras  a farmer 
by  occupation,  and  wras  w’ounded  in  the  Florida  war.  He  now  lives  in  southern  Ken- 
tucky. The  mother  wras  born  in  this  county  in  1821  and  died  in  1849.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  attended  Franklin  schools,  and  in  1862  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Elev- 
enth Tennessee  Cavalry,  Confederate  States  Army,  and  was  paroled  in  May,  1865,  at 


. 


972 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Gainesville,  Ala.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home,  and  in  1873  was  appointed 
deputy  county  court  clerk,  which  position  he  occupied  for  one  year.  For  thirteen  years 
he  has  been  engaged  in  merchandising,  live  years  of  which  time  were  spent  in  the  whole- 
sale hardware  business  in  -Nashville.  He  is  now  engaged  in  retail  merchandising  in 
Franklin,  but  in  connection  with  this  carries  on  farming  'on  250  acres  of  valuable  land 
near  Franklin.  February,  1873,  he  wedded  Miss  Jennie  B.  McEwen,  daughter  of  John 
B.  McEwen,  and  by  this  union  became  the  father  of  five  children:  John  B.,  Leah  A.,  Cyn- 
thia G.,  Newton  and  Samuel  P.  Mr.  Cannon  is  a Democrat,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOSEPH  CARL  is  a native  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  born  April  5,  1828. 
son  of  Jacob  B.  and  Jane  B.  (Stewart)  Carl,  born  in  1802  and  1806,  in  Dutchess  Count}', 
N.  Y.,  and  Todd  County,  Ky.  Jacob  B.  Carl  was  brought  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
when  a child  by  his  parents,  and  died  January  1,  1854.  The  mother  is  yet  living.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  a common  school  education,  and  always  fol- 
lowed agricultural  pursuits.  He  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  and  belonged  to  the 
Twelfth  Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  served  three  years  and  surrendered  with  his  regiment  in 
Georgia  by  order  of  Gen.  Johnston.  Since  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  has  made  agri- 
culture his  chief  pursuit  and  at  the  present  time  owns  250  acres  of  well-tilled  land.  On 
the  20th  day  of  February,  1851,  he  was  united  in  matrimony  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Alston,  of 
Williamson  County,  Tenn.  To  them  were  born  twelve  children — ten  sons  and  two  daugh- 
ters; one  son  and  one  daughter  are  deceased.  Mr.  Carl  is  a Democrat  and  Mason  and  he 
and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 

COL.  MOSCOW  B.  CARTER,  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the  county,  was  born  in 
Franklin  December  5,  1825,  son  of  Fountain  and  Mary  A.  (Adkinson)  Carter,  and  of 
French-Scotch  origin.  The  father  was  born  in  Halifax  County,  Va.,  in  1797,  aud  the 
mother  in  the  same  county  in  1806.  The  Carter  family  immigrated  to  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  in  1809,  and  here  our  subject's  father  died  in  1872  and  the  mother,  in  1852.  Our 
subject  received  a good  education  in  the  Franklin  schools,  and  in  1846  enlisted  in  the 
Mexican  war,  and  served  one  year.  He  is  one  of  five  living  Mexican  soldiers  of  this 
county.  He  then  came  home  and  engaged  in  farming  and  surveying,  carrying  on  these 
occupations  uutil  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war.  In  1861  he  raised  a company  for  the 
Confederate  States  Army,  of  which  he  was  elected  captain,  and  in  May  of  the  same  year, 
was  commissioned  lieutenant-colonel.  January,  1862,  he  was  captured  at  the  battle  of  Mill 
Springs  and  held  as  a prisoner  of  war  for  nine  months.  He  remained  in  the  service  until 
the  latter  part  of  1863,  when  he  came  home.  Since  the  war  he  has  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing and  now  has  120  acres.  On  this  farm  the  battle  of  Franklin  was  fought.  Prior  to  the 
war,  in  1851,  Mr.  Carter  wedded  Callie  Dobbins,  and  three  children  blessed  this  union: 
Lena,  Walter  and  Hugh.  Mrs.  Carter  died  in  1S60,  and  in  1S66  Col.  Carter  wedded 
America  Cattles,  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children:  Alma  and  Moscow. 
The  second  Mrs.  Carter  died  in  1876,  and  our  subject  married  his  present  wife,  Mrs.  Pa- 
melia  Miot,  a native  of  South  Carolina,  and  to  this  union  were  born  two  children:  Emma 
L.  and  Frank  F.  Col.  Carter  is  a Democrat,  a Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOSEPH  T.  CIIADWELL  was  born  on  the  7th  of  November,  !824,  in  Williamson 
County,  Tenn.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  (Thompson)  Chadwell,  were  the  father  and 
mother  of  nine  children,  our  subject  being  the  third.  The  father’s  native  State  was  North 
Carolina,  and  he  came  to  Tennessee  at  a very  early  day,  settling  near  Nolensville,  Tenn., 
where  he  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  owned  a fine  tract  of  land.  His  children  were  Rob- 
ert, Thomas,  Joseph  T.,  John,  Everett,  George,  Martha  H.  and  Sarah;  only  five  are  now 
living.  The  father  died  in  1854,  and  in  1863  his  widow  followed  him.  Our  subject’s  early 
days  were  spent  on  his  father’s  farm  and  in  attending  the  county  schools  near  his  home. 
In  1859  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Mary  Parks,  a widow  lady.  Mr.  Chadwell 
owns  an  excellent  farm  of  220  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  leading  men  of 
Williamson  County,  Tenn. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


973 


JOEL  CHAMPION  may  be  mentioned  as  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of 
Williamson  County,  Tenn.  He  was  born  in  Hancock  County,  Ga.,  son  of  Alexander  and 
Mary  (Benson)  Champion,  who  were  also  born  in  Georgia,  and  were  married  about  1810, 
and  to  them  were  born  these  three  children:  Joel,  Nancy  and  Rebecca,  The  family  came 
to  Tennessee  in  1820.  The  father  died  in  Putnam  Count}',  Ga.,  in  1817,  and  the  mother  iu 
Maury  County,  Tenn.,  in  1850.  Joel  Champion’s  early  education  was  limited.  His  early 
days  were  spent  on  a farm,  and  agriculture  has  been  his  chosen  calling  through  life,  at 
which  he  has  been  fairly  prosperous,  as  he  started  in  life  with  little  or  no  money.  He 
owns  140  acres  of  land  on  which  he  settled  in  1840,  and  which  is  iu  a good  state  of  cultiva- 
tion. December  2,  1851,  he  married  Elizabeth  C.  McMahon,  who  was  born  December  9, 
1827,  and  became  the  mother  of  these  children:  Ann  E.,  Louisa  J.,  Susan  I.,  John  R., 
Mary  F.  and  Minnie  J.  Both  husband  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  in  political  views  our  subject  is  a Democrat. 

JOHN  GILLEM  CLAY,  M.  D.,  is  a son  of  the  late  Judge  Thomas  J.  and  Sarah  A. 
(Green)  Clay,  and  was  born  at  Madison,  Ala.,  May  3,  1859.  Thomas  Jefferson  Clay  was  a 
Virginian  by  birth,  born  in  Petersburg,  January  12,  1819.  His  father  was  Thomas  Clay,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  whose  ancestry  were  prominent  among  the  most  wealthy  families  of 
that  period.  He  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Webb  and  resided  many  years  iu  Petersburg, 
and  subseqently  lived  in  Nottaway  County  five  years.  At  that  time  Thomas  Jefferson 
moved  to  Madison  County,  Ala.,  and  while  a youth  came  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn.. 
and  entered  Arrington  Academy.  He  was  there  a classmate  of  Gen.  W.  C.  Whitthorne 
and  others  who  have  become  eminent  in  the  history  of  Tennessee.  His  education  was 
completed  at  Burnsville,  Ala.  Being  educated  as  a teacher,  he  taught  school  at  Nolens- 
ville,  Tenn.,  after  which  he  returned  to  north  Alabama,  where  on  January  29,  1850,  he 
wedded  Miss  Sarah  Armistead  Green,  daughter  of  Dr.  William  B.  Green,  of  Madison 
County,  Ala.,  who  was  from  Newbern,  N.  C,,  where  he  was  born  and  married  to  Sarah 
Bass.  After  Mr.  Clay’s  marriage  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  in  1856  moved 
to  the  town  of  Madison  on  the  Memphis  & Clarksville  Railroad,  being  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  the  place  and  one  of  its  most  successful  business  men.  He  served  as  mayor  of 
the  town  for  a number  of  years  and  also  as  district  judge.  In  1883  he  moved  to  the  city 
of  Montgomery,  remaining  there  two  years,  when  he  moved  to  his  home  at  Madison,  and 
there  died  April  25,  1886.  He  was  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  and  was 
noted  for  his  Christian  virtue.  John  G.  Clay,  M.  D.,  our  subject,  was  reared  in  Madison, 
Ala.,  and  there  received  his  academic  education.  He  spent  two  years  at  Salado  College, 
in  Texas,  and  graduated  in  the  commercial  department  of  that  institution.  He  returned 
to  Alabama  in  1879  and  in  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  entered  the  medical  department 
of  Vanderbilt  University  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  the 
spring  of  1882,  and  in  1883  also  graduated  at  the  University  of  Nashville.  At  the  former 
date  he  began  practicing  medicine  at  Thompson’s  Station,  Tenu.,  and  at  a later  date  he 
also  engaged  in  the  drug  business  at  the  same  place.  He  carries  a stock  of  $1,500  and  does 
a business  from  $2,000  to  $3,000  per  year.  He  is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church  and  is  an  honest  dealt:  with  his  fellow-man. 

JOHN  S.  CLAYBROOKE  is  a son  of  John  and  Sarah  Claybrooke,  who  were  born  in 
the  “ Old  Dominion,”  and  a grandson  of  William  and  Sarah  (Overton)  Claybrooke,  who 
were  of  the  F.  F.  V.’s.  The  Claybrooke  family  was  of  English  descent,  and  came  to 
America  and  settled  on  the  James  River,  in  Virginia,  about  1600.  Our  subject’s  father, 
John  Claybrook.  was  born  about  1767,  and  was  a farmer  and  merchant  by  occupation. 
He  married  our  subject’s  mother  in  1796.  She  was  born  in  1773  and  died  in  1850.  They 
were  the  parents  of  these  children:  Elizabeth  P.,  James  O.,  Mary  A.,  Sarah  W.,  John  S., 
Thomas  W.,  Jane  R.  and  Lucretia.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Louisa  County,  Va., 
March  28,  1808.  He  received  his  education  in  Virginia,  and  came  to  this  State  in  1828, 
and  made  his  home  with  his  uncle.  Judge  John  Overton.  He  taught  school  in  Hardeman 
Academy,  near  Triune,  for  twelve  sessions.  In  1836  he  settled  where  he  now  lives  and 
owns  550  acres  of  valuable  and  well  improved  land.  He  also  owns  1,800  acres  of  land  in 


61 


974 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Haywood  County,  Tenn.,  and  several  other  tracts  in  West  Tennessee.  Mr.  Claybrooke 
was  married  to  Mar}*  A.  Perkins,  April  24,  1S34,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Sallie  Perkins, 
who  were  born  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Claybrooke  be- 
came the  parents  of  ten  children:  Frederick,  John  P.,  Sarah,  Annie  W.,  Samuel  P..  Mary 
E.,  Elvira  L.,  Susan  F.,  Eliza  M.  and  Virginia  O.  In  politics  our  subject  is  a Democrat, 
and  his  ancestors  were  among  the  early  pioneer  settlers  of  Tennessee,  and  several  of  them 
participated  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  the  war  of  1S12.  Our  subject  has  a fine  educa- 
tion and  is  one  of  the  esteemed  men  of  the  county,  and  was  the  first  president  of  the 
Nashville  & Decatur  Railroad,  holding  the  position  from  1852  to  1868.  His  wife’s  death 
occurred  November  10,  1863. 

WILLIAM  COLLINS,  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Cole)  Collins,  was  born  December  7, 
1838.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  came  to  Tennessee  when  quite  young.  He 
was  a farmer,  and  became  the  father  of  eight  children:  William,  Sallie  J.,  John, 

James,  Zibbie,  Lewis,  Fannie  and  Franklin.  The  father  died  August  22,  1872.  He  was 
twice-  married,  his  second  wife  being  a Miss  M.  Johnson.  William  Collins  was  the  only 
child  born  to  John  and  Mary  Collins.  He  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the 
country  schools,  and  in  1861  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Tennessee  Regiment,  under 
Col.  Wilson,  participating  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Chickamauga,  Atlanta  and  others  of 
lesser  note.  In  1866  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Rease,  a native  of  William- 
son County,  and  daughter  of  Joe  T.  Rease.  P»oth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  are  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  are  esteemed  citizens. 

HENRY  HOWE  COOK  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  November  23.  1843. 
son  of  Lewis  and  Margaret  Jane  Cook.  Lewis  Cook  was  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1801, 
and  moved  to  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  when  a boy  with  one  of  the  members  of  Gen  Na- 
thaniel Green’s  family.  From  thence  he  went  to  Nashville  and  learned  the  carpenter’s 
trade,  which  occupation  he  followed  for  years,  but  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life  as  a 
farmer.  He  died  in  1873.  His  father's  name  was  William,  and  his  mother’s  maiden  name 
was  Howe.  Margaret  Jane  Cook  was  the  daughter  of  Nathan  Owen,  who  came  from  Pe- 
tersburg, Va.,  and  settled  on  Mill  Creek,  in  Davidson  County  at  an  early  day.  He  mar- 
ried Jennie  Hightower,  mother  of  Margaret  Jane.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood  on  the 
farm,  and  at  fifteen  years  of  age  entered  Franklin  College,  near  Nashville,  where  he  re- 
mained until  April,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  First  Tennessee  Regiment, 
Confederate  States  Army,  and  went  to  Virginia.  He  was  discharged  on  account  of  ill 
health  in  the  winter  of  1861.  Soon  after  his  return  from  Virginia  he  went  to  Fort  Donel- 
son,  from  which  place  he  made  his  escape  about  8 o’clock  on  the  morning  of  the  sur- 
render. He  then  joined  the  Fifty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 
After  the  consolidation  of  the  Forty-fourth  and  Fifty-fifth  Tennessee  he  was  elected 
lieutenant  in  the  Reed  and  McEwen  consolidated  companies,  and  was  with  the  regiment 
at  the  battles  of  Perryville  and  Murfreesboro.  At  the  last  named  place  he  was  wounded 
twice.  After  Capt.  Samuel  Jackson  was  mortally  wounded,  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga, 
our  subject  commanded  the  company,  and  was  in  the  assault  on  Fort  Sanders  at  Knox- 
ville, at  the  battle  of  Bean’s  Station,  Port  Walthall  Junction  and  Drury's  Bluff,  where  he 
was  captured  and  taken  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Point  Lookout  and  Fort  Delaware.  He  was 
one  of  the  600  officers  who  were  selected  at  Fort  Delaware  and  put  under  fire  of  the  Con- 
federate batteries  at  Morris  Island,  off  Charleston,  and  from  thence  he  was  taken  to  Fori 
Pulaski  for  purposes  of  further  retaliation;  thence  he  was  taken  back  to  Fort  Delaware. 
He  suffered  greatly  in  prison  from  hunger  and  cold,  and  his  health  was  much  impaired. 
In  June,  1865,  he  reached  home  and  began  the  study  of  law,  and  was  licensed  to  practice 
in  1867.  In  1870  he  was  elected  county  judge  of  Williamson  County  for  a term  of  eight 
years,  and  was  re-elected  in  1878.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  a Mason  and  a member 
of  the  Christian  Church.  In  1882  he  married  Miss  Fanny  Crockett  Marshall,  a daughter 
of  the  late  John  Marshall,  one  of  Tennessee's  best  lawyers.  To  this  marriage  was  born 
one  daughter — Genevieve.  Judge  Cook  is  a citizen  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  where  he  is  en- 
gaged in  the  practice  of  the  law. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


075 


MRS.  SARAH  E.  COOKE  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  June  4,  1837.  Her 
father,  Lemuel  Jones,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1811,  and  her  mother  in  South  Caro- 
lina in  1815.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  and  resided  in  Maur}' County 
until  his  death,  which  took  place  September  6,  1845.  The  mother  died  July  26,  1885.  The 
father’s  family  consisted  of  four  children,  our  subject  being  the  eldest.  Mrs.  Cooke  was 
educated  in  the  common  schools  and  at  Springhill  College.  Tennessee.  She  was  married 
December  1,  1857,  to  Mr.  P.  H.  Cooke,  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  who  was  born  September 
3,'  1830,  in  Maryland.  He  was  educated  at  Jackson  College,  Tennessee,  and  was  of  Scotch 
descent.  He  was  a Confederate  soldier  and  belonged  to  the  Maury  Artillery,  being 
captured  at  Fort  Douelson  and  died  July  11,  1862,  while  a prisoner  in  Camp  Douglas, 
Chicago.  Mrs.  Cooke  has  one  son,  John  L.,  who  was  born  January  23,  1860,  and  educated 
at  Culleoka  College,  Tennessee.  He  manages  their  farm  of  200  acres  in  a very  satisfactory 
manner,  and  he  and  mother  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

DR.  J.  D.  CORE,  a successful  practitioner,  was  born  in  Tennessee  November  3,  1839, 
and  was  the  son  of  John  D.  and  Deborah  (Carroll)  Core.  The  father  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  February  1,  1787,  and  was  a strict  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
for  over  sixty  years,  and  died  November  6,  1877,  with  the  full  assurance  of  a blessed  here- 
after. The  mother  was  born  in  Moore  County,  N.  C.,  December  25,  1801,  and  was  also  a 
worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  for  many  years.  As  a wife  and 
mother  she  was  kind  and  affectionate;  as  a neighbor  she  had  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all 
who  knew  her,  and  her  death,  which  occurred  June  24,  1875,  was  universally  regretted. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  best  county  schools.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  began  reading  medicine  with  his  brother.  Dr.  Jesse  G.  Core,  and  remained  with 
him  until  1857,  when  he  entered  the  University  of  Nashville,  took  the  courses  of  1857-58, 
also  1859,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  I860.  In  1861  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  army,  but  at  the  expiration  of  two  years  he  was  promoted  to  second  lieu- 
tenant and  held  that  office  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  located 
at  Bethesda,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession.  January  22, 1S67, 
he  was  wedded  to  Miss  Bettie  J.  Blythe,  and  by  her  he  became  the  father  of  one  child, 
named  John  B.  Mrs.  Core  died  November  11,  1872.  Dr.  Core  then  married  Mary  R. 
Blythe,  May  7,  1874.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Andrew  T.  Blythe,  and  was  born  in  this 
State  in  1825.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  two  children:  Willie  T.  and  Richard  E. 

- The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  a Methodist  in  belief  and  a Democrat 
in  politics.  Mrs.  Core  is  a member  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church. 

DAVID  R.  CORLETT  was  born  in  this  county  November  19,  1830.  His  father,  John 
C.  Corlett,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  May  28,  1798,  and  came  to  Tennessee  when  a 
young  man.  He  was  married,  February  25, 1S30,  to  our  subject’s  mother  Mary  A.  Cliries- 
man,  a native  of  this  county,  born  July  7,  1807.  The  father  died  in  1862  and  the  mother 
in  1885.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  is  now  living  near  the  farm  of  his  birth. 
In  1854  he  wedded  Miss  Lucy  J.  Roberts,  a native  of  this  State,  born  April  4,  1833,  and 
the  daughter  of  John  R.  and  Annie  (Giles)  Roberts.  April  18,  1857,  Mrs.  Corlett  died,  and 
in  1858  Miss  Martha  H.  Warren  became  his  second  wife.  She  was  a native  of  Tennessee, 
born  May  31,  1831,  and  died  February  6,  1862.  Our  subject  then  married  his  present  wife, 
Sarah  C.  Thompson,  December  28,  1865.  She  was  born  in  this  State  May  21,  1837,  and  is 
the  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Mary  A.  (Blackwell)  Thompson,  natives,  respectively,  of  South 
Carolina  and  Alabama.  To  Mr.  Corlett  and  wife  were  born  four  children:  Mary  T.,  born 
1870;  David  H.,  born  1874;  Annie  P.,  born  1876,  and  Marvin,  born  1878.  In  1862  he 
enlisted  in  Company  C,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was  captured  and  taken  to 
Camp  Chase,  where  he  was  retained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1867  he  moved  to  his 
present  farm,  which  contains  319  acres,  in  the  Twelfth  District.  In  Marshall  County  he 
has  another  farm  of  about  111  acres.  In  1876  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and 
re-elected  in  1882  and  holds  the  offic?  at  the  present  time.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  Mr.  Corlett  is  an  unswerving  Democrat. 

R.  F.  COTTON  was  born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  July  24,  1838,  and  was  the  six- 


976 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


teenth  of  seventeen  children  born  to  Allen  and  Mary  (Barham)  Cotton.  The  father  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  and  died  in  1867,  and  his  wife  in  1863.  Our  subject  received  a 
good  English  education,  and  taught  school  a number  of  years.  He  enlisted  in  Company 
F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  in  1861.  At  Richmond,  Ky.,  he  captured  a Federal  cap- 
taiu  and  fifteen  men  by  making  them  believe  he  had  a large  force.  He  was  promoted  on 
the  field  to  a first  lieutenant,  and  was  in  the  secret  service,  under  Gen.  Bragg,  until  cap- 
tured September  19,  1863.  He  was  discharged  in  May,  1865,  and  after  his  return  home 
engaged  in  farming.  At  the  end  of  one  year  he  came  to  Williamson  County  and  pur- 
chased a farm  near  Franklin,  which  he  has  increased  until  he  now  owns  325  acres  of  good 
laud.  In  September,  1S65,  he  wedded  Lucinda  J.  Smith,  daughter  of  Turner  Smith.  She 
died  in  May,  1868,  leaving  one  daughter,  Amanda.  He  then  married  Mary  E.  Owen, 
daughter  of  Richard  and  MaryY.  (Temple)  Owen,  October  22,  1871.  Their  children  are 
Alcenia  G..  Mary  E.,  Owen  T.,  Robert  A.,  Lueila,  Maggie  and  Park.  Mr.  Cotton  is  a 
Democrat  and  a member  of  the  K.  of  P. 

ROBERT  S.  COWLES  is  a son  of  John  and  Mary  (King)  Cowles,  born  in  Virginia  in 
1801  and  1811,  respectively.  John  Cowles  came  to  Tennessee  in  1825  and  located  near 
Cowles  Chapel.  His  occupation  was  school  teaching  and  farming,  and  he  was  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  and  Mary  King  were  married  in  1830,  and 
to  them  were  born  ten  children:  William  H.,  Mary  F..  James  B.,  Sallie  E.,  John  W., 
Lucy.  Alice,  Robert  S.,  Susie.  Samuel  and  Ann  J.  John  Cowles  died  May  14,  1882,  and 
his  wife  February  22,  1886.  Robert  S.  Cowles  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
January  31,  1811.  and  was  educated  in  the  county  schools.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  he  enlisted  in  the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee  Regiment,  under  Col.  Mitchell.  He  was  in 
the  following  battles:  Shiloh  (where  he  was  wounded),  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga.  all 
the  battles  in  the  Georgia  campaign,  second  battle  of  Murfreesboro,  Nashville  and  surren- 
dered at  Greensboro,  N.  C.  Since  that  time  he  has  farmed.  In  1872  he  was  married  to 
Maggie  North,  daughter  of  H.  B.  North.  They  have  two  children:  James  B.  and  Maggie 
R.  Mr.  Cowles  owns  a fine  tract  of  land  and  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  Williamson 
County  Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

COL.  N.  N.  COX  was  born  in  Bedford  County  January  6,  1837.  C.  and  N.  Cox,  his 
father  and  mother,  moved  from  North  Carolina  about  1811  and  settled  in  Bedford.  When 
■our  subject  was  about  nine  months  old  his  father  died,  leaving  thirteen  children,  our  sub- 
ject being  the  youngest.  The  mother,  with  some  of  the  younger  children,  moved  to  Ar- 
kansas, and  from  there  to  southwestern  Texas,  in  1847.  She  located  in  Seguin,  near  San 
Antonio.  Her  son,  N.  N.,  spent  his  early  years  on  the  frontiers  of  Texas  and  was  in  sev- 
eral scouts  and  fights,  protecting  the  settlers  from  the  Indians.  He  left  Texas,  in  1857,  to 
enter  the  law  school  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and  graduated  from  the  law  department  in  June, 
1858.  He  located  in  Linden,  Perry  County,  and  commenced  the  practice  of  law.  In  1860, 
being  quite  young,  he  was  placed  on  the  electoral  ticket  representing  Breckenridge  and 
Lane.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  in  1S61  as  captain  in  the  cavalry  service.  At  the  organi- 
zation of  the  battalion  to  which  his  company  was  attached  he  was  elected  major,  and 
when  the  battalion  was  organized  into  a regiment,  just  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  he  was 
ordered  to  organize  another  command,  which  he  did.  This  command  was  placed  under 
Gen.  Forrest.  At  the  battler)f  Parker’s  Cross  Roads,  in  West  Tennessee,  Maj.  Cox  was  capt- 
ured, with  a number  of  his  men.  He  was  confined  in  Camp  Chase  for  some  time.  Dur- 
ing his  imprisonment  his  troops  were  organized  into  the  Tenth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
Maj.  Cox,  while  in  prison,  upon  the  recommendation  of  Gen.  Forrest,  was  appointed  colo- 
nel of  the  regiment,  by  the  War  Department  at  Richmond.  He  continued  to  command 
the  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  located  in  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  resumed 
the  practice  of  law.  In  1872  he  was  one  of  the  electors  of  the  Democratic  party  again  for 
his  district.  In  one  of  the  hottest  contests  ever  known  in  Tennessee  for  congressional 
honors  he  was  one  of  the  contestants.  He  was  twice  rewarded  for  gallantry  by  Gen.  For- 
rest, and  was  made  a full  colonel  without  his  knowledge.  He  has  never  held  a civil  office, 
and  at  this  writing  is  still  engaged  in  his  profession. 


. 

■ 

' 


■ 

_ 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


977 


WILLIAM  H.  CROUCH  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  is  a son  of  William  H.  and 
Eliza  (Stone)  Crouch.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1801,  and  came  to  Tennessee 
when  a boy.  He  learned  the  shoe-maker’s  trade,  and  in  1832  or  1833  was  married  to  our 
subject’s  mother,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  children:  Mary,  William,  John  (deceased), 
Peter,  Barton  ( deceased),  Charles  (deceased)  and  Eliza.  The  father  was  twice  married, 
his  second  wife  being  Lucy  Carter.  He  died  in  1874.  and  the  mother  some  time  in  the 
forties.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  he  was  educated  at  the  Harpeth 
Male  Academy.  He  was  first  employed  in  his  father’s  merchandise  store  in  Franklin,  and 
remained  with  him  until  1S59,  when  he  engaged  in  the  ready-made  clothing  business  un- 
der the  firm  name  of  Cummins  & Crouch.  In  1860  he  sold  out  his  interest  and  began 
clerking  for  Mr.  Cummins,  continuing  until  1861,  when  he  went  to  work  for  C.  A.  Bailey 
& Co.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Cavalry,  under  J.  W. 
Starn.  He  was  wounded  in  the  thigh  in  a skirmish  at  Sugar  Hill,  Tenn.,  and  was  com- 
pelled to  go  on  crutches  four  years.  In  1857  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mollie  Hodge,  of 
Franklin,  who  died  in  1862,  leaving  one  son,  John  H.  Mr.  Crouch  is  now  in  business  in 
Harpeth  Station  for  R.  H.  North,  and  is  agent  for  the  Louisville  & Nashville  and  Great 
8 mthern  Railroads,  and  is  postmaster  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

JAMES  P.  CRUTCHER,  a prominent  citizen  of  this  district,  was  born  in  this  county 
May  22,  1S25,  and  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  (Children)  Crutcher,  both  natives  of 
Virginia.  The  father  was  born  September  22,  1788,  and  was  married  about  1815.  In  1824 
he  came  to  Tennessee  and  died  in  that  State  January  3,  1866.  The  mother  was  born  April 
26,  1803,  and  died  Anri!  18,  1861  Our  subject’?  grandfather  was  James  Children,  who 
wras  born  March  25,  1771,  and  his  great-grandfather  was  Samuel  Matthews  who  was 
born  in  1742.  Our  subject  was  a country  boy  and  received  a fair  education  in  the 
county  schools.  He  was  a dentist  by  occupation,  and  practiced  his  profession  for  twenty- 
seven  years.  In  1851  he  wedded  Miss  Susan  V.  Bond,  a native  of  this  State  born 
March  5,  1830,  and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  L.  Bond.  To  Mr.  Crutcher  and  wife 
were  born  seven  children:  Robert  S.,  William  H.  (deceased),  Mary  T.  (deceased),  SinaV., 
Jane  E.,  James  M.  and  an  infant  daughter,  deceased.  In  1866  Mrs.  Crutcher  died,  and 
our  subject  wedded  Tennessee  McConnico  in  1867,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  three 
children:  Magnes  V.,  David  P.  and  Susan  C.  In  1S64  our  subiect  volunteered  in  the  serv- 
ice when  Hood  made  his  advance  into  Tennessee,  and  remained  but  a short  time.  In  1876 
he  removed  to  his  farm  which  contains  110  acres  in  a fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  and  chil- 
dren are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

CHARLES  H.  DAVIS  is  a son  of  F.  H.  and  Mary  A.  (Gray)  Davis,  and  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  Both  parents  were  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1822.  The  Davis 
family  came  to  the  State  at  an  early  date,  and  the  mother  died  in  1869.  Our  subject  was 
reared  in  Franklin,  Tenn.,  and  received  his  education  in  the  male  Academy  of  that  place. 
He  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  belonged  to  the  Thirty-second  Regiment 
Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  at  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson  where  he  was  captured  and  was 
held  at  Camp  Norton,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  He  afterward  participated  in  the  battles  of  Chick- 
amauga,  Mission  Ridge,  and  all  the  various  battles  of  the  Georgia  campaign.  Since  the 
war  he  has  followed  farming  and  merchandising.  He  was  married.  November  27,  1867, 
to  Miss  Alabama  V.  Reaves,  of  Maury  County,  Tenn.  Mr.  Davis  is  a Democrat,  and  he 
and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  D.  de  GRAFFENRIED,  county  clerk  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  near 
Franklin,  November  17,  1854.  son  of  M.  F.  and  M.  M.  (McLemore)  de  Graffenried,  and  of 
Swiss-French  origin.  The  family  came  to  America  from  Berne,  Switzerland,  and  settled 
in  North  Carolina,  and  from  thence,  in  an  early  day,  the  family  immigrated  to  this  county. 
The  father  of  our  subject  was  a general  under  Gen.  Jackson.  By  occupation  he  was  first 
a lawyer,  but  later  in  life  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and  at  one  time  w is  one  of  the 
wealthiest  men  in  this  part  of  Tennessee.  He  died  in  1869.  The  mother  of  our  subject 


, 


r 


■ 


978 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


died  in  1S61.  Our  subject  is  the  eighth  child  by  his  father’s  second  marriage.  He  was  ed- 
ucated at  the  Military  Institute  at  Nashville,  at  which  school  he  was  adjutant  for  some 
time.  Later  he  was  a clerk  in  the  count}'  clerk’s  office,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  the 
dry  goods  and  lumber  business.  Politically  he  is  a thorough  Democrat.  In  18S2  he  was 
elected  county  court  clerk,  defeating  some  of  the  county’s  strongest  men.  He  has  made 
one  of  the  best  officers  the  county  has  ever  had.  In  1883  he  wedded  May  Sneed, 
of  Rutherford  County,  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one  (laughter,  Patti  Russ. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  one  of  the 
prominent  young  men  of  Williamson  County,  and  the  family  one  of  the  best  known  in 
this  section. 

JOHN  F.  DEMUMBRAN  was  born  in  this  State  in  1841,  and  is  the  son  of  William 
and  Mary  A.  (Patton)  Demumbran.  The  father  was  born  near  Nashville  in  1793,  and  was 
a farmer  by  occupation.  The  mother  was  also  born  in  this  State,  in  I860,  and  by  her  un- 
ion with  William  Demumbran  became  the  mother  of  eleven  children,  five  of  whom  are 
}'et  living.  The  father  died  January  11,  1870,  and  the  mother  in  1854.  Our  subject  was 
united  in  marriage,  in  1761,  to  Miss  Sallie  Merritt,  a native  of  this  State,  born  in  1840, 
and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Burden)  Merritt.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Demumbran 
were  born  seven  children:  Minnie  M.  (deceased),  William,  Francis  E.,  Hattie,  John  W. 
B.,  Wallace  and  Carrie  D.  In  the  fall  of  1861  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twen- 
tieth Tennessee  Regiment,  and  remained  with  that  company  for  about  six  months,  when 
he  joined  the  artillery,  and  remained  in  that  until  the  close  of  the  war  In  1S68  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  this  district,  and  re-elected  in  1874.  and  again  in  1880.  He 
is  holding  the  office  at  the  present  time,  and  is  giving  evident  satisfaction.  He  is  a stanch 
Democrat. 

JOSEPH  T.  DEMUMBRAN,  an  influential  citizen  of  this  district,  was  born  in  this 
State  January  19,  1826,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  A.  (Patton)  Demumbran. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  all  his  life.  He 
has  been  quite  successful,  and  has  a splendid  farm  of  over  400  acres,  with  an  elegant  resi- 
dence erected  on  it  in  a good  location.  February  14.  1855,  he  wedded  Miss  Elizabeth  Red- 
man, daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and  Julia  A.  (Bayne)  Redman,  and  a native  of  Virginia, 
born  in  1834.  By  this  union  our  subject  became  the  father  of  one  child,  Mary  E.,  who 
was  born  in  1855.  His  first  wife  having  died,  he  married  Ann  T.  Redman,  a sister  of 
his  first  wife.  She  "was  born  in  Virginia  May  11,  1836.  Our  subject  directs  his  attention 
principally  to  raising  corn,  small  grain  and  stock.  He  was  formerly  a considerable  cot- 
ton grower.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  I),  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and 
at  the  death  of  Second  Lieut.  Helm  he  was  elected  to  fill  his  place,  and  held  that  position 
until  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh  in  1862.  He  was  taken  care  of  by  relatives  until 
sufficiently  recovered  to  travel,  when  he  returned  home.  In  politics  he  is  an  unswerving 
Democrat. 

ALEXANDER  DODD,  farmer,  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  September 
7,  1824,  son  of  Samuel  and  Xernia  (Johnson)  Dodd.  His  father  was  born  in  1795  and  was 
a native  of  the  Carolinas,  and  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day.  He  was  a soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans  and  aided  in  erecting  the  famous 
cotton  breastworks.  In  early  life  he  was  married  to  Miss  Johnson,  who  was  born  in 
1796,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth.  He 
was  reared  on  a farm  and  secured  a common  school  education  and  has  followed  agricult- 
ural pursuits  through  life.  He  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jane  Davis,  of  Williamson 
County,  September  17,  1846,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  seven  children—  five  sons  and 
two  daughters;  one  son  is  dead.  Mrs.  Dodd  died  May  5,  1885.  Our  subject  belongs  to  the 
Democratic  party  and  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  owns  200  acres  of  good 
land,  on  which  he  has  lived  over  thirty  years.  He  and  family  belong  to  the  Christian 
Church. 

TALBOT  F.  DODD,  dealer  in  general  merchandise  at  Thompson’s  Station,  Tenn.,  is 
a son  of  A.  and  Jane  (Davis)  Dodd,  and  first  saw  the  light  of  day  December  28,  1863,  in 


... 

... 


. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


070 


"Williamson  County.  The  father  is  a native  Tennesseean,  and  he  and  wife  became  the 
parents  of  seven  children.  He  has  always  been  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  owns  a tract  of 
land  in  the  Second  District  of  Williamson  County.  The  mother  died  April  5,  18S5.  Tal- 
bot F.  Dodd  was  reared  on  his  father’s  farm  and  was  educated  in  Franklin.  Tenn.  In 
1882  he  began  business  with  Dodd,  Dudley  & Lipscomb,  but  remained  in  this  connection 
only  a short  time,  when  he  went  to  Shaw,  Tenn.,  and  engaged  in  the  same  business 
under  the  firm  name  of  Dodd  Bros.,  but  remained  ODly  a short  time  when  he  went  to 
Birmingham,  Ala.,  and  from  there  to  the  town  of  Thompson’s  Station,  where  he  has 
since  resided.  He  carries  a stock  of  goods  valued  at  $2,000,  and  does  a business  of  $8,000 
per  annum. 

ROBERT  M.  DOSS  was  born  on  the  3d  of  June,  1856,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  and 
received  a good  education  in  the  schools  of  Mobile,  Ala.,  and  in  1881  came  to  Tennessee 
with  his  father  and  settled  in  Williamson  County.  In  1882  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar. 
Miss  Mattie  Reams,  daughter  of  Robert  Reams,  and  one  child  has  blessed  their  union, 
named  Robert  R.  Mr.  Doss  is  a farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  owns  a good  tract  of  land 
in  Williamson  County.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
south  and  are  prominent  citizens  of  the  county.  His  parents  are  William  and  Elizabeth 
'(Moore)  Doss.  The  father  was  born  in  Alabama,  where  he  lived  a number  of  years  and 
then  became  a resident  of  Mississippi.  William  Doss  was  twice  married  and  by  his  first 
wife  became  the  father  of  these  children:  John  B.,  Alice  I.  and  Robert  M.,  and  by  his 
second  wife  (Bcttie  Jones),  became  the  father  of  three  children:  William  W.,  Edward  L., 
Maggie  and  Sawrie. 

EDWIN  H.  DOUGLAS  is  a son  of  Byrd  Douglas,  who  was  a native  of  Lynchburgh. 
Va.,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1830  settling  in  Fayetteville.  He  was  always  a merchant 
and  followed  that  calling  in  Nashville.  In  1839  he  wedded  Martha  R.  Bright,  sister  of 
Hon.  J.  M.  Bright,  and  to  them  were  born  these  five  children:  Edwin  II.,  Hugh  B.,  Lee 
(deceased),  Byrd  and  Mary  M.  Mrs.  Douglas  died  and  Mr.  Douglas  married  a Mrs.  Cook 
(widow),  who  bore  him  two  children:  Ellen  and  Bruce.  After  his  second  wife’s  death  he 
married  Sarah  Cragnall,  of  Davidson  County.  They  have  one  son,  Dr.  Richard  Douglas. 
The  father  died  in  December,  1882,  leaving  a large  sum  of  money  to  his  children.  Edwin 
H.  Douglas  was  born  May  11,  1840,  and  was  educated  at  the  Western  Military  School  of 
Nashville  and  graduated  in  1860.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  late  war  and  was  first  lieutenant 
of  Freeman’s  battery  when  the  war  closed.  He  participated  in  many  of  the  principal 
battles  and  was  a true  soldier  and  commander.  After  the  war  he  engaged  with  his  father 
in  the  grain  and  cotton  business  for  several  years.  He  was  married  in  1869  to  Miss  Bettie 
McGavock,  who  died  shortly  after  her  marriage.  In  June,  1883,  he  wedded  a Mrs.  Wood- 
fin  (widow),  of  St.  Louis.  Mo.,  and  to  them  was  born  one  child.  Margaret  Richards.  In 
1871,  Mr.  Douglas  moved  to  Williamson  County,  and  purchased  the  J.  R.  McGavock  farm, 
where  he  has  since  been  engaged  in  rearing  stock,  and  has  owned  some  speedy  runners, 
trotters  and  pacers,  and  also  breeds  Short-horn  cattle. 

HENRY  C.  EDMONDSON  was  born  June  15,  182S,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
■son  of  John  and  Mary  (Cummins)  Edmondson,  and  grandson  of  John  and  Barbara  Ed- 
mondson, of  Virginia,  who  came  to  Tennessee  in  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century. 
Our  subject’s  parents  were  born  in  1805  and  1811,  respectively,  and  were  married  Septem- 
ber 18,  1827,  and  became  .the  parents  of  seven  daughters  and  four  sons.  The  father  died 
December  11,  1880.  Our  subject  was  their  eldest  child  and  received  a liberal  education, 
and  from  early  boj'hood  has  tilled  the  soil.  He  owns  180  acres  of  valuable  and  well  im- 
proved farming  land,  on  which  he  located  in  1856.  December  27,  1853,  he  wedded  Bethe- 
nia  H..  daughter  of  Constant  P.  C.  and  Susan  Sneed,  natives  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee, 
and  to  them  were  born  six  children — one  daughter  and  five  sons:  John,  Constant  P.  C., 
William  H.,  Thomas,  Charles  and  Sarah.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmondson  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  belongs  to  the  F.  & A.  M.  fraternity,  and  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  origin. 

David  C.  Edmondson,  farmer  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  October  7, 


■ 


9S0 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


1831,  and  is  a son  of  John  and  Mary  Edmondson,  who  were  natives  of  the  State.  To  them 
were  born  these  children:  Henry  C.,  David  C.,  Barbara  H.,  John  A.,  Mira  L.,  Elizabeth 
B.,  Jane  W.,  William  A.,  Mary,  Martha  and  Caroline.  Our  subject’s  boyhood  days  were 
spent  in  farming  aud  attending  the  common  schools,  where  he  received  a good  education. 
He  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  has  succeeded  well  financially,  and 
owns  at  the  present  time  a comfortable  home  and  205  acres  of  as  good  land  as  Williamson 
County  produces,  on  which  he  located  in  1882.  December  22,  1858,  he  was  married  to 
Priscilla  O’Neal,  who  was  born  June  16.  1840,  daughter  of  John  F.  and  Matilda  O’Neal,  of 
Davidson  County,  Teun.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edmondson  became  the  parents  of  three  interest- 
ing children — one  daughter  and  two  sons:  Jennie  P.,  Starnes  W.  J.  and  John  F.  Mrs. 
Edmondson  died  May  20,  1879:  she  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Our 
subject  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  in  politics  is  a Demo- 
crat. The  family  are  early  settlers  of  Tennessee,  and  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 

EDMOND  W.  EGGLESTON,  a native  of  Virginia,  was  born  January  14,  1825,  and 
came  to  Tennessee  iu  1850.  His  father,  Josiah  C.  Eggleston,  was  born  in  Virginia  De- 
cember 21,  1802,  and  February  7,  1822,  was  married  to  Sarah  M.  Smith,  our  subject’s 
mother,  who  was  also  a-  native  of  Virginia,  born  March  14,  1800.  The  father  died  De- 
cember 26,  1827,  and  the  mother  then  married  James  L.  Harris,  by  whom  she  had  five 
children.  She  died  July  27,  1842.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  Edmond  Eggleston,  was 
born  in  Virginia  January  24,  1773,  and  married  the  Widow  Epperson,  formerly  Susan 
Smith,  who  was  also  a native  of  Virginia,  born  November  22,  1772.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a farm  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1847,  when  he  clerked  in  a store 
for  about  four  years;  later  he  resumed  farming  and  has  continued  that  up  to  the  present 
time.  In  1854  our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  H.  Flemming,  a na- 
tive of  this  county,  born  November  16,  1833,  and  the  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Jane  B. 
(Sharp)  Flemming,  natives,  respectively,  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia.  The  father  was  born 
January  24,  1798,  and  died  November  18,  1853.  The  mother  was  born  January  5,  1800, 
and  died  January  5,  1856.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  five  children:  Josiah,  Ju- 
nius V.  (deceased),  Edward  E.,  Sarah  J.  (deceased),  and  Thomas  B.  (deceased).  April  25, 
1866,  Mrs.  Eggleston  died,  and  December  23,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Hilu  A.  Flemming,  a 
sister  of  his  first  wife.  Mrs.  Eggleston  was  born  January  12,  1844,  and  by  her  union  with 
Mr.  Eggleston  became  the  mother  of  four  children:  James  F.,  Susan  C.,  Robert  W.  and 
William  C.  In  1852  he  moved  to  this  district,  and  in  1870  purchased  his  present  farm  for 
the  second  time.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  and  a Democrat  in  politics. 

\/  JOSIAH  E.  ELLIOTT,  son  of  Exom  and  Jeannette  (Mebane)  Elliott,  was  born  No- 
vember 2,  1817,  in  !>(ortJiJparolina.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  in  1820  and  became  a 
successful  farmer  of  Williamson  County.  He  and  wife  became  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren: Mebane,  Seth,  Robert.  Josiah,  George,  Alexander  and  Allen,  all  of  whom  are  de- 
ceased with  the  exception  of  our  subject  and  Seth.  Exom  Elliott  died  in  1827  and  his 
widow  in  1870.  Our  subject’s  early  days  were  spent  on  his  father’s  farm  and  in  attending 
the  country  schools.  Iu  1848  he  wedded  Miss  Mary  D.  Tucker,  and  to  them  were  born 
twelve  children:  Mary  J.,  Exom  A.,  James  L.,  Josiah  II.,  William,  Seth  M.,  John  M., 
Charles  E.,  Minerva  B.,  Lillian  H.,  Addie  L.  and  Claude  E.  Mary  J.  Elliott  died  in 
1885.  She  was  the  wife  of  E.  W.  Napier  and  was  married  in  1874.  Our  subject  owns  a 
tract  of  land  in  the  Tenth  District  and  is  a thrifty  farmer.  He  is  a member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  and  the  family  are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 

WILLIAM  II.  EVANS,  an  old  and  prominent  citizen,  was  born  October  16,  1812,  and 
is  the  son  of  William  G.  and  Mary  S.  (Saddler)  Evans.  The  father  was  a native  of  North 
Carolina,  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  and  received  a limited  education  in  the  common 
schools.  He  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Davidson  County  and  his  death  occurred  in 
1844.  The  mother  died  iu  July  of  the  same  year.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Eoiscopal  Church  South.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood  on  a farm  and  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools.  February  19,  1835;  he  married  Miss  Margaret  A. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


981 

Charlton,  daughter  of  G.  W.  Charlton,  and  by  this  union  he  became  the  father  of  these 
children:  G.  W.,  Sallie  A.,  E.  C.,  Nancy  H.,  Margaret  E.,  Cleo,  Emma  S.,  S.  W and 
Jackson  Z.  In  187S  Mr.  Evans  moved  to  the  Seventh  District  of  Williamson  County, 
Tenn. , where  he  now  resides  on  his  place  known  as  Rough  Rock.  Mr.  Evans  is -a' Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  and  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  T.  FLEMING  is  a son  of  William  and  Mixey  (Thompson)  Fleming  and  was 
born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  May  14,  18*23.  The  family  are  of  Irish  and  Welsh 
descent,  and  William  Fleming  was  a native  of  Campbell  County,  Ya.,  and  emigrated  to 
Tennessee  in  1S14.  He  was  married  in  1815,  and  five  children  were  born  to  them  : Eliza- 
beth, Samuel,  Elmira,  John  T.  and  William.  The  father  died  in  1875.  John  T.  was 
reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  Franklin.  He  has  followed  farming  from  boyhood, 
and  in  1852  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Bettie  Mann,  and  nine  children  have  blessed 
their  union;  namely:  Blanche,  Della,  Mary,  William,  Charles,  John.  Robert,  Sallie,  and 
Myra.  Mr.  Fleming  is  a well-to-do  farmer,  and  owns  a fine  tract  of  well  cultivated  land, 
and  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Williamson  County. 

JOHN  T.  FLEMING,  son  of  Samuel  Fleming,  was  born  November  27, 1827.  Samuel 
Fleming  was  born  in  the  “ Old  Dominion,”  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1812,  locating  on  a 
farm  in  Williamson  County.  In  1S14  he  married  Miss  Jane  Thompson,  of  Virginia,  and 
to  them  were  born  ten  children  : Elizabeth,  Keziah,  Malissa  J.,  Virginia,  David  R., 
William  T.,  Watson,  John  T.,  E.  L.,  and  Samuel.  The  father  died  in  1876  and  the 
mother  in  1839.  They  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a farm  and  was*  educated  in  the  country  schools.  In  1854  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Mallory,  and  their  union  was  blessed  with  eleven  children  : 
Philip  M.,  Adelbert  W.,  Mattie,  James,  Albert,  William,  John,  Lizzie,  Joe,  Nathaniel  aud 
one  who  died  in  infancy.  Those  who  are  dead  are  Nathaniel,  Albert,  William  and  Lizzie. 
Mr.  Fleming  ownes  223  acres  of  land,  and  is  a prosperous  farmer  of  the  county.  His  fam- 
ily are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent. 

WILLIAM  C.  FLEMING  was  born  October  4,  1859,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
and  is  a son  of  Dr.  Sam  and  Lizzie  (Brooks)  Fleming.  The  Doctor  was  born  and  reared 
in  Williamson  County.  He  acquired  his  medical  education  in  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  gradu- 
ating from  the  medical  school  of  that  city.  He  was  a druggist  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  for 
some  time,  but  soon  returned  to  Williamson  County,  where  he  died  in  January,  1875.  He 
was  the  father  of  these  seven  children  : Fillmore,  Malvina,  William  C.,  Samuel.  Lee, 
Thomas  and  Mickey.  Dr.  Fleming  was  a man  of  some  means,  and  was  a leading  citizen 
of  the  county  in  which  he  resided.  William  C.  Fleming,  our  subject,  was  educated  in  the 
country  schools,  and  took  a course  at  Jackson,  Tenn.  In  1883  he  was  united  in  matri- 
mony to  Miss  Addie  Reams,  daughter  of  Henry  Reams,  of  Williamson  County.  To  them 
was  born  one  child,  Reams.  Mr.  Fleming  is  a prosperous  farmer  and  owns  400  acres  of 
land. 

A.  BRICE  FLEMING  is  a native  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  born  April  IS,  1819, 
son  of  David  R.  aud  Emily  M.  (Andrews)  Fleming.  The  father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent, a native  of  Kentucky,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  father  when  an  infant.  lie 
became  the  father  of  two  sons,  David  B.  aud  A.  Brice,  and  was  a farmer  and  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal’Church.  He  died  December  15,  1858,  and  the  mother  in  Janu- 
ary, 1876.  Our  subject  spent  his  juvenile  days  on  a farm,  and  finished  his  education  in 
the  Presbyterian  University,  at  Clarksville,  where  he  remained  three  years.  In  1876  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Haddox,  of  Maury  County,  who  died  in  1878,  leaving  one 
child,  Mary.  He  was  in  the  commission  business  at  Nashville  two  years,  and  then  re- 
turned to  Williamson  County  and  married  Lelia  Steele.  One  child  has  blessed  their  union, 
named  Pauline.  Mr.  Fleming  owns  900  acres  of  fine  land,  and  is  a stock  dealer  and  farm- 
er of  note.  He  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

CHARLES  FULTON  was  born  August  5.  1862,  and  passed  his  early  life  in  assisting 
his  father  on  the  farm  aud  in  getting  a fair  education  at  the  common  schools.  He  is  now 


. 


982 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


engaged  in  running  his  father’s  farm,  which  consists  of  1,050  acres.  Mr.  Fulton  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  the  son  of  W.  D.  and 
Sarah  M.  J.  (Henderson)  Fulton.  The  father  was  a native  of  Georgia,  born  November  17, 
1S20,  and  received  a common  school  education.  At  fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  clerk  in 
the  postoffice  at  Athens;  shortly  afterward  he  was  made  clerk  in  the  bank  of  Athens,  and 
at  the  early  age  of  seventeen  was  made  teller  in  the  same  bank.  Here  he  remained  until 
he  was  about  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Mitchell, 
a prominent  lawyer  of  the  Athens  bar.  Soon  after  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
practiced  at  Summerville  and  Trenton.  In  1844  he  married  Sarah  M.  J.  Henderson, 
daughter  of  James  Henderson,  of  Georgia,  and  to  this  union  were  born  ten  children. 
"W.  D.  Fulton  continued  to  practice  law  until  1S47,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Mexican  war, 
August  30.  He  was  captain  in  the  Mounted  Battalion  of  Georgia  Volunteers.  At  the  close 
of  the  war  he  returned  home  and,  moving  to  Atlanta,  superintended  the  Georgia  State 
Railroad.  Here  he  remained  until  185*2.  when  he  went  to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  and  was 
cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Chattanooga  until  the  late  war.  He  then  moved  to  Nashville  and 
superintended  the  completion  of  the  Maxwell  House.  Iu  1869  he  moved  to  Williamson 
County  and  located  in  the  Seventh  District,  north  of  Nashville.  Here  he  died  November 
15,  1882.  He  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  a Democrat  in  politics. 

WATSON  MEREDITH  GENTRY,  M.  D.,  was  born  near  Stockett’s  Church,  William- 
son County,  Tenn.,  January  31,  1831,  the  second  son  of  Theophilus  L.  and  Rebecca  B. 
Gentry,  and  is  of  Welsh  and  English  descent.  Theophilus  Gentry  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  in  1802,  but  came  with  his  father  to  Williamson  County  when  a boy  and  settled 
at  College  Grove.  He  died  at  his  home  in  Marshall  County  in  1883.  He  was  a man  noted 
for  hi*  great  piety,  vigorous  mind-,  exceeding  pleasantness  and  sobriety,  and  was  con- 
sidered, by  those  who  knew  him  best,  equally  smart  as  his  distinguished  brother,  Col. 
Meredith  P.  Gentry,  who  for  sixteen  years  was  one  of  Tennessee's  most  popular  and 
eloquent  statesmen.  He  had  a wonderful  memory  and  was  a very  gifted  conversation- 
alist. Dr.  Gentry,  on  his  maternal  side,  was  also  of  distinguished  ancestry;  his  mother’s 
father.  Dr.  Thomas  Sappington,  of  Tennessee,  was  the  inventor  of  “ Sappington’s  Pills,’’ 
noted  for  their  wonderful  curative  properties  ; he  made  a large  fortune  out  of  them;  they 
are  considered  a very  fine  medicine  in  this  progressive  nineteenth  century.  Dr.  Gentry’s 
mother  was  born  in  this  country  in  1810,  and  died  in  1837.  The  Doctor  was  named  for  his 
paternal  grandfather,  Watson  Gentry,  a North  Carolinian,  received  an  academic  educa' 
tion  at  Owen’s  Hill  and  Triune  Academies,  after  which  he  was  a professor  of  mathemat- 
ics and  the  languages  for  two  terms.  At  this  time  he  was  only  seventeen  years  of  age. 
Tn  1852  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  E.  Edmonson,  of  Bethel,  Giles  Co., 
TenD.  The  latter  part  of  1852  he  went  to  New  Y'ork  to  attend  lectures  at  the  University 
of  New  York  City,  where  he  graduated  with  honors  in  March,  1855.  Immediately  after 
his  graduation  he  went  to  Europe,  and  visited  and  studied  at  the  most  noted  colleges  of 
that  continent.  On  his  return  to  this  country  he  accepted  a position  as  surgeon  of  Belle' 
vue  Hospital,  N.  Y.,  which  he  held  for  two  years.  In  1857  he  located  at  Shelbyville- 
Tenn.,  where  he  practiced  until  May,  1861  ; in  June  of  that  year  he  was  commissioned  a 
surgeon  of  the  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Regiment,  Confederate  States  Army.  In  1862  he  was 
promoted  to  chief  surgeon  of  Gen.  Crittenden’s  division,  which  position  he  held  until  1863, 
w-hen  he  was  sent  to  Montgomery,  Ala.,  to  take  charge  of  the  hospitals  there.  He  had  nine 
hospitals  under  his  charge,  with  2,300  beds.  In  1866  he  located  near  College  Grove,  on  the 
place  formerly  owned  by  Dr.  Reuben  Gentry,  his  cousin,  where  he  farmed  for  four  years. 
In  1870  he  moved  to  Franklin  and  resumed  the  practice  of  medicine,  where  he  still  lives. 
In  1858  he  married  Miss  Martha  A.  Jones,  of  Nashville,  who  was  a great  belle  in  her  day- 
being  a woman  of  remarkable  beauty  and  sprightliness  ; daughter  of  Dr.  John  R.  Jones, 
a retired  cotton  planter  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  who  died  in  1866.  Dr.  Gentry  has 
"but  one  child,  a daughter,  who  is  said  to  be  quite  accomplished  in  art  and  music.  He  is  a 
a nch  Democrat  and  a Mason  of  high  ord**r,  being  a member  of  the  Commandery. 
Himself,  wife  and  daughter  are  members  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


9S3 


DANIEL  GERMAN,  M.  D.,  was  born  near  Franklin,  March  19,  1S31  : son  of  Daniel 
-and  Elizabeth  (Rounsaville)  German,  and  is  of  French-Dutch  extraction.  The  father  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  in  1787,  and  when  quite  young  came  with  his  parents  to  Tennes- 
see and  settled  near  Nashville,  but  subsequently  the  family  removed  to  Williamson 
County,  and  here  the  father  of  Dr.  German  died  in  185S.  The  mother  of  our  subject  was 
a Tennesseean,  born  in  this  county  in  1803  and  died  here  in  1882.  The  early  life  of  Dr. 
German  was  spent  on  the  farm  and  in  getting  an  education  in  the  Franklin  schools.  He 
•began  studying  medicine  in  1830.  and  graduated  from  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  in 
1834.  He  then  located  in  Franklin  and  practiced  his  profession  until  the  beginning  of  the 
war.  During  that  conflict  he  was  a surgeon  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  as  such  was 
one  of  the  very  best.  In  1863  he  was  transferred  from  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Infantry, 
•Cheatham’s  division  to  Roddy’s  division  of  cavalry,  of  north  Alabama,  as  chief  surgeon. 
He  surrendered  Mav  20.  1865.  at  Decatur.  Ala.  Since  the  war  he  has  been  actively 
•engaged  in  his  profession  in  this  town,  and  has  won  for  himself  an  extensive  and  lucra- 
tive practive.  He  was  married,  iu  January,  1869,  to  Miss  Adalitia  McEwen,  daughter  of 
John  B.  and  Cynthia  (Graham)  McEwen.  They  have  five  children,  the  two  eldest  being 
daughters,  Misses  Graham  and  Alice,  the  other  three  bo3Ts,  Daniel,  Richard  McEwen  and 
Horace  Bright  German.  He  is  a man  with  many  friends,  and  stands  high  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  best  people  of  this  and  adjoining  counties;  he  is  a Democrat,  a Mason  and  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

MOSES  G.  GOSEY,  an  old  and  a prominent  citizen  of  this  district,  was  born  in  Ten' 
nessee  December  2,  1815.  His  father,  James  Gosey,  was  born  in  Virginia  about  1770,  and 
was  married  ip  1798  to  Rebecca  Bowers,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  about  1785.  In  1801 
they  came  to  Tennessee,  where  the  father  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer.  He  was 
a good,  pious  citizen,  having  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  an  early  day.  He 
died  in  1856,  and  his  widow  followed  in  1859.  Our  subject  was  uuited  in  marriage  to  Miss 
-Mary  A.  Nevils  in  1S46.  She  w'as  a native  of  this  State,  born  August  12,  1824,  and  the 
daughter  of  Josiali  and  Sallie  (Beech)  Nevils.  Our  subject  and  wife  became  the  parents 
of  five  children:  James  G.,  Sarah  E..  Mary  T.,  Mattie  L.  and  an  infant  not  named.  All 
have  crossed  the  dark  river  into  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  and  only  two  lived 
to  be  grown.  In  1849  our  subject  began  merchandising  at  Peytonsville,  and  carried  on  a 
thriving  business  there  until  1SC0.  During  the  war  he  w'as  very  unfortunate,  losing  about 
.$17,000  of  hard-earned  money.  He  lives  on  a farm  of  seventy-two  acres  on  the  edge  of 
Peytonsville,  and  since  the  w’ar  has  directed  his  attention  to  farming.  He  is  a member 
•of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

WILLIS  K.  GREEN,  of  the  firm  of  Green  A Fitzhugh,  of  Nolensville,  Tenn.,  deal- 
ers in  groceries  and  general  merchandise,  first  saw'  the  light  of  day  September  18,  1824, 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Green,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  were  married 
-January  29,  1807.  To  them  w'ere  born  ten  children:  Green  B.,  Pollie,  Thomas,  Henry. 
Robert,  Willis  K.,  Susan  Patsie,  Jane  and  one  infant  daughter.  Our  subject  was  educated 
In  the  common  schools,  and  in  early  life  wms  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  liquor  business 
at  Nolensville,  Tenn.  In  1860  he  sold  out  his  business  and  worked  as  clerk  for  J.  Pick 
«fc  Co.,  of  Nashville,  dealers  in  groceries  and  general  merchandise.  Here  he  remained 
until  1865,  w hen  he  moved,  back  to  Nolensville  and  formed  a partnership  wdth  John  A. 
Fitzhugh  in  the  grocery  and  general  merchandise  business.  January  11,  1848,  Mr.  Green 
wedded  Sarah  A.  IIoliw*ay,  who  w\ns  born  October  13,  1827.  They  have  three  children: 
Mary  J.,  Maggie  and  Madison  G.  Mrs.  Green  died  February  22,  1856,  and  Mr.  Green  took 
for  his  second  wife  Martha  J.  Fields,  August  13.  1856.  She  w'as  born  January  26,  1830, 
aud  died  October  17,  1879,  after  becoming  the  mother  of  four  children  named  Ella  31., 
-Charley  B.,  Sarah  31.  and  Katie  E.  3Ir.  Green  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  family  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a member  of  the  F.  A A.  M. 
and  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  owms  100  acres  of  land,  and  is  of  Irish  descent. 

MADISON  G.  GREEN,  M.  D.,  w'as  born  on  the  1st  of  September,  1834,  in  this  county . 


' 

' 


* 

. 


984 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


He  is  one  of  three  children  born  to  Willis  K.  and  Sarah  A.  (Holiway)  Green  (see  sketch  of 
Willis  K.  Green),  and  in  his  boyhood  days  received  a common  school  education  and  spent 
the  free  and  happy  life  of  a farmer’s  boy.  In  1874  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with 
Dr.  T.  G.  Shannon,  of  Nolensville,  and  a year  later  entered  the  Vanderbilt  University  at 
Nashville.  Tenn.,  and  after  receiving  two  courses  of  lectures  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion as  an  M.  D.  He  then  located  in  Arkansas  and  practiced  his  profession  until  1877, 
when  he  returned  to  Nolensville,  Tenn.,  where  he  has  since  remained  actively  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  is  regarded,  and  deservedly,  as  a skillful  physician. 
May  29,  1879,  he  was  united  in  matrimony  to  Cora  E.  Hailey,  who  was  born  November 
11,  1859,  and  is  the  daughter  of  William  N.  and  Mary  A.  Hailey.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Green 
have  two  children,  Mary  A.  and  Clifton  H.  Both  husband  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  Mr.  Green  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  H.,  and 
favors  Democratic  principles. 

DeWITT  C.  GRIGGS  is  of  English  descent,  and  was  born  in  Williamson  County, 
Tenn..  June  28,  1833.  son  of  John  and  Jane  Griggs,  who  were  married  in  North  Carolina 
about  1810,  aud  came  to  Tennessee  in  1811.  They  were  the  parents  of  these  nine  chil- 
dren: William,  Mar}',  Lucy  A.,  Thomas  J.,  James  B.,  John  A..  Madison,  Virginia  T.  and 
DeWitt  C.,  who  received  a liberal  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  has  been  en- 
gaged in  farming  and  carpentering  all  his  life,  and  located  on  the  farm  of  fifty-five  acres 
where  he  now  lives  in  1865.  His  farm  is  well  tilled  and  fertile,  and  the  principal  products 
are  corn  and  wheat.  He  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Hawkins  August  16,  1857.  She  was  born 
October  15, 1839,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Lucas  P.  and  Eleanor  Hawkins,  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Griggs  were  born  the  following  family  of  children:  Adelaide, 
William  M.,  Effie  J.,  Mary  E.,  John  L.,  Edgar  C.,  Henry  C.  and  Owen  J.  Mrs.  Griggs 
died  July  14,  1873,  and  December  11,  1873,  Mr.  Griggs  wedded  Elizabeth  H.  Hawkins, 
born  August  1,  1844,  widow  of  William  Hawkins  and  daughter  of  Moses  and  Jane  N. 
Watkins,  of  Tennessee.  To  Mrs.  Griggs’  first  marriage  were  born  two  daughters:  Mariali 
J.  and  Millie  H.  To  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Griggs  this  family:  Lena,  Daisy  D.,  Lucy  M., 
St.  Elmo,  Maude  E.  and  Ruby  B.  were  born.  Mr.  Griggsis  a Democrat  and  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  and  family  are  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 

RICHARD  T.  HAILEY,  a prominent  wagon  and  carriage  manufacturer  at  Nolens- 
ville,  Tenn.,  was  born  May  11,1832,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry 
and  Joanna  Hailey,  who  came  to  this  State  about  1822  and  were  married  in  1828.  Henry 
Hailey  settled  near  Nolensville  in  1834,  and  worked  at  carpentering  until  his  death  in 
1854.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  the  war  of  1812.  Our  subject  was 
the  second  of  five  children,  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools.  From  boy- 
hood he  has  followed  wagon  and  carriage-making,  and  has  been  very  successful.  In  1850 
he  went  to  Louisiana,  and  w*as  overseer  of  a large  cotton  plantation,  but  after  remaining 
a short  time  returned  to  Tennessee,  and  is  yet  a resident  of  Nolensville.  He  was  married 
to  Elizabeth  Hamlet  in  1854,  and  to  them  were  born  four  children:  Laura,  Mary,  Kittie 
and  Henry.  In  1861  Mr.  Hailey  enlisted  in  the  First  Tennessee  Cavalry  under  James  T. 
Wheeler,  and  participated  in  many  battles.  In  1882  Mr.  Hailey  was  elected  justice  of  the 
peace,  and  has  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of  his  office.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  K.  of  H.,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

JOHN  C.  HALEY,  an  influential  citizen  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  in  this 
State  in  1839,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Tolitha  (Garrett)  Haley.  The  subject  is  of  En- 
glish descent  and  received  his  education  in  the  best  schools  of  the  county.  He  was  reared 
on  a farm  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  for  seventeen  years,  when  he  began  trading 
in  slock,  and  has  made  that  a specialty  ever  since.  In  1860  the  subject  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Powell,  a native  of  Mississippi,  born  about  1840,  and  the  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Sallie  Powell.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  two  children — Beulah 
E.,  born  in  1865,  and  Clarence  B.,  born  in  1877.  Mrs.  Haley  died  in  1877,  and  Mr.  Haley 
took  for  his  second  wife  Mrs.  Mary  (Pierson)  Berry*,  widow  of  Thomas  Berry.  She  was 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


9S5 


born  in  Tennesee  in  1S41  and  was  the  daughter  of  William  and  Mrs.  (Williams)  Pierson. 
The  subject  has  about  240  acres  of  good  land,  well  watered  and  in  a fine  .state  of  cultiva- 
tion. It  lies  on  the  pike,  near  College  Grove.  On  this  he  has  erected  a ueat  residence, 
which  is  beautifully  located,  lie  is  an  extensive  stock  trader  and  well  known  in  Nashville, 
this  and  adjoining  counties.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  Politically  Mr.  Haley  is  a Democrat. 

WILLIAM  C.  HALEY,  a prominent  citizen  and  stock  trader  of  this  county,  was 
born  in  Tennessee  October  12,  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Tolitha  (Garrett)  Halev. 
The  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  at  Triune  Academy,  this  county.  He  has 
lived  on  a farm  from  boyhood,  with  the  exception  of  three  years  from  1882,  when  he 
b'ved  in  Nashville  and  a portion  of  the  time  in  Winchester,  educating  his  children.  In 
1884  he  returned  to  his  farm  near  College  Grove,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farming 
and  trading  in  stock.  He  has  a splendid  farm  containing  ninety  acres  with  a neat  resi- 
dence on  it.  It  is  situated  near  the  pike  leading  through  College  Grove.  In  1804  our 
subject  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  E.  Withoite,  a native  of  this  State,  and  the  daughter 
of  Young  and  Eliza  (Dunaway)  Wilhoite.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haley  were  born  ten  chil- 
dren: Mattie  E.,  born  December  13.  I860;  Kate  M.,  born  January  4.  1867;  Nannie  T.,  born 
April  29,  1S6S;  John  A.,  born  December  31,  1869;  Samuella,  born  December  13, 1871;  Young 
W.,  born  September  25,  1873;  Lula  II.,  born  July  14,  1875;  Annie  B.,  born  September  11, 
1879;  Willie  D.,  born  November  6,  1880,  and  died  March  27,  1883,  and  Linus  P.,  born  April 
12,  1885.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  was  taken 
prisoner  near  Murfreesboro  in  1863,  he  then  took  a non-combatant  oath  and  came  home. 
11c  is  a Democrat  and  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  No.  172.  He,  wife  and  six  of  his 
children  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

WILLIAM  E.  HAMILTON  was  bom  in  Tennessee  December  26,  1827,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  the  county  schools.  In  1845  he  was  married  to  Miss  Maggie  Shy.  and  three  chil- 
dren were  born  to  them,  named  William  E.,  Lizzie  M.  and  William  N.  William  E ..  Jr., 
died  in  1860,  and  Lizzie  in  1862.  Our  subject  died  in  1872  and  was  a member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  1849  moved  to  Missouri  and  purchased  a tract  of 
land,  where  he  lived  until  his  death.  His  widow*  then  took  charge  of  the  farm,  managing 
it  until  1882,  when  she  was  stricken  with  paralysis.  Since  that  time  her  youthful  son 
William  N.,  has  operated  the  farm  and  cared  for  his  mother.  They  own  forty-six  acres 
of  land  in  the  Fifth  Civil  District  of  Williamson  County,  and  also  a tract  of  land  in  Mis- 
souri. The  Hamilton  family  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  Our  subject’s  parents 
were  James  and  Eliza  (Swisher)  Hamilton. 

DANIEL  A.  HAMPTON,  a resident  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  March 
4,  1814,  in  Brunswick  County,  Va.,  and  is  the  fifth  of  nine  children  born  to  David  and 
Elizabeth  Hampton,  who  came  to  Tennessee  in  1832  and  located  in  Williamson  County. 
Their  children  were  named  as  follows:  Richard  C.,  Louisa,  Emily,  Hammeditha,  Daniel 
A..  Rufus  S.,  Joseph  II.,  Ann  and  Mary  E.  Our  subject  received  a common  school  edu- 
cation, and  has  been  engaged  in  farming  from  boyhood.  He  has  been  fairly  prosperous 
in  his  business  enterprises  and  has  a good  home,  and  is  the  owner  of  153  acres  of  fertile 
and  well  improved  farming  land.  He  located  upon  this  farm  about  1831.  In  1819  he 
was  married  to  Mary  Mitchell,  daughter  of  David  A.  and  Eliza  Mitchell  of  Tennessee. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hampton  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children:  David,  Richard,  Eva  G.. 
John  H.,  James  C.,  Harris  B.,  Lulu  B.,  Nancy  E.,  Louella.  Thomas  P.,  Aubra  A.  and 
Emily  C.  Mr.  Hampton  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  in 
politics  is  a Democrat.  The  Hamptons  are  of  English  descent,  and  are  highly  respected 
citizens,  being  residents  of  this  State  for  almost  a century. 

JAMES  P.  IIANNER.  M.  D.,  was  bom  in  Nashville,  Tenn,,  July  4,1835;  son  of  Rev. 
John  W.  Ilanner,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1810,  and  who  has  for  many  years 
been  a leading  Methodist  clergyman  and  is  now  a resident  of  Clarksville.  The  mother  of 
Dr.  Planner, Rachael E.  Park,  was  born  in  Maryland,  January  31,  1814,  and  died  in  Nashville 
February  18,  1841.  Dr.  Ilanner  was  educated  at  the  Western  Military  Institute,  and  was 


■ 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


9S6 


instructed  in  mathematics  by  James  G.  Blaine.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  1855  at 
Franklin,  and  attended  one  course  of  lectures  at  the  University  of  Nashville,  and  later  he 
attended  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  March. 
1857.  In  1861  he  was  mustered  into  the  Confederate  service  as  captain  of  Company  E,  of 
the  First  Tennessee  Regiment, and  at  the  end  of  one  year  resigned  his  commission  and  was 
appointed  surgeon  of  Morton’s  battery.  Forest's  command,  aud  thus  continued  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  Came  home  in  1865  and  has  siuce  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  He  has  been  for  many  years  a leading  practitioner  of  this  part  of  Tennessee. 
November  30,  1865,  he  wedded  Miss  Mary  Walker,  a Mississippian  by  birth— resident  of 
Franklin  since  early  childhood — and  by  this  union  is  the  father  of  four  children  : Loulia 
A.,  James  P.,  Jr.,  John  W.  and  Lizzie  McR.  Mr.  Hanner  is  a Democrat,  a Mason 
(Knight  Templar),  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
has  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him,  and  is  one  of  the  best  men  of  Franklin. 

TURNER  L.  HARRISON  was  born  in  Tennessee  June  5,  1838.  His  father.  Nathaniel 
L.  Harrison,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  December  2,  1S08,  and  came  to  Tennes- 
see with  his  parents  when  quite  young.  He  remained  in  this  county  many  years  and  held 
the  office  of  constable  and  deputy  sheriff.  He  was  a good  neighbor,  a kind  father,  and 
reared  and  educated  his  childen  to  become  useful  men  and  women.  His  home  was  in  the 
Tenth  District  until  1843  when  he  moved  to  the  Thirteenth.  His  death  occurred  Novem- 
ber 21, 1885.  Our  subject’s  mother,  Christiana  Knight,  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1812, 
and  in  the  year  1832  was  wedded  to  Nathaniel  L.  Harrison,  by  whom  she  became  the 
mother  of  eleven  children.  Her  death  occurred  in  1863.  Our  subject  was  united  in  mar- 
riage, in  1S63,  to  Ella  A.  Martin,  a native  of  this  State,  born  in  1843,  and  the  daughter  of 
Benjamin  F.  and  Jane  D (Alston)  Martin.  To  her  union  with  Mr.  Harrison  she  became 
the  mother  of  four  children:  Covoda,  born  in  1863,  Modera,  born  1865;  Odo.  born  1S70. 

and  Goldie,  born  1877.  Our  subject  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1858,  when  he 
began  merchandising  in  Nashville.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  service,  was 
promoted  to  third  lieutenant,  aiid  stood  at  his  post  of  duty  during  the  entire  war.  In  1865 
he  returned  home  and  began  blacksmithing  in  the  village  of  Peytousville,  his  present 
location.  In  1881  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

JANIES  W.  HARRISON  was  born  near  Franklin,  Tenn.,  August  21,  1847,  and  is  of 
English  extraction.  His  father,  William  Harrison,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1820,  was  a 
tiller  of  the  soil  and  died  in  this  county  January  8,  1878.  The  paternal  grandfather  of 
our  subject  was  William  Harrison,  a Virginian,  born  in  1799.  He  came  to  Williamson 
County  in  early  life  and  was  sheriff  of  that  county  for  the  years  1836-42.  He  died  in  the 
year  1865.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  Martha  (Terrell)  Harrison  was  born  in  this  county 
in  1820  and  died  in  1854.  James  W.  Harrison,  our  subject,  is  fourth  in  a family  of  eleven 
children.  Like  the  average  country  boy  he  spent  his  early  life  in  assisting  on  the  farm 
and  in  acquring  an  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1865  he  went  to  Spring  Hill 
and  began  clerking  in  a store  where  he  remained  until  1867,  when  he  came  to  Franklin, 
and  in  April  of  that  year  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  which  he  successfully  contin- 
ued until  1885.  October  10,  1869,  he  married  Miss  Anna  Briggs,  of  Franklin,  daughter  of 
Isaac  W.  and  Dorithy  M.  Briggs.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harrison  have  an  adopted  child — Annie 
James.  He  is  a thorough  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

ABRAM  W.  HATCHER  was  born  in  this  county  in  the  year  1S35.  His  father,  Will- 
iam Hatcher,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1796,  and  in  1814  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucy 
Rucker,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  in  1797.  The  father  died  in  1867  and  the  mother  in 
1884.  Our  subject  was  married  to  Mary  S.  Dodson,  a native  of  this  State,  born  June 
23,  1841,  and  a daughter  of  Eli  and  Elizabeth  (Fitzgerald)  Dodson.  To  Mr.  Hatcher 
and  wife  were  born  three  children,  Ernest  L.,  born  July  11,  1859;  William  D.,  born  May 
14,  1861;  Robert  A.,  born  August  26,  1865,  and  died  October  7,  1865.  Our  subject  had  the 
1 misfortune  to  lose  his  wife  September  2,  1865,  aud  married  for  his  second  wife  Martha  E. 


; 


, ■ 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


987 


Chricsman,  a native  of  tliis  State,  born  December  27,  1844.  Her  father,  George  W.,  was 
born  in  this  State  in  1801,  and  died  in  1868.  Her  mother,  Jane  Sprott,  was  born  August 
25,  1S17,  also  in  this  State,  and  died  December  27,  1881.  Our  subject  became  the  father 
of  eight  children  by  his  last  marriage:  Mary  S.,  born  1870;  James  C.,  born  1871;  Charles 
W.,  born  1873;  Lucy  J.,  born  July,  1875;  Sallie  A.;  Elizabeth  R.,  born  1880;  Madeline, 
born  1881;  and  George  A.,  born  1SS5.  In  1S61  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  A.  Forty- 
fifth  Tennessee,  as  a private,  but  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  second  lieutenant,  and  fought 
through  the  entire  war.  He  was  hit  by  spent  balls  six  different  times,  but  was  never  dis- 
abled. Since  the  war  he  has  been  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil.  He  is  a member  of  the  K. 
of  II.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics. 

HON.  THOMAS  ELLIOT  HAYNES  was  born  near  Franklin,  Tenn.,  October  17, 
1842,  son  of  N.  J.  and  Elizabeth  H.  Haynes,  and  is  of  English  extraction.  The  father  was 
born  in  "Williamson  County  in  1820,  and  died  in  this  town  in  1876.  The  mother  was  born 
in  the  same  county  in  1822,  and  at  the  present  is  residing  in  Franklin.  She  is  a daughter 
of  the  late  Rev.  M.  L.  Andrews,  and  the  mother  of  ten  children,  four  of  whom  are  living. 
Our  subject’s  grandfather  came  to  Williamson  County  at  an  early  day,  and  was  a soldier 
in  the  war  of  1812.  Our  subject  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  county 
schools,  and  subsequently  attended  Franklin  Male  Academy.  He  learned  the  printing 
business  in  Franklin,  and  in  1865  he  with  his  father  resumed  the  publication  of  the  Rtvieic, 
■which  had  suspended  during  the  war,  and  Mr.  Haynes  continued  with  the  paper  until1 
March,  1886,  when  he  sold  out  to  the  present  owners.  Mr.  Haynes  was  formerly  a Whig, 
but  since  the  war  has  been  a persistent  Democrat.  In  1879  he  was  elected  to  the  lower 
house  of  the  General  Assembly  to  represent  Williamson  County,  and  was  re-elected  in  1881. 
He  was  a delegate  to  the  National  Democratic  Convention  in  1884,  and  in  June  of  the 
same  year  was  elected  chairman  of  the  Williamson  County  Democratic  Executive  Com- 
mittee. For  twenty  years  he  has  been  one  of  the  leading  politicians  of  this  part  of  Ten- 
nessee. November  2,  1865,  he  wedded  Bettie  Hill,  who  was  born  near  Franklin  in  1S46. 
To  this  union  were  born  five  children:  Minnie,  Metta,  Natus,  Narcissa.  and  Lizzie,  who 
died  in  1884.  Mr.  Haynes  joined  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  1866,  and  he  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  February  24,  1886,  he  was 
appointed  postmaster. 

E.  MARCELLUS  HEARN,  attorney  at  law,  was  born  in  Sumner  County.  Tenn., 
May  7,  1842;  son  of  Whitson  P.  and  Anna  E.  (Dickason)  Hearn,  and  is  of  English  descent. 
The  father  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  April  12,  1820,  and  was  a tiller  of  the  soil. 
He  died  September  14,  1881.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Sumner  Count}',  Tenn..  born 
August  17,  1824,  and  died  May  30,  1884.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  near  Lebanon 
in  Wilson  Count}',  to  which  place  he  removed  with  his  parents  when  but  four  years  of  age. 
He  was  educated  at  Liuwood  Academy  in  Wilson  County,  and  in  1861  he  enlisted  in  the 
Confederate  Army  in  Capt.  Sterling’s  company.  First  Regiment  of  Heavy  Artillery,  com- 
manded by  Andrew  Jackson  Donaldson.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  Columbus,  Ky.,  Island 
No.  10,  Fort  Pillow,  siege  of  Vicksburg  (where  he  was  captured,  paroled  and  exchanged), 
and  the  siege  of  Fort  Morgan,  where  he  was  again  captured.  He  was  taken  to  New  Or- 
leans, thence  by  water  to_  Governor’s  Island.  N.  Y.,  and  later  to  Elmira,  N.  Y..  where  he 
remained  a prisoner  of  war  six  months.  Just  before  the  surrender  he  was  exchanged,  ami 
came  home  in  the  spring  of  1865.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  entered  the  law  depart- 
ment of  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1867. 
He  then  went  to  Memphis  and  began  the  practice  of  law,  which  he  continued  in  that  city 
until  1878,  when  he  came  to  Franklin,  and  here  has  since  continued  the  practice  of  law. 
In  1868  he  wedded  Miss  Louisa  D.  James,  by  whom  he  had  two  children.  Mr>.  Hearn 
was  born  October  25,  1847,  and  died  March  3,  1874.  November  8,  1877,  Mr.  Hearn  mar- 
ried Mar>’  Alice  McEwen,  daughter  of  John  B.  McEwen,  of  Franklin.  To  this  union  was 
born  one  child,  named  John  B.  Our  subject  is  a true  Democrat,  a Mason,  and  a member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  K.  of  II.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal! 


938 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Church  South.  Mr.  Hearn  was  a true  and  brave  soldier,  and  is  a prominent  lawyer  and 
a good  man. 

JOHN  H.  HILL,  was  born  January,  25,  1814,  spent  his  early  life  on  a farm  and  in 
getting  an  education.  In  1839  he  wedded  Miss  Susan  A.  Cox,  daughter  of  Samuel  Cox, 
of  Franklin,  Tenn.  To  this  union  was  born  one  child,  James  R.,  who  died  in  infancy.  In 
1842  Mr.  Hill  married  his  second  wife,  Susan  E.  Hughes,  daughter  of  James  and  Susan 
Hughes,  and  to  his  last  union  Mr.  Hill  became  the  father  of  eight  children:  James  X.. 
Talitia  C.,  John  R.,  Ophelia  H.,  Susan  J.,  Emma  P.,  Mary  W.,  and  Thomas  R..  two  of 
whom  are  dead.  In  1850  Mr.  Hill  moved  to  the  farm  now  known  as  “Harpeth  Home.”  in 
the  Sixth  District  of 'Williamson  County,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  is 
a Democrat  in  politics  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  Our  subject’s  father,  Robert  Hill,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  about  1775,  spend- 
ing his  early  life  on  a farm  and  receiving  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He 
married  Miss  Jane  Fisher,  and  by  this  union  was  the  father  of  these  children:  Joseph  F.. 
James  B.,  Hugh,  John  H.,  Margaret  C.,  Easter  J.  In  1807  Mr.  Hill  immigrated  to  Ten- 
nessee and  located  in  the  Sixth  District.  He  died  here  in  1850. 

CHARLES  H.  HILL,  a prominent  young  farmer,  was  born  in  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  November  5,  1856,  son  of  John  H.  and  Sallie  A.  Hill,  natives  of  Tennessee.  Charles 
H.  received  a liberal  education,  and  early  in  life  was  engaged  in  farming,  but  owing  to 
bad  health  was  obliged  to  abandon  this  work  and  in  1878  commenced  teaching  school  and 
followed  this  occupation  until  1883,  when  his  health  was  much  improved.  In  1879  he  be- 
gan reading  law  with  Thomas  & Turley  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  but  soon  abandoned  this  and 
since  1883  has  been  a tiller  of  the  soil.  lie  owns  100  acres  of  valuable  and  well  improved 
land,  and  his  principal  products  are  corn  and  wheat.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  The  Hill  family  are  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent  and  were  among  the  settlers  and  esteemed  citizens  of  the  count}’. 

JAMES  H.  HOGE  may  be  mentioned  as  a well-to-do  farmer  of  Williamsou  County, 
Tenn.  He  was  born  in  Maury  County  March  28,  1833,  and  was  reared  in  Mount  Pleasant, 
where  he  remained  until  twenty-five  years  of  age,  when  he  moved  near  Columbia  and 
there  resided  twenty-three  years.  He  then  sold  out  and  came  to  Williamson  County, 
where  he  purchased  142  acres  of  land  in  1881.  He  was  in  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  the 
Ninth  Tennessee  Regiment  under  George  Gant.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  fall  of  Fort 
Donelson  and  was  retained  two  months  at  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  and  was  then  taken  to 
Indianapalis,  where  he  remained  five  months  when  he  w’as  exchanged  at  Vicksburg,  Miss. 
James  H.  Hoge  is  a son  of  Harvey  and  Lucy  A.  (Lester)  Hoge.  The  father  w’as  boru  in 
Virginia,  and  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  being  one  of  Maury  County’s  pioneer 
settlers.  He  followed  merchandising  and  became  the  father  of  eight  children;  all  of 
whom  are  dead  save  our  subieet.  The  father  died  in  1856  and  the  mother  in  1868. 

C.  H.  HOSKINS,  son  of  Robert  T.  and  Tennessee  (Abernathy)  Hoskins,  was  born  in 
Davidson  County,  November  22,  1838,  and  received  a common  school  education.  From 
1857  to  1862  he  taught  school  and  then  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
aud  was  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  W’ar.  He  returned  home  in  April,  1865, 
and  commenced  farming  and  has  followed  that  occupation  up  to  the  present  lime.  He 
was  married,  October  26,  1862,  to  Fannie  E.  Mays,  of  Cheatham  County,  Tenn.  To  them 
were  born  these  children:  Charles  II.,  Robert  J.,  John  W.,  Nannie  E.,  James  T.,  Sterling 
F.,  Josie  T.,  Lulu  T.,  Fannie  E.,  and  William  B.  Mr.  Hoskins  is  a supporter  of  Demo- 
cratic principles  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Our  subject’s  father 
\vas  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1809,  and  went  to  Davidson  County  wrhen  a young 
man  and  worked  for  I).  Young.  He  then  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  in  Nashville  in 
1868,  and  after  following  this  several  years  his  health  failed  and  he  retired  from  the  bus- 
iness. He  died  March  22.  1882,  and  his  wife  in  1880. 

WILLIAM  HOUSE,  a member  of  the  Williamson  County  bar,  was  born  in  Franklin, 
December  6,  1849,  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  S.  and  Sarah  J.  (Parks)  House,  and  is  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent.  The  father  of  Mr.  House  w’as  born  in  Williamson  County  in  1822,  aud  in 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


9S9 


his  early  life  was  a Franklin  merchant.  Later  he  began  the  study  of  law  and  was  admit- 
ted to  the  bar  in  1S56.  For  many  years  he  was  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  this  section, 
and  a member  of  the  law  firm  of  Ewiug  & House.  In  1861  he  was  a member  of  the  Ten- 
nessee General  Assembly  and  of  the  Constitutional  Convention  in  1870.  After  the' war  he 
was  one  of  the  first  to  shape  and  advocate  a new  policy  for  the  people  of  this  county. 
Previous  to  the  war  he  was  one  of  the  projectors  of  the  Tennessee  Female  College  at  this 
place  and  with  others  who  were  then  prominent  citizens  he  contributed  both  money  and 
effort  for  the  building  and  success  of  the  college,  etc.,  and  was  secretary  and  treasurer  for 
many  years.  He  was  a prominent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and 
did  much  for  the  church  all  through  life.  He  wedded  Miss  Sarah  J.  Parks,  a native  of  this 
county,  and  left  a large  family,  nearly  all  of  whom  still  reside  in  Williamson  Count}’.  He 
died  July  31,  1876.  No  man  stood  higher  in  the  estimation  of  the  people;  his  life  was  use- 
ful and  “his  end  was  peace.”  Our  subject  received  his  education  at  the  private  schools  in 
Franklin  and  the  University  of  Virginia.  He  began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Judge 
Turley  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1872  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  active  prac- 
tice of  his  profession.  He  is  now  a law  partner  of  Atha  Thomas,  whose  sketch  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  In  1873  he  married  Miss  O.  C.  Wood,  of  Bolivar,  Tenn.  They 
have  five  children.  He  is  a Democrat,  a Mason,  and  he  and  wi  fe  are  leading  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  The  family  is  particularly  traced  to  Mansfield 
House  who  came  here  from  North  Carolina  in  the  very  early  settlement  of  the  county. 

S.  J.  HOUSE,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  June  8,  1855,  son  of 
Samuel  S.  and  Sallie  J.  (Parks)  House,  and  i*  of  English  descent.  He  was  educated  in 
the  Frankliu  schools,  reared  on  a farm  near  the  town,  began  the  study  of  medicine  in 
Franklin  in  1874,  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  James  P.  Manner,  attended  lectures  at  Van- 
derbilt University  at  Nashville,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  March,  1876.  He 
then  located  in  Franklin  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  active  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion. For  nearly  six  years  he  held  the  office  of  jail  physician,  and  in  January,  1885,  he 
was  elected  county  health  officer  of  Williamson  County  and  re-elected  to  the  same 
office  in  January,  1886.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  this  section  and  has  made 
his  own  way  in  life.  December  18,  1884,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Sallie  E.  Gooch, 
of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  daughter  of  N.  and  E.  Gooch,  of  Nashville.  To  our  subject 
and  wife  were  born  one  child,  Evie.  Dr.  House  is  a Democrat,  and  is  a representative  of 
one  of  most  prominent  and  widely  known  families  of  Tennessee.  He  and  wife  are  leading 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

B.  R.  HUGHES,  a native  of  Virginia,  was  born  August  10,  1819,  and  was  the  son  of 
Richard  and  Elizabeth  (Reynolds)  Hughes,  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  immigrated 
to  Tennessee  in  1827.  B.  R.  Hughes,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared  on  a farm  and 
received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  August,  1841,  he  wedded  Mrs.  E.  Cox,  and 
by  her  he  is  the  father  of  six  children,  only  two  of  whom. are  now  living:  George  R.  and 
Narcissie.  Mrs.  Hughes’  death  occurred  during  the  late  civil  war,  she  was  a consistent 
member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  had  the  love  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew 
her.  In  1865  our  subject  wedded  Miss  Nannie  Simmons,  daughter  of  Thomas  Simmons, 
and  by  this  union  is  the  father  of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  living:  James  T..,  Will- 
iam S.  and  Fannie.  In  1874  Mrs.  Hughes  died  and  in  1875  our  subject  wedded  his  present 
wife,  Permelia  A.  Hulme  (Ilungarford),  who  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  Mr.  Hughes  is  an  extensive  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  owning  at  the  present 
about  324  acres  of  good  land.  He  has  been  magistrate  in  his  district  for  about  eight  years 
and  filled  the  office  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner. 

G.  R.  HUGHES,  son  of  B.  R.  and  E.  P.  (Reynolds)  Hughes,  was  born  June  1,  1848. 
and  spent  his  early  life  on  his  father’s  farm  in  the  Sixth  District  of  Williamson  County. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county,  and  later  appeared  on 
life’s  grand  stage  as  a blacksmith  and  wagon-maker.  In  December,  1864,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  at  the  youthful  age  of  seventeen,  and  participated 
in  the  battle  of  Nashville  and  numerous  skirmishes.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned 


62 


990 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


home  and  engaged  in  fanning.  September  20,  1868,  Mr.  Hughes  was  united  in  marriage- 
to  Miss  Narcissie  Johnson,  daughter  of  Louis  Johnson,  of  Williamson  Count}’.  To  this- 
union  were  born  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  now  living:  L.  B.,  Ennis,  Willie  and 
Leonard.  Mrs.  Hughes  is  a worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church.  He  was  elected  magistrate  of  his  district  in  August,  1S82,  which  office  he  now 
fills. 

LEE  HUGHES,  Sr.,  a prominent  citizen  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  in  this 
State  September  6,  1828.  His  father,  Arch  Hughes,  was  born  in  .North  Carolina  Novem- 
ber 28,  1787,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  In  April,  1811,  he  wedded  our  subject’s 
mother,  Martha  Rogers,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  February  10,  1791.  To  this 
union  were  born  ten  children,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  The  mother  died  in  1850, 
and  the  father  followed  in  1854.  Our  subject  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  from- 
early  youth,  and  is  at  present  living  on  the  farm  of  his  birth,  which  he  inherited  from  his 
father.  It  consists  of  225  acres  of  good  land  with  a large  brick  residence  on  it  in  a suita- 
ble location,  and  is  known  as  “Locust  Hill.”  In  1854  our  subject  wedded  Miss  Lucy  Poper 
a native  of  Tennessee,  born  November  4,  1837,  and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Dolly  (Etta) 
Pope,  natives  of  this  State.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hughes  were  born  five  children:  Martha 
A.,  born  May  29,  1855;  Alexander  R.,  born  April  18,  1857;  Nancy  P.,  born  February  17,. 
1859;  Leander,  born  April  9,  1861, "and  an  infant  not  named.  Martha  A.  died  May  14, 
1881.  On  the  22d  of  June,  1863,  our  subject  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics. 

JOHN  H.  HUNTER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenu.,  August  15, 
1828.  within  two  miles  of  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a son  of  Henry  and  Jane  W.  (Ben- 
nett) Hunter,  and  is  of  Irish  descent.  His  father  was  born  in  Chatham  County,  N.  C.,  in 
1786,  and  his  mother  in  the  same  county  in  1801.  They  were  married  in  1821,  and  died  in 
Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1762  and  1871,  respectively.  The  Hunter  family  were  among 
the  very  early  settlers  of  Tennessee.  Our  subject  received  his  rudimentary  education  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  county,  after  which  he  took  an  academic  course  in  Marshall 
County,  Tenn.,  and  finally  completed  his  education  by  a collegiate  course  in  the  Cumber- 
land University  at  Nashville.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  joined  the  Confederate 
Army,  enlisting  in  the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee,  Johnson’s  brigade  and  Hardee’s  corps,  and 
finally  surrendered  at  Appomattox  Court  House,  Ya.  Since  the  war  he  has  farmed,  with 
the  exception  of  two  years  (1867  and  1868)  spent  in  Texas,  ne  was  married,  January  26, 
1859,  to  Miss  Martha  M.  Bennett,  of  Columbus,  Miss.,  who  also  received  a collegiate  edu- 
cation at  Nashville.  They  have  three  children:  Henry,  born  in  1868;  Hendly  B.,  born 
in  1873,  and  Roberta  G.,  a daughter.  Mr.  Hunter  is  a Democrat,  and  is  the  owner  of  1,200 
acres  of  fine  land  and  a model  farmer.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church- 

DR.  GEORGE  B.  HUNTER  was  born  on  the  17th  of  June,  1831,  in  District  No.  3,  of 
Williamson  County, Tenn.  His  parents  were  Henry  and  Jane  (Bennett)  Hunter  (see  sketch 
of  John  H.  Hunter).  Our  subject  is  the  youngest  of  their  five  children  and  spent  his  boy- 
hood days  on  a farm  and  in  attending  the  common  schools.  He  afterward  attended  Jackson 
College  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  read  medicine  with  Dr.  John  W.  Morton,  of  Franklin, 
Tenn.,  and  afterward  graduated  with  high  honors  from  the  Medical  University  of  Phila- 
delphia, Penn.  He  practiced  his  chosen  profession  before  the  war,  when  he  received  an 
injury  by  being  thrown  from  a horse,  which  prevented  his  joining  the  army,  but  left  him 
with  a greater  burden,  that  of  medical  attendant  of  over  sixty  families  of  widows  and  or- 
phans. Since  the  war  he  has  given  his  entire  attention  to  his  large  farm  of  1,300  acres  of 
fine  land.  August  31,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Lou  M.  Bennett,  daughter  of  Judge- 
H.  S.  Bennett,  of  Granada,  Miss.  They  have  one  daughter,  Anna  M.  Dr.  Hunter  was  a 
Whig,  but  is  now  neutral  in  politics.  Mrs.  Hunter  belongs  to  the  Christian  Cburch. 

JAMES  P.  JOHNSON,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn  , is  a 
son  of  Thomas  B.  and  Harriet  C.  (Patterson)  Johnson,  and  was  born  in  Fayette  County, 
Ky.  The  father  was  born  in  the  same  county  in  1808,  and  in  1832  came  to  Tennessee  and 
settled  twelve  miles  south  of  Nashville.  His  occupation  was  farming  and  stock  raising. 


*• 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


991 


About  1840  he  moved  to  Mississippi,  but  soon  returned  and  purchased  the  Laurel  Ilili 
Stock  farm,  which  he  cultivated  very  successfully.  Ke  was,  for  a number  of  years,  pres- 
ident of  the  State  Agricultural  Association,  and  was  contractor  on  the  Nashville  & Chat- 
tanooga Railroad  while  it  was  building.  In  1828  he  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  C. 
Patterson,  of  Virginia,  and  seven  sons  were  born  to  them.  James  P.  and  Andrew  H.  are 
the  only  living  descendants  of  this  union.  Thomas  B.  Johnson  was  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  died  in  1874.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  Nash, 
ville  University  and  graduated  in  1S47.  In  1852  he  began  farming,  but  four  \-ears  later  he 
sold  his  farm  to  the  State  for  the  benefit  of  the  Insane  Asylum.  He  then  purchased  the 
Laurel  Hill  stock  farm,  and  in  1853  became  a member  of  the  firm  of  Johnson,  Brown  &, 
Gibson,  stock  dealers,  but  retired  at  the  end  of  four  years.  In  1853  he  wedded  Sarah  J. 
Sykes,  daughter  of  Jesse  Sykes.  Ten  children  were  born  to  them;  James  W.,  Harriet  L. 
(deceased),  Thomas  B.,  Jesse  S.,  Jennie  S.,  William  A.,  Addie  L.,  James  P..  Audrew  V. 
and  Richard  E.  Mr.  Johnson  and  his  children  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  His  wife  is  a Missionary  Baptist. 

S.  A.  JOYCE  was  born  in  Alabama  November  10,  1S39.  His  father,  Jackson  Joyce, 
was  born  in  Tennessee  about  1810,  and  went  to  Alabama  when  a young  man.  His  moth- 
er, Lutitia  Dunnagee,  was  born  about  1819,  and  died  in  1851;  the  father  followed  in  1866. 
To  their  union  -were  born  six  children,  one  sister  and  the  subject  are  the  only  ones  living. 
Our  subject  followed  farming  until  1865,  when  he  began  trading  in  stock,  and  has  made 
that  a specialty  ever  since.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Seventeenth  Tennessee 
Infantry,  under  Gen.  Crittenden,  and  was  captured  near  Cleveland,  East  Tenu.  He  was 
then  taken  to  Rock  Island,  where  he  was  held  about  eighteen  months.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  returned  home,  and  in  1868  was  married  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  (Sheppard)  Holt, 
widow  of  John  H.  Holt,  and  daughter  of  Clinton  and  Polly  (Riggs)  Sheppard.  By  his 
union  with  Mrs.  Holt  our  subject  became  the  step-father  of  three  Holt  children,  named: 
Eva,  born  April  30,  1857;  Willie,  born  January  10,  1860,  and  Josie,  born  September  13, 
1863,  and  the  father  of  five  children:  Joseph,  born  November  7,  1868;  Maggie,  born  Feb- 
ruary 19,  1870;  Mary  E.,  born  June  30,  1872;  Eula,  born  October  28,  1874,  and  Samuel  M„ 
born  May  27,  1878.  Mrs.  Joyce  died  June  25,  1884.  In  1870  he  moved  to  his  farm,  which 
contains  100  acres  of  medium  land,  and  is  situated  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county. 
The  principal  products  of  this  farm  are  corn  and  small  grain.  lie  has  a neat  residence, 
situated  near  the  pike  and  two  miles  from  Alisona.  He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church  and  a stanch  Democrat  in  politics. 

DAVID  J.  KENNEDAY,  dry  goods  merchant,  was  born  in  Oxford,  Lafayette  Co., 
Miss.,  August  21,  1850,  son  of  D.  J.  and  Eliza  (Harris)  Kenneday,  and  is  of  Irish  lineage. 
The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1816.  In  early  life  he  emigrated  from  North 
Carolina  to  Mississippi.  He  was  married  twice,  and  is  the  father  of  eleven  children.  He 
now  resides  in  Mississippi.  The  mother  was  born  near  La  Grange,  Miss.,  and  died  in  that 
State  in  1852.  Our  subject  was  the  fifth  child  by  his  father’s  first  union.  He  received  his 
education  at  Oxford  (Miss.)  University,  and  in  1867  he  came  to  Franklin  and  began  clerk- 
ing in  a store.  In  1869  he  accepted  a position  in  the  dry  goods  house  of  J.  W.  Harrison, 
and  with  him  remained  as  salesman  until  March,  1885,  when  he  became  a member  of  the 
firm  of  Smithson,  Kenneday,  Hodge  & Co.,  the  leading  dry  goods  firm  of  Franklin, 
and  is  doing  a successful  business.  January,  1876,  he  wedded  Miss  Florence  Scruggs, 
of  this  county,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Angeline  Scruggs.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenneday 
were  born  five  children:  Joseph  S.,  Annie  I).,  David  J.  (twins),  James  W.  and  Theodore. 
Mrs.  Kenneday  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church  and  Mr.  Kenneday  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a Democrat,  a prominent  young  business  man  and  a true 
gentleman. 

DR.  T.  H.  KENNEDY  is  the  son  of  Richard  and  Martha  R.  (Early)  Kennedy,  niece  of 
Bishop  Early.  Richard  Kennedy  became  the  father  of  eight  children  and  in  his  religious 
views  was  a Baptist.  Our  subject  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Virginia.  He  was  born 
October  25,  1827,  and  was  educated  in  the  Old  Dominion.  In  1848  he  entered  the  Phila- 


■ 


992 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


delphia  College  of  Medicine,  and,  after  graduating  in  1S50,  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and 
began  practicing  his  profession.  The  same  year  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar  Miss  Sallie 
H.  Waldron,  of  Virginia,  who  died  in  1851.  He  afterward  married  Miss  Fannie  H.  Hum- 
phries, who  is  a woman  of  intelligence  and  is  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a helpmeet.  Dr. 
Kennedy  owns  a line  farm,  comprising  265  acres  of  fertile  and  well  cultivated  laud  in  the 
Fourth  District  of  Williamson  County,  and  he  may  truly  be  said  to  be  a leading  citizen. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

JOHN  W.  KING  was  born  in  Rockingham  County,  N.  C.,  April  27,  ISOS.  His 
parents,  William  and  Mary  King,  were  married  about  1S07,  and  came  to  Tennessee 
three  years  later.  The  father  was  a farmer.and  he  and  wife  became  the  parents  of  the 
following  children:  John  W.,  George  P.,  Elizabeth,  Leana  P.,  Marj',  Alias,  William, 
Thomas,  James,  Robert  and  Nancy.  William  King  the  father,  died  in  1863,  and  the 
mother  in  1834.  Our  subject  received  a limited  education.  January  2,  1834,  he  wedded 
Lucy  A.  Alston,  who  was  born  March  26,  1810,  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  II.  Alston,  of 
North  Carolina.  Our  subject  owns  350  acres  of  land  on  which  he  settled  in  1835.  He  has 
succeeded  quite  well  in  his  financial  undertaking  and  is  very  comfortably  situated.  Mr. 

. and  Mrs.  King  became  the  parents  of  this  family:  John  A.,  James  C.,  Thomas  S.,  Will- 
iam, Mary  E.,  Eliza,  Laura  J.,  Sarah  J.  and  oue  infant  son.  Mr.  King  is  a Democrat,  and 
he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

WILLIAM  KING,  undertaker  and  funeral  director  at  Nolensville,  Tenn.,  was  born 
October  7,  1841,  in  Williamson  Count}',  Tenn,  and  secured  a fair  education  in  the  country 
schools.  He  farmed  until  1869,  when  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  general  merchandise 
business  in  Nolensville.  but  in  1872  sold  out  this  store  and  has  since  been  engaged  in 
his  present  business,  in  which  he  has  been  quite  successful.  His  marriage  to  Annie  Mas- 
sey was  celebrated  in  1869.  She  was  born  in  1852,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Thomas  J.  and 
Frances  C.  Massey,  who  were  born  in  Tennessee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  were  the  parents  of 
two  children — a son  and  daughter:  William  E.  and  Fannie  G.  Mrs.  King  died  in  1873, 
and  a year  later  Mr.  King  wedded  Addie  King,  born  in  1852,  her  parents  being  Benjamin 
and  Susan  J.  King,  natives  of  Tennessee.  Our  subject  and  wife  became  the  parents  of 
the  following  children:  Susie  M.,  Lucy  E.,  Walter  H.,  Bessie  L.  and  John  M.  Husband 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  belongs  to  the  K. 
of  II.  and  in  politics  is  a Democrat.  Mr.  King  was  a soldier  in  the  Twentieth  Tennessee 
Regiment  of  Volunteers  under  Col.  Battle,  and  was  in  many  of  the  principle  engagements 
of  the  war. 

B.  F.  KING  was  born  June  2.  1S56,  and  was  the  sou  of  John  B.  and  Sarah  V.  Philips. 
The  father  was  a native  of  Portugal  aud  spent  his  boyhood  at  home,  receiving  a common 
school  education.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  left  home  and  took  passage  as  cabin  boy  in 
a ship  engaged  in  the  slave  trade  running  from  Africa  to  South  America;  while  on  the 
voyage  the  ship  was  captured  by  an  English  cruiser  and  the  prisoners  taken  to  the  near- 
est English  port.  Here  the  boy  was  released,  owing  to  his  youth.  He  afterward  came  to 
America  and  located  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  engaged  in  the  block  aud  tackle  busi- 
ness used  in  erecting  the  State  Capitol.  Here  he  remained  about  seven  years  and  while  in 
Nashville  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Philips  and  by  her  had  one  child,  viz. : John  A.  Mr. 
King  lost  his  wife  in  1847  and  the  following  year  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Virginia  Philips, 
sister  of  his  former  wife  and  the  mother  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  King  died  February,  1867. 
She  was  ajnember  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mr.  King  is  still  living  on 
his  farm  in  the  Twelth  District  of  Davidson  County.  He  is  a Democrat,  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  also  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Our  sub- 
ject spent  his  life  on  a farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  school.  At  the  age 
of  seventeen  he  left  the  home  of  his  youth,  went  to  Nashville  and  served  an  apprentice- 
ship at  the  carpenter’s  trade.  He  remained  here  five  years  after  which  he  went  to  Clarks 
‘ ville  where  he  worked  at  his  trade.  In  1883  he  came  to  Forest  Home,  in  the  Sixth  District 
\ of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  B.  F.  Tatum. 
^ The  following  vear  he  bought  out  his  partner.  November  26,  1884,  he  wedded  Miss  Ella 

i y. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


993 


Hows,  daughter  of  Jack  Hows,  of  Davidson  Count}*.  To  this  union  was  born  one  child, 
Albert  Edward.  Mr.  King  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  also  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a Democrat  iu  politics. 

CLAIBOURNE  H.  KINNARD,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  October 
1,  1857.  Here  he  was  reared  and  educated,  attending  the  Southwestern  Presbyterian  Uni- 
versity at  Clarksville.  In  1S77-7S  he  attended  the  Vanderbilt  University  and  took  a course 
of  lectures  in  the  medical  department.  October  17,  1S82,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca 
Campbell,  of  Williamson  County,  and  daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  Campbell.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Kinnard  were  born  two  children:  Rebecca  M.  and  Claibourue  H.  Mr.  Kinnard 
owns  540  acres  of  fine  land,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
His  parents  were  Claibourne  H.  and  Elizabeth  (Fleming)  Kinnard.  The  father  was  born 
and  raised  in  Williamson  County,  and  by  occupation  was  a farmer.  In  1834  he  married 
our  subject’s  mother,  who  was  a daughter  of  William  Fleming,  and  the  following  seven 
children  were  born  to  them:  Ann  F.,  Susan  E.,  Adella  B.,  George,  OrlenaC.,  Kate  C.  and 
Claibourne  H.  The  father  died  in  1863,  and  the  mother  August  29,  18S4. 

GEORGE  M.  KITTRELL,  son  of  M.  J.  and  Annie  A.  (Hunter)  Kittrell,  was  born 
December,  20,  1829,  near  Mount  Pleasant,  Maury  County.  The  parents  were  born 
in  North  Carolina,  and  about  1814  the  father  came  to  Tennessee  and  followed  the  occupa- 
tion of  farming.  To  him  and  wife  were  born  seven  children:  Riddic,  Loretta,  Martha, 
Jacob,  George  M.,  Armesa  and  Eudora.  George  M.,  Reddic  and  Loretta  are  the  only  ones 
living.  The  father  died  in  1874  and  the  mother  in  1854  or  1855.  George  M.  attended  the 
Mount  Pleasant  school,  aud  in  1855  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  W.  Fleming, 
daughter  of  Thomas  F.  Fleming.  They  have  fivechildien:  Whitney  F.,  Laura  R.,  William 
H.,  Thomas  F.  aud  Annie  A.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  Mr.  Kittrell  was  living  in  Ar 
kausas  and  enlisted  in  McNeal’s  regiment  (Infantry),  and  was  iu  many  engagements. 
After  the  war  he  lived  in  Mount  Pleasant,  Tenn.,  nine  years,  and  in  1875 located  on  a farm 
in  Williamson  County,  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  South,  and  is  a good  citizen. 

ROBERT  H.  KITTRELL  is  a son  of  George  and  Bettie  (Rutherford)  Kittrell,  and  was 
born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  November  30,  1839.  The  father  was  a North  Carolinian  by 
birth,  and  in  1805  immigrated  to  Tennessee  aud  settled  in  Maury  County,  near  Hampshire. 
He  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  owned  considerable  land  in  that  county.  He  and  our  subject’s 
mother  were  married  in  1818  and  thirteen  children  were  born  to  them,  four  being  dead. 
Those  living  are  Elizabeth,  James,  William,  George,  John.  Benjamin.  Adaliue,  Robert  H. 
and  Rufus.  George  Kittrell,  the  father,  died  in  1868,  and  the  mother  in  1861.  Both  were 
members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Our  subject  attended  the  common  schools  in  boyhood, 
and  in  1861  enlisted  in  the  First  Tennessee  (Cavalry)  Regiment,  under  Col.  Wheeler,  and 
was  a participant  in  most  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  late  war,  and  surrendered  at 
Durham,  N.  C.,  in  April,  1865.  In  1857  he  was  married  to  Miss  Josephine  McDonald,  and 
their  three  children  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Kittrell  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business 
in  Isom’s  Store,  Tenn.,  for  about  nine  or  ten  years,  when  he  sold  his  interest  aud  moved 
to  Williamson  County.  For  his  second  wife  he  took  Miss  Sue  Underwood,  in  1883.  They 
have  had  two  children  born  to  them.  Blanche  C.  and  Anna  L.,  who  died  October  4,  1885. 
Our  subject  owns  a fine  stock  farm  and  is  a prosperous  agriculturist. 

GILBERT  II.  LAMB,  resident  and  farmer  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born 
April  11,  1829,  aud  is  the  son  of  Davis  and  Mary  (Evans)  Lamb,  natives  of  North  Carolina 
who  settled  in  Tennessee  in  1810.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children — seven  daughters 
and  three  sons,  namely:  Charity,  Penina,  William,  Luticia,  Hannah  T.,  Abraham,  Celia, 
Gilbert  H.,  Mary  and  Elizabeth.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  a very  limited  edu- 
cation in  the  common  schools,  and  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  from  boy- 
hood. He  settled  on  his  farm  of  109  acres  in  1859,  where  he  has  been  quite  successful  in 
his  calling,  and  has  a comfortable  home.  April  7,  1853,  he  was  married  to  Matilda  A. 
Vernon,  who  was  born  January  28,  1829,  daughter  of  Obadiah  and  Ellen  Vernon,  who 
were  born  in  North  Carolina.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight  children:  Will- 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


0D4 


iam  II.,  George  D.,  Abraham,  Martha.  Louis  M.,  Mary  F..  Cora  A.  and  Gilbert  T.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Lamb  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

Dll  HIRAM  A.  LAWS  is  a son  of  Col.  John  and  Mary  M.  (Cathey)  Laws.  The 
father  was  born  in  Orange  County,  N.  C..  and  came  to  Teuuessce  in  182S  and  settled  at 
Chapel  Hill,  Marshall  County.  He  was  a farmer  and  represented  Marshall  County  three 
times  in  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature  and  one  time  the  upper  house.  He  was 
also  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  filled  every  office  from  justice  of  the  peace  to  State  senator. 
He  died  in  1874.  Hiram  A.  Laws  was  born  November  10,  1850,  in  Marshall  County,  and 
attended  the  common  schools.  He  also  studied  medicine  in  the  University  of  Xashvile  and 
graduated  from  the  same  in  1873.  He  practiced  some  time  at  Thompson’s  Station  and  in 
1884  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel.  In  1877  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Thompson, 
daughter  of  Dr.  Elijah  Thompson,  and  to  them  these  children  were  born  : Daisy  C..  E. 
II.  and  Mary  F.  Dr.  Laws  is  in  good  circumstances,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and  are  one  of  the  leading  families  in  the  count)’. 

JOSHUA  B.  LILLIE,  proprietor  of  the  Franklin  Flouring  mills, was  born  near  Water- 
town,  N.  Y.,  September  6,  1828,  son  of  James  and  Caroline  (Akins)  Lillie,  and  is  of 
French-Dutch  descent.  The  father  of  Mr.  Lillie  was  born  in  New  York  and  the  mother 
in  Connecticut.  They  both  died  in  Canada.  When  our  subject  was  six  years  of  age  he 
was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Canada,  where  he  received  a common  school  education, 
and  served  an  apprenticeship  as  house  carpenter  and  joiner.  Continued  this  business  until 
1861.  He  came  to  Tennessee  in  1855,  and  in  1S64  engaged  in  the  saw-mill  business, 
which  he  continued  until  1869.  He  then  bought  the  Franklin  Mill,  which  was  then 
very  imperfect,  and  began  at  once  to  improve  it  and  adopted  the  “ roller  process  ” in 
18S4.  The  capacity  now  is  200  barrels  of  flour  per  each  twenty -four  hours  and  500  bushels 
of  meal.  In  1860  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sallie  M.  Smith,  of  this  county,  and  is  the 
father  of  an  interesting  family  of  three  children  : Emma,  James  and  Pryor.  During  the 
late  war  he  was  a Union  man,  and  is  now  a Republican  in  principle.  His  first  wife  died 
in  1875  and  the  next  year  he  married  Lucy  A.  Smith,  a sister  of  his  first  wife.  He  and 
wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  millers  of 
the  South,  and  is  a fair  business  man. 

THOMAS  MAHON,  Sk.,  was  born  January  6,  1779,  in  County  Cork.  Ireland.  He  was 
of  wealthy  parentage  and  a descendant  of  one  of  the  noblest  families  of  the  Emerald 
Isle.  He  was  educated  for  the  priesthood,  but  as  that  life  was  not  congenial  to  him  he 
never  assumed  the  duties  of  a priest.  At  the  age  of  sixecen  he  left  his  home  in  Dublin. 
Ireland,  and  came  to  New  York  to  transact  some  important  business  for  his  father,  who 
was  a merchant,  and  being  charmed  with  this  country,  determined  to  make  the  “land  of 
the  free”  his  future  home.  After  residing  five  years  longer  in  Ireland  he  returned  to 
America  and  spent  some  time  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  married  Miss  Abigail  Sliute.  a 
young  lady  of  French  descent,  and  a resident  of  North  Carolina,  who  only  lived  a few 
years,  and  died  in  1808  when  their  only  child  was  two  years  old.  Five  years  later  Mr. 
Mahon  wedded  Miss  Emily  T.  Brooks  and  came  to  Maury  County,  Teun.,  where  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a teacher  for  many  years,  and  for  a long  time  was  sur- 
veyor of  Maury  County.  He  and  his  son  by  his  first  wife,  Thomas  E.,  were  for  many 
years  engaged  in  erecting  mills,  but  the  venture  proved  disastrous.  They  lost,  by  flood-* 
and  other  misfortunes,  seven  mills  and  a factor)’.  Mr.  Mahon  died  in  1856  and  bis  widow 
in  1872.  Thomas  E.  Mahon,  Jr.,  was  born  February  1,  1806,  in  North  Carolina,  and  came 
to  Tennessee  with  his  father.  He  married  Nannie  B.  Brooks,  April  7,  1841.  She  was 
born  July  17,  1818,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Jones)  Brooks,  who  came  to  Tennes- 
see from  North  Carolina  on  horseback.  The  father  was  a good  farmer  and  operated  one 
of  the  finest  mills  in  Tennessee.  At  his  death  he  left  a handsome  legacy  to  each  of  his 
thirteen  children.  Thomas  E.  Mahon,  like  his  father,  was  for  many  years  a school 
teacher  and  county  surveyor.  He  and  his  wife  became  the  parents  of  the  following 
family  : Thomas  E.,  Martha  M.,  James,  William  S.,  George  W.,  Brooks,  John  and  Julia. 
His  life  was  characterized  by  Lis  strong  religious  principles  and  conscientious  in- 

o 


' 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


995 


tegrity.  He  was  educated  in  Jackson  College.  He  died  July  14,  18S3,  leaving  liis  widow 
and  seven  surviving  children. 

JOHN  W.  MALLORY  is  a native  of  Northampton  County,  Ya.,  born  in  1780,  and 
came  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1S12,  locating  on  a farm  near  Franklin  in  1814. 
The  same  year  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Crockett,  daughter  of  Andrew  Crockett, 
of  this  county.  To  them  were  born  these  six  children  : Lucinda,  Andrew  C.,  James  H.- 
John,  Newton  and  Sarah  E.  Lucinda  is  the  only  one  now  living.  The  son,  James  H. 
Mallory,  was  born  March  14,  1818,  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Nashville,  and  was 
afterward  a teacher  in  Franklin  and  Gallatin.  He  established  a nursery  on  the  farm 
owned  by  his  father,  and  carried  on  this  business  very  successfully  until  his  death  January 
19,  1857.  He  wedded  Miss  Susan  S.  Jones,  of  Logan  County,  Ky.,  in  1855,  who  bore  him 
one  child,  J.  W.  Mallory,  who  was  born  June  29,  1856,  and  received  a common  school 
education,  and  May  23,  1878,  wedded  Miss  Mamie,  daughter  of  Thomas  S.  Buford,  of 
Williamson  County.  They  have  two  children:  Clarence  B.  and  Mamie  L.  J.  W.  Mallory 
owns  200  acres  of  land,  where  his  grandfather,  John  W.  Mallory,  settled.  Mr.  Mallory  is 
a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

CLEMENT  W.  MALLORY  is  a son  of  Philip  and  Martha  (Nance)  Mallory,  and  was 
born  March  25,  1833.  Philip  Mallory  was  born  in  Virginia  and  came  to  Tennessee  at  an 
early  day,  locating  in  White  County.  He  afterward  became  a brick  contractor  in  Nash- 
ville and  "was  a soldier  in  the  vrar  of  1812.  Of  a large  family  born  to  him  these  are  liv- 
ing: Elizabeth,  Clement  W.,  William  M.,  Mary  A.,  Harriet  S.  and  Josiah.  The  father 
died  of  cholera  in  1854.  His  wife  died  in  1849.  Clement  W.  Mallory  -was  educated  in 
Nashville,  and  his  first  work  for  himself  was  done  for  a dry  goods  firm  of  that  city.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Col.  Ewing’s  company,  and  participated  in 
many  battles  of  note.  On  account  of  physical  disability  he  was  discharged,  and  since 
that  time  has  resided  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  a thrifty  farmer.  He  was  mar- 
ried, in  1865,  to  Malissa  Fleming,  and  they  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Lemuel  P., 
Martha  J.  (deceased  in  1874)  and  John  R.  Mr.  Mallory  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  and  his  wife  is  a Baptist. 

FULTON  A.  MAYBERRY,  son  of  AmericusC.  and  Elizabeth  M.  (Dotson)  Mayberry, 
was  bom  October  17,  1851,  in  Williamson  Count}’,  Tenn.  His  father  was  born  in  Tennes- 
see and  his  grandfather  in  Virginia,  and  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day.  He  w’as  a 
mechanic  and  started  in  life  very  poor,  financially,  but  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1840, 
was  worth  $150,000.  Amcricus  Mayberry  was  a farmer  and  owned  a large  tract  of  land 
in  Williamson  County.  He  was  a successful  farmer  and  business  man,  and  at  one  time 
sold  family  groceries  in  Columbia,  but  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  sold  his  stock  of 
goods  and  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  ‘ He  wras  the  father  of  six  children:  Fulton 
(deceased),  John  41.  (deceased),  Fulton  A.,  John  H.,  Presley  (deceased)  and  Nannie. 
Americus  Mayberry  died  in  November.  1868.  a believer  in  the  Methodist  faith.  His 
widow  married  II.  G.  Mayberry,  a brother  of  her  first  husband,  and  is  living  in  William- 
son County.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  was  educated  at  Franklin,  and  in 
1879  was  married  to  Miss  Nannie  Seal,  daughter  of  W.  H.  Seal.  They  have  one  child  : 
Bessie.  Mr.  Mayberry  owns  626  acres  of  land  in  Williamson  County,  and  is  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  The  family  are  of  English  descent. 

W.  L.  McCALL,  a prominent  citizen  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Tennessee,  March  15, 
1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Lycurgus  and  Emeline  M.  (Hartley)  McCall.  The  father  was 
born  in  Tennessee  December  19,  1814,  and  married  our  subject’s  mother  January  26,  1837. 
The  mother  was  also  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  October  15,  1817.  She  died  October  4, 
1866.  and  the  father  followed  September  23,  1877.  Our  subject's  grandfather,  Laburu 
Hartley,  and  grandmother,  Nancy  Carson,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  emigrated  to  Ten- 
nesee  about  1800.  Our  subject  has  followed  farming  from  early  childhood,  with  the 
exception  of  two  years  when  he  wras  elected  as  constable.  In  1866  he  wedded  Miss  Mar- 
ilda  Irvin,  a native  of  this  State,  born  September,  1842,  and  the  daughter  of  Andrew  and 
Elizabeth  (Evans)  Irvin.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  December  17,  1801,  and 


. • • 


99G 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ried  March  27,  ISG8.  The  mother  was  also  born  in  North  Carolina.  To  our  subject  and 
wife  were  born  six  children:  Dora  M.,  born  1866;  Anna  L.,  born  1867;  Lizzie  E.,  bom 
1870;  Wallace  E.,  born  1872;  Andrew  L.,  born  1875,  and  Louisa  J.,  born  1S79.  Mr.  Me- 
Call  has  109  acres  of  medium  land,  situated  in  the  southeast  portion  of  the  county.  He 
is  a member  of  the  masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a stanch  Republican. 

AARON  C.  McCORD  is  a native  of  Williamson  County.,  Tenn.,  born  October  3, 
1823,  son  of  James  and  Rebecca  (Curtis)  McCord,  natives  of  Georgia  and  North  Carolina, 
respectively.  In  1300  the  father  came  to  Tennessee.  He  was  a cabinet-maker  by  trade, 
but  also  followed  farming  on  a small  scale.  He  and  wife  became  the  parents  of  twelve 
children:  Mary,  Martha  J.,  Russell,  Myra,  Aaron  C..  Benjamin  S.,  Calvin,  Marshall  P., 
James  A.,  Harriet,  Fountain  and  Sarah  J.  Mary  and  Martha  are  dead.  Benjamin  S., 
and  Marshall  P.  left  Tennessee  before  the  war,  and  have  never  been  heard  of  since. 
Husband  and  wife  died  in  1849  and  1841,  respectively.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools,  and  in  1843  was  married  to  Miss  Elmina  Caskey,  of  Maury  County,  and 
to  them  were  born  the  following  children:  James  C.  (deceased).  Russell  F.,  William  F., 
Milton  A.,  Rebecca  J.  and  John  Wesley  (deceased).  In  1S75  Mr.  John  McCord  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace  for  the  Eleventh  District,  Williamson  County.,  and  still  holds 
that  office.  He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a representa- 
tive man.  of  the  county. 

JAMES  McE WEN  is  a son  of  Maj.  J.  L.  and  Tabitha  H.  (Barfield)  McEweu,  and 
was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  The  father 
was  bom  in  Madison  County,  Ky.,  in  1794.  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents,  in 
1798.  He  was  major  of  the  State  militia  in  Williamson  County,  and  was  a soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812.  He  was  a farmer  anti  >\  married  in  1821 . The  father  died  April  15, 1879,  and 
the  mother  December  28,  1853.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  David  McEwen,  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  in  1756,  and  came  to  Indiana  in  1798,  where  he  died  in  1821.  James  McEwen 
received  an  academic  education,  and  resided  with  his  parents  until  the  breaking  out  of 
the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  First  Tennessee  Infantry,  in  April,  1861.  After 
his  return  home  iu  May,  1865,  he  took  charge  of  his  father’s  plantation,  and  now  owns 
550  acres  of  as  good  land  as  there  is  in  the  county.  Mr.  McEwen  makes  a specialty  of 
raising  fine  stock,  and  was  the  breeder  and  owner  of  the  celebrated  trotting  mare, 
Annie  W.  Mr.  McEwen ’s  house,  one  of  the  best  and  oldest  brick  houses  in  the  county, 
was  destroyed  by  fire  April  6,  1877.  He  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party. 

JOHN  McGAVOCK  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  April  2,  1815,  son  of 
Randal  and  Sarah  (Rogers)  McGavock.  The  family  are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and 
Randal  was  born  in  Virginia  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1786,  locating  in  Nashville,  where 
he  was  clerk  of  the  superior  court  and  clerk  of  the  land  office.  In  1825  he  moved  to 
Williamson.  County,  and  located  near  Franklin.  He  was  married  in  1810  and  became  the 
father  of  these  four  children:  John,  Mart’,  Elizabeth  and  James  R.,  all  being  dead  ex- 
cept our  subject.  Randal  McGavock  died  in  1843  and  his  wife  in  1850.  They  were 
pioneer  settlers  of  Tennessee,  and  leave  a name  behind  them  that  will  remain  green  in 
the  hearts  of  those  who  knew  them.  John,  our  subject , was  educated  at  the  University 
of  Nashville  and  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1837.  He  has  always  been  a fanner. 
In  1848  he  wedded  Miss  Carrie  Winder,  of  Louisana,  and  two  children  were  born  to  them: 
Winder  and  Hattie.  In  1845  he  was  appointed  colonel  in  the  Army  of  the  Tennessee  by 
James  K.  Polk,  and  was  made  director  of  the  Bank  of  Tennessee  by  Andrew  Johnson, 
which  office  he  held  eight  years.  Mr.  McGavock  has  always  been  a Democrat  and  cast 
his  first  presidential  vote  for  Martin  Van  Buren. 

WILLIAM  S.  McLEMORE.  circuit  judge,  was  born  ten  miles  south  of  Franklin,  in 
Williamson  County,  February  1,  1830,  son  of  A.  J.  and  Bethenia  S.  (Dabney)  McLemore, 
and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  this  county  in 
1801,  and  died  here  in  1849.  The  mother  was  born  in  1803  and  died  in  1857.  Of  thirteen 
children  born,  our  subject  was  the  fifth  child  and  second  son.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm 
and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  neighborhood  in  which  he  lived. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


997 


At  seventeen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  Transylvania  University  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  and 
in  1849  he  entered  Lebanon  Law  School,  where  he  graduated  in  1851.  In  the  same  year 
he  began  to  practice  in  Franklin,  and  in  1856  he  was  elected  county  court  clerk,  and  held 
this  office  until  1860,  when  he  declined  re-election  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  In 
1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  Confederate  States  Army,  and 
was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  then  captain,  major,  and  in  186-3  was  commissioned  colonel. 
The  last  six  months  he  was  colonel,  commanding  a brigade  of  cavalry,  and  was  a brave 
and  gallant  soldier.  In  1SG5  he  returned  home  and  immediately  began  the  practice  of 
law,  which  he  continued  until  1872  when  he  was  elected  criminal  judge,  the  circuit  then 
being  composed  of  Williamson,  Maury,  Marshall  and  Giles  Counties.  He  held  this  office- 
six  years  and  in  1S7S  -was  elected  circuit  judge  of  the  Ninth  Judicial  Circuit;  his  present 
term  expires  in  August,  1SS6.  He  has  made  a splendid  record  as  judge,  and  as  a lawyer 
has  been  quite  successful.  May  15,  1856,  he  wedded  Miss  Anna  S.  Wharton,  daughter  of 
Dr.  W.  II.  Wharton,  of  Nashville.  To  Judge  McLemore  and  wife  were  born  five  children: 
Annie  L.,  Betheuia,  Albert  S.,  William  W.  and  Lizzie  M.  He  was  formerly  a Whig  but 
since  the  war  has  been  a thorough  Democrat.  He  is  a Mason  and  a member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  South.  Mrs.  McLemore  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  A.  MILLER,  a native  of  Maury  County,  was  born  November  25,  1838,  and  is 
the  son  of  W.  W.  and  Susan  J.  (Hadley)  Miller.  The  father  is  a native  of  Tennessee,  and 
spent  his  early  life  in  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  common 
schools.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  The  mother  died  at  her  residence  in 
Maury  County  in  1SS3.  Our  subject,  in  1855,  entered  the  Jackson  College,  at  Columbia, 
Tenn.,  where  he  finished  his  education  Mav  1.  1861,  Mr.  Miller  enlisted  in  Company  G 
First  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh.  Chiekamauga  and 
other  engagements.  In  1S64  Mr.  Miller  was  captured  and  carried  to  Fort  Delaware, 
where  he  was  paroled  February  6,  1865.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  in 
December,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Miss  B.  A.  Brown,  daughter  of  Thomas  Brown,  of 
Williamson  County,  Term.,  who  wasborn'iu  Virginia,  near  the  old  battle-field  of  Manassas. 
In  early  life  he  immigrated  to  Tennessee,  locating  near  Nashville,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
nine  he  married  Miss  Nancy  Allison,  of  Davidson  County,  and  after  her  death  was  wed- 
ded to  Mrs.  Hunter.  Mr.  Brown  died  in  February,  1870,  and  was  a worth}*  member  of 
the  Christian  Church.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  six  children:  John,  Maggie  B., 
Thomas  B.,  William  W.,  Joe  A.  B.  and  Mary  M.,  deceased.  January  1,  1874,  he  moved 
to  the  Sixth  District  of  Williamson  County,  to  the  farm  known  as  “Old  Town,”  where 
he  now  resides.  Mr.  Miller  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity,  and  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

J.  G.  MOODY,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  the  Fourteenth  District  of  Williamson 
County,  Term.,  was  born  December  27,  1838,  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of 
two  children  of  William  and  Eliza  B.  (Roy)  Moody.  The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee 
and  was  of  Scotch  descent.  He  was  a farmer  and  married  in  1830,  and  died  August  14, 
1841.  The  mother  was  born  October  12,  1818,  and  survives  her  husband.  Our  subject 
was  reared  in  his  native  county  and  was  educated  in  the  country  schools.  When  only 
fourteen  years  of  age  he  left  home  aud  learned  the  carpenter’s  trade,  at  which  he  worked 
fourteen  years.  At  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities,  in  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
First  Tennessee  Volunteers,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Chiekamauga.  Franklin,  Nashville 
and  Stone  River.  December* 30, 1867,  he  wedded  Mary  Lou  (Page)  Moody,  born  December 
17,  1847,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  daughter  of  J.  T.  and  Mary  (Harrisou)Moody.  Our 
subject  and  wife  have  seven  children:  William  P.,  James  A..  John  T..  Charley  E.,  Mary 
O..  Walter  B.  and  Ida.  51  r.  Moody  supports  Democratic  principles  and  is  a member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ALEXANDER  MOORE,  an  old  and  retired  farmer,  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  N. 
C.,  March  2,  1793,  son  of  James  and  Eleanor  (Irvin)  Moore.  The  father  of  Mr.  Moore  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  in  1764,  and  died  in  Tennessee  in  1838.  The  mother  was  also  born 
in  North  Carolina  in  1771,  and  died  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1809.  Our  subject's 


*998 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


grandfather,  Gen.  Robert  Irvin,  was  a delegate  to  the  Independent  Convention  at  Char- 
lotte, N.  C.,  in  May.  1775.  Our  subject  is  the  fourth  of  seven  children.  His  eldest  broth- 
er. Robert  I.  Moore,  was  born  in  1791,  and  was  a leading  merchant  in  Nashville  for  many 
years;  he  died  in  that  city  in  1848.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm.  In  1818 
he  began  leaching  school,  and  continued  that  occupation  until  1825,  when  he  began  farm- 
ing, and  this  he  continued  successfully  until  1874.  when  he  removed  to  Franklin,  and  here 
he  now  resides.  He  still  owns  380  acres  of  fine  land  and  the  place  is  known  as  Mooie’s 
Lane.  In  1824  lie  married  Miss  Nancy  Merritt,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  born 
in  18(H).  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  have  now  lived  together  for  sixty-two  years,  perhaps  the 
oldest  couple  in  the  county.  They  have  one  child,  James  P.,  now  a prosperous  farmer. 
Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  cast  his  first  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson  in  1824.  He  has  been 
successful  in  life  and  one  of  the  first  men  of  this  couuty.  He  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  B.  MURREY  was  horn  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  July  6,  1822,  and  spent 
his  boyhood  on  his  father’s  farm,  receiving  his  education  in  the  commonschool.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-two  he  wedded  Miss  Adaline  Wilson,  a daughter  of  Thomas  Wilson,  a na- 
tive of  North  Carolina,  but  a resident  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Murrey  were  born  two  children:  Sallie  E.  aud  Maggie  J.  In  1846  our  subject  moved  to 
the  Eleventh  District  in  Davidson  County,  and  was  elected  collector  and  served  his  county 
in  that  capacity  as  well  as  deput}'  sheriff  until  1861.  In  the  spring  of  1872  he  moved  to 
the  Sixth  District  in  Williamson  County,  on  the  farm  known  as  ‘Mount  Pier,”  where  he 
uow  resides.  His  farm  contains  1,173  acres.  He  is  a member  of  the  Old  School  Presby- 
terian Church  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and 
has  been  since  quite  young.  Our  subject  is  the  son  of  Ennis  and  Anna  (Buchanan)  Mur- 
rey, natives,  respectively,  of  Tennessee  and  Virginia.  The  father  was  born  m 1795,  and 
received  a common  school  education  by  his  own  exertions.  In  1818  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Anna  Buchanan,,  daughter  of  John  Buchanan,  a native  of  Virginia.  In  1822  our  subject's 
father  was  elected  collecting  officer  of  his  district.  Ill  1833  he  went  to  Nashville  and  lo- 
cated on  a farm  where  North  Nashville  now  is.  and  afterward  moved  to  Franklin,  Will- 
iamson Co..  Tenn.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  South.  He  died  March,  1824. 

ISAAC  L.  NEELY’S  birth  occurred  February  5,  1821,  in  Williamson  County, 
Teen.  He  is  a son  of  John  C.  and  Elizabeth  Neely,  who  were  born  in  Virginia  and  North 
Carolina,  and  grandson  of  Isaac  and  Fannie  Neely.  The  father,  John  Neely,  came  to 
Tennessee  about  1800.  He  was  in  the  war  of  1812  and  died  in  1867.  The  mother  died  in 
1872.  They  were  married  about  1814,  and  our  subject  is  the  third  ot  their  eleven  children. 
He  has  always  been  a farmer,  and  in  1878  purchased  131  acres  of  land  near  Nolensville  on 
which  he  is  doing  well.  In  1841  he  was  married  to  Sarah  E.  C.  Burk,  who  was  horn  about 
1818,  in  North  Carolina,  daughter  of  John  and  Lucy  Burk,  and  who  died  May  1.  ls6l, 
leaving  one  child,  Miles  E.  Mr.  Neely  then  married  Eliza  Pyner,  October  18,  1861.  She 
was  the  widow  of  Mason  Pyner,  and  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Peggy  Burke.  The  Neely 
family  are  highly  respected  citizens  and  were  among  the  first  families  who  settled  in  this 
State.  Mr.  Neely  and  wife,  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  in  politics  is  a Democrat. 

J.  W.  L.  NEVILS,  a leading  citizen  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  in  this  State 
July  14,  1834.  His  father,  Josiali  Nevils,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1794,  and  the  mother, 
Sallie  Beech,  was  also  born  in  Virginia,  about  1809.  They  both  came  to  Tennessee  in 
the  year  1821  aud  in  lS23were  united  in  marriage.  The  father  left  his  farm  to  fight  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  was  in  the  memorable  battle  of  New  Orleans.  He  died  in  the  year  1834 
and  his  wife  in  1852.  Our  subject  wedded  Miss  EllaG.  Low  in  1871.  She  was  born  in 
Tennessee  September  13,  1851,  aud  was  the  daughter  of  Gabriel  and  Vina  H.  (Pinkston) 
Yarbrough  Low.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  six  children:  John  L.,  deceased, 
born  in  1872;  Augie  V.,  born  in  1874;  Josiali  W.,  deceased,  born  in  1876;  William  W.,  born 
in  1877;  Sallie  M.,  born  in  1880,  and  an  infant  not  named.  Our  subject  engaged  in  the 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


000 


mercantile  business  in  Maury  County,  Tent:.,  in  1856.  and  in  1SG1  closed  out  and  enlisted 
in  the  Confederate  Army,  serving  his  country  until  the  close  of  the  war.  One  year  after 
returning  from  the  war  he  engaged  again  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Peytonsville  for 
about  ten  years,  after  which  he  sold  out  his  stock  of  goods  and  gave  his  undivided  atten- 
tion to  farming.  He  has  104  acres  of  good  land  near  Peytonsville.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  lodge,  also  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  South.  Mr.  Nevils  is  a Democrat  and  in  1874  he  was  elected  mag 
istrate  m this  district. 

JOHN  M.  NEYILS,  sheriff  of  Williamson  County,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Term.. 
October  3,  1835.  son  of  Josiali  and  Sarah  (Beech)  Nevils,  and  of  Dutch-English  descent. 
Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured  a good  practical  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  He  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer  until  the  beginning  of  the  late 
war,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  Company  B,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Regi- 
ment,  and  served  four  years.  In  1865  he  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Nashville,  but 
soon  removed  to  Peytonsville,  this  county,  and  continued  farming  and  merchandising. 
In  180S  he  wedded  L}’dia  A.  Lowe,  who  died  in  1878.  In  1879  he  wedded  Alice  Merritt, 
and  to  them  were  born  three  children:  Emmett,  Annie  C.  and  an  infant  unnamed.  To 
his  first  marriage  were  born  two  children:  Robert  II.  and  Edward  M.  Mr.  Nevils  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  made  one  of  the  best 
sheriffs  the  county  has  ever  had.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  aud 
is  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  this  county.  Mrs.  Nevils  is  a member  of  the  Christian 
Church  - 

JAMES  A.  NORTH,  M.  D.,  is  the  son  of  H.  B.  and  Martha  J.  North,  who  were  na- 
tives of  Virginia.  The  North  family  came  to  Tennessee  at  a very  early  day  and  settled  in 
Williamson  County.  H.  B.  North  was  a Methodist  minister  and  belonged  to  the  Tennes- 
see Conference  and  was  preaching  the  gospel  in  Montgomery  County  when  he  married 
our  subject’s  mother,  and  nine  children  were  born  to  their  union:  R.  II.,  James  A.,  Ann 
W.,  Margaret  S..  Thomas  B.,  Alice,  Ida,  Elizabeth  and  Lucy.  The  father  died  about  1878 
and  the  mother  March  4,  1832.  James  A.  North  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  January 
4,  1838*  and  was  educated  in  Thompson  Academy,  and  in  1859  entered  the  medical  Uni- 
versity at  Nashville  and  graduated  in  1861.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in 
First  Regiment  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Fishing  Creek,  after 
which  bis  command  went  to  Mississippi  under  Col.  Bartow  and  later  were  united  with 
Gen.  Forrest’s  force  aud  was  in  all  its  exploits.  In  1879  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza 
Baker,  and  five  children  have  blessed  their  union:  Jesse  W.,  Henry  B..  Garrick  H.,  Eloise 
and  Robert  J.  Dr.  North  began  practicing  his  profession  at  Harpeth  Station  in  1865. 
He  owes  150  acres  of  fine  land  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  the  county. 

JEROME  J.  O'CONNER,  farmer,  formerly  a merchant,  was  born  in  Manchester, 
England,  July  3,  1827,  and  came  to  America  in  the  j-ear  1838.  His  parents,  William  and 
Anne  (Synnott)  O’Conner,  were  born  in  County  Wexford,  Ireland,  in  1790  and  1789,  re- 
spectively. The  former  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  1852,  and  the  latter  in  the  same  place 
in  1858.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  after  which  he  learned  the 
shoe-maker's  trade.  He  commenced  merchandising  in  1865,  but  at  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  the  Sixtli  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and 
served  fifteen  months.  He  was  married,  in  1873,  to  Miss  Henrietta  Blackman,  who  has 
borne  him  five  children:  Miles*  Albert.  Annie,  Laura  and  one  deceased.  Mr.  O’Conner  is 
a Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity;  is  a temperance 
man  in  every  respect.  He  started  in  life  in  straightened  circumstances,  but  by  his  energy 
aud  perseverance  has  surrounded  his  family  with  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  life. 
His  wife  belongs  to  the  Christian  Church. 

DR.  URBANE  G.  OWEN,  a successful  practitioner,  was  horn  in  this  State  June  2. 
1833.  His  father,  Richard  0.  Owen,  was  born  in  this  State  December  12,  1809,  and  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation  and  manufactured  tobacco  for  several  years  before  ids  death.  The 
subject’s  mother,  Henrietta  (Rivers)  Owen,  was  born  in  this  State  May  22,  1810,  and  mar- 


1000 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ried  to  Richard  C.  Owen  in  1832.  The  father  died  April  IT,  I860,  and  his  widow  followed 
him  in  death  September  8,  1868.  The  subject  is  of  Welsh  descent  and  was  educated  in 
the  best  country  schools.  In  1855  and  spring  of  1856  he  attended  the  old  University  of 
Pennsylvania  and  in  the  fall  of  1856  he  went  to  Xew  York  and  then  graduated  in  the 
spring  of  1857.  He  practiced  in  the  Brooklyn  hospital  twelve  months,  when  he  resigned 
and  went  to  the  city  of  Xew  York  and  practiced  until  January,  1859.  He  then  returned 
to  Tennessee  and  located  at  Owen  Hill,  where  he  practiced  until  1S61.  In  September, 
1S59,  Miss  Laura  Dobson  became  his  wife;  she  was  born  in  this  State  June  29,  1843,  and 
was  the  daughter  of  Matthew  andLetitia  (Hughes)  Dobson.  To  the  subject  and  wife  were 
born  five  children:  Annie  L.,  Richard  G.,  William  T.,  Letitia  and  Polly  P.  In  1861  he 
enlisted  as  private  in  Rucker’s  company,  Battle's  regiment  and  remained  with  it  until  the 
fall  of  1861,  when  he  was  ordered  to  report  to  the  Fourth  Confederate  (C'hurchwell’s) 
Regiment  at  Knoxville,  which  he  did  and  was  made  medical  surgeon  of  that  regiment. 
Here  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war,  after  which  he  returned  home  and  located  at 
College  Grove,  where  he  resumed  the  practice  of  his  profession.  Since  locating  there 
eight  of  his  consulting  physicians  have  died.  The  subject  has  not  taken  a dose  of  medi- 
cine in  nineteen  years.  He  has  a good  practice  and  is  conceded  to  he  very  successful. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge,  Xo.  172,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Owen  is  a Democrat. 

PETER  D.  OWEN,  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Williamson  County,  was 
born  February  3,  1833,  in  Davidson  Count}’,  Tenn..  near  Xaskville,  and  is  the  son  of  Peter 
and  Charity  Owen,  natives  of  Virginia,  who  were  married  about  1816,  and  had  born  to 
them  these  children:  John  T. , Floyd  K.,  Elizabeth,  Sarah  G.,  Ambrose  R.,  Herbert  H., 
Peter  D.,  Obadiah  F.,  Carrie  L.,  Hiram  and  Betsy.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a 
liberal  education  in  the  common  schools  and  has  been  engaged  in  farming  from  boyhood. 
In  1882  he  settled  on  his  present  farm  of  200  acres,  which  is  very  valuable,  all  well 
improved,  and  a part  of  the  same  in  a high  state  of  cultivation.  Decembers,  1873,  he  was 
married  to  Sallie  F.  Waller.  She  was  born  September  10,  1851,  and  is  the  daughter  of 
Pierce  and  Elizabeth  Waller,  natives  of  Tennessee.  Mr.  Owen  and  wife  are  the  parents 
of  these  children:  Mary,  John  F.  and  Willie.  The  early  members  of  the  Owen  family 
were  among  tbe first  families  that  settled  in  Tennessee  and  were  highly  respected  citizens. 
They  are  of  Scotch-Irish  origin.  Our  subject  started  in  life  very  poor,  financially,  but  by 
industry  and  good  management  has  made  himself  a very  comfortable  home  and  is  well- 
to-do  in  this  world’s  goods. 

D.  C.  PADGETT  was  born  in  this  State  May  15.  1843,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  G.  and 
Mary  W.  (Anderson)  Padgett,  both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  born  in  1796  and 
came  to  Tennessee  about  1817  after  his  return  from  the  war  of  1812.  He  taught  school 
for  several  years  after  lie  became  of  age,  and  was  a life-long  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  His  death  occurred  in  1853.  The  mother  was  born  in  1797,  and 
died  August  2,  18S5.  By  her  union  with  Henry  G.  Padgett  she  became  the  mother  of 
eleven  children — seven  males  and  four  females— seven  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Mrs.  Padg- 
ett was  a kind  neighbor  and  was  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  her.  Our  subject  is  at  pres- 
ent living  on  the  farm  formerly  o-wued  by  his  father;  it  lies  in  the  southeastern  portion  of 
the  county  and  contains  eighty-seven  acres  of  very  good  land,  the  products  from  it  being 
corn,  tobacco  and  small  grain.  Mr.  .Padgett  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

JACOB  T.  PAGE  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  and  a sou  of  David  D.  and  Charity  Page, 
who  were  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Tennessee  about  1800.  The  early  mem- 
bers participated  in  the  war  of  1812.  Jacob  T.  was  born  October  30,  1819,  in  William- 
son County,  Tenn.,  and  in  early  days  received  a liberal  education.  He  has  been  a farmer 
from  boyhood  and  located  on  his  present  farm  of  125  acres  in  1855.  nis  land  is  well  im- 
proved and  under  good  cultivation.  January  26,  1843.  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary 
J.  Harrison,  the  daughter  of  William  P.  and  Edith  Harrison,  of  this  State  and  county. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Page  have  had  born  to  them  six  children — two  daughters  and  four  sons.  Will- 
iam F.,  Mary  L.,  John  I).,  Thomas  H.,  Jacob  S.  and  Olivia  E.  Mrs.  Page  died  in  1878. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1001 


8hc  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  her  husband  bom."  a mem 
her  of  the  same.  Mr.  Page  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party  and  is  a member  of  the 
F.  & A.  M. 

JOHN  PAGE  (deceased),  was  born  in  1798,  in  Wayne  County,  N.  C.,  and  was  the  son 
of  John  and  Lovcy  (Davis)  Page,  who  came  to  Tennessee  from  North  Carolina  and  located 
in  Williamson  County  about  1801.  To  their  uniou  were  born  nine  children — five  sous  and 
four  daughters  : David  D.,  John,  Jacob,  Harvey,  Frederick,  Nancy,  Sarah,  Betty  and 
Martha.  Our  subject  came  to  this  State  with  his  parents  when  three  years  of  age.  and 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  His  early  days  were  spent  in  farming,  and  about 
1886  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  general  merchandise  business  in  Triune,  in  which  he 
was  fairly  successful.  In  1830  he  was  married  to  Margaret  A.  Wilson,  who  was  born  in 
1814  in  Williamson  County,  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Martha  (Davis)  Wilson,  natives  of 
Ireland  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  came  to  America  about  1770,  and 
was  married  to  Martha  Davis  in  1802  in  Tennessee.  Our  subject,  Mr.  Page,  sold  out  his 
business  at  Triune  in  1827  and  moved  to  Nolensville,  where  he  carried  on  the  same 
business  until  1833,  when  he  sold  out  and  removed  to  Louisiana,  where  he  managed  a 
cotton  plantation  until  his  death,  in  1873.  He  and  wife  became  the  parents  of  ten  children : 
Eudora  M.,  John  J.,  Walter,  Katie,  Robert  W.,  Almira,  Jason  W.,  Harry  H.,  Maggie  and 
Webb  M.  Sir.  Page  was  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  W.  PARHAM,  carpenter,  was  born  April  10,  1851,  in  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  son  of  George  W.  and  Eliza  (Bingham)  Parham,  and  is  of  Irish  descent.  The  par- 
ents were  born  in  the  same  county  as  our  subject,  in  1824  and  1830,  respectively.  The 
mother  died  January  9,  1885.  John  W.  was  the  second  of  their  ten  children,  and  was 
reared  on  a farm  and  attended  the  common  schools.  He  afterward  learned  the  carpenter’s 
trade,  at  which  he  has  since  worked.  He  was  married,  April  22, 1877,  in  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  to  Miss  Nancy  V.  Thweatt,  of  the  same  county.  She  was  born  February  12,  1S57, 
and  has  borne  her  husband  two  children  : Oscar,  born  February  12,  1878,  and  Florence, 
born  August  23,  1881.  Mrs.  Parham  was  a daughter  of  W.  H.  Thweatt,  who  was  born  in 
1808  and  died  in  1876.  Her  mother  was  born  in  1820  and  died  in  1882.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  sixteen  children— eight  sons  and  eight  daughters.  Of  the  number  five  are  dead. 
Mr.  Parham  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party. 

JAMES  PATTON,  a prominent  citizen  of  Williamson  Count}',  was  born  July  17, 
1812.  His  father,  Jason  Patton,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1787,  and  came  to  Tennessee 
about  1802,  where  he  was  engaged  in  tilling  the  soil.  His  mother,  Bithunia  Bostick,  was 
born  in  North  Carolina  about  1789,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  her  father  in  1809.  In 
1811  she  was  married  to  Jason  Patton  and  became  the  mother  of  nine  children,  three  of 
whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Patton  died  August  7,  1841,  and  his  widow  followed  him  in 
death  May  10.  1870.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  James  Patton,  was  born  in  Tennessee  in 
1700.  The  grandmother,  Margaret  (Wilson)  Patton,  emigrated  from  Scotland  to  Ireland 
and  from  there  to  North  Carolina,  where  she  was  married.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  with  the  exception  of  a few  years  that  he  spent  trading  in  slaves,  might  be  called 
a life-long  farmer.  In  1839  he  married  Miss  Susan  Thompson,  a native  of  this  State,  born 
June  2,  1820,  and  the  daughter  of  Jason  and  Susan  (Cobb)  Thompson.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Patton  were  born  four  children  : Mary  B.,  born  December  7,  1841;  Jason  H.,  born  August 
5,  1849;  Agnes  J.,  born  November  19,  1851,  and  Joseph  J.,  deceased,  born  November  6. 
1854.  Mrs.  Patton  died  December  18,  1881.  Shortly  after  marriage  he  moved  to  Mis- 
sissippi and  ran  a cotton  plantation  for  ten  years,  after  which  he  moved  back  to  Tennes- 
see. In  1850  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  it  consists  of  500  acres  of 
first-class  land  in  a fine  state  of  cultivation.  In  1854  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace 
and  served  the  people  in  that  capacity  for  about  eighteen  years.  He  was  a conscript 
officer  with  the  rank  of  major  in  the  Confederathe  service.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

THOMAS  F.  PERKINS,  Sit.,  first  saw  the  light  of  day  March  12,  1809,  in  William- 
son County,  Tenn.  lie  was  reared  on  a farm  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then  en- 


. 


' 


1002 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


gaged  in  mercantile  business  in  Triune,  Tenn.,  where  he  remained  twelve  months,  when 
he  removed  to  Harpeth  Lick,  where  he  resided  five  years.  In  1833  he  wedded  Miss  Leah 
A.  Cannon,  who  bore  him  seven  children:  Louisa,  Letitia,  Laura,  Samuel  F.,  Newton  C., 
Thomas  F.,  Jr.,  and  William  C.  All  the  sons  were  soldiers  in  the  Confederate  Army.  Only 
two  of  the  children  are  living:  Thomas  F.,  Jr.,  and  Newton  C.  Our  subject  was  a mer- 
chant for  twelve  years  and  then  engaged  in  farming,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war 
was  the  owner  of  127  slaves.  He  now  owns  a farm  near  Memphis,  Tenn.,  and  also  one  in 
Williamson  County.  He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  a 
leading  man  in  the  county.  His  parents,  Samuel  and  Sarah  P.  Perkins,  were  natives  of 
Virginia  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  About  1S04  the  father  came  to  Tennessee,  where 
he  tilled  the  soil.  He  held  several  offices  in  Virginia,  and  in  1307  was  married  and  be- 
came the  father  of  seven  children:  Louisa,  Eliza  M.,  Mary,  Sarah  P.,  Elvira,  Susan  and 
Thomas  F.,  all  being  dead  except  our  subject.  Mrs.  Perkins  died  in  1S24,  and  Mr.  Per- 
kins then  married  Xanc}~  Richardson,  who  bore  him  one  child,  Samuel.  Mr.  Perkins  rep- 
preseialed  Williamson  Count}',  Tenn.,  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  a very  influential 
man  of  his  day.  He  died  in  March,  1843. 

SAMUEL  F.  PERKINS  (deceased),  son  of  Thomas  F.  Perkins  and  grandson,  on  his 
mother’s  side,  of  G.  Cannon,  of  Tennessee,  was  born  July  i,  1833.  He  spent  his  early 
boyhood  on  a farm,  attending  the  common  schools  of  the  county.  Quite  early  in  life  he 
entered  the  Jackson  College  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  after  finishing  his  education  he 
returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming,  and  also  the  mercantile  business  in  Franklin.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-five  he  wedded  Miss  Theresa  G.  (Ewin)  Perkins,  daughter  of  Henry  C. 
Ewin,  of  Todd  County,  Ky.  Mrs.  Perkius  was  a granddaughter  of  D.  H.  Hill,  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  Nashville,  and  grandniece  of  Col.  Ewin  Hickman,  who  was  killed  by  the 
Indians;  near  the  place  where  Centerville  now  stands,  in  Hickman  County,  and  after  whom 
Hickman  County  received  its  uanie.  Mr.  Perkins  is  the  father  of  nine  children:  Leah 
L.  (wife  of  Leland  Jordan,  of  Murfreesboro),  Lizzie  E.  (wife  of  John  H.  Henderson), 
Thomas  F.,  Samuel  F.,  Theresa  (wife  of  Frank  Y.  McGavock),  Henry  C.,  Newton  C., 
Leah  M.  and  William  Ewin.  In  1861  Mr.  Perkins  obeyed  his  country’s  call  and  volun- 
teered to  fight  her  battles.  He  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Fifty-fifth  Tennessee  Infantry, 
and  was  promoted  to  a lieutenancy  in  his  company.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of 
Corintla,  Miss.  He  was  also  in  numerous  skirmishes.  In  1862  Mr.  Perkins  returned  to 
his  rural  pursuits,  and  also  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Franklin,  Tenn.  In 
1879  he  moved  to  his  farm  on  the  Hillsboro  & Nashville  Pike.  He  died  June  9,  1885,  at 
Franklin.  Mr.  Perkins  was  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  in  the  county,  Ids  farm 
consisting  of  about  TOO  acres.  Mrs.  Perkins  is  still  living  at  “Hill  Side,”  the  home  place, 
and  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

N.  EDWIN  PERKINS  was  born  in  Williamson  County  in  1821,  and  received  the 
rudiments  of  his  education  in  Franklin  and  subsequently  attended  college  in  Danville,  Ky. 
Being  fond  of  the  country,  he  passed  his  life  in  rural  pursuits.  He  wedded  Mbs  Martha 
T.  Maury,  and  to  this  union  were  born  three  children:  Edwin  M.,  Leighla  O.  and  Maud 
C.  (wife  of  J.  W.  Reid,  grandson  of  Maj.  John  Reid,  aid-de-camp  to  Gen.  Jackson  at  the 
battle  of  New  Orleans).  Our  subject  was  a member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
and  a member  of  high  rauk  in  the  I.  O.  0.  F.  He  was  a man  of  unblemished  honor  and 
was  universally  respected.  II is  death  occurred  in  1871  at  his  place,  “The  Meeting  of  the 
Waters-”  He  was  of  Welsh  descent,  and  the  grandson  of  Hardin  Perkins,  who  was  a 
native  of  Virginia,  a captain  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  one  of  the  first  settlers  in 
Williamson  County.  He  was  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  in  the  State,  and  amassed 
a large  fortune.  Nicholas  Perkins,  our  subject’s  father,  was  born  in  Davidson 
County.  After  reaching  manhood  he  went  to  Fort  Stephens,  then  on  the  confines  of  the 
territory  of  the  United  States,  where  he  entered  into  partnership  with  George  S.  Gaines 
in  the  practice  of  law.  While  there  he  was  instrumental  in  the  capture  of  Aaron  Burr, 
who  wats  attempting  to  make  his  escape  to  the  Spanish  possessions.  He  carried  Mr.  Burr 
to  Richmond  aud  delivered  him  up  to  the  authorities.  Nicholas  Perkins  wedded  his 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1003 


cousin.  Miss  Mary  Perkins,  practiced  law  in  Franklin  and  served  several  terms  in  the 
State  Legislature,  and  died  one  of  the  largest  property  holders  in  the  State.  He  was  a 
man  of  fine  practical  ability.  Our  subject’s  wife,  Martha  T.  (Maury)  Perkins,  was  the 
granddaughter  of  Mr.  Abram  Maury,  who  was  a descendant  of  the  Maury  and  Fountaine 
families,  of  Virginia.  They  were  a Huguenot  family,  who  were  forced  to  leave  France  on 
account  of  the  revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes  by  Louis  XIV.  Mr.  Abram  Maury  was 
born  in  Virginia,  and  was  the  first  settler  in  Williamson  County.  He  was  the  founder  of 
the  towrn  of  Franklin,  and  Maury  County  was  named  in  honor  of  him.  He  held  many 
offices  of  honor  and  trust  in  his  State,  and  was  a man  of  erudition  and  nobility  of  charac- 
ter. His  son,  the  Hon.  A.  P.  Maury,  father  of  Mrs.  M.  T.  Perkins,  was  a worthy  man  of 
a noble  sire.  He  served  his  country  both  in  the  State  Legislature  and  in  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States.  His  greatest  eulogium  was  that  he  w as  an  incorruptible  politician.  His- 
wife,  Mary  Claiborne,  belonged  to  the  Lewis  and  Claiborne  families  of  Davidson  County. 
They  have  three  children  now  living:  Mrs.  M.  T.  Perkins,  Mrs.  W.  S.  Reid  and  Mr.  F.  C. 
Maury,  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 

CAPT.  HENRY  P.  POINTER  is  a son  of  Henry  and  Wilmoth  (Boyd)  Pointer.  The 
father  was  born  in  the  “ Old  Dominion”  and  emigrated  to  Tennessee  inlS27,  settling  near 
Spring  Hill,  Maury  County.  He  wras  a farmer,  and  eventually  became  the  possessor  of 
a fine  farm  in  Williamson  County.  In  the  earlier  part  of  his  life  he  wedded  a Miss  Rag- 
land, and  three  children  were  born  to  their  union  : Martha,  Mary  (deceased),  and  Eliza- 
beth. Mrs.  (Ragland)  Pointer  died  and  Mr.  Pointer  then  married  Wilmoth  Boyd,  of  Vir- 
ginia, who  bore  him  eight  children:  William,  Susan,  Henry  P.,  Thomas  G.,  Sammie, 
Ellen,  Harriet  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Henry  Pointer,  Sr.,  died  in  the  year  1863.  Ilis 
wife  died  several  years  previously.  Our  subject,  Henry  P.  Pointer,  was  born  May  5, 
1822,  in  Halifax  County,  Va.,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents  when  a small  lad. 
He  was  educated  in  Jackson  College,  Maury  County,  and  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  in 
1858  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  J.  Caldwell,  who  died  shorthr  afterward; 
and  he  then  wedded  Miss  Virginia  Brown,  and  one  child  was  born  to  their  union,  named 
Henry  Strange.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  Mr.  Pointer  enlisted  in  the  Third  Regi- 
ment Tennessee  Infantry  under  John  C.  Brown,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of 
Fort  Donelson  and  carried  to  Camp  Chase,  wrhere  he  was  kept  two  or  three  months, 
when  he  was  taken  to  Johnson’s  Island,  and  at  the  end  of  two  or  three  }*ears  was  ex- 
changed at  Vicksburg,  Miss.,  and  went  on  Gen.  Forrest’s  staff  and  remained  with  him  un- 
til the  close  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  was  made  captain  of  Company  E (Infantry),  and  was 
wounded  near  Memphis.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  cameliome  and  has  since  been  en- 
gaged in  farming  on  his  200-acre  farm,  and  is  one  of  the  principal  stock  raisers  in  the 
county. 

GEORGE  W.  POLLARD,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  February  7. 1815, son  of  Joseph  and  Martha  (Nicholson)  Pollard. natives  of  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina,  respectively,  and  married  in  1814  and  became  the  parents  of  eleven 
children:  George  W.,  Isaac  N.,  Malachi  W.,  Joseph  J., William  C.,  Robert  L..  Newton  N., 
Nancy  D.,  Martha  E.,  Mary  J.  and  Virginia  A.  The  father  died  in  1830,  and  the  mother 
in  1852,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.  Our  subject,  George  W.  Pollard,  received  a liberal 
education,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  in  farming.  In  1831  he  began 
clerking  in  the  dry  goods  store  of  Charles  R.  Abbott,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  remaining 
two  jears,  when  he  went  to  Columbia,  Tenn.,  and  became  clerk  for  James  S.  Walker.  In 
1835  he  began  clerking  for  a house  in  Nashville,  and  in  the  spring  of  1836  commenced 
business  for  himself  in  Mississippi  under  the  firm  name  of  Pollard  <fc  Shatiuck,  of  Carrolton. 
In  1837  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Tindall,  born  August  20,  1819,  daughter  of  Noah  B.  Tindall, 
of  Maury  County,  Tenn.  Mrs.  Pollard  died  July  9,  1839,  leaving  one  child,  Isaac  C. 
In  1842  Mr.  Pollard  returned  to  his  native  county  and  married  Martha  E.  Me  bane,  who 
was  born  February  9,  1824,  daughter  of  William  and  Mickie  Mebane.  In  1844  Mr.  Pol- 
lard purchased  500  acres  of  land,  but  in  1863  again  engaged  in  the  general 
merchandise  business  on  his  farm.  Since  1878  he  has  given  his  lime  and  attention 


. 


1004 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


to  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  and  wife  have  four  children  : William  M.f  Julia.  Laura 
(who  died  December  14,  1854).  and  Martha  G.  Mr.  Pollard  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  for- 
merly a Whig.  He  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  184S  and  served  until  1854.  After 
his  father’s  death  he  was  the  only  support  of  his  mother  and  younger  brothers  and  sisters, 
but  by  hard  work  managed  to  give  them  a good  education  He  and  his  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  they  are  highly  respected  and  es- 
teemed citizens  of  the  county. 

JAMES  H.  PORTER,  son  of  Stephen  S.  and  Mary  (Henry)  Porter,  was  born 
September  11,  1850,  in  Blount  County,  East  Tenn.  Stephen  S.  Porter  came  to  Tennessee 
from  Virginia  about  1840.  In  early  life  he  married,  and  to  him  and  wife  were  born  three 
children  : Isabella,  Lou  and  James  H.  Mrs.  Porter  died  iu  the  fall  of  180?.  and 
Mr.  Porter  then  married  Miss  Catharine  Peck,  and  four  children  were  born  to  them: 
Amelia,  Mary,  Saunders  and  Robert.  Saunders  died  in  1866.  In  1865  Stephen  S.  Por- 
ter moved  to  Maury  Count}',  where  he  has  since  lived,  engaged  in  farming.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  James  H.  Porter  was  educated 
at  Spring  Hill.  Maury  County,  and  in  1876  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Alice  A.  Potter. 
They  have  three  children  : Walter  S.,  Ellen  A.  and  Florence  E.  In  187?  Mr.  Porter 
came  to  Williamson  County  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  131  acres  of  tine  laud. 
He  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county,  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  South. 

PETER  H.  REED,  farmer  and  fruit  grower  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn..  was  born 
in  this  county  in  1824  and  is  one  of  four  children — one  daughter  and  three  sons — born  to 
the  marriage  of  Andrew  and  Nancy  Rccd,  natives,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  res- 
pectively, who  came  to  this  State  and  county  at  an  early  day.  Our  subject  was  the  eldest 
of  the  family  and  following  him  were  Andrew  J.,  Mary  F.  and  William  F.  Peter  II.  re- 
ceived a very  limited  education  and  from  early  boyhood  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  Of  late  years  he  has  given  a great  deal  of 
attention  to  raising  fruit,  and  is  known  throughout  the  county  as  a successful  fruit  raiser. 
He  has  been  fairly  prosperous  iD  all  his  undertakings  and  is  regarded  as  a'  very  industri- 
ous farmer.  He  served  two  years  in  the  late  war  in  the  Twentieth  Tennessee  Regiment, 
under  Col.  Battle.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  his  father,  Andrew  Reed,  was  a cap- 
tain in  the  war  of  1812  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  Our  subject  is  a 
bachelor  and  of  Irish  descent. 

GIDEON  W.  RIGGS,  deceased,  was  born  in  this  county  November  17,  1845,  and  is 
the  son  of  Gideon  and  Catharine  (Holden)  Riggs,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina 
and  Ireland.  The  father  was  born  March  8,  1790,  and  came  to  Tennessee  when  but  a lad. 
He  died  November  17,  1878.  The  mother  was  born  September  1,  1815,  and  at  an  early  age 
immigrated  to  Alabama,  and  from  there  to  Tennessee,  where  she  married  Mr.  Riggs,  she 
being  his  third  wife.  She  died  August  10,  1864.  Our  subject  followed  farming  the  prin- 
cipal part  of  his  life  and  in  1S62  entered  the  Confederate  service,  where  he  remained  two 
years,  being  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  1866  our  subject  married  Miss  Nan- 
nie Jordan,  a native  of  this  county,  born  December  28,  1842,  and  the  daughter  of  Newton 
and  Mary  Jordan,  both  natives  of  this  State.  The  father  was  born  in  1803  and  the  mother 
in  1805;  they  were  married  in  the  year  1827  and  had  thirteen  children  born  to  their  union, 
five  of  whom  are  yet  living.  The  mother  died  February  10,  1885.  Our  subject  and  wife 
became  the  parents  of  seven  children:  Gideon,  born  iu  1867:  Kate,  born  in  1868;  Lillie  M., 
born  in  1870;  Emmet,  born  in  1871;  Jordan,  born  in  1873;  Oliver,  born  iu  1876,  and  Earl, 
born  in  1877.  May  17,  1879,  our  subject  passed  from  life,  and  since  that  time  the  widow 
assumed  control  of  the  farm,  cultivates  a portion  and  rents  the  remainder  out.  This  farm 
contains  250  acres  of  land  in  a fair  state  of  cultivation.  Mrs.  Riggs  and  eldest  daughter 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

IlIRAM  E.  RING,  deceased,  was  the  son  of  George  Ring,  and  spent  his  early  life  iu 
the  city  of  Lancaster,  Ohio.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  college  at  Granville. 
Ohio,  from  which  he  afterward  graduated  and  then  began  teaching,  which  he  continued 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1005 


until  1845.  About  this  time  Mr.  Ring  volunteered  in  Company  I,  Second  Regiment  of 
Ohio  Volunteers,  commanded  by  Col.  George  W.  Morgan,  and  participated  in  some  of 
the  battles  of  the  Mexican  war.  In  1847  he  was  discharged  at  New  Orleans  and  re- 
turned home.  He  then  came  to  Nashville  and  engaged  in  teaching,  where  he  remained 
until  1S48,  after  which  he  moved  to  Williamson  County  and  located  in  the  Sixth  District. 
June  12,  1849,  he  wedded  Miss  Emma  T.  Motheral,  daughter  of  Joseph  Motheral,  of  Will- 
iamson County,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county.  To  the 
union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ring  were  born  two  children:  Henry  H.  and  Leonidas  R.,  both 
living.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Ring  lived  two  years  in  Sumner  County,  after  which  he 
moved  to  Dover  in  Stewart  County,  and  took  charge  of  the  Male  Academy  at  that  place, 
lie  continued  teaching  until  his  death,  which  occurred  October,  1858.  He  was  a member 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  of  the  1.  O.  O.  F.  After  her  husband’s  death.  Mrs.  Ring 
returned  to  her  home  where  she  lived  with  her  father  until  1872,  when  his  death  occurred. 
Mrs.  Ring  is  a member  of  the  Presby  terian  Church,  and  is  still  living  at  her  residence  in 
the  Sixth  District. 

W.  T.  ROBERTS,  a successful  farmer,  was  born  in  this  State  October  11,  1850,  and 
is  the  son  of  William  R.  Roberts,  a native  of  this  State,  born  April  17,  1817,  and  who  mar- 
ried our  subject’s  mother,  Charity  E.  Dcmumbrane,  in  1840.  She  was  a native  of  Ten- 
nessee, born  about  1820.  Mrs.  Roberts  died  October  27,  1855,  and  William  Roberts  mar- 
ried Rebecca  J.  Merrett,  June  24,  1858.  The  second  Mrs.  Roberts  died  October  5,  1859. 
and  in  1873  Mr.  Roberts  took  for  his  third  wife  Miss  Ella  Bradley,  a native  of  this  State, 
born  July  27,  1840.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  Benjamin  Roberts,  was  born  in  Virginia 
May  20,  1778,  arid  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  His  wife,  Juda  Fuqua,  was  also  born  in 
Virginia.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  is  at  present  living  with  his  father  at 
the  old  homestead;  this  farm  lies  in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  county  and  contains  110 
acres  of  average  land.  He  directs  his  attention  principally”  to  raising  corn  and  small 
grain.  He  has  a large,  commodious  residence,  well  located  on  the  farm.  His  father  is  a 
member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  In  187G  our  subject  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Elizabeth  T.  Bradley,  a native  of  this  State,  born  June  29,  1853.  To  this  union 
were  born  two  children;  one  died  in  infancy;  the  other,  William  R.,  born  August  31, 
1879,  is  still  living.  Mrs.  Roberts  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 
Politically  Mr.  Roberts  and  father  are  Democrats. 

CAPT.  WILLIAM  J.  ROBINSON  was  born  September  28,  1832,  and  his  early  life 
was  passed  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  district  school.  In  1861  he  en- 
listed in  Company  A,  Twentieth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Donelson,  Fishing  Creek,  Parker’s  Cross  Roads,  and  was  also  in  many  skirmishes, 
where  he  was  wounded.  In  1863  he  wras  promoted  to  captain  of  Company  D,  of  Napier’s 
battalion,  and  afterward  of  Cox’s  Tenth  Tennessee  Regiment.  Capt.  Robinson  was  capt- 
ured September,  18G3,  and  carried  to  Johnson’s  Island,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  eighteen 
months.  He  was  paroled  just  before  Lee’s  surrender.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  re- 
turned home,  and  in  1866  was  married  to  Miss  Sallie  N.  Newsom,  daughter  of  James  E. 
Newsom,  of  Davidson  County,  and  by  her  lie  is  the  father  of  five  children:  Walter,  Cath- 
arine L.,  Bellefield  N.,  Baley  P.  and  Sallie  N.,  four  of  whom  are  now'  living.  Capt. 
Robinson  was  married  a second  time  to  Miss  Ella  V.  Newsom,  June  28,  1877,  and  five 
children  blessed  this  union:  William  J.,  James  T.,  Susie  N.,  Sallie  M.  and  Ella  V.,  all  of 
whom  are  now  living.  Our  subject  is  the  son  of  James  C.  and  Susan  (Litton)  Robinson. 
The  father  was  born  in  Virginia,  October  5.  1795,  and  in  quite  early  life  lie  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship with  a cabinet-maker.  After  finishing  his  apprenticeship  iie  went  to  Ken- 
tucky and  .there  followed  his  trade.  He  aftenvard  moved  to  Nashville,  where  he  was 
married,  February  6,  1828.  In  1840  he  moved  to  Williamson  County  and  located  in  the 
Sixth  District,  on  the  place  known  as  Blue  Springs.  He  was  a member  of  the  Legislature 
during  the  years  1847-48.  He  was  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  died  Octo- 
ber 13,  1852.  His  widow  died  July’  28,  1803.  She  w'as  a worthy  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South. 


63 


1006 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


JOHN  HENRY  ROLFFS  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  May  2o,  1843,  son  of  John 
and  Kate  (Von  Bastel)  Rolffs,  and  of  German  lineage.  The  parents  of  Mr.  Rolffs  were 
both  born  in  Germany.  Our  subject’s  father  was  a soldier  in  the  battle  of  Waterloo  un- 
der Wellington.  The  Rolffs  family  came  to  America  about  1850,  landing  at  New*  Orleans, 
and  came  by  river  to  Nashville,  w*here  the  parents  of  our  subject  died.  He  is  the  eighth 
of  nine  children,  was  reared  in  the  city  of  Nashville  and  attended  the  schools  there.  In 
1859  he  began  working  as  an  apprentice  at  the  tinner’s  trade  and  worked  at  this  for  some 
time.  In  1866  he  came  to  Franklin  and  engaged  in  the  house-furnishing  business,  which 
he  has  followed  nearly  ever  since.  In  1S71  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar  Miss  Mary  Jane 
Pugh,  of  Franklin,  though  a native  of  New*  York  City,  and  to  this  union  was  born  one 
child,  Anna  Pugh.  Mr.  Rolffs  is  a Democrat  and  a Mason  (Knight  Templar).  He  is  one 
of  the  oldest  merchants  of  Franklin  and  also  one  of  the  most  successful. 

ASHLEY  B.  ROZELL  may  be  mentioned  as  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  grower  of 
Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  the  Palmeto  State  June  11,  1S02,  and  is  a son  of 
Solomon  and  Mary  Rozell.  who  were  born  in  Maryland  and  North  Carolina,  respectively. 
They  were  married  in  North  Carolina  in  1800,  and  immigrated  to  this  State  about  1804 
and  located  in  Williamson  County,  but  soon  moved  to  West  Tennessee  where  they  re- 
mained several  years,  afterward  moving  to  Shelby  County,  locating  near  Memphis,  w*here 
both  father  and  mother  died.  To  them  w*ere  born  six  children — five  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter— named  Ashley  B.,  Yerbie  P.,  Rufard  A.,  Martha  D.,  Blackman  L.  and  Claybion  W. 
Our  subject  received  a common  school  education  and  always  followed  the  occupation  of 
farming.  In  1821  he  became  a minister  of  the  gospel  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church, 
and  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Tennessee  Conference  until  1333.  Since 
that  time  he  has  been  a local  minister  and  is  widely  known  in  the  State.  In  1828  he  was 
married  to  Margaret  M.  Rolston,  w*ho  w*as  born  in  1809,  and  the  daughter  of  Maj.  Alex- 
ander Rolston.  She  died  in  1830,  and  in  1832  he  w*edded  Henrietta  S.  Burnett.  born  in 
1810,  daughter  of  Brooken  Burnett,  of  Rutherford  County.  They  have  five  children: 
Mary  T.,  Logan  D.,  Ruford  B.,  Martha  C.  aud  Ashley  B.  Mrs.  Rozell  died  in  1840.  and 
for  bis  third  wife  Mr.  Rozell  took  Martha  A.  Chambers.  She  is  a daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Nanc}*  Chambers,  of  Virginia,  and  w*as  born  in  1823.  To  them  were  born  four  chil- 
dren: William  R.,  Henrietta,  Loekie  B.  and  Lizzie  B.  The  family  are  all  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  their  early  ancestors  were  among  the  first  families 
that  settled  in  the  State.  They  are  of  French  descent.  Mr.  Rozell  has  been  quite  pros- 
perous, and  in  1865  located  on  his  farm  of  420  acres  of  valuable  land,  known  as  the  Mount 
View  stock  farm. 

A.  G.  SCALES,  an  old  aud  prominent  citizen  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Tennessee 
October  14,  1821.  His  father,  Joseph  G.  Scales,  was  born  in  North  Carolina  about  1795, 
and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  father  when  seventeen  years  old.  He  was  of  English 
extraction  and  a farmer  by  occupation.  Our  subject’s  mother,  Frances  Webb,  was  bom 
in  Virginia  about  1801,  and  came  to  Tennessee,  w here  she  married  Joseph  G.  Seales  in 
1815,  and  became  the  mother  of  sixteen  children,  five  pf  whom  are  yet  living.  Mr.  Scales 
died  in  1870,  and  his  widow  followed  him  in  1875.  October  16,  1845,  our  subject  w'edded 
Miss  Martha  E.  Lavender,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  December  5,  1821,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  Nelson  and  Nancy  tBugg)  Lavender.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight 
children.  William  N.,  Fletcher  A.,  Laura  M.,  James  A.,  Allie  A.,  Joseph  D.,  Charles  PL 
and  Samuel  W.  Mrs.  Scales  died  April  22,  1863,  and  he  took  for  his  second  wife  Eliza  L. 
Westervelt,  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  November  20,  1839,  and  the  daughter  of  I)r. 
Peter  A.  and  Ann  W.  (Gribble)  Westervelt.  By  this  last  union  Mr.  Scales  became  the 
father  of  five  children:  Frank  B.,  born  in  1867;  PetcrS.,  horn  in  1869;  Risdon  G.,  born 
in  1871 ; Willis  C.,  born  in  1875,  aud  Frances  II.,  born  in  1882.  Our  subject  was  reared  on 
a farm  and  lives  in  sight  of  his  birth-place.  He  started  out  to  make  a living  for  himself 
when  quite  young,  aud  by  close  application  and  hard  work  accumulated  considerable 
wealth,  which  he  retained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Vigilance 
CommUtcc  organized  during  the  war.  Ilis  farm  w*as  often  made  the  camping  grounds  of 


1007 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 

both  armies  at  different  times,  who  destroyed  his  fences  and  carried  off  his  stock  and  also  his 
slaves,  who  numbered  about  thirty,  leaving  him  nothing  to  cultivate  his  farm.  About  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  this  district.  He  was  substan- 
tiated before  tbe  United  States  Court  as  a loyal  man  and  succeeded  in  getting  a claim  of 
$1,260  some  time  after  peace  was  declared.  lie  has  donated  money  for  the  erection  of 
churches  in  ail  directions.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  300  acres  lying  on  both  sides  of  the 
Farmington  & Fayetteville  Pike.  He  takes  great  pride  in  rearing  fine  stock  and  has 
some  fine  blooded  animals  at  his  place.  He  has  been  trustee  of  the  Male  and  Female  Col- 
lege at  College  Grove  from  its  beginning.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  devout 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  SCALES  first  saw  the  light  of  day  on  the  24th  of  January,  1829,  in  this  county. 
His  parents,  John  and  Sallie  Scales,  carne  to  Tennessee  from  North  Carolina  about  1820. 
They  were  the  parents  of  six  sons,  our  subject  being  the  third.  From  early  boyhood  he 
has  been  a farmer  and  now  deals  also  in  stock  and  owns  seventy-nine  acres  of  valuable 
and  well  improved  farming  land,  a part  of  the  same  in  a high  state  of  cultivation.  He 
located  on  his  farm  in  18S5.  September  4,  1884,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Bettie  E. 
Sayers,  wlio. was  born  August  28,  1856,  and  is  a daughter  of  Abner  and  Jane  Savers,  who 
are  natives  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scales  have  one  child,  a son  named 
JohD.  Mr.  Scales  is  a strong  supporter  of  Democratic  principles.  The  family  were  early 
settlers  of  Tennessee  and  have  always  been  considered  valuable  citizens.  They  are  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent  and  some  of  their  early  ancestors  were  participants  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war  and  the  war  of  1812. 

PLEASANT  D.  SCALES,  son  of  Samuel  and  Melissa  A.  A.  (Wilson)  Scales,  was 
horn  in  Tennessee,  October  1,  1839.  His  father  died  in  1841,  and  his  mother  then  married 
Matthew  Wilson,  by  whom  she  had  three  children.  Our  subject  lived  on  a farm  in  Ruther- 
ford County  until  eleven  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  this  county  and  farmed  until 
1857.  He  then  clerked  in  a store  two  years,  after  which  he  attended  school  at  College 
Grove,  where  he  remained  until  1861.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Twenty -fourth 
Tennessee  Regiment,  and  remained  in  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1865  be  came 
home  and  began  merchandising  at  Bethesda,  which  he  has  continued  ever  since.  He  is 
also  postmaster  at  the  same  place.  May  24,  1876,  our  subject  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar 
Miss  Mary  O.  Ratcliffe,  a native  of  this  State,  born  March  11,  1852,  and  the  daughter  of 
Francis  G.  and  Martha  (Reams)  Ratcliffe.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Scales  were  born  four 
children:  Ella,  born  June  23,  1877;  Eva  M.,  born  February  14,  1879;  Annie  C.  (deceased), 
born  May  16,  1881,  and  Frank  E.,  born  April  23,  1884.  In  1883  Mr.  Scales  was  elected 
magistrate  in  this  district  and  holds  the  office  at  the  present  time.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  a Democrat  in  politics,  lie  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  and  his  wife  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

YOUNG  SCRUGGS,  son  of  Edward  and  Althea  (Hassel)  Scruggs,  was  born  in  Will- 
iamson County.  Tenn.,  February  17,  1840.  His  father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and  at 
an  early  day  came  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Williamson  County,  lie  was  a soldier  in 
the  war  of  1812  under  Gen.  Jackson,  and  when  about  thirty  years  of  age  was  married  to 
Miss  Althea  Hassel,  and  nine  children  were  born  to  them:  Thomas  (deceased),  William, 
Joseph,  Edward,  John,"  Drury  (deceased),  Theo,  Young  and  Nancy.  Edward  Scruggs, 
Sr.,  died  in  18-17.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  towu  of  Frank- 
lin. He  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of  farming,  and  owns  360  acres  of  fine  and 
well  cultivated  land.  In  1874  he  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Bennett,  and  four  children  have 
been  born  to  them,  named  Allen  M.,  Edward  II.,  Mattie  T.  and  Louie,  who  died  in  1880. 
Mr.  Scruggs  was  a Confederate  soldier  and  enlisted  in  the  First  Tennessee  Regiment  under 
Col.  George  Manny,  and  was  a faithful  and  brave  soldier.  Since  that  time  he  has  been 
a resident  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  much  respected  arid  esteemed  by  all  who 
know  him. 

THEO  SCRUGGS  is  a son  of  Edward  and  Althea  (Hassel)  Scruggs,  and  was  born 
December  4,  1834,  in  Williamson  County.  Tenn.  (For  parents’  life  see  sketch  of  Young 


1008 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


-Scruggs.)  Ilis  boyhood  days  were  spent  on  his  father's  farm,  and  his  education  was 
obtained  in  Franklin,  Tenn.,  under  Andrew  Campbell.  He  has  always  been  a tiller  of  the 
soil  and  has  met  with  good  success.  He  owns  400  acres  of  fertile  and  well  cultivated 
land  and  is  doing  well  financially.  In  18TS  he  took  for  his  companion  and  helpmate 
through  life  Miss  Lizzie  Bond,  who  died  shortly  after  her  marriage,  and  he  then  wedded 
Miss  Isabella  White.  They  have  no  children.  Mr.  Scruggs  is  a leading  member  of  the 
■Christian  Church  and  is  one  of  the  first  citizens  in  the  county. 

COL.  SAMUEL  E.  SHANNON  is  a son  of  Samuel  R.  aud  Elizabeth  Shannon,  and 
was  born  March  12,  183S,  in  Williamson  County.  Tenn.  The  parents  were  married  in 
1828,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children:  Tennessee  E.,  Robert  W.,  Mary  F.,  Sarah 
A.,  Thomas  G..  Samuel  E.,  Cornelia  P.  and  Martha  V.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  re- 
ceived a good  education  in  the  common  schools;  and  was  a teacher  of  the  county  until 
1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-fourth  Tennessee  Regiment  with  the  rank  of  sec- 
ond lieutenant,  and  was  promoted  to  captain,  then  major,  and  lastly  to  lieutenant-col- 
onel. He  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Miss.:  Perryville.  Ivy. : Murfrees- 
boro, Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Jonesboro,  Atlanta  and  Franklin.  Since  the  war 
Mr.  Shannon  has  been  engaged  in  fanning,  and  owns  280  acres  of  well  improved  land. 
He  has  been  quite  prosperous  in  his  undertakings,  and  by  his  industry  and  good  manage- 
ment has  made  himself  a good  home.  He  was  married  to  Elizabeth  H.  Roberts  March 
7,  1866.  She  was  born  November  4.  1837,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Mar- 
garet Roberts,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee.  Mr.  Shannon  is  a Democrat,  and  in  August, 
1876,  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace,  and  has  been  a faithful  and  efficient  performer  of 
ms  duties. 

J.  A.  SHORT,  a prosperous  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  April  25,  1839,  and  re- 
ceived liis  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1861  lie  obeyed  his  country's  call  and 
volunteered  to  fight  her  battles.  He  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twentieth  Tennessee  In- 
fantry, and  was  a participant  in  several  battles  of  note,- viz. : Shiloh,  Murfreesboro, 
•Chickamauga  and  Atlanta,  Ga.,  aud  also  numerous  minor  engagements.  He  was 
wounded  three  times  during  the  war,  and  at  its  close  returned  home,  and  is  now  engaged 
in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  and  B.  F.  Short,  his  brother,  own  about  700  acres  of 
land.  Our  subject’s  parents  were  William  Ii.  and  Juda  (Atkinson)  Short.  The  father 
was  a native  of  Halifax  County,  Ya.,  and  in  1808  he  left  his  native  State  and  immigrated 
to  Williamson  County.  Tenn.,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his 
death,  which  occurred  July  28,  1881.  The  mother  was  a daughter  of  the  late  Elder  John 
Atkinson,  of  Virginia,  who  was  a noted  preacher  of  his  day,  and  a descendant  of  one  of 
the  first  families  of  Virginia. 

WILLIAM  H.  SMITH  was  born  in  Powhattan  County,  Va.,  February  6.  1829.  son  of 
ETancis  S.  and  Elizabeth  C.  (Lockett)  Smith,  who  were  of  English  and  French  descent, 
and  born  in  1801  and  1808,  respectively,  in  Virginia.  The  family  removed  to  Missouri  in 
1839,  and  then  to  Alabama  in  1846,  after  which  our  subject  came  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in 
1852.  He  received  his  preparatory  education  in  the  country  schools,  and  afterward  grad- 
uated from  Howard  College,  Ala.  He  then  took  a Latin  and  Greek  course  in  Franklin 
College,  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  enlisted  in  the  Forty- 
fourth  Tennessee,  afterward  transferred  to  the  Thirty-fifth  Tennessee,  Polk’s  brigade, 
and  was  clerk  in  the  quartermaster’s  department.  He  was  married,  January  IS,  1854,  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Moore,  of  Davidson  County,  Tenn.  Mrs.  Smith  was 'born  near  the  Hermit- 
age November  17,  1830.  To  them  were  born  seven  children,  two  of  whom  are  dead.  Mr. 

■ Smith  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a 
•farmer  and  nurseryman,  and  for  about  twelve  years  before  the  war  taught  school.  Mrs. 
•Smith's  parents  were  John  and  Mary  (Stewart)  Moore,  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Ten- 
nessee in  1795  and  1800,  and  of  Irish  Scotch  descent,  respectively.  The  father  died  in 
1878,  and  the  mother  in  1862.  Their  family  consisted  of  seven  children.  Mrs.  Smith’s 
grandfather,  William  Stewart,  came  from  Scotland  to  America  when  eighteen  years  of 
age,  aud  was  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  the  Hermitage,  and  died  about  1848. 
He  was  a soldier  iu  the  war  of  1812  under  Gen.  Jackson. 


. 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1009 


SAMUEL  A.  SMITH  was  born  in  this  county  June  4.  1844,  and  is  the  son  of  William 
M.  and  Margaret  M.  Smith,  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  born  in  1809,  and  died 
about  1872.  The  mother  was  born  September  26,  1814.  and  died  November  20.  1857.  Our 
subject’s  grandfather,  John  Smith,  was  born  in  the  last  century,  and  came  to  Tennessee 
in  1809  and  located  on  the  farm  on  which  our  subject  is  now  living.  Samuel  A.  Smith 
passed  his  youthful  days  on  the  farm,  and  is  now  living  ou  the  farm  of  his  birth,  which, 
lies  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  county,  and  contains  eighty-five  acres  of  land  in  a 
good  state  of  cultivation.  In  1803  he  enlisted  in  Company  C.  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cav- 
alry, and  remained  with  that  company  until  captured  at  Middleton,  Tenn.  After  remain- 
ing a prisoner  about  six  weeks  he  was  exchanged.  In  1884  he,. with  several  others,  left 
the  company  and  went  to  Mississippi  and  joined  Gen.  N.  B.  Forrest’s  command,  where 
they  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Franklin, 
and  had  many  narrow  escapes,  but  never  received  a wound.  November  8,  1SGG,  he  wed- 
ded Miss  Mary  F.  Smith,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  July  8,  1849,  and  the  daughter  of 
William  N.  and  Martha  A.  (Giles)  Smith.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  four  chil- 
dren: William  N.  31.  (deceased),  born  in  18G7;  Margaret  A.,  born  in  1870;  Annie,  boru  in 
1873,  and  Jennie  P.  (deceased),  born  in  1875.  Mrs.  Smith  died  January  9,  1878,  and  our 
subject  then  married  Miss  Louella  Chriesman,  in  January,  1879.  She  was  born  in  this 
State  September  11,  I860,  and  is  the  daughter  of  David  V.  and  Lydia  A.  (Dunlap)  Chries- 
man.  By  this  last  union  our  subject  became  the  father  of  two  children:  Samuel  D.,  born 
in  18S0,  andEffie  31.,  born  in  1882.  In  1876  3Ir.  Smith  was  elected  constable,  and  held  the 
office  for  six  years.  He  is  at  present  deputy  sheriff.  He  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  as  is  also  his  two  eldest  children.  In  puliiies  he 
is  a Democrat. 

NATHANIEL  N.  S3IITIISON,  a respected  citizen  of  3Yilliamson  County,  was  born 
in  this  State  April  2,  1826.  He  received  his  education  as  the  average  country  boy  in  the 
district  schools.  November  30.  1851,  he  was  married  to  3Iiss  3Iargaret  Iv.  Johnson,  a native 
of  Tennessee,  born  3Iarch  8,  1833,  and  the  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Dolly  (Smithson)  John- 
son. Our  subject  and  wife  wTere  blessed  by  an  interesting  family  of  ten  children:  James 
31.,  born  in  1852:  Joseph  P.,  boni  in  1855;  Tandy  (deceased),  born  in  1857;  Elijah  Iv., 
born  in  1860;  Dolly  A.,  born  in  1863;  3Iartha  P.,  born  in  1865,  Permelia  (deceased),  born 
in  1867;  31  ary  E.,  born  in  1879;  Lydia  O.,  born  in  1874,  and  Jesse  W.  (deceased),  born  in 
1877.  In  1870  our  subject  moved  to  his  present  location  in  the  edge  of  Peytonsville,  where 
he  has  a fine  farm  of  190  acres;  besides  this  he  has  another  farm  of  400  acres  in  another  part 
of  the  county.  • He  is  a 3Iason,  a stanch  Democrat  and  a member  of  the  3Iethodist Epis- 
copal Church  South.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  3Ir.  Smithson  is  the 
sou  of  Tandy  S.  and  Ann  (Cheatham)  Smithson.  Her  father,  a native  of  Virginia,  was 
born  in  1802,  and  died  iu  1873,  and  the  mother  was  born  in  180L 

GEORGE  W.  SMITHSON,  of  the  firm  of  Smithson,  Kenneday,  Hodge  & Co.,  is  a native 
of  Lunenburg  County,  Va.,  his  birthday  being  December  30, 1838,  son  of  William  G.  and 
3Iary  Smithson,  whose  maiden  name  was  Crenshaw.  The  parents  were  boru  in  Virginia, 
the  father  in  1819 and  the  mother  in  1820.  The  family  is  of  English  extraction  and  came 
to  Tennessee  about  1840.  There  the  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1846  and  the  father  in 
1852.  Our  subject  lived  on  a farm  until  he  reached  the  age  of  thirteen,  when  he  began 
clerking  in  the  store  of  Charles  3\\  Smithson  at  Peytonsville,  this  county.  He  continued  as 
clerk  until  1859,  when  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself  at  Peytonsville  in  partnership 
with  John  C.  Helms,  and  remained  in  this  business  until  1861.  lie  then  enlisted  in  Capt. 
Ewing’s  company.  First  Battalion,  Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  was  twice  wounded,  once  at 
Paducah,  Ivy.,  and  again  at  the  battle  of  Franklim  Tenu.  In  1865  lie  came  to  Franklin 
and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  and  the  same  he  now  continues.  From  October, 
1883,  to  March,  1885,  he  was  cashier  of  the  Fanners’  National  Bank,  of  Franklin.  In  the 
spring  of  1885  lie  became  a partner  of  the  firm.  Smithson,  Kenneday,  Hodge  & Co.  This 
is  the  most  extensive  dry  goods  store  in  Franklin,  and  is  doing  a large  t.ade.  In  1871  he 
wedded  Miss  Sallie  31.  Henderson,  daughter  of  Dr.  Samuel  Henderson  of  this  county.  To 


1010 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smithson  were  born  four  children:  Janey,  George  H.,  Mary  and  Sallie 
Mr.  Smithson  is  a first-class  citizen,  a Democrat,  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

DR.  SETH  C.  SPARKMAN  w as  born  in  Williamson  County,  Teun.,  November  27, 
1830,  son  of  Seth  and  Rebecca  (Latta)  Sparkman,  who  were  of  Scoteli-Irish.  descent,  and 
were  born  in  Tennessee  and  North  Carolina,  respectively,  in  1797.  After  his  fourth  year 
the  father  was  a resident  of  Williamson  County,  where  he  died  October  IS,  1 SS-t,  and  the 
mother  April  20. 1883.  Our  subject  is  the  fourth  of  seven  children,  and  received  his  edu- 
cation in  the  best  schools  of  the  county,  after  which  lie  chose  the  profession  of  medicine 
and  read  with  Dr.  J.  T.  Cox.  He  attended  lectures  at  Macon,  Ga.,  and  obtained  a diploma. 
He  was  married  September  27,  1866,  to  Lucy  M.  Cummins,  daughter  of  William  Cummins 
They  have  two  children:  Ernest,  born  March  9,  1868,  and  Lena,  born  December  23, 
1870.  The  Doctor  has  practiced  his  profession  successfully  for  twenty  years.  He  owns  576 
acres  of  land,  and  is  neutral  in  polities.  He  is  a Mason  and  his  family  belong  to  the  Church 
-of  Christ.  John  Latta,  father  of  Mrs.  Sparkman,  was  born  about  1764,  and  came  to 
Tennessee  from  North  Carolina  in  1813,  and  died  September  15,  1-327.  Our  subject’s 
father.  Seth  Sparkman,  was  reared  on  a farm  in  the  cane  in  Williamson  County.  Tenn. 
His  early  education  was  limited,  but  with  advancing  years  he  acquired  a fair  education. 
July  9,  1822,  he  was  married,  and  followed  blacksmithing  and  farming  through  life,  and 
also  practiced  medicine  to  some  extent.  His  father  was  William  Sparkman,  born  iu  1764, 
in  North  Carolina.  He  came  to  Nashville,  Tenn.,  in  1796.  He  moved  to  Williamson 
County,  Term.,  in  1801.  He  died  March  15.  1832. 

JAMES  T.  SPARKMAN,  farmer  and  stock  breeder,  was  born  in  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  August  16,  1836,  son  of  Seth  and  Rebecca  (Latta)  Sparkman,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish 
descent  (for  history  of  ancestors  see  sketch  of  Dr.  S.  C.  Sparkman).  Our  subject  was  edu- 
cated in  the  common  schools,  and  spent  the  free  and  happy  life  of  a farmer’s  boy.  He 
has  been  twice  married.  The  first  time  to  Miss  M.  J.  Dabney,  who  bore  him  four  chil- 
dren: Dabney,  born  December  30,  1860;  Latta,  born  July  4,  18G4:  Tnbitha  G\,  born  Septem- 
ber 15,  1862.  and  died  June  1,  1S63;  and  Mary  P.,  born  September  23,  1867.  and  died  De- 
cember 16,  1869.  Mrs.  Sparkman  was  born  March  21,  1842.  and  died  June  4,  1873.  Octo- 
ber 10,  1876,  he  wedded  Miss  Laura  King,  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  born  June  23, 
1S49.  The  entire  family  belong  to  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Sparkman  owns  a farm  of 
280  acres,  which  is  under  good  cultivation  and  which  yields  fair  profits. 

THOMAS  W.  SPARKMAN  was  born  on  the  same  farm  where  he  now  resides  June 
14,  1812.  He  is  a son  of  William  and  Rosanna  (Williams)  Sparkman  (see  note  of  father  in 
Dr.  S.  C.  Sparkman’s  sketch).  William  Sparkman’s  family  consisted  of  nine  children — 
four  daughters  and  five  sons.  Our  subject  was  the  youngest,  was  reared  on  a farm,  and 
received  a common  school  education,  and  has  made  farming  his  chief  business  through 
life.  September  23,  1840,  he  was  married  to  Miss  D.  Fitzgerald,  and  for  his  second  wife 
married  Miss  Nellie  Ann  White,  March  16,  1843.  His  first  wife  died  August  11,  1S41.  llis 
second  wife  was  born  November  2,  1822,  and  died  August  21,  1879.  She  became  the 
mother  of  twelve  children — eight  sons  and  four  daughters.  Four  sons  are  dead.  Mr. 
Sparkman  was  in  the  Home  Guard  service  during  the  war,  being  too  old  for  the  army,  but 
was  represented  by  both  sous  and  sons-indaw.  He  and  family  belong  to  the  Christian 
Church. 

JOHN  B.  SPROTT  was  born  in  this  State  May  19. 1826,  and  is  the  son  of  Blythe  and 
Rachael  Sprott,  the  father  born  in  North  Carolina  December  29, 1792.  and  died  June  15. 
1868.  Jle  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  Creek  and  In- 
dian war.  The  mother  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  the  year  1794,  and  died 
April  1,  1840.  Our  subject  was  joined  iu  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Crutcher,  a native  of 
this  county,  born  June  4,  1831,  and  the  daughter  of  A.  P.  and  Jane  P.  (Children)  Crutcher. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprott  were  born  ten  children:  Ophelia  Z.,  born  1851;  Absalom  B..  born 
1853;  Rachael,  born  1855:  Mary  V.,  born  1857;  Sarah  M.,  born  1861:  Emma  C.,  born  1S63; 
John  A.,  born  1805;  Thomas  P.,  born  1808;  Noia  P.,  born  1871,  and  James  F P.,  born 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1011 


1877.  Our  subject  lived  on  a farm  til!  1845.  after  which  he  taught  school  for  several  years. 
He  traded  considerably  in  stock  in  early  life,  and  during  the  late  war  was  the  errand  man 
for  the  neighborhood.  In  1S66  he  was  elected  magistrate  in  this  district,  which  oflice  lie 
held  for  several  years.  In  1853  he  moved  to  his  farm,  which  lies  in  the  southeastern  por- 
tion of  the  county,  and  contains  250  acres  of  good  land.  He  formerly  raised  considerable 
stock,  but  of  late  years  directs  his  attention  chiefly  to  raising  corn,  tobacco,  and  small 
grain.  He  has  a farm  of  193  acres  in  the  Eleventli  District,  and  another  of  seventy  acres.  He 
had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife  in  November,  187S.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

WILLIAM  H.  SPROTT  was  born  March  23, 1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Blythe  and  Rachael 
.Sprott,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  led  to  the  altar,  in  I860,  Mary  S.  Foster, 
a native  of  Maury  County,  Teuu.,  born  August  7,  1846,  and  the  daughter  of  Henry  and 
Susan  (Stevenson)  Foster,  natives,  respectively,  of  South  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  To 
our  subjet  and  wife  were  born  three  children:  Rachael  J.,  born  March  10,  1866;  William 
H.,  born  July  20,  1869,  and  Minnie  M.,  born  December  16,  1875.  Mr.  Sprott  was  reared 
on  a farm  and  is  living  in  the  house  of  his  birth.  He  has  followed  farming  from  early 
boyhood  and  has  been  quite  successful.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  the  Forty-fifth  Tennessee 
Regiment  and  remained  with  his  company  until  captured  in  Georgia  April  17,  1864.  wheu 
he  was  taken  to  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  and  retained  eleven  months.  He  returned  unscathed 
from  the  war  with  the  exception  of  a slight  wound.  His  farm  lies  in  the  southeastern 
portion  of  the  county  and  contains  ninety-one  acres  of  land  in  a good  state  of  cultivation. 
Politically  Mr.  Sprott  is  a Democrat.  lie  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  South. 

JAMES  P.  SPROTT  was  born  in  Williamson  Count}',  June  19,  1832,  and  is  the  son 
of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Podgett)  Sprott.  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and 
Virginia.  The  father  was  born  January  26,  1791,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  father 
when  but  a child.  He  died  April  1,  1876.  The  mother  was  bom  about  1802  and  died 
about  1830.  Our  subject  passed  bis  early  life  on  the  farm,  and  when  a young  man  learned 
the  saddler’s  trade  and  also  the  tailor’s  trade  which  he  followed  for  about  two  years.  In 
1857  he  married  Miss  Caroline  Pratt,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  the  year  1842,  and  to 
this  union  was  born  one  child,  Caroline  G.  He  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  his  wife  Sep- 
tember 19,  1860,  and  took  for  his  second  wife  M.  M.  Herron,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born 
March  2, 1S33,  and  a daughter  of  James  IL,  and  Maria  (Bond)  Herron,  natives,  respectively, 
of  Tennessee  and  Virginia.  To  this  last  union  one  child,  Jimmie,  was  born.  Mr.  Sprott 
is  at  present  living  in  the  southeastern  part  of  the  county  on  a farm  of  225  acres.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  the  army  and  after  remaining  there  about  eighteen  months  he  returned 
home  and  resumed  his  life-long  occupation  of  farming.  Mrs.  Sprott  is  a worthy  member 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  Mr.  Sprott  is  a Democrat. 

JAMES  W.  STEVENS  first  saw  the  light  of  day  May  12, 1828,  in  Williamson  County, 
Term.,  son  of  Edward  and  Nancy  Stevens,  who  had  horn  to  their  union  ten  children — 
•eight  sons  and  two  daughters.  Our  subject  was  the  ninth  child  and  was  educated  in  the 
common  schools.  lie  began  life  very  poor  financially,  but  by  industry  and  good  manage- 
ment made  himself  a very  good  home,  ami  is  comfortably  situated.  In  1870  he  purchased 
114  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  has  since  resided.  February  9,  1848,  he  took  for  his  life 
companion  Nancy  Westbrook,  who  was  born  June  10.  1832,  a daughter  of  Thornton 
and  Betsy  Westbrook,  of  Tennessee.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stevens  were  born  these  children: 
Mary  E.,  Ad  aline,  Robert  L.,  Nancy  J.,  Henry,  Effie,  Ernest,  Walter  D;,  James  A.,  Joseph- 
ine. Beulah,  Thomas  and  Sarah.  The  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Stevens  was  formerly  a "Whig,  but  now  declines  to  side 
with  either  party.  His  ancestors  were  English. 

PARK.  STREET,  farmer,  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  August  3,  1807,  iu 
Lunenburg,  County,  Va.,  son  of  Anthony  and  Mary  Street,  born  in  the  “Old  Dominion” 
and  came  to  Tennessee  in  181L  They  were  married  iu  1803  and  became  the  parents  of 
four  sons:  Alexander,  James,  Park  and  Anthony  G.  The  father  served  very  coDspicu- 


1012 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ously  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  a farmer.  He  died  in  1S09  in  Virginia.  His 
wife  died  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  in  1849.  Our  subject  received  a common  school  ed- 
ucation in  the. Marshall  County  schools,  and  in  1823  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  general 
merchandise  business,  at  Fishing  Ford,  until  1830.  He  then  purchased  a farm  near  Col- 
umbia. in  Maury  County,  where  he  tilled  the  soil  until  1851,  and  then  purchased  his 
present  farm.  He  owus  155  acres  of  valuable  land  and  is  well-to-do  financially.  July  28, 
1829,  he  married  Mary  J.  Smith,  born  September  10,  ISIS,  daughter  of  James  and  Martha 
Smith, of  Virginia.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Street  were  born  eight  children:  William  M.,  John 
M.,  Ann  P.,  James  P..  Eugene.  Mary  J.,  James  A.  and  Grief.  Mrs.  Street  died  November 
23,  1848,  and  May  8,  1850,  Mr.  Street  married  Christiana  Rainey,  who  was  born  February 
2,  ISO*,  widow  of  Maj.  Jesse  G.  Rainey  and  daughter  of  John  and  Frances  Raines,  natives 
of  West  Virginia.  The  second  wife  died  December  19,  1860.  and  for  his  third  wife  Mr. 
Street  took  Tennie  E.  J.  Barns,  February  5, 1862,  born  January  27,  1830,  daughter  of  Tbomas- 
and  Mourning  Barns.  To  them  were  born  one  son.  Claud  P.  Both  husband  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mr.  Street  is  a Democrat  and  a 
member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  Maury  County,  and  was  elected 
to  the  same  office  in  this  county  in  1852,  holding  the  office  until  1882.  when  he  declined 
re-election.  The  Street  family  are  highly  respected  citizens  and  were  among  the  first  to- 
settle  in  Tenuessee. 

JAMES  J.  SAYERS,  deceased,  was  a prosperous  farmer  of  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.;  he  was  born  March  14,  1801.  His  parents,  Robert  and  Nancy  Sayers,  were  born 
in  Virginia  and  were  the  parents  of  six  children — four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  par- 
ents came  to  Tennessee  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Here  our  subject  was- 
educated  in  the  best  schools  of  the  State  and  spent  several  years  of  his  early  life  as  a ped- 
agogue, and  instructed  and  ruled  his  pupils  with  more  than  ordinary  ability.  He  wedded 
Ann  M.  Taliaferro  January  29,  1835.  She  was  a daughter  of  Baldwin  and  Nancy  tSpots- 
wood)  Taliaferro,  and  was  born  March  6,  1S06.  Her  parents  were  born  in  Virginia,  and 
the  Spotswood  family  were  among  the  F.  F.  V’s.  To  the  above  mentioned  union  were 
born  four  children:  Robert  B.,  Mary  E.,  Jimmie  A.  and  Sarah  J.  Our  subject  settled  on 
the  farm  where  he  died,  in  1844.  He  owned  700  acres  of  good  land,  and  his  death,  which 
occurred  April  16,  1863,  was  felt  as  a universal  loss.  His  wife,  Ann  M.,  died  April  18, 
1886.  She  was  a woman  endowed  with  more  than  ordinary  intellect  and  was  for  many 
years  a successful  teacher  in  the  county.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  and  the  father  was  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  F.  A A.  M., 
and  the  early  members  of  his  family  figured  very  conspicuously  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

JOHN  M.  STREET,  deceased,  was  a prominent  farmer  of  Williamson  County, 
Teuu.,  and  was  born  February  26,  1834,  son  of  Park  and  Mary  J.  Street,  who  were  born 
in  Virginia.  Our  subject’s  early  life  was  spent  in  working  at  the  carpenter’s  trade. 
February  7,  1858,  he  wedded  Mary  J.  Vernon,  who  was  born  October  16,  1844,  and  is  the 
daughter  of  Ashlem  and  Nancy  Vernon,  who  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Street  were  born  ten  children:  Nancy  E.,  Mary  A.,  Lazinka  U.,  Jennie,  James* 
P.,  William  D.,  Eugene,  John  A.,  Moffitt  and  David  A.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  Oc- 
tober 4,  1879,  our  subject  owned  212  acres  of  good  land.  Mr.  Street  was  a man  of  noble 
impulses  and  his  death  was  mourned  by  all  who  knew  him.  His  widow,  Mary  Street* 
married  Capt.  William  T Ridley  December  29,  1882,  and  to  them  was  born  a son  named 
Bunk.  The  Street  family  are  highly  respected  citizens,  have  been  known  in  Tenues- 
see for  almost  a century  and  are  of  English  descent.  Mr.  Street  was  a Democrat  in  his 
political  views  and  favored  the  principles  of  that  party. 

JOSEPHUS  L.  SWEENY,  blacksmith,  was  born  on  the  21st  of  February,  1842,  in 
Williamson  County,  Tenn.  He  is  one  of  seventeen  children — eleven  sons  aud  six  daugh- 
ters— bom  to  the  marriage  of  Charles  P.  Sweeny  and  Sal  lie  Huggins,  who  are  of  Irish  de- 
scent, born  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee  in  1816  and  1818,  respectively.  Both  are  yet 
living.  Our  subject  was  educated  iu  the  common  schools  and  was  reared  on  a farm, 
after  which  he  learned  the  blacksmith’s  and  wagon-maker’s  trade.  He  was  a soldier  in 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1013 


the  late  war  and  served  in  Baxter’s  artillery  for  over  two  years.  Since  the  close  of  the 
war  he  has  worked  at  his  trades  and  has  been  quite  successful.  April  19,  1866,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Minerva  Jane  Gat  hire,  horn  in  Edgefield,  Tenn.,  December  25,  1849.  To 
them  were  born  six  children:  Lemuel  F.,  born  June  10,  1867;  Edward  L.,  born  August  29, 
1869 ; John  L.,  born  July  17,  1875;  Bonie  L.,  born  August  26,  1878;  Charles  D.,  born  Feb- 
ruary 15,  1885,  and  Annie  L.,  born  September  18,  1872.  Mr.  Sweeny  is  a Democrat  and 
he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 

REV.  STEPHEN  ALLEN  TAYLOR  is  a son  of  William  Taylor,  who  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  and  was  a farmer  in  Georgia  for  about  eighteen  years.  In  early  life,  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Malinda  Nunn,  of  North  Carolina,  and  of  their  twelve  chil- 
dren eleven  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood:  George,  Hiram,  Sallie,  Mary,  John, 
Nancy,  Solompn,  Stephen,  Martha,  James  and  Margaret.  William  Taylor  died  , about 
1835,  and  was  buried  in  Georgia.  He  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife 
died  in  1853.  Our  subject  was  born  in  the  State  of  Georgia  February  15,  1829.  He  re- 
ceived his  rudimentary  education  in  the  country  schools,  and  in  1850  entered  the  Univer- 
sity of  Lebanon  and  graduated  in  June,  1854.  He  first  followed  school-teaching  and  was 
licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in  1849.  In  1854  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Rachel 
D.  Miller,  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  five  children  have  been  born  to  them:  John  M., 
William  A.,  Christina  B.,  Carrie  Bell  and  Elbridge  G.  Mr.  Taylor’s  ancestors  were  of 
English  birth  and  came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Virginia  or  North  Carolina.  Mr. 
Taylor  has  been  a minister  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  nearly  forty  years. 
He  owns  the  Independence  farm  of  459  acres  of  land,  and  is  highly  respected  by  all  who 
know  him. 

HERBERT  R.  TEMPLE  (deceased)  was  born  May  1,  1815,  and  passed  his  early  life  in 
assisting  his  father  on  the  farm  and. in  attending  the  common  schools.  Later  he  went  to 
Texas  and  engaged  in  farming,  but  at  the  age  of  thirty-four  he  left  Texas  and  returned  to 
Tennessee,  locating  in  Williamson  County.  August  26,  1852,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Susan  Brown,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children:  William  E.,  Mary  F.,  Roberta 
L.  and  Herbert  R.  Mr.  Temple  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  at  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  August  28, 1880,  was  living  at  his  farm  known  as  “Oakland/* 
Mrs.  Herbert  Temple  is  still  living  at  her  residence  in  the  Sixth  District  of  Williamson 
County,  and  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  Brown,  father  of  Mrs. 
Temple,  is  a native  of  Virginia  and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing in  which  he  was  quite  successful.  August,  1832,  he  wedded  Miss  Fannie  Claud,  and  by 
her  he  is  the  father  of  these  children:  Susannah,  Catharine,  Virginia,  Nannie  E.,  Mary  F., 
Coleman  aud  Enoch.  Mr.  Brown  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

IION.  ATHA  THOMAS,  attorney  at  law  and  ex-treasurer  of  State,  was  born  in 
Williamson  County,  October  5,  1829,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Eliza  Thomas, 
botli  natives  of  Virginia.  In  a family  of  twelve  children  the  subject  is  the  tenth 
and  is  of  Welsh-English  extraction.  The  father  of  Mr.  Thomas  immigrated  to  Ten- 
nessee in  179G  and  settled  in  Davidson  Count}',  but  in  1801  he  removed  to  Williamson 
County  and  here  he  and  his  wife  died.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received 
a liberal  education  at  private  schools  and  at  Wirt  Academy  in  Sumner  County.  In  1851 
he  began  teaching  school  and  about  the  same  time  he  began  reading  law.  He  continued 
teaching  for  two  years  and  then  entered  the  Lebanon  LawT  School  and  graduated  from 
that  institution  in  1853.  In  18ol  he  took  charge  of  Thompson’s  Academy  in  this  county 
where  he  conducted  a most  successful  school  until  the  beginning  of  the  war.  From  1861 
to  1864,  he  had  charge  of  Harpeth  Academy  in  Franklin  and  was  one  of  the  most  success- 
ful teachers  the  county  has  ever  had.  In  1865  he  began  the  practice  of  law  in  this  and 
adjoining  counties  and  was,  for  a number  of  years,  associated  in  the  practice  with  G.  W. 
Hicks,  aud  was  a member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  in  1869-70.  In  1883  Mr.  Thomas 
was  elected  Slate  treasurer  of  Tennessee,  and  accepted  that  office  at  an  inauspicious  time, 
which  was  during  the  greatest  financial  crisis  the  State  has  ever  experienced.  He  held 
the  office  one  term  and  then  resumed  the  law  practice,  which  he  now  continues  in  partner- 


1014 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


nership  with  William  House,  and  together  they  constitute  one  of  the  best  law  firms  in  the 
county.  In  1850  our  subject  wedded  Miss  Sarah  E.  North,  daughter  of  Rev.  Henry  B. 
North.  Mrs.  Thomas  died  in  1858,  and  in  1882  Mr.  Thomas  was  married  to  Mrs.  Bettie 
Sikes,  of  Rutherford  County.  To  the  last  union  were  born  two  children:  Atha  and 
Woodlief.  Mr.  Thomas  has  always  been  a true  Democrat.  He  is  a Mason  (Knight 
Templar)  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  In  addition  to  his  ex- 
tensive law  practice,  he  has  held  many  positions  of  trust  and  is  one  of  the  first  men  of  the 
State.  Mrs.  Thomas  is  a worthy  member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

PROF.  HUGH  BLAIR  TODD,  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  the  State,  was  born  in 
Spottsyivania  County,  Va.,  June  2, 1S15,  and  is  a descendant  on  both  sides  of  distinguished 
English  and  Scotch  families.  Some  of  his  ancestors  were  noblemen  and  were  among  the 
early  adventurers  to  America.  His  maternal  grandfather,  Col.  Winslow,  of  the  British 
Army,  finally  settled  in  America,  where  he  died.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Richard  Todd, 
settled  in  Virginia,  and  there  his  father,  William  Todd,  who  was  an  Episcopal  clergyman, 
^vas  born.  His  father  died  in  that  State  in  1854.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  private 
schools  of  Virginia,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  began  teaching.  In  1835  he  moved  to 
Fayette  County,  Ky.,  and  there  established  his  first  boarding  school,  and  after  four  years 
of  success  purchased  “Green  Hill,”  near  the  home  of  Henry  Clay,  and  there  established  a 
school  which  became  famous  throughout  the  State.  He  conducted  schools  at  Lexington, 
Ky. : Carlisle,  Ivy.;  Mount  Sterling,  Ivy.;  Camden  Point  College,  Mo.,  and  Platt  City,  Mo., 
where  he  remained  until  the  beginning  of  the  late  war.  He  then  cast  his  fortunes  with 
the  South,  but  on  account  of  failing  health  was  compelled  to  resign,  after  which  he  re- 
turned home,  and  in  1862  took  charge  of  the  Rogercville  Academy,  in  East  Tennessee. 
Our  subject  has  been  married  three  times — the  first  was  in  1836;  he  wedded  Eliza  Dicken- 
son, of  Virginia,  and  by  this  union  has  three  living  children.  In  1862  he  wedded  Mrs. 
Kate  Carr,  of  Tennessee,  and  has  one  child  by  her.  In  1808  he  took  for  his  third  wife  Mat- 
tie  T.  Gorth,  a native  of  Todd  County,  Ky.,  and  by  her  has  one  son,  Hugh  Blair,  Jr.  Prof. 
Todd  is  one  of  the  most  successful  and  distinguished  teachers  the  South  has  ever  known. 
He  is  an  able  and  fluent  speaker,  and  carries  with  him  the  feelings  of  the  people.  For 
years  he  was  the  friend  of  Henry  Clay,  whom  he  resembled  somewhat.  He  is  an  active 
worker  and  member  of  the  Christain  Church.  During  the  year  1883  he  was  chief  of  the 
department  of  agriculture,  horticulture,  floriculture  and  decorator  of  tlic  grounds  at  the 
Louisville  Exposition.  In  1884  Prof.  Todd  moved  to  Franklin,  where  he  expects  to  pass 
the  remainder  of  his  days.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

HON.  B.  B.  TOON,  an  old  and  influential  citizen  of  Williamson  County,  Tenu.,  was 
born  in  this  State  August  20,  1810.  His  father,  James  Toon,  was  a native  of  Virginia, 
born  in  1779,  and  in  1815  was  wedded  to  Dorcus  Dodson,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  Octo- 
ber, 1788.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  in  1811  and  located  in  West  Harpeth,  in  this 
county.  He  fought  in  the  war  of  1812  and  also  in  the  Creek  Indian  war.  He  died  in 
1839,  and  the  mother  died  in  1803.  Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah 
Nolan,  a native  of  this  count}',  born  May  13,  1832,  and  the  daughter  of  Stephen  Nolan, 
a native  of  Virginia.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  seven  children:  Michael  M., 
born  in  1850:  Fannie  D.,  born  in  1852;  James  M.,  born  in  1855;  Florence  M.,  born  in  1857; 
William  B.,  born  in  i860;  Rufus  C.,  born  in  1866,  and  Vera  P.f  born  in  1874.  Our  subject 
was  reared  on  a farm,  and  in  early  life  taught  school  in  this  county.  In  1S49  he  moved 
to  his  present  farm,  which  lies  on  Ifarpetli  River,  about  seven  miles  from  the  county  seat, 
and  which  contains  330  acres  of  good  land  in  a line  state  of  cultivation.  In  1842  he  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  this  district,  and  re-elected  in  1850,  which  office  he  held 
until  1876,  with  the  exception  of  four  years  during  the  war.  In  1874  hewaselected  to  the 
State  Legislature,  representing  Williamson  and  Maury  Counties.  He  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  a Democrat  in  politics.  f 

ALPIIEUS  TRUETT,  son  of  Henry  M.  and  Sarah  (Clarnpett)  Truett,  was  born  May 
17,  1823,  in  Jliukmau  County,  Tcnn.  His  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina  and  at  an 


/ 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


10 15 


■early  day  immigrated  to  Hickman  County,  Tenu,  where  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits 
And  was  also  engaged  in  the  nurserj*  business.  lie  had  the  first  fruit  nursery  in  the  State 
His  mother  was  a uative  of  Delaware  and  by  her  union  with  Henry  M.  Truett  became  the 
mother  of  twelve  children,  only  two,  our  subject  and  James  M.,  now  living.  The  father 
died  in  1S33  and  the  mother  followed  in  1840.  Our  subject  was  reared  and  educated  in 
the  country.  In  the  }*ear  1849  lie  wedded  Miss  Roena  A.  Beard,  a native  of  this  State 
By  this  union  the}*  became  the  parents  of  one  child,  Edwin  C.  Mrs.  Roena  Truett  died 
in  1850,  and  in  1852  our  subject  wedded  Miss  Susan  E.  Meritt,  who  bore  him  five  children: 
-Sallie  A..  Jennie,  Alice  R.,  John  H.  and  Susan  J.  Sallie  A.  died  in  1873.  Our  subject's 
•second  wife  died  in  1803,  and  in  1865  Mr.  Truett  married  Miss  Sarah  J.  Taylor.  Three 
children  blessed  this  union:  Lanie  E..  Richard  E.  and  William  A.  Richard  E.  died  in 
1872.  Mr.  Truett  is  at  present  engaged  in  the  nursery  business  at  Franklin,  Teim.  He 
has  a good  stock  of  all  kinds  of  fruit  trees,  and  in  connection  with  this  runs  a flower  gar 
-den  which  is  very  fine,  ne  also  owns  a tract  of  land  adjoining  the  town  of  Franklin.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  one  of  Franklin’s  best 
•citizens. 


C.  R.  TURNER  was  born  in  Williamson  County  July  10,  1831,  and  is  the  third  of 
nine  children  born  to  John  and  Sallie  (Richerson)  Turner.  Our  subject  was  reared  ou  a 
farm  and  had  reached  the  age  of  seventeen  when  his  father  died,  leaving  him  control  of 
the  farm  and  care  of  the  large  family.  In  1867  he  wedded  Miss  Martha  J.  McCord,  a na- 
tive of  this  State,  born  March  1,  1846,  and  the  second  of  eight  children  born  to  Newton  and 
Sallie  A (Knott)  McCord.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Turner  were  born  six  children:  William  II. 
C.  'deceased',  born  January  16,  1877:  James  R.  ‘deceased),  born  March  1,  1882:  John  N 
born  February  3,  1868;  Sarah  E.,  born  March  24,  1875;  Anna  T.,  born  September  30,  1874. 
and  Maggie  L..  born  October  15, 1879.  Mrs.  Turner  died  October  25, 1882,  and  our  subject 
then  married,  November  15,  1883,  Martha  J.  Wood,  a native  of  this  State,  born  June  14. 
1843,  and  the  daughter  of  William  T.  and  Louisa  E.  (Crocket)  Wood.  In  1862  our  subject 
•enlisted  in  Company  D.  Iloleinan’s  regiment,  and  remained  in  the  tinny  until  the  fall  of 
1864,  when  he  returned  home.  In  1867  he  moved  to  his  present  farm,  which  contains  145 
acres  of  good  land.  Mr.  Turner  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

WILLIAM  M.  TURNER,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Williamson  County  September  26,  1831. 
.son  of  Joseph  R.  and  Elizabeth  II.  (Marshall)  Turner,  and  is  of  English  and  Seotcli-Irish 
-descent.  The  father  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1801  and  his  mother,  who  was  a sister  of 
Hon.  John  Marshall,  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  ISOS.  The  maternal 
.grandfather  of  our  subject  came  to  Tennessee  in  the  pioneer  days  of  the  State,  and  tin* 
Marshall  family  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished  of  Tennessee  families.  The  Turiu  i 
family  came  ro  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Williamson  County  about  1828,  but  subsequently 
removed  to  Marshall  County,  and  there  the  father  of  Dr.  Turner  died  in  1879,  the  mother 
having  died  in  1856  in  Marshall  County.  Our  subject  is  the  eldest  of  eleven  children.  t« : 
-of  whom  lived  to  he  grown.  He  was  educated  at  Chapel  Hill  Academy  in  Marsha! 
County,  Tenn.,  and  in  1854  began  the  study  of  medicine.  In  1857  he  graduated  from  iL 
-old  medical  college  in  Nashville  and  subsequently  located  at  Chapel  Hill,  where  he  be  ^ • 
the  practice  of  medicine  and  dentistry  until  1872.  He  then  moved  to  Franklin  and  ! *• 
makes  a specialty  of  dentistry,  having  almost  entirely  abandoned  the  practice  <4 
•cine.  He  is  considered  one  of  the  best  dentists  in  this  section.  Iu  1863  he  weddid  A 
L.  Bain,  nee  Bullock,  of  Franklin,  who  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  leading  tea  do  : ■ 
<he  Tennessee  Female  College  of  Franklin.  To  Dr.  Turner  and  wife  were  burn  <*iu- 
Dr.  Dick  B.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  wife  are  leading  iuembt  r-  *4 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

ANDREW  C.  VAUGIIAN  was  born  in  Hardeman  County,  Tenn.,  April  H». 


of  William  and  Mary  M.  (Craig)  Vaughan,  and  is  of  Irish-English  lineage.  rl  1 > ! 'r‘ 
of  our  subject  were  both  born  in  Tennessee,  the  father  about  1804  and  the  mother  * 
3806  His  paternal  grandfather,  William  Vaughan,  was  a native  of  \ ir-ona  • * « ‘ 
grated  to  Tennessee  at  a very  early  date.  Our  subject’s  father  died  in  l’e»r>  ( < 


1016 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Tenn.,  iu  1864  and  his  mother  died  in  the  same  county.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on 
the  farm  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  went  to  Franklin  and  learned  t lie  harness-maker’s 
trade.  He  engaged  in  that  business  for  about  eight  years.  In  i860  he  was  married  to- 
Lutitia  A.  McAlpin,  a native  of  this  county.  The  fruits  of  this  uuion  were  seven  chil- 
dren: William  T.,  Lulu  E.,  Dan  E.,  Jessie  E.,  Myrtle,  Lutitia  and  Ada.  In  1862  Mr. 
Vaughan  enlisted  and  served  three  years  in  the  Confederate  service.  He  was  taken  pris- 
oner in  1863  and  conveyed  to  Camp  Butler,  111.,  but  was  exchanged  at  the  end  of  six 
weeks.  He  then  came  home  and  resumed  the  harness  business,  which  he  continued  for 
quite  a number  of  years.  He  has  also  been  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  and  was 
in  the  livery  business.  He  is  a Democrat,  a Royal  Arch  Mason  and  lie  and  wife  belong 
to  the  Christian  Church.  He  is  a leading  citizen  of  the  county. 

JOIIX  H.  WAGGONER  is  a son  of  John  and  Sarah  Waggoner,  who  were  born  in 
Tennessee.  Their  ancestors  were  North  Carolinians  by  birth,  and  the  father  of  our  sub- 
ject was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  his  father  was  a Revolutionary  soldier.  Our  subject  was 
born  on  the  30th  of  April,  1824,  and  received  a liberal  education.  He  has  followed  farm- 
ing from  boyhood,  and  was  first  married  to  Jane  Burnett,  who  was  the  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Sarah  Burnett,  of  Davidson  County.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waggoner  became  the 
parents  of  seven  children:  James  L.,  William  $.,  Robert  S.,  Benjamin  S.,  Neal  S..  Joel 
S.  and  Mary  F.  Mr.  Waggoner’s  wife  died  in  1862,  and  iu  1863  he  wedded  Sulula  A. 
Beech,  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  Beech.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waggoner  were  born 
eleven  children:  Merry  E..  L.  M.,  Ophelia  B.,  Laurence,  Emily  K.,  Vida  P.,  Flurida  A., 
Thomas  J.,  John  II.,  Lee  and  Andrew.  Our  subject  settled  on  his  present  farm  of  160- 


acres  in  1865.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  31: 


episcopal  Church  ‘south. 


OBADIAH  WALLER,  31.  D.,  was  born  iu  Davidson  County,  Tcnn.,  February  3, 
1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Joel  Waller,  who  was  born  in  Virginia.  The  family  were  early 
pioneers  of  Tennessee,  and  are  of  Scotch  descent.  In  early  life  Joel  Waller  married  a 
Miss  Scales,  by  whom  he  had  eleven  children,  our  subject  being  the  youngest.  He  was 
educated  in  the  Franklin  Male  University  and  finished  his  literary  course  at  Nashville,  af- 
ter which  he  studied  medicine  under  Dr.  S.  S.  31  ay  field  and  Dr.  John  W.  3Iorton,  and  in 
1849  he  attended  the  Louisville  (Ivy.)  3Iedieal  College,  and  was  a member  of  the  Societas- 
Louisvillensift  Medica , and  completed  his  medical  studies  in  the  3Iedical  University  of 
Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  and  received  his  diploma  in  1851.  He  served  as  surgeon 
in  the  late  war  in  the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  since  the  close  of  that  con- 
flict has  followed  bis  profession  in  Williamson  County  and  also  superintends  his  farm. 
He  was  married,  31arch  3,  1854,  to  Miss  Nannie  Marion  Carl,  whose  mother,  3Irs.  Jane 
B.  Carl,  is  now  residing  with  the  Doctor,  and  was  born  in  1806,  but  is  yet  bale  and  vigor- 
ous. Dr.  Waller  is  a Democrat  and  a 3Iaster  3Iason,  and  lie  and  wife  are  members  of  the- 
3Iethodist  Episcopal  Church. 

J.  E.  WALTERS  is  a son  of  Eli  A.  and  3Iary  (Carsey)  Walters,  and  was  born  in-. 
Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  June  23,  1849,  and  received  a common  school  education.  In 
1869  lie  was  united  in  marriage  to  3Iiss  Alice  Bond,  daughter  of  Page  Bond,  of  Maury 
County,  and  their  union  was  blessed  with  five  children;  those  living  are  James,  Nannie, 
Morris  and  Tommy.  3Irs.  Walters'  death  occurred  in  1884.  Mr.  Walters  is  a Democrat 
in  his  political  views  and  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  His  fa- 
ther, Eli  A.  Walters,  was  horn  in  the  Old  Dominion  in  1807,  and  came  to  Williamson 
County,  Tenn.,  with  his  parents,* when  twelve  years  of  age.  After  attaining  his  majority 
he  began  farming  for  himself,  and  in  183G  was  married  to  Mary  Carsey,  daughter  of 
Thomas  B.  Carsey,  of  this  county.  They  have  four  children:  J.  E.,  W.  C.,  Dora  P.  (Mrs. 
James  31abon,  of  Maury  Count}*,)  and  Thomas.  The  father  died  January  19,  1861. 
Thomas  P.  Carsey  was  born  in  3Iarvland,  in  1797,  and  came  to  Tennessee  about  1812.  The 
Walters  family  are  also  old  settlers  of  the  county,  having  come  to  this  State  in  1819. 

JOHN  C.  WELLS,  carriage  manufacturer  and  undertaker,  was  born  in  Nottoway 
County,  Va.,  September  12,  1812,  and  is  the  son  of  Coleman  and  Elizabeth  (Phillips) 
Wells.  The  father  and  mother  were  born  in  Virginia,  the  former  in  1781  and  the  latter 


WILLIAMSON  COUNTY. 


1017 


in  1786.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of .1812  and  died  in  1833.  The  mother  died 
in  Virginia  in  1882.  Our  subject's  grandfather,  Giles  Wells,  was  a Virginian  and  a sol- 
dier in  the  Revolutionary  war.  lie  died  in  Virginia,  at  a good  old  age.  At  the  age  of 
fifteen  our  subject  began  serving  a four  years'  apprenticeship  at  the  v agon-maker’s  trade 
and  worked  at  that  trade  in  his  native  State  until  1839,  when  he  immigrated  to  William- 
son County.  Tenn.,  and  settled  in  Franklin,  where  he  carried  on  the  wagon  business  for 
nineteen  years  and  then  began  the  carriage  business,  which,  in  connection  with  the  un- 
dertaking business,  he  has  carried  on  since  the  war.  June  3,  1834,  he  married  Catherine 
Robinson,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  November  27.  1810,  and  by  this  union  became  the 
father  of  an  interesting  family  of  seven  children:  James  C..  Posthenia  E.,  Sarah  F.,  John 
W..  Edward  T.,  Richard  P.  and  Virginia  H.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wells  are  the  grandparents 
of  twenty-seven  children.  Mr.  Wells  is  a Democrat  and  a Mason,  and  this  aged  couple 
have  been  members  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  half  a century.  He  is  one  of  the  promi- 
nent men  of  the  county  and  a leading  citizen. 

WILLIAM  WHITE,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Franklin,  Wijliamson  Co.,  Tenn., 
son  of  William  and  Mary  (Bennett)  White,  and  of  English  extraction.  The  father  was 
born  in  this  couutv  in  1810,  as  was  also  the  mother  in  1814.  The  former  died  in  1S50  and 
the  latter  in  1874.  Our  subject’s  early  life  was  passed  ou  the  farm.  He  received  the 
rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  country  schools,  and  subsequently  attended  the  Frank- 
lin schools.  In  1867  he  began  the  study  of  medieine  under  Dr.  J.  D.  Bennett,  of  Maury 
County,  Tenn.  In  the  fall  of  1868  he  went  to  New  Orleans  and  entered  the  Medical  Uni- 
versity of  Louisiana.  In  1871  he  was  elected  resident  student  of  Charity  Hospital  in  the 
Crescent  City,  and  in  March,  1873,  graduated  from  the  University  of  Louisiana  HV-  then 
returned  to  Williamson  County  and  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  which  he 
continued  until  1877,  when  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in  Franklin,  and  in  this  has 
since  continued.  He  is  one  of  the  most  reliable  druggists  in  that  town,  and  is  doing  a 
successful  business.  In  1881  he  wedded  Sallie  Watson,  of  Franklin,  a daughter  of  Thomas 
J.  and  Kate  Watson.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  member^  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  December,  1885,  he  was  elected  director  of  the  National 
Bank  of  Franklin.  He  is  an  honorable  man  and  is  in  every  sense  a gentleman. 

DR.  THOMAS  W.  WHITFIELD,  deceased,  was  born  in  February,  1827.  and  spent 
his  early  life  in  assisting  his  father  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  country  schools.  In 
1853  and  1854  Mr.  Whitfield  attended  lectures  in  the  Nashville  Medical  College  and  grad- 
uated from  the  same  the  next  year.  Dr.  Whitfield  located  in  Davidson  County  aud  be- 
gan practicing  his  profession.  Miss  Sarah  M.  Berry  became  his  wife  March  4,  1855,  and 
to  them  were  born  eight  children:  John  H.,  Mattie  11.,  Anna  E..  Julia  W.,  Jimmie  D., 
Thomas  W.,  William  B.  and  Clifton  B.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  In  1860  Dr.  Whitfield 
left  Davidson  County  and  located  in  Henry  County,  West  Tenn.  Here  he  remained  about 
fifteen  years,  when  he  removed  to  Williamson  County,  and  there  died  July  13.  1879,  on 
his  farm  known  as  “Ilill  Side  Home.”  He  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and 
was  also  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  John  Berry,  father  of  Mrs.  Whitfield,  died 
October  7,  1856.  Her  mother  died  September,  1876,  and  was  a member  of  the  Christian 
Church.  Our  subject’s  widow  is  still  living  and  is  also  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  T., WILHOITE  was  born  January  19,  1846.  llis  father,  Young  Wilhoite,  was 
born  in  Tennessee  January  5,  1817,  and  was  reared  ou  a farm  but  left  it  in  early  boyhood 
and  began  merchandizing,  which  might  be  termed  his  life  long  occupation.  The  subject’s 
mother,  Eliza  (Dunaway)  Wilhoite,  was  born  in  Tennessee  July  14, 1817,  and  by  her  union 
with  Young  Wilhoite  became  the  mother  of  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  dead.  The 
mother  died  in  1852.  December  25,  1866,  the  subject  wedded  Anna  M.  Hume,  who  was 
born  in  this  State  October  24,  1818.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Alfred  and  Mary  Hume. 
To  the  subject  and  wife  was  born  one  child,  Annie  E.,  who  was  born  November  7,  1867. 
His  wife  died  December  21.  1867.  He  then  married  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Bettie  E 
Johnson  January  31,  1871.  She  was  born  in  this  State  April  6,  1850,  and  was  the  daughter 
of  Joshua  and  Minnie  T.  Johnson.  By  the  subject’s  last  union  he  became  the  father  of 


■ 


1018 


BIOGRAPHICAL  A PPEXDIX. 


five  children:  Jimmie  Y.,  born  November  7,  1871;  Minnie  P.,  born  May  17,  1S75;  Willie, 
born  December  28,  1882,  and  two  boys,  twins,  not  named,  born  February  20,  188G.  The 
subject  was  born  in  Shelby  ville.  Tenn.,  and  was  educated  in  the  best  schools  of  that  town. 
When  sixteen  years  of  age  he  lived  four  years  on  his  father’s  farm  near  Shelbyville.  In 
1865  he  came  to  Allisoha  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  where  he  remained  about 
ten  years.  lie  then  returned  to  Shelbyville  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business,  where 
he  remained  two  years,  after  which  he  again  returned  to  Allisona  and  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  Iu  1S79  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business,  and  continued  to  do  so 
until  18S3.  Since  that  time  he  has  directed  his  attention  to  farming.  He  has  200  acres  of 
good,  level  land.  He  has  been  a considerable  stock  raiser  and  trader,  and  his  fine  farm  is 
situated  iu  the  southwest  corner  of  the  count}-  and  has  a good  pike  road  running  by  it. 
He  is  a Mason,  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  a stanch  Demo- 
crat in  politics. 

CLEM  W.  WILLIAMS  was  born  July  11,  1814,  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.  His 
parents.  Freeman  and  Martha  Williams,  were  born  in  Virginia,  and  were  married  about 
1795,  and  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children:  Jourdan,  Herbert,  Joseph,  Susan,  Nancy, 
Joshua,  Clem  W.,  Luke,  Rachel,  William,  Levi  and  Berry.  Our  subject  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  in  early  life  was  engaged  in  farming.  In  1838  he  began  the 
shoe-maker’s  trade,  and  also  worked  at  stone-masonry,  following  this  until  1871,  when  he 
again  commenced  farming.  He  owns  470  acres  of  valuable  laud,  on  which  he  lo- 
cated. He  was  married  to  Adaline  Barns  in  1839.  She  was  the  daughter  of  George  and 
Nancy  Barns,  and  died  in  1841.  In  1847  Mr.  Williams  wedded  Tabitha  Barns,  daughter 
of  Peter  and  Pollie  Barns.  To  them  were  born  these  sons:  John  W.,  Thomas  L.  and 
Samuel  L.  This  wife  died  in  1853,  and  Elizabeth  Osborn  became  bis  third  wife  in  1857, 
and  bore  seven  children:  Mary  H.,  Fannie  P.,  Ada,  Robert,  Noble,  Martha  C.  and  Char- 
ley. The  present  Mrs.  Williams  was  the  daughter  of  Noble  and  Hannah  Osborn,  natives 
of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  Williams  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  WILSON  (deceased)  was  born  in  t lie  year  1806,  in  Georgia.  When  about  six 
years  of  age  he  went  with  his  father  to  .Mississippi,  and  after  finishing  his  education  en- 
tered on  life’s  rough  track  as  a planter  in  Mississippi.  October  9,  1836,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  .Mahala  II.  McPherson,  daughter  of  Joseph  McPherson,  and  by  this  union 
became  the  father  of  an  interesting  family  of  children.  Mr.  Wilson  located  on  Harpeth 
River,  in  the  Seventh  District,  where  he  remained  nine  years  engaged  in  farming.  In 
1849  he  removed  to  Richland,  where  he  died  August  8,  1852.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mrs.  Wilson's  father,  Joseph  McPherson,  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina.  He  wedded  in  early  life  Miss  Mary  Taylor,  and  by  her  became 
the  father  of  thirteen  children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mrs.  McPherson  was  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  as  also  is  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Wilson. 

WILLIAM  E.  WINSTEAD,  clerk  and  master  of  chancery  court,  was  born  near 
Franklin,  in  this  county,  January  18,  1838,  son  of  John  M.  and  Nancy  A.  (Whitfield) 
Winstead,  and  is  of  Scotch  ancestry.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  this  county 
in  1807,  and  for  twenty -five  years  was  a magistrate  of  the  county.  He  is  still  liv- 
ing. The  mother  was  born  in  Davidson  County  in  1811,  and  died  in  February,  1885.  Of 
twelve  children- our  subject  was  the  fifth  son;  lie  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  received 
the  rudiments  of  his  education  at  the  country  schools,  and,  subsequently  attended  Shelby- 
ville University,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1859.  In  1860  be  taught  school  ten  months, 
and  in  1801  he  was  appointed  deputy  clerk  and  master  of  this  county.  In  the  fall  of  1801 
he  enlisted  in  Capt.  John  L.  McEwcn’s  company,  and  in  1863  was  discharged  on  account 
of  physical  disability.  In  1865  he  was  appointed  clerk  and  master,  and  has  held  the  office 
ever  since,  and  has  been  one  of  the  leading  officials  of  this  county  for  twenty  years.  He 
was  one  of  fi  ve  brothers  who  was  in  the  Confederate  Army.  He  was  formerly  a Whig  but 
is  now  a Democrat.  November  1,  1870,  lie  wedded  Miss  Anne  E.  Bradley,  daughter  of 
K.  II.  Bradley,  of  Franklin.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Winstead  were  born  two  daughters:  Mag- 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1010 


gie  A.  and  Katie  Kiel.  Mr.  Winstead  is  a Mason,  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a representative  of 
one  of  the  earliest  families  of  Tennessee,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Franklin. 

JOHN  M.  WINSTEAD  was  born  March  9.  1S0T,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  son 
of  John  and  Mary  Winstead,  natives  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  and  grandson  of 
William  and  Elizabeth  Winstead,  of  Virginia,  who  settled  in  Tennessee  in  1795.  The 
mother’s  maiden  name  was  Chapman  and  her  parents  came  to  Tennessee  about  1800.  Our 
subject’s  father  was  a farmer  and  was  married  about  1795,  becoming  the  father  of  seven 
children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth.  The  father  died  July  28,  1822,  and  tiie  mother  iu 
1837.  Our  subject  is  the  only  living  member  of  his  father’s  family,  and  has  always  been 
engaged  iu  farming.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  March  8,  1827.  was 
married  to  Nancy  A.  Whitfield  (daughter  of  Harrison  and  Mary  Whitfield),  bora  August 
5,  1811,  in  Williamson  County.  They  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children:  James  M., 
Harrison  W.,  John  M.,  Walker  W.,  William  E.,  Robert  O.,  Meredith  P.  G.,  Thomas  E., 
Mary  E.,  Winfield  S.,  Lucy  T.  and  Ida.  Our  subject  owns  500  acres  of  very  valuable 
land.  His  wife  died  February  7,  1885.  In  politics  be  is  a Democrat  aud  a member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1854  he  was  chosen  justice  of  the  peace,  continuing  until  1882.  Our  sub* 
ject  comes  of  a prominent  family  and  some  of  his  ancestors  were  soldiers  in  the  Revolu. 
tionary  war  and  the  war  of  1812,  and  were  prominent  men  in  this  State. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


COL.  JOHN  H.  ADKERSON,  an  enterprising  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county  and 
State  October  15,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  James  A.  and  Percilla  (Jones)  Adkerson,  both 
Datives  of  Virginia.  The  father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  coming  here 
in  1820.  He  was  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county,  and  his  death,  which  occurred 
December  3,  1853,  was  a sad  shock  to  all  who  knew  him.  The  mother  died  September  12, 
1877.  The  subject  of  our  sketch,  John  H.,  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his  educa 
tion  in  the  county  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  took  charge  of  his  father’s  fram, 
and  in  the  year  1S61  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment,  as  first 
lieutenant,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  eight  months,  when,  on  account  of  his  health 
failing,  he  was  honorably  discharged  September,  1801.  He  then  returned  to  his  farm,  and 
has  since  been  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  On  January  20,  18-54,  Mr.  Adkerson 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sallie  Sneed,  a native  of  this  county,  aud  to  them  were 
born  the  following  children:  Sallie  M.  (deceased),  Ida,  Ella,  Katie  N.,  George  M.,  James 
A.,  John  N. , Mabel  aud  Clinton.  Mr.  Adkerson  is  a Democrat  in  polities,  and  served  a^ 
deputy  sheriff  for  four  years  in  this  county.  He  is  also  a member  of  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  the  balance  of  the  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  Mr.  Adkerson  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  county. 

ANDREW  M.  ALEXANDER,  born  May  19,  1815,  is  a son  of  Andrew  M.,  Sr.,  and 
Nancy  (Doran)  Alexander,  who  were  born  in  Maryland  aud  Virginia  respectively.  The 
father  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  o-f  the  county,  and  was  killed  at  New  Orleans  dur 
ing  the  war  of  1812,  in  which  he  served  until  his  death  in  1814.  The  mother's  death 
occurred  in  1805.  Andrew  M.’s  boyhood  days  were  spent  on  the  farm  with  his  mother 
aud  in  securing  a limited  education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  engaged  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  with  Gilman  & Moore,  with  whom  he  remained  two  years.  He  afterward 
clerked  for  J.  L.  Moore  6c  Co.,  remaining  three  years.  In  the  spring  of  1838  he  began 
fanning  close  to  his  present  place,  and  in  1850  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides 
and  where  he  lias  since  been  steadily  engaged.  In  1853  he  erected  a grist-mill  on  his 


1020 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


place  which  has  a capacity  of  thirty  barrels  per  day.  He  controls  the  leading  business  in 
that  line  in  his  part  of  the  count}',  and  is  doing  well  financially.  December  3.  1837,  he 
wedded  Miss  Rebecca  Wright,  a native  of  North  Carolina.  Her  death  occurred  Novem- 
ber 1,  1882.  This  marriage  was  without  issue.  Mr.  Alexander  is  a Democrat  and  a leading 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

MRS.  ANNIE  E.  ALEXANDER,  widow  of  Albert  G.  Alexander,  a prominent  farmer 
of  Rutherford  County,  Term.,  was  born  March  31,  1S14,  in  Virginia.'  Mr.  Albert  G. 
Alexander,  a native  of  this  State,  was  born  August  8,  1810,  and  is  the  son  of  Daniel  and 
Sarah  (Alexander)  Alexander.  He  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  coming 
here  with  his  parents  about  1S27.  He  was  an  extensive  and  very  successful  farmer,  and 
himself  and  family  were  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  His  death 
occurred  February  26.  1862.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Annie  E.,  still  lives  on  the  old  homestead. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alexander  were  horn  live  children  : Eliza  J.  Madison  (who  died  in 
March,  1862,  in  the  prison  of  Camp  Butler,  111.,  during  the  war),  Robert  L..  Elizabeth 
and  Ophelia.  Mrs.  Annie  E.  Alexander  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  and  are  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  families  of  the  county. 

HON.  B.  F.  ALEXANDER,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Terni.,  was  born  January 
-20,  1849,  and  is  the  son  of  Madison  H.  and  Catharine  (Suttle)  Alexander,  natives,  respect- 
ively, of  Tenuessee  and  Virginia.  The  father,  who  is  a well-known  and  prosperous 
farmer,  still  resides  in  this  county.  The  mother,  who  died  in  this  county  November  23, 
1877,  was  reared  in  the  immediate  neighborhood  of  Thomas  Jefferson,  and  often  spoke  of 
that  illustrious  statesman  in  warmest  terms  of  praise.  Our  subject  graduated  at  Union 
University.  Murfreesboro,  Term.,  in  1870,  and  a year  later  took  the  degree  at  the  law  school 
of  Cumberland  University.  He  then  practiced  his  profession  for  seyeral  years  at  Murfrees- 
boro, editing  the  Murfreesboro  Monitor  in  the  meantime.  In  1878  he  was  chosen  over 
four  competitors  to  represent  Rutherford  and  Bedford  Counties  in  the  House  of  Repre- 
sentatives, where  he  served  in  a faithful  and  highly  efficient  manner.  In  1880  he  was 
nominated  by  acclamation  by  the  Democrats  of  Rutherford  County  to  represent  his  sena* 
torial  district  in  the  Forty-second  General  Assembly,  and  although  his  party  was  divided 
he  was  elected  by  a handsome  majority.  In  1881  he  was  elected  temporary  speaker  of  the 
Senate.  He  was  made  chairman  of  three  different  committees  and  was  appointed  a mem- 
ber of  a committee  sent  to  New  York  to  compromise  with  holders  of  Tennessee  bonds,  but 
declined  on  the  ground  that  a sovereign  State  ought  to  settle  her  local  concerns  without 
dictation  from  her  creditors.  Mr.  Alexander  always  advocated  the  rights  and  worked  in 
the  interest  of  the  laborer  and  producer  of  the  country,  and  the  people  of  his  district  man- 
ifested their  approval  by  electing  him  without  opposition  to  a seat  in  the  Forty-third 
General  Assemblj*,  and  although  he  had  declared  himself  not  a candidate  for  the  position 
he  was  elected  speaker  after  a few  hours’  balloting.  Mr.  Alexander  is  a Democrat  of  the 
old  Jefferson  type,  a man  of  affable  and  generous  nature,  and  was  reared  in  the  Methodist 
faith,  to  which  he  still  inclines.  He  is  unmarried  and  is  engaged  in  agriculture,  which  is 
his  favorite  pursuit. 

JAMES  H.  ALLEN,  proprietor  of  the  livery,  feed  and  sale  stable  at  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  Warren  County  N.  J.,  August  26,  1831,  son  of  Obadiah  A.  and  Eliza 
beth  (Harris)  Allen,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey,  where  the  father  died  and  the  mother 
■still  resides.  James  II.  spent  his  early  days  on  a farm  in  his  native  State  where  he 
acquired  but  a limited  education  such  as  was  common  to  farmers’  children  at  that  day. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  left  home  and  began  learning  the  harness-maker’s  trade  which 
he  mastered  and  at.  which  he  worked  in  Pennsylvania,  North  Carolina,  Alabama  and  his 
native  State,  and  on  the  27th  of  March,  18-37,  he  came  to  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and  fol- 
lowed his  trade  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  when  he  was  employed  by  the  Confed- 
erate Government  in  the  quartermaster’s  department,  continuing  until  the  battle  of  Stone 
River,  when  he  was  employed  in  the  quartermaster's  department  of  the  Federal  Govern 
ment  and  continued  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1866  he  engaged  in  his  present  business 
and  has  met  with  good  and  merited  success.  lie  controls  a large  share  of  t lie  trade  in 


i/j 


* 4 


.RUTHERFORD  COUNTY 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1021 


town  and  county  and  is  also  engaged  extensively  iu  the  sale  of  horses  and  mules.  Febru- 
ary 2,  1860,  he  was  married  to  Sarah  E.  Lane,  a native  of  the  county.  To  them  were  born 
-four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living  : Harris  L.  and  Emmet  C.  Mr.  Allen  was  a Whig 
'as  loDg  as  that  party  existed.  Since  the  war  he  has  been  independent  in  his  political 
views.  He  is  a Mason  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

MAJ.  CHARLES  W.  ANDERSON,  a prominent  and  successful  farmer  of  Rutherford 
•County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Franklin,  Kv.,  November  28,  1825,  and  is  a son  of  Harry  I. 
and  Adalinc  (Hickman)  Anderson,  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  father  came  to  this 
State  in  1835,  and  took  charge  of  the  Tennessee  State  prison  at  Nashville,  where  he  re- 
mained for  thirteen  years,  after  which  he  commenced  farming.  He  died  iu  the  year  1882. 
The  mother  died  when  our  subject  was  an  infant.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a 
good  education  and  then  went  into  the  mercantile  business  in  Nashville,  where  he  re- 
mained for  six  years.  In  1848  he  became  interested  in  steam-boats,  owning  an  interest  in 
the  following  steamers:  “Milwaukee,”  “Colorado, ” aud  commanded  the  “North  Carolina,” 
“Colorado”  and  the  “Embassa.”  He  was  the  first  man  to  take  out  a contract  for  the  semi- 
weekly mail  packet  between  Nashville  and  Memphis  for  the  government.  In  the  winter  of 
1851, he  sold  out  the  mail  line  and  took  a position  as  general  freight  agent, where  ho  remained 
for  some  years.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  received  notice  from  Quartermaster 
Meyers,  appointing  him  transportation  quartermaster  of  all  the  troops  passing  through 
Chattanooga,  with  headquarters  at  the  above  place.  After  the  battle  of  Shiloh  he  returned 
to  his  present  farm  and  found  his  home  burnt  out  by  the  Federals.  He  then  joined  Gen. 
Forrest’s  staff  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant,  was  aid-de-camp  of  Gen.  Forrest  till  the  close 
of  the  war.  Mr.  Anderson  was  in  man}*  of  the  principal  battles,  and  never  received  a 
wound  of  any  kind  during  this  time.  He  returned  to  his  home,  repairing  and  mending  up 
his  broken  fortune  as  best  he  could.  Mr.  Audersonisa  Democrat  and  his  family  are  lead- 
ing members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  1852  Mr.  Anderson  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mattie  Love,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  Harry  J.,  Lillie  L.  and  Mattie  C.  Maj.  Anderson  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers 
•of  this  county  and  is  respected  by  all. 

JAMES  L.  ANDERSON,  a well-known  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County, 
Tenn.,  June  16,  1826,  and  is  the  son  of  George  AY.  and  Martha  M.  Anderson,  natives  of 
Virginia.  The  father,  a successful  carpenter  and  farmer,  came  to  tin's  county  in  1818,  lo- 
cated on  a farm  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1847.  The  subject  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  obtained  a fair  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  at  a proper 
age  began  farming  on  property  inherited  from  his  father.  Afterward  he  sold  out  and 
moved  to  the  place  where  he  now  resides.  In  1845  he  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  M. 
Beesley,  and  to  them  were  born  three  children,  namely:  Martha  H.,  George  D.  and  Sallie 
T.,  wife  of  Arthur  M.  Edward.  Air.  Anderson  is  an  unswerving  Democrat,  and  in  1862 
enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  I,  of  the  First  Tennessee.  He  took  an  active  part  in 
most  of  the  battles  iu  which  his  company  was  engaged,  received  a wound  at  Missionary 
Ridge,  and  was  unfit  for  active  service  for  about  two  months;  after  recovering  he  joined 
the  command  at  the  battle  of  Atlanta.  He  then  joined  a cavalry  company  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Anderson  is  an  influential  citizen,  and  lias  held  the  office 
•of  justice  of  the  peace  for  some  time. 

HORACE  N.  ARNOLD,  merchant,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn.,  March  29,  1860.  He  is  a son  of  C'apt.  Ed  and  Harriett  (McLanahan) 
Arnold,  natives  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee 
when  a young  man  aud  followed  farming,  contracting  and  building  and  brick-masonry. 
He  built  probably  two-thirds  of  the  brick  buildings  in  Murfreesboro,  which  were  erected 
before  the  war.  He  w as  captain  of  a company  iu  Gen.  Forrest’s  regiment,  and  led  that 
body  in  the  capture  of  Murfreesboro  from  the  Federals.  He  died  suddenly  of  supposed 
heart  disease  in  the  streets  of  Murfreesboro  November  11,  1884.  He  was  a Democrat  and 
was  sheriff  of  the  county  about  sixteen  years.  He  was  a member  of  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  Horace  N.  Arnold  obtained  a collegiate  education  and  served  four  years  as 


04 


1022 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


deputy  sheriff  under  his  father.  In  1S80  he  engaged  in  the  book  and  stationery  business, 
but  from  1882  to  1883  followed  farming,  and  then  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  dry  goods 
business  in  Murfeesboro.  In  January.  1SS6,  he  moved  to  his  present  commodious  busi- 
ness rooms  on  the  Square  where  be  carries  a full  and  select  line  of  staple  and  fancy  grocer- 
ies, dry  goods,  boots,  shoes  and  general  merchandise.  December  17,  1885,  he  was  mar- 
ried to  Fannie  B.  Butler,  a native  of  the  town.  Mr.  Arnold  is  a Democrat  and  a member 
of  the  board  of  aldermen  in  the  city.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church  South. 

JAMES  MONROE  A VENT,  a prominent  and  wealthy  attorney  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  was  born  December  10,  1816,  in  Greenville  County,  Va.  His  parents,  James  and 
Mary  Avent,  were  natives, respectively,  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina, and  removed  from 
the  father's  native  State  to  Alabama,  from  whence  they  came  to  this  State  and  county  in 
1830.  They  resided  here  until  1856,  when  they  removed  to  Hardeman  County.  Tenn., 
where  the  elder  Avent  died  in  1S68.  James  M.  A vent’s  boyhood’s  days  were  spent  on  the 
farm  and  in  the  schools,  differing  from  the  experience  of  many  lads  of  his  da}’,  insomuch 
that  his  education  was  superior  to  that  of  the  ordinary  youth.  He  secured  a good  liter- 
ary education  at  the  Clinton  College,  in  Smith  County,  Tenn.  At  the  age  of  twenty  one 
he  had  decided  to  make  the  law  his  profession  for  life,  and  entered  the  office  of  Charles 
Ready,  of  this  city,  with  whom  he  read  law  until  he  was  admitted  to  the  Rutherford 
County  bar  in  18-10.  He  then  engaged  in  the  practice  here,  rapidly  growing  in  reputation 
and  character  as  a lawyer,  and  was  for  many  years  a partner  of  the  late  ex-Chancellor  B. 
L.  Ridley.  Mr.  Avent  is  now  the  senior  member  of  the  well-known  law  firm  of  Avent, 
Smith  &■  Avent,  and  it  may  be  justly  said  that  he  has  contributed  largely  to  the  success 
and  high  standing  of  this  firm  at  the  Rutherford  County  bar.  February  27,  1857,  Mr. 
Avent  married  Mary  W.,  the  daughter  of  the  late  Maj.  John  W.  Childress,  of  this  county. 
The  result  of  this  uniou  has  been  five  children,  the  following  four  now  living:  Frank, 
James  M.,  Bettie  B.  and  Sarah  W.  Mr.  Avent  is  a Democrat  of  the  old  “Jacksonian 
school,”  and  has  always  been  an  active  and  zealous  worker  for  his  party,  but  never  as- 
pired to  office.  He  has  frequently  been  appointed  judge  pro  tem  of  our  courts,  and  dis- 
charged the  duties  of  this  highly  responsible  position  in  a manner  that  indicated  his  su- 
perior qualities,  as  a jurist.  He  is  a prominent  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  has 
been  identified  with  all  public  and  private  enterprises  that  were  calculated  to  promote 
the  prosperity  of  the  city  or  county.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Stone’s  River 
Creamery  Company,  of  which  he  is  now  the  president.  Himself  and  wife  have  been  life- 
long members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  be  is  justly  and  universally 
recognized  as  one  among  the  leading  and  successful  citizens  of  our  county,  a lawyer 
of  fine  judgment  and  ability  and  a consistent  Christian,  gentleman. 

FRANK  AVENT,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Avent,  Smith  & Avent,  attorneys  at 
law  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born  March  7,  1858,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn., 
and  is  a son  of  James  M.  Aveut,  senior  member  of  the  firm.  Frank  received 
the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Murfreesboro,  and  after- 
ward entered  the  Vanderbilt  University  at  Nashville,  from  which  college  he  gradu- 
ated in  1878.  In  the  fall  of  1879  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Cumberland 
University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  graduating  in  1880.  He  spent  several  months  in  the  West, 
and  in  1881  was  a law  partner  of  his  uncle,  Capt.  John  W.  Childress.  He  then  joined 
his  .father  in  this  city,  and  they  control  a large  share  of  the  legal  business  done  in  the 
county.  Mr.  Avent  is  a Democrat,  and  was  a candidate  for  nomination  to  the  State  Leg- 
islature, but  was  defeated,  lie  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  post  chancellor  of  the  local 
lodge,  and  is  secretary  of  the  County  Fair  Association,  lie  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  a rising  young  barrister  of  Rutherford  County. 

BAIRD  & MARTIN,  stove  and  tinware  merchants  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  began 
tlicir  business  in  February,  1886.  They  keep  a fine  and  extensive  stock  of  goods,  and  do 
a large  business.  They  also  deal  extensively  in  harvesting  machinery.  James  S.  Baird, 
of  the  firm  of  Baird  & Martin,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  April  15,  1861,  son  of  Jo 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1023 


siab  M.  and  Sarah  (Me Knight)  Baird,  both  natives  of  the  county  (see  father’s  sketch  t 
James  S.  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  received  a common  school  education.  At  the  aze  of 
twenty  he  came  to  Murfreesboro  and  engaged  in  the  coal  business,  in  which  he  has  re- 
tained an  interest  to  the  present  time,  being  a member  of  the  coal  firm  of  AY.  X.  Perry  A 
Co.  In  April,  1883,  he  purchased  the  Murfreesboro  Hews,  which  he  conducted  creditably 
one  year,  and  in  February.  1886.  engaged  in  his  present  business  as  above  stated,  lie  a 
Democrat,  unmarried,  and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  one  of  the  reli 
able  young  business  men  of  the  county. 

STERLING  B.  BARING,  a prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  was  born  April 
17,  1823,  in  this  county,  and  is  tlie  son  of  Amos  and  Nancy  (Ethel)  Baring,  natives  re- 
spectively of  Green  County,  Tenn.,  and  Petersburg,  Ya.  The  father,  a mechanic  and 
farmer,  came  to  this  county  in  1820  and  lived  here  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1839.  The  son  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a fair  education  in  the  country 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  began  learning  the  house  carpenter  trade.  After  finish- 
ing this,  he  started  to  contracting  for  himself,  following  this  with  success  for  twenty- 
five  years.  He  then  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  which  contains  270  acres 
of  good  land.  In  1854  he  married  Elizabeth  Edward  and  became  the  father  of  eight  chil- 
dren : Mamie  L.,  the  wife  of  D.  N.  Fain,  Tennie  V.,  Ella,  Lizzie  C..  Julia  P.,  Mary  E.. 
Josie  J.  aud  Lydia.  Mr.  Boring  is  a Democrat,  and  has  held  the  office  of  justioeof  the 
peace  in  four  districts  for  twelve  years.  He  is  a Master  Mason,  and  his  wife  is  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

BENJAMIN  BATEY  sheriff  and  native  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  bore,  u 
the  4th  of  July,  1846.  His  parents.  Benjamin  and  Tabitba  (Searcy)  Batey,  were  natives 
respectively  of  Yirginia  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was  born  in  1801  and  came  to  Ten 
nessee  in  1807  or  1808,  being  among  the  first  settlers  of  Davidson  County.  About  a year  later 
he  came  to  Rutherford  County  where  he  was  reared,  married  and  raised  a large  family  of 
children . He  was  a successful  farmer  and  served  as  magistrate  several  years.  lie  died  iu 
1873.  Our  subject  w as  educated  in  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and 
graduated  from  the  Law  Department  of  that  institution.  In  1863  he  enlisted  as  a private 
in  Company  D,  Twenty-first  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served  in  the  Southern  Army  until  its 
surrender.  He  then  returned  home  and  completed  his  education  as  above  stated.  He  fol- 
lowed farming  until  August,  1882,  when  he  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  party  to  the  of 
flee  of  sheriff  of  Rutherford  Couuty,  and  re-elected  in  1SS4.  He  has  proved  an  excellent 
man  for  the  position,  and  has  given  good  satisfaction.  He  is  a Mason.  Knight  Templar, 
and  is  also  a K.  of  P. 

FRANK  BATTLE,  an  influential  farmer  of  Robertson  County,  was  born  April  5. 
1841,  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  son  of  Joel  and  Adaline  (Morelv)  Battle, 
natives  of  Davidson  County.  The  father  served  as  captain  in  the  Florida  war,  after 
which  he  was  elected  general  of  the  Tennessee  Militia.  In  1861  he  enlisted  as  colonel  in 
the  Twentieth  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantry,  and  was  captured  at  Shiloh:  durinc  lha: 
fierce  and  bloody  battle  his  horse  was  killed,  and,  falling  on  him,  disabled  him  from  activ- 
service.  After  his  return  he  was  appointed  treasurer  of  the  State  of  Tennessee,  serving  in 
that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  lie  was  theu  appointed  by  Gav.  Brown  superin 
tendent  of  the  State  prison,  and  held  this  office  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  S p 
tember,  1872.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  an  academic  -education 
White  Creek  Academy  of  Davidson  County.  He  has  been  quite  successful  i'.i  far:;-.:  : 
having  at  present  200  acres  of  well  improved  land.  January  1,  1866,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Bettie  House,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children  : Joe!  A.,  Alfred  B-,  Oeer-jc  S 
Addie  M.,  Frank  P.,  Paul,  Julia  II.  and  James  M.  Mr.  Battle  is  an  unswerving  D :i: 
ocrat.  In  1861  he  enlisted  as  private  in  Company  B,  of  the  Twentieth  Tenncs-if  ocg*. 
rnent,  and  after  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  was  promoted  to  captain  of  a company  <•. 
Wheeler,  scouts,  iu  July,  1862,  he  was  captured  by  the  Federal  Army  aud  taken  \<>  -Mu 
sou’s  Island  and  held  as  hostage  for  Capt.  Harris,  and  later  was  removed  to  tort  AN  arren 
where  lie  was  held  for  eight  months,  and  then  sent  through  as  especial  exchange  -N- 1 1 * 


1024 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


the  war  he  was  appointed  sheriff  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  Nashville,  served  three  years 
^andthen  moved  to  Rutherford  County,  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a Mason,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

GRANVILLE  C.  BATY.  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 4,  1S4S,  being  a son  of  William  G.  V.  and  America  (Crockett)  Baty,  both  natives  of 
this  State  and  county.  The  father,  who  was  a well-known  and  successful  farmer  of  the 
couuty,  died  in  187*2.  Granville  was  reared  on  a farm  with  his  parents,  and  secured  an  ordi- 
nary common  school  education  in  his  boyhood  days.  When  he  was  ten  years  of  age  his 
mother  died,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen  he  began  life  for  himself:  working  about  on  a farm 
until  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age,  and  then  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  mercantile  business 
in  this  city,  continuing  until  1869.  He  soon  after  erected  a store-house  about  six  miles 
trom  Murfreesboro  on  Franklin  road,  to  engage  in  the  business.  Being  disappointed  in 
this  went  to  West  Tennessee  and  engaged  first  in  railroading  and  later  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  in  Dyer  County,  continuing  there  until  his  father's  death,  when  he  returned 
to  this  county  and  settled  up  his  father's  estate,  and  then  followed  farming  in  this  county 
until  1883,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  business  as  wholesale  and  retail  merchant.  In 
1876  he  married  Lucy  L.,  daughter  of  Ivy  J.  C.  Haynes.  They  have  five  children:  Lizzie 
G.,  Martha  J.,  Fannie  B.,  Hal  C.,  and  Rufus  Ii.  Mr.  Baty  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
he  and  wife  arc  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

CAPT.  RICHARD  BEARD,  attorney  at  law,  notary  public,  and  general  insurance 
-agent  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born  near  Canton,  Miss.,  February  28,  1842,  son  of  Rev. 
"Richard  Beard  and  Cynthia  (Castleman)  Beard,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Ten- 
nessee. The  father  was  born  in  1799,  and  was  educated  for  the  ministry  in  the  Cumber- 
land College  at  Princeton,  Ky.  He  began  his  professional  career  as  president  of  bis 
^ ilma  maUr , and  filled  the  theological  chair  of  Cumberland  University  from  1854  until 
his  death  in  1881  or  1882.  The  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  Princeton, 
Ky.,  and  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  securing  a good  education  in  the  latter  place,  and  graduating 
-from  its  college  in  1858.  He  then  spent  another  year  studying  English  literature,  and  dur- 
ing 1860  entered  the  legal  department  with  the  view  to  making  the  practice  of  law  his  pro- 
iession.  In  the  spring  of  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  H.  Seventh  Regiment  Tennessee 
Infantry,  and  served  until  after  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines  in  1862,  when  he  was  severely 
wounded,  and  was  afterward  appointed  second  lieutenant  in  the  Fifth  Confederate  Regi- 
ment, and  after  the  battle  of  Perryville,  Ky.,  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant.  At  the 
battle  of  Murfreesboro  he  was  appointed  adjutant,  and  after  Chickamauga  was  raised  to 
the  rank  of  captain,  being  also  wounded  in  this  engagement.  He  was  an  eye  witness  to 
the  death  of  Maj.-Gen.  McPherson,  commander  of  the  Federal  Army  of  the  Tennessee, 
and  refutes  the  charges  made  by  the  Fcderals  that  McPherson  was  murdered,  and  since 
the  war  wrote  an  article  on  the  same,  which  lias  been  published  throughout  the  country, 
North  and  South.  In  1804  Capt.  Beard  was  captured  aud  kept  a prisoner  at  Johnson’s 
Island,  Lake  Erie,  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home,  and  in  the  spring 
-of  1866  graduated  in  law  and  came  immediately  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  has  built  up  a 
good  practice.  During  the  fall  of  i860  and  years  of  1870-71  he  owned  and  edited  the 
Alurfreesboro  Monitor , a weekly  paper  devoted  to  the  interests  of  Democracy.  He  finally 
-disposed  of  his  paper  advantageously.  He  is  a Democrat,  a Mason  and  Knight  Templar. 
February  15,  1870,  he  wedded  Marie  L.  Dromgoole,  who  has  home  him  four  children: 
*Sallie,  William  E.,  Richard,  and  Marie  L.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  BEESLEY,  farmer,  was  born  December  23,  1838,  and  is  the  eldest  child 
born  to  Christopher  and  Susan  (Ridoubt)  Beesley,  natives  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn. 
•Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured  a good  common  school  education.  At  the 
•.age  of  twenty-one  be  began  trying  to  make  a livelihood  by  farming  for  Arthur  Miller 
and  others,  and  so  continued  up  to  the  time  of  the  war.  In  1866  he  rented  a farm  in  the 
‘Seventh  District,  where  he  lived  for  twelve  .years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  was  able  to 
buy  land.  In  1878  lie  purchased  the  property  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Beesley  has  met 


' 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1025 


with  evident  success  in  his  occupation  of  farming  and  at  present  owns  112  acres  of  land. 
In  1866  he  married  Miss  Alice  G.  Elliott,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Teuu.,  and  to 
this  union  were  born  eight  children:  Adelaide  S.,  Christopher  E..  Mattie  T..  Carrie  K., 
Susan  W..  Ethel  L.,  William  A.  and  John  R.  Mr.  Beesley  is  a Democrat,  and  enlisted  in 
1861  in  Company  1 of  the  First  Tennessee  Regiment  as  a private.  lie  was  engaged  in 
some  of  the  noted  battles,  such  as  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Chiekamauga.  Perryviile.  Frank- 
lin, Murfreesboro  and  Bentonviile.  He  was  wounded  in  the  leg  during  the  battle  of 
Chiekamauga,  which  disabled  him  from  active  service  for  about  six  weeks.  In  1863  he- 
was  wounded  for  the  second  time  in  the  leg.  and  at  the  battle  of  Franklin  he  received  a 
flesh  wound  which  disabled*  him  for  three  months.  After  the  war  he  returned  home  and 
resumed  his  business  of  farming.  He  is  an  influential  citizen  and  a good  neighbor. 

JOHN  BEESLEY,  brother  of  William  and  Christopher  Beesley,  whose  biographies 
are  found  elsewhere  in  this  work,  was  born  September  3.  1840,  in  Rutherford  County.  He 
was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a good  English  education  at  Salem  Academy.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-two  he  engaged  in  farming  ou  rented  property,  and  four  years  later  pur- 
chased land  in  the  Fourth  District,  where  he  remained  three  years.  He  then  sold  out. 
and  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Beesley  has  an  excellent  farm  of  100 
acres.  In  1865  he  married  Miss  Martha  A.  Job,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  two  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Minnie  P.  and  Mary  S.  In  January,  1883,  he  married  for  his  second  wife  Miss- 
Mary  E.  Mathews,  a native  of  Weakley  County,  Tenn.  Mr.  Beesley  is  a Democrat,  and 
April  2,  1861,  enlisted  as  private  in  Company  I.  First  Tennessee  Regiment  of  Infantry, 
where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Beesley  and  family  are  members  of. 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  the  county,  and  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

CHRISTOPHER  BEESLEY,  a prominent  farmer  of  the  Seventh  District,  was- born* 
March  20,  1853,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  son  of  Christopher  and  Susan.Ji 
(Ridoubt)  Beesley.  The  father,  a well-known  pioneer  farmer,  died  at  his  old  homestead 
in  this  county  March  9.  1879.  The  mother  is  still  living.  The  subject  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  receiving  but  a limited  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  county.  After 
reaching  his  majority  he  began  farming  f.or  himself,  and  rented  land  for  the  first  five 
years,  after  which  he  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  is  at  the  present  living.  It  consists 
of  261  acres  of  well  improved  land.  In  November,  1876,  he  married  Miss  Bettie  O.  Pope, 
a native  of  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  and  to  this  union  were  born  three  children:  Mary 
O..  Huston  D.  and  Sarah  G.  Mr.  Beesley  is  an  unswerving  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  R.  BELL,  watch-maker,  jeweler  and  musical  instrument  dealer,  of 
Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  Robert  F.  Bell,  of  this  city,  and  was  born  in  Rutherford 
County,  September  14,  1857.  William  R.  obtained  a fair  education  and  at  the  age  of 
seventeen  began  learning  the  watch-maker’s  trade,  which  he  mastered  and  at  which  he 
worked  until  1879,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  business  on  his  own  responsibility,  and 
has  met  with  the  success  his  honesty  and  industry  has  merited.  He  lias  one  of  the  best 
stores  in  the  city,  well  stocked  with  jewelry  of  all  kinds,  silver  and  plated-ware,  watches- 
and  clocks,  and  controls  the  majority  of  the  trade  in  this  city  and  county.  Besich>  thi- 
Jie  keeps  a fine  stock  of  pianos,  organs,  and  other  musical  instrumeuts,  in  which  lie  doe* 
a thriving  business.  October  25,  18S1,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nellie  Frost,  a native 
of  Rutherford  County.  They  afe  the  parents  of  three  children:  Lizzie  M..  William  R 
and  Lyda.  Mr.  Bell  is  a Democrat  in  his  political  views  and  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  I 

SAMUEL  P.  BLACK,  M.  I).,  an  enterprising  citizen  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  and 
proprietor  of  the  Smyrna  grist-mill,  was  born  in  Tennessee  April  10,  1837,  and  is  a son  of 
Dr.  Thomas  C.  and  Catharine  W.  (Morton)  Black,  both  of  whom  aie  natives  of  this 
The  father  was  born  in  Sumner  County  March  15,  1809,  and  is  the  son  of  Samuel  P 
Black,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  who  received  a liberal  education  in  that  Stat< . and 
was  noted  for  his  learning  and  morality.  Dr.  Thomas  C.  Black  receiv  d liis  literary 
and  classical  education  entirely  from  his  father;  lie  afterward  attended  Bradley  s> 


- 


IOlV, 


BIOGRAP IIICA  L APPEN  D I X. 


Academy,  where  be  commenced  the  study  of  medicine.  lie  graduated  at  the  Transyl- 
vania University,  of  Kentucky,  and  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Rutherford  County 
Medical  Society.  His  death  occurred  May  28.  1878.  The  mother  still  survives  and  re- 
sides on  the  old  homestead.  Our  subject,  Samuel  P.,  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured 
a good  classical  education,  attending  school  at  the  Stone’s  River  Academy  and  Washington 
Institute.  At  an  early  age  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  his  father,  and  later  at- 
tended lectures  in  the  medical  department  of  the  College  of  Nashville,  graduating  at  that 
institution  with  the  degree  of  M.  D.  lie  then  returned  home  aud  practiced  medicine  with 
his  father  until  1859,  when  he  engaged  in  the  milling  business.  In  1862  he  was  appointed 
assistant  surgeon  of  the  hospital  at  Nashville,  where  he  remained  for  some  time,  but  re- 
turned home  on  account  of  sickness,  shortly  afterward  he  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Tennes- 
see Cavalry  Company,  and  was  transferred  to  the  medical  department  of  East  Tennessee, 
where  he  tilled  the  position  of  assistant  surgeon.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned 
home  and  resumed  his  milling  business,  which  he  has  since  continued  and  in  which  he 
has  been  quite  successful.  Mr.  Black  is  a single  gentleman,  a Democrat  in  politics  and 
has  been  a Mason  since  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

ADAM  BOCK,  carriage  and  buggy  manufacturer,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tcnn.,  was  born 
in  Hessen -Darmstadt,  Germany,  February  8,  1833,  being  a son  of  John  and  Margaretta 
(Flath)  Bock,  both  natives  of  Germany,  where  they  lived  and  died.  Adam  received  a fair 
collegiate  education  in  his  native  language  and  learned  the  carriage-maker’s  trade  of  his 
father.  In  18-51  he  came  to  the  United  States,  landing  at  New  York  City  and  soon  after 
came  to  Louisville,  Ivy.,  where  he  followed  his  trade  about  eight  years.  In  the  spring  of 
1860  he  came  to  Murfreesboro,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  enlisted  in  Company  1. 
First  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Confederate  Army  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
In  November,  186-5,  he  engaged  in  his  present  businesss,  in  company  with  others,  under  the 
firm  name  of  Osborn,  Bock  Co.,  but  since  1S79  Mr.  Bock  has  conducted  the  business 
alone.  He  manufactures  superior  carriages  and  buggies  aud  is  doing  well  from  a financial 
standpoint.  In  1869  he  wedded  Virginia  C.  Jordan,  of  Tennessee.  The}'  have  four  chil- 
dren: Margaret  J.,  George  I.,  John  A.  and  Estelle.  Although  independent  in  politics  Mr. 
Bock  rather  favors  Democratic  principles.  He  is  a member  of  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  he  and  Mrs. 
Bock  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

COLUMBUS  T.  BRITTAIN,  a prominent  farmer  and  fruit  grower  cf  Third  District, 
was  born  July  13, 1834,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  the  son  of  John  and  Martha 
M.  (Smith)  Brittain,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father, 
a cabmet-raaker  by  trade,  came  to  this  county  in  1818,  and  afterward  farming  with  such 
evident  success,  that  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1859,  he  left  300  acres  of 
land.  The  son  was  reared  and  educated  as  the  average  farmer  boy,  and  at  the  age  of 
twenty-five  commenced  farming  for  himself  on  his  father’s  place.  Mr.  Brittain  has  met 
with  well-deserved  success,  having  one  of  the  largest  and  best  improved  farms  in  the 
county.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  as  a private  and 
and  took  an  active  part  in  most  of  the  battles  in  which  his  command  engaged.  He  was 
mustered  out  in  1865,  returned  home  and  resumed  his  farm  duties.  In  1869  he  married 
Miss  L.  Brothers,  who  died  October  31,  1871,  leaving  one  child,  Margaret  M.  In  1873  he 
was  again  married  to  Miss  Frances  M.  Batey,  and  by  this  union  had  two  children:  John 
W.  and  Frankie  D.  Mr.  Brittain  is  a Democrat,  a Master  Mason  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

ROBERT  S.  BROWN,  a widely-known  and  energetic  merchant  of  Eagleville,  was 
horn  in  Bedford  County,  October  27,  1844,  aud  is  the  son  of  Solomon  and  Evaline  (Kim- 
mons)  Brown,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  a prominent  farmer  and 
a soldier  in  the  Mexican  war;  his  death  occurred  in  1850.  The  mother  still  survives  him 
and  is  the  wife  of  Thomas  Chambers.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married,  February 
11,  1801,  to  Miss  Alice  Booker,  and  this  union  was  blessed  by  eight  children:  Thomas  E., 
James  W.,  Ada,  Robert,  Nina,  Mary,  Irene  and  Horace.  Mr.  Brown  took  on  active  part 
in  the  late  war,  being  captain  of  a company  of  Federal  scouts,  operating  in  thi<  State  for 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1027 


one  year,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  resigned  his  commission  and  refrained  from 
further  participation  in  the  war.  He  returned  home  to  engage  in  busiuess  and  is  now  the 
leading  merchant  in  Eagleville.  Mr.  Brown  is  a Republican  in  the  broadest  meaning  of 
the  term  and  is  the  present  magistrate  of  a strongly  Democratic  district.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Brown  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  and  have  the  respect  of  all  who  know  them. 

BUTLER  & DRUMRIGHT,  merchants.  Tlie  business  was  estalished  in  1S78,  by 
I.  H.  Butler  and  J.  C.  Mosbey,  who  conducted  it  two  years  and  then  divided  the  stock, 
and  Mr.  Butler  and  John  W.  Childress  were  partners  for  two  years  longer.  Mr.  Butler 
then  purchased  his  partner’s  interest,  and  Thomas  Kerr  became  a partner,  continuing  so 
one  year.  He  then  dropped  out  and  Horace  Arnold  became  associated  in  this  business, 
and  remained  a partner  until  1S85.  Mr.  Butler  continued  alone  until  February,  1886,  when 
it  came  into  the  hands  of  the  present  firm,  who  keep  a general  merchandise  store,  and  do 
an  extensive  business.  Isaac  H.  Butler  was  born  in  Murfreesboro,  Juljr  26,  1841,  sou  of 
Thomas  O,  and  Permelia  (Ware)  Butler  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Louisiana 
respectively.  They  were  married  about  1838,  aud  the  father  followed  farming  until  his 
death  in  1863.  Isaac  II.  was  prevented  from  receiving  an  extended  education  by  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  enlisted  as  first  lieutenant  of  Capt.  Lytle’s  company. 
Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  after  serving  one  and  a half  years,  was  discharged  on 
account  of  his  youth,  but  re-enlisted  in  Carter’s  regiment  of  cavalry,  and  was  made 
captain  of  Company  C,  of  that  regiment.  He  was  captured  near  Murfreesboro  in  1864, 
and  was  imprisoned  on  Johnson’s  Island  in  Lake  Erie  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then 
returned  home  and  farmed  until  1873,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  (1867)  spent  in 
Texas.  He  came  to  this  city  and  operated  the  'City  (now  Mile*’)  Hotel  one  year,  and  then 
engaged  in  the  liquor  business  for  the  same  length  of  time.  He  was  elected  to  the  police 
force  and  served  during  1S76-77.  In  1878  he  engaged  in  his  present  business,  but  has 
since  been  compelled  to  close  out  on  account  of  ill  health.  In  1865  he  wedded  Mary  E. 
Murphey,  who  bore  him  six  children.  Mr.  Butler  is  a Democrat,  and  in  1878  was  elected 
city  recorder,  an  office  he  held  continuously  until  1886.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  A.  CAMPBELL,  a successful  and  well-to-do  agriculturist,  was  born  in  Ruth- 
erford County,  Tenn.,  in  the  year  1853,  and  is  a son  of  Samuel  and  Elvira  (Eagleton) 
Campbell,  who  were  native  Tennesseeans.  The  father  was  also  a farmer  of  thrifty  habits 
and  had  established  a wide  reputation  as  a successful  tiller  of  the  soil.  He  died  in  1875. 
the  mother’s  death  occurring  three  years  later.  They  were  both  earnest  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church.  Our  subject,  John  A.  Campbell,  took  for  his  life  companion  Mi-- 
Nettie  Sumpter,  in  1877.  Two  children  were  born  to  their  union,  one  of  whom  is  living. 
Sumpter.  Mr.  Campbell  favors  Democratic  priueiples  and  gives  his  aid  and  support  to 
that  party.  Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  he  is  one  of 
the  wide-awake  and  enterprising  farmers  of  the  county. 

JOSEPH  L.  CANNON,  attorney  at  law.  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  April 
29,  1835,  son  of  Alanson  and  Elizabeth  (Sharp)  Cannon,  natives  of  Rutherford  and  Sum 
ner  Counties,  Tenn.  The  father,  who  was  an  active  and  successful  farmer,  is  now  living 
a retired  life  with  our  subject,  who  received  a good  literary  education  and  graduated  from 
the  literary  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  in  1858.  In 
1859-60  he  took  a course  in  law  at  the  same  institution  and  then  located  at  Shelhyvillc. 
where  he  opened  a law  office.  Owing  to  the  war  he  was  compelled  to  abandon  tliL.  and 
in  1862  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Eighteenth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  un- 
til the  close.  He  began  practicing  law  in  Murfreesboro  in  1803,  and  lias  met  with  go.  *d 
success.  During  1.872-73  he  was  a partner  with  J.  W.  Burton.  October  9,  1800,  lie  mar 
ried  Margaret,  daughter  of  Richard  Beard,  D.D.,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children 
seven  now  living:  Alanson  B.,  Elizabeth  E.,  Annie  W.,  Minnie,  Nellie  L.,  Franklin  B 
and  Sarah  L.  Mr.  Cannon  has  always  been  a Democrat  and  has  been  temporary  judge  . •: 
the  court,  also  chancellor  by  appointment  numerous  times.  He  aud  wife  are  member*-  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 


1028 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


THOMAS  F.  CARLTOX,  a "widely -known  and  successful  merchant,  was  born  in 
Rutherford- County,  Tenn.,  March  ?,  1853.  aud  is  the  son  of  Blake  and  Mary  (Walker) 
Carlton.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  Mr.  Thomas  F.  Carlton,  is  an  uncompromising 
Democrat,  and  is  known  by  all  his  acquaiutainces  as  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

ALFRED  Mo  CAWTHORN,  a well-known  business  man  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was 
born  in  Wilson  Count}*.  Tenn.,  Xovember  28,  1840,  being  a sou  of  James  and  Nancy  (Mc- 
Dowell) Cawthorn.  natives  of  Virginia  and  Xorth  Carolina.  The  father  came  to  Ruther- 
ford County,  Tenn.,  in  1840,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  Murfreesboro,  where 
he  followed  the  carpenter’s  trade  and  later  gunsmithing  aud  the  locksmith's  trade.  His 
deafh  occurred  in  the  spring  of  1882.  Alfred  M.  Cawthorn  was  reared  in  Murfreesboro 
and  learned  the  tinner’s  trade  at  which  he  worked  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when 
he  enlisted  in  Capt.  White’s  company.  Second  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  oue  year  as 
private,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  engaged  in  the  stove  and  tinware  busiuess  in  Murfreesboro,  and  has  continued  to 
the  present  time,  with  the  exception  of  eight  or  nine  years  which  he  spent  in  McMinn- 
ville, Tenn.,  engaged  in  the  same  business.  Mr.  Cawthorn  controls  the  leading  trade  in  his 
line  in  the  city  and  county.  In  1865  he  wedded  Vienna  Manor,  a native  of  Rutherford 
County.  They  have  two  children:  Anna  M.  and  Mary  A.  Mr.  Cawthorn  is  a Democrat 
and  was  alderman  of  the  city  one  term  before  removing  to  McMinnville.  He  also  served 
as  constable  one  term,  and  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  Strangers’  Refuge  Lodge.  Xo.  14, 
and  is  also  an  ex-member  of  the  Iv.  of  H.,  aud  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

HENRY  H.  CLAYTON.  M.  D..  is  a son  of  Beniamin  and  T.nckey  (Quarles)  Clayton, 
and  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  December  27,  1826.  His  parents  were  born  in  Vir- 
ginia. The  father  came  to  Tennessee  from  Kentucky  as  early  as  1815.  He  died  in  1864. 
Henry  II.  resided  on  the  home  farm  with  his  parents  and  secured  a good  academic  educa- 
tion. At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  studying  medicine  in  the  office  of  J.  M.  Watson  A 
J.  E.  Wendel,  where  he  remained  a student  three  years.  He  then  took  a course  of  lec- 
tures in  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Kentucky  and  graduated  from  the 
University  of  Tennessee  in  1849.  He  then  returned  home  and  practiced  two  years  in  the 
county  and  then  removed  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  has  met  with  excellent  success  in  the- 
practice  of  his  profession.  In  June,  1849,  he  married  Maria  Helen,  a native  of  Kentucky, 
who  died  in  1873,  leaving  five  children:  John  B.,  Jennie  M.,  Mary,  Henry  H.  and  William 
L.  In  1874  Dr.  Clayton  married  Mrs.  Hattie  A.  Keeble.  In  1861  he  raised  Company  I, 
Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  as  captain  two  years,  when  he  was  elected  first 
surgeon  and  served  as  such  on  the  battle  field  one  year,  and  the  rest  of  the  time  was  hos- 
pital surgeon.  He  is  a member  of  theK.  of  H..  and  A.  O.  U.  W..  and  was  mayor  of  Mur- 
freesboro in  1877.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  one  of 
the  ablest  practitioners  of  the  county, 

JAMES  CLAYTON,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Clayton,  Overall  & Co.,  are  dealers 
in  general  merchandise  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.  The  business  was  established  in  1865  by 
James  Clayton  aud  Rufus  Jetton,  who  kept  a grocery  store  until  1870,  and  then  added  a 
line  of  dry  goods  and  other  merchandise.  At  this  time  Mr.  Jetton  retired  and  T.  B.  Ivie 
took  his  place.  Two  years  later  Mr.  Ivie  died  and  in  1875  Mr.  Asbury  Overall  and  his 
brother,  John  H.f  became  connected  with  the  business,  but  the  latter  retired  iu  1881  and 
James  H.  Crichlow  purchased  an*iuterest  in  the  business  and  since  that  time  the  firm  has. 
been  as  above — doing  a successful  business,  and  they  are  now  one  of  the  most  firmly  es- 
tablished firms  in  the  city.  James  Clayton,  senior  member  of  the  firm,  was  born  March 
7,  1833,  and  is  a son  of  Benjamin  Clayton,  Sr.  (see  sketch  of  Dr.  H.  H.  Clayton).  James 
received  an  ordinary  education,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  came  to  this  city  and  became 
salesman  in  the  mercantile  business.  In  1857  he  engaged  in  a similar  business  in  Nash- 
ville, but  a year  later  came  to  Murfreesboro  and  kept  a hat,  cap,  boot  and  shoe  store  with 
Rufus  Jetton.  In  1601  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-third  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and 
©on  after  became  quartermaster,  with  the  rank  of  captain.  In  1864  he  was  commissioned. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1029 


major.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  and  other  comrades  started  home  on  horseback,  but 
were  robbed  by  buskwackers  in  the  Cumberland  Mountains,  being  compelled  to  come  the 
rest  of  the  way  on  foot,  and,  as  above  stated,  engaged  in  his  present  business.  October 
29,  1SG8,  he  wedded  Haddeassa  Cowan,  who  bore  him  seven  children.  Mr.  Clayton  ha> 
always  been  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  mayor  of  the  city  for  the  years  1831-82, 
during  which  time  the  corporation  debt  was  very  considerably  reduced  and  its  affairs 
placed  upon  a firm  and  solid  basis.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  K.  of  H.  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Asbury  Overall,  general  merchant, 
and  member  of  the  above  tirm,  was  born  on  the  20th  of  April,  1844,  and  is  a son  of  James 
and  Rachel  W.  (Davis)  Overall.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  died  in  Rutherford  County 
in  1874.  Our  subject  secured  a fair  education  and  resided  on  the  farm  with  his  parents. 
In  1875  he  removed  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  became  a member  of  the  present  firm. 
In  1881  Mr.  Crichlow  became  a partner  and  they  are  now  doing  a thriving  business. 
In  1S7S  Mr.  Overall  married  Hudie  Lowe.  They  have  two  children,  Gertrude  and 
Floj’d.  In  November,  1802,  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Eighteenth  Regiment  Tennessee 
Infantry.  He  was  captured  at  Atlanta  and  held  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  until  April,  1885. 
He  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

ROBERT  A.  COLEMAN,  a merchant  of  Rutherford  County,  Term.,  was  born  Febru- 
ary 6,  1859,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of  Edwin  and  Mary  E.  (Wrather)  Coleman,  na- 
tives, respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  son  was  reared  on  a farm  and  re- 
ceived a moderate  education,  attending  the  common  country  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  he  started  in  business  for  himself,  clerking  in  the  store  that  he  has  since  purchased  in 
partnership  with  his  brother,  W.  B.  Coleman.  He  has  met  with  evident  success,  and  has 
the  postoffice  in  connection  with  one  of  the  best  general  supply  stores  in  the  county’.  In 
September,  1882,  Mr.  Coleman  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Fly.  Mr.  Coleman  is  a Democrat 
and  he  and  wife  are  members,  respectively,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Christian 
Churches  South.  He  is  justly  considered  as  one  of  the  leading  merchants  of  the  county,  a 
conscientious  Christian  and  one  of  the  influential  men  of  the  county. 

CARROL  COLLINS,  superintendent  of  the  Murfreesboro  Gaslight  Company,  was 
born  in  the  State  of  New’  York,  September  3,  1851,  son  of  Edward  H.  and  Rosanna  (Ben- 
nett) Collins,  also  natives  of  New’  York.  When  a small  lad  our  subject  removed  with  his 
parents  to  Peoria,  111.,  w'kere  he  learned  the  gas-fitters  trade.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years 
he  accepted  the  position  as  superintendent  of  the  gas-works  at  Pekin,  111.  He  was  then 
assistant  superintendent  of  the  gas-works  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  and  afterward  wTent  to  Chi- 
cago and  there  had  charge  of  the  Hyde  Park  gas-works  • some  months.  At  a later  period 
he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  retorts  and  fire-brick,  and  in  1880  accepted  the  position 
as  superintendent  of  the  gas-w’orks  at  Cairo,  111.,  where  he  remained  until  May,  1883,  when 
he  came  to  Murfreesboro  and  has  taken  almost  complete  control  of  the  gas  works  of  that 
city.  Mr.  Collins  owns  a coutroling  interest  in  the  wrorks  and  the  citizens  have  profited 
greatly’  by  his  experienced  management.  He  has  greatly  improved  the  quality  of  the  gas 
and  added  many  new’  and  needed  improvements.  In  November,  1884,  Mr.  Collins  mar- 
ried Lizzie  Garrett,  of  Rutherford  Couuty,  and  daughter  of  an  old  and  highly’  respected 
citizen  of  the  county.  Mr.  Collins  is  a worthy  citizen  and  reliable  business  man  of  t he 
county. 

THOMAS  W.  COX  w’as  born  October  7,  1845,  in  Alabama,  and  is  the  son  of  Middle- 
ton  and  Louisa  (Oden)  Cox,  both  natives  of  Georgia.  The  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  is 
an  energetic  and  successful  farmer,  was  married  February  1,  1870,  to  Miss  Emma  Overall, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  living:  Minos  L.,  Jessie  L., 
Thomas  W.  and  William  M.  Mr.  Cox  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war,  enlisting  in 
Company  A,  Thirtieth  Alabama  Infantry.  He  was  courier  for  Gen.  Pettus  during  the 
Georgia  campaign,  w’as  captured  May  1G,  1803,  and  remained  a prisoner  until  July  7, 
when  he  w’as  exchanged  and  returned  to  his  original  command,  where  lie  served  with  dis- 
tinction until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Cox  is  a Democrat  of  the  mast  pronounced  type, 


1030 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


and  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Cox  is  a worthy  and  consistent  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  they  are  justly  recognized  as  influential  citizens  of 
Rutherford  County. 

JAMES  H.  CRICIILOW,  a well-known  business  man  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was 
born  in  this  city  February  11.  1S50.  His  father.  Thomas  H.  Crichlow,  who  was  a native 
of  the  State  and  for  many  years  a successful  merchant  of  Murfreesboro,  removed  in  1853 
to  Florida,  where  he  died  two  years  later.  James  H.  then  returned  to  this  county  with 
his  mother  and  family,  aud  here  our  subject  was  reared,  securing  a fair  education  in  his 
youthful  days.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  he  accepted  a clerkship  in  a hotel  and  restaurant 
here,  and  later  in  a mercantile  business,  continuing  at  the  latter  until  1869,  when  he  acted 
as  assistant  postmaster  for  two  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  with  J. 
B.  Lane  two  years,  when  he  again  returned  to  clerking,  in  which  he  continued  until  1881. 
when  he  entered  into  his  present  partnership  with  the  firm  of  Clayton,  Overall  A Co.,  in 
which  he  has  contributed  to  and  shared  equally  in  the  success  of  this  well-known  business 
firm.  October  25,  1874,  Mr.  Crichlow  was  united  in  matrimony  to  Miss  Emma  Lane,  of 
Rutherford  County.  By  this  union  they  have  three  children:  Laila  J.,  Newton  C.  and 
Helen  M.  Mr.  Crichlow  is  a Democrat  in  his  political  views,  and  a member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.,  K.  of  P.  and  K.  of  H.  fraternities,  also,  of  the  R.  A.  He  has  held  high  positions 
in  both  the  local  and  State  lodge  of  OJd  Fellowship,  being  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  State 
lodge;  was  also  Grand  Representative  to  the  Sovereign  Grand  Lodge.  Himself  and  wife  are 
leading  and  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Crichlow  is  very 
popular  as  superintendent  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday-school,  and  possessing  unu- 
sual musical  ability  as  a vocalist,  together  with  other  commendable  faculties,  he  1?  ren 
dered  singularly  fit  for  this  position;  besides,  he  is  invariably  called  upon  b}'  the  public  to 
preside  over  all  public  and  social  entertainments  given  in  the  city,  and  he  fulfills  the  part 
■of  master  of  ceremonies  on  all  such  occasions  in  a highly  satisfactory  and  efficient  manner. 

DR.  GEORGE  D.  CROSTHWAIT,  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  prominent  physicians 
•of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  a native  of  Virginia,  was  born  May  4,  1808,  and  is  the 
son  of  Shelton  aud  Elizabeth  (Thompson)  Crosthwait,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Vir- 
ginia. The  father  was  one  of  the  earl}-  settlers  of  this  county,  coming  here  in  the  year 
1804,  and  engaged  in  farming  and  milling.  His  death  occurred  in  1825  and  the  mother’s 
in  1864.  Our  subject  received  a good  classical  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  at 
the  age  of  eighteen  attended  the  University  of  Virginia  at  Charlotte,  Va.,  taking  one 
•course  in  the  medical  department  with  a view  to  making  it  a profession.  lie  afterward 
attended  the  medical  college  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  where  he  graduated  with  honor  in  1832. 
He  then  returned  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  practiced  medicine  in  that  town  and  vicinity. 
He  then  moved  to  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  and  practiced  medicine  there  for  some  time.  In  1862 
he  returned  to  this  count}',  but  did  not  take  an  active  part  in  the  war,  being  over  fifty 
years  of  age  at  that  time,  but  he  warmly  sympathized  with  the  Southern  cause,  having 
lost  three  sons  in  the  war.  He  was  a Whig  in  politics  before  the  war,  and  in  1852  repre- 
sented Johnson  County  in  the  State  Senate  of  Iowa.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  went  to 
•California,  where  he  remained  three  years.  In  1849  and  1850  he  was  a representative  of 
Rutherford  County  in  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  clerk  of  the  chancery  court  of  Ruth- 
erford County  from  1844  to  1849.  In  1836  Mr.  Crosthwait  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  Burton,  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children,  only 
three  of  whom  are  living:  Lavina* C.,  Dr.  George  W.  and  Eliza  F.  Mrs.  Crosthwait  died 
December  22,  1860,  and  in  1862  Mr.  Crosthwait  was  united  in  marriage  to  Caroline 
Harding,  a native  of  this  State.  On  account  of  his  advanced  age  Dr.  George  D.  Cros- 
thwait retired  from  practice  in  1883.  and  has  since  lived  a quiet  life.  He  is  a Mason,  and 
himself  and  family  arc  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

DR.  JAMES  W.  DAVIS,  a prominent  and  well-known  physician  of  Rutherford 
•County,  Tenn.,  and  a native  of  this  State,  was  born  September  22,  1821.  His  parents  were 
William  II.  anti  Mary  (Broughton)  Davis,  natives  respectively  of  North  and  South  Caro- 
lina. The  father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  came  here  in  180-1  and  en- 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1031 


gaged  in  farming.  He  was  a Democrat,  bolding  the  office  of  magistrate  in  his  district  for 
twelve  years,  llis  death  occurred  iti  June,  185*2.  The  mother  died  in  1S30.  Our  subject 
was  a country  boy,  and  received  a good  classical  education.  He  taught  school  in  this 
county  for  two  years  and  then  began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  afterward  attended  lec- 
tures at  the  medical  department  of  the  Louisville  College,  graduating  at  this  institution 
at  the  sessions  of  2850  and  1851.  He  then  returned  to  this  county  and  began  the  practice 
of  medicine  at  which  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged.  Ilis  reputation  as  a learned  and 
skilled  physician  is  well  known.  Mr.  Davis  did  not  take  an  active  part  in  the  late  war 
but  his  sympathies  were  with  the  South.  In  1850  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Mary 
J.  Weakly,  a native  of  this  State,  and  to  this  union  were  horn  four  children  (only  one  of 
whom  is  living):  James  W.,  Mary  E.  (deceased),  Samuel  L.  (deceased),  and  Sue  H.  (deceased). 
Mr.  Davis  is  a Democrat,  and  himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  elder  for  upward  of  eighteen  years.  He  is  a prominent 
citizen  and  a good  man. 

WILLIAM  L.  DAVIS  is  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  April  IT,  1833,  son  of  Charles  L. 
and  Elizabeth  (Sanders)  Davis,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Virginia.  The  father  came 
to  Tennessee  in  18*25,  where  he  became  a well-to-do  farmer.  His  death  occurred  in  1874. 
The  mother  died  in  1841.  Our  subject,  William  L.,  secured  a common  education,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one  purchased  a farm  in  Bedford  County,  on  which  he  lived  two  years. 
In  i860  he  returned  to  Rutherford  County,  and  took  a half  interest  in  his  father’s  mill,  of 
which  he  is  now  proprietor.  The  mill  was  established  at  an  early  date,  and  is  now  classed 
among  the  best  custom  mills  of  the  county,  outside  of  Murfreesboro,  having  a capacity  of 
thirty  barrels  per  day.  Mr.  Davis  is  always  strictly  accurate  in  . his  business  transactions 
and  accordingly  controls  the  leading  trade  in  his  section  of  the  country.  In  1856  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Sallie  Searsey.  a native  of  this  county.  They  have  this  family: 
Robert  O.,  John;  Mollie  E.,  wife  of  Robert  Bell;  Ella,  wife  of  Joseph  Blake;  and  Samuel 
B.  Mr.  Davis  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

JASPER  F.  DICKENS  (deceased)  was  a prominent  and  energetic  farmer  of  Ruther- 
ford County,  Tenn.,  and  was  born  in  Cannon  Count}',  Tenn.,  November  18,  18*28.  son  of 
Baxter  B.  and  Nancy  (Holt)  Dickens,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  State.  His  death, 
which  was  a great  loss  to  his  family  and  friends,  occurred  March  21,  1885.  In  1858  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Prater,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee,  and  still  survives 
him.  They  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  only  eight  of  whom  are  now  living: 
Nancy  C.  (wife  of  J.  A.  Todd),  died  May  7.  1880;  William  T.,  Martha  E.  (died  August  15, 
1884),  Baxter  M.,  Thomas  P.,  Quitnian,  Rufus  G.,  Edna  F.,  John  T.,  Charley  G.  and 
James,  who  died  February  16,  1886.  Mrs.  Dickens  is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  since  her  husband’s  death  has  resided  on  and  managed  the  farm,  being 
quite  successful  in  her  business  transactions.  She  belongs  to  one  of  the  leading  families 
of  the  count}'. 

DR.  JAMES  M.  DILL,  a widely  known  practitioner.  wras  born  in  Rutherford  County 
in  1881,  and  is  a son  of  Isaac  and  Gilley  (Cooper)  Dill,  who  w'ere  natives  of  South  Caro- 
lina. the  father  being  an  active  agriculturist.  He  departed  this  life  in  1847;  the  mother 
died  in  1851.  They  w ere  earnest  and  faithful  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  died 
earnest  believers  in  that  faith.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  united  in  matrimony  to 
Miss  Jestina  Kelt  on  August  11/1857,  and  to  this  union  seven  children  were  horn,  only  two 
of  whom  are  living,  Joseph  W.  and  Nettie  F.  Mrs.  Dill  died  February  9,  188-.  She  was 
an  excellent  and  charitable  lady,  and  was  held  in  high  esteem  by*  a large  circle  of  ac- 
quaintances. The  Doctor  took  for  his  second  wrife  Miss  Mary  Hill,  September  19,  1883. 
He  is  a Democrat  of  the  Jacksonian  order,  and  lie  and  his  wife  are  worthy  and  consistent 
members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are  recognized  as  worthy  and  influential  citizens 
of  ihe  county. 

WILLIAM  B.  DRUM  RIGHT,  of  the  firm  of  Butler  A Drumright,  merchants  of  Mur- 
freesboro. Tenn.,  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn..  July  8,  1841.  son  of  Richard 


1032 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


and  Elizabeth  (Rainey)  Drumright,  both  of  the  Old  Dominion.  The  father  located  on 
a farm  in  Williamson  County  in  1825,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  a tiller  of  the 
soil.  He  died  in  1844.  Our  subject  resided  on  the  farm,  with  his  mother  until  her 
death,  in  1S5S.  and  secured  a common  school  education.  He  came  to  Murfreesboro  at  the 
latter  date  and  learned  the  brickmason’s  trade,  which  he  followed  until  the  beginning  of 
the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  First.  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served 
as  private  and  non-commissioned  officer  until  the  surrender  of  the  Southern  Confederacy. 
He  then  worked  at  his  trade  in  Jackson  and  Madison  Counties,  Tenn..  two  years  and  then 
returned  to  Murfreesboro,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  contracting  and  building,  and 
has  erected  some  of  the  finest  buildings  in  the  city.  In  February,  1886,  he  engaged  in  the 
general  merchandise  business,  and  has  been  quite  prosperous.  November  15,  1868.  he 
married  Martha  F.  Rather.  They  have  six  children — one  son  and  five  daughters.  Mr. 
Drumrighl  is  a Democrat,  and  has  been  a member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  of  the  city 
one  term.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  0.  O.  F.,  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

DR.  JOHN  N.  DYKES,  a successful  practitioner,  was  born  near  Rogersville.  Tenn.- 
November  14,  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry,  and  Rebecca  (Curry)  Dykes.  The  father  de- 
parted this  life  in  1857,  and  his  widow  followed  him  in  1885.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  married  April  19.  1857,  to  Miss  Sail i e Long,  and  their  wedded  life  was  blessed  by  four 
children,  three  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Henry  E..  James  M.  and  Sidney  B.  Airs.  Dykes 
departed  this  life  in  1S76;  she  was  a worth}’  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church, 
dying  with  a full  possession  of  all  Christian  hopes.  Dr.  Dyke  married  the  second  time  in 
1880  to  Mrs.  Maggie  Smotherman,  having  by  this  union  two  children,  one.  of  whom  U liv- 
ing, namely,  Horace  G.  The  Doctor  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  took  an  active  part  in  the 
late  war,  enlisting  in  Company  G,  Thirty -first  Tennessee,  remaining  with  his  company  un- 
til after  the  fall  of  Vicksburg,  when  his  company  was  changed  from  infantry  to  cavalry, 
and  the  Doctor  changed- from  surgeon  to  lieutenant.  He  was  with  John  H.  Morgan  at 
Greenville  and  saw  Miss  Williams  when  she  rode  out  of  town  to  direct  the  Union  troops 
through  the  Confederate  lines.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are  leading  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church  and  are  regarded  as  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live. 

W.  B.  EARTHMAN  & CO.,  manufacturers  of  red  cedar  lumber,  of  Murfreesboro, 
Teun.  For  the  past  eight  years  Murfreesboro  has  grown  to  be  a cedar  market  of  greater 
importance  and  reputation  than  any  other  city  in  the  country,  considerably  overshad- 
owing rnauy  other  cities  of  a much  larger  population.  This  result  has  been  attained  on 
account  of  the  superior  advantage  Murfreesboro  has  in  locality,  being  surrounded  by  im- 
mense cedar  groves,  and  because  the  above  named  firm  has  had  the  necessary  capital, 
capability  and  push.  The  business  of  this  firm  reaches  out  over  a large  extent  of  terri- 
tory; their  chief  markets  are  St.  Louis,  Cincinnati,  Louisville  and  Indianapolis.  The  bus- 
iness was  first  established  by  W.  B.  Earthman  & Co.  in  1878,  and  the}'  have  been  very 
successful  in  the  business.  They  started  in  with  no  capital  but  that  which  nature  had  en- 
dowed them  with,  and  the  fact  of  their  owning  the  building  aud  yards  in  which  they  do 
business  gives  them  superior  advantage  now.  William  W.  Earthman  was  born  December 
2,  1818,  and  is  a son  of  James  and  Margaret  (Webber)  Earthman,  natives,  respectively,  of 
Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  afterward  a merchant  of  Win- 
chester, Miss.  He  came  to  this  State  in  1829  and  died  in  the  spring  of  1830.  The  mother 
died  in  1858.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured  a fair  educa- 
tion at  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  went  into  business  for  himself.  In 
1847  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Bttrupas,  a native  of  this  State,  and  to 
them  were  born  five  children:  William  B.,  Ira  Ella  M.,  V.  K.  Stephenson  and  Fannie, 
who  died  in  1884.  Mr.  Earthman  is  an  old  line  Whig  in  politics.  Himself  and  wife  are 
members  of  t lie  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  William  W.  Earthman  is  one  of 
the  oldest  and  most  reliable  business  men  of  the  county,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  a 
moral,  upright  citizen.  William  B.  Earthman,  a native  of  this  State,  was  born  December 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1033 


3,  1848,  and  is  the  son  of  William  W.,  senior  member  of  the  firm,  and  Elizabeth  Earth- 
man.  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  engaged  in  farming  in  the  county  for  many 
years,  and  also  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  this  place  in  1S47.  William  B.  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  secured  a good  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  afterward,  in  1878,  engaged  in  his  present  bus- 
iness. In  1877  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mattie  T.  Frost,  a native  of  this  State, 
and  to  them  were  born  four  children:  Hewett  F.,  Weber  B.,  John  B.,  Christine  Ji. , all  of 
whom  are  still  living.  Mr.  Earthman  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  himself  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  classed  among  the  enterprising 
and  successful  business  men  of  the  county.  Ira  Overton  Earthman,  junior  member  of 
the  firm,  is  a native  of  this  county,  and  was  born  January  3,  1852.  He  is  a son  of  Will- 
iam W.  aud  Elizabeth  Earthman.  Ira  Earthman  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured  a 
good  common  school  education,  afterward  attending  the  Union  University,  at  Murfrees- 
boro. and  Franklin  University,  near  Nashville.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  began  the  mer- 
cantile business,  which  he  continued  for  three  years;  he  was  then  employed  by  Hodge  & 
Smith,  and  remained  with  them  for  five  years.  In  1878  he  engaged  in  his  present  busi- 
ness. December  1,  1885,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Bivens,  a native  of  this 
State.  Mr.  Ira  Earthman  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DAYID  F.  ELAM  may  be  mentioned  as  an  energetic  and  prosperous  farmer  of  Ruth- 
erford County,  Tenn.,  born  in  Murfreesboro,  July  27,  1829,  son  of  Edward  and  Rebecca 
(Wade)  Elam,  who  were  born  in  Virginia  and  Maryland,  respectively.  Edward  Elam  was 
a descendant  of  Daniel  Elam,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  the  county,  and  a school 
teacher  in  his  day,  being  one  of  the  early  educators  of  Murfreesboro.  Edward  Elam  was 
a mechanic  and  farmer,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a merchant  of  Jacksonville,  Ala. 
He  was  one  of  the  first  men  that  ginned  cotton  at.  Murfreesboro,  and  made  quite  a fortune 
at  that  business.  He  was  a Jacksonian  Democrat.  His  death  occurred  in  1839,  aud  the 
mother's  in  1858.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  made  his  parents'  house  his  home  until 
twenty -one  years  of  age.  He  then  began  for  himself,  and  in  1858  purchased  a farm  in 
West  Tennessee,  but  in  1805  returned  to  Rutherford  Count}7  and  purchased  his  present 
farm,  consisting  of  600  acres  of  excellent  land.  In  1856  his  marriage  to  Miss  Ellen  P. 
Crawford  was  celebrated.  They  have  these  children:  Franke  E.  (wife  of  Samuel  P.  Black), 
Edward  E.,  Mamie  (wife  of  Dave  Miller),  Annie,  Wade  H.  aud  Washington  E.  Mr. 
Elam  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

T)R.  THOMAS  J.  ELAM,  a prominent  physician  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  born 
November  25.  1832,  and  is  a son  of  Edward  and  Rebecca  (Wade)  Elam,  who  were  born  in 
Virginia  and  Maryland,  respectively.  The  father  was  a Robertson  County  pioneer  and 
farmer,  and  died  in  the  fall  of  1839.  He  was  a participant  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  iu 
the  battle  of  New  Orleans  under  Gen.  Jackson.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood  days  on 
a farm,  and  received  a collegiate  education,  attending  Irving  College  in  Warren  County 
in  1856.  He  began  studying  medicine  under  Drs.  J.  E.  A R.  S.  Wendel,  of  Murfreesboro, 
and  attended  the  medical  college  of  Nashville,  and  received  his  diploma  in  1858.  He  has 
since  practiced  in  Rutherford  County,  and  has  met  with  good  success,  owning  400  acres  of 
land  on  the  Stone  River.  February  6,  1861,  he  married  Elizabeth  Snell,  aud  to  them  were 
born  eight  children — three  ©f  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are  Samuel  B.,  Franklin, 
Francis  C.,  Thomas  J.  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Elam  was  a Whig  previous  to  the  war,  but 
since  that  time  has  been  a Democrat.  He  was  a surgeon  in  the  late  war,  serving  the 
Forty  fifth  Tennessee  Regiment.  In  1864  he  was  discharged  on  account  of  ill-health  and 
returned  home.  He  is  a Master  Mason,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church. 

HON.  EDWIN  H.  EWING.  LL.  D.,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Nash- 
ville December  2,  1809,  being  a son  of  Nathan  and  grandson  of  Andrew  Ewing,  who  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Nashville.  The  names  of  Nathan  and  Andrew  Ewing  appear 
in  the  county  court  records  as  clerks  successively  from  1783  to  1830.  Our  subject 


1034 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


secured  a good  literary  education  and  graduated  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  from  the 
University  of  Nashville  in  1827,  and  later  had  the  honorary  degree  of  LL.  D.,  conferred 
upon  him.  He  began  studying  law  without  a preceptor,  using  the  books  of  an  elder  brother 
and  occasionally  appealing  to  that  able  lawyer,  Francis  B.  Fogg,  who  generously  assisted 
him  in  his  struggles  to  rise.  In  1830  he  was  licensed  to  practice  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  a year  later.  He  was  a partner  of  James  P.  Grundy  until  1837,  and  grew'  rapidly  in 
character  and  standing  as  a lawyer.  He  and  his  brother  Andrew  formed  a partnership, 
and  in  1840  he  worked  with  so  much  vigor  for  the  election  of  the  Whig  ticket  that  he  was 
honored  by  an  election  to  the  Stale  Legislature  in  1842,  where  he  became  reputed  for  his 
able  speeches.  In  1844  he  favored  Henry  Clay  for  the- presidency;  and  in  1845  lie  was 
elected  to  fill  a vacancy  in  Congress  for  the  Nashville  District.  He  served  two  sessions 
in  that  body,  when  he  declined  to  fill  a seat  in  the  House  longer.  While  there  he  delivered 
several  able  speeches,  one  on  the  Oregon  question;  one  on  the  Tariff  of  1S46,  which  was 
favorably  commented  on  by  his  room  mate,  Alexander  II.  Stephens;  one  on  the  River 
and  Harbor  Bill  of  1846,  and  one  ou  the  Mexican  war.  Meanwhile  his  reputation  as  a 
lawyer  increased  and  he  was  frequently  chosen  special  judge  on  the  supreme  bench,  and 
his  opinion  delivered  on  the  great  Winchester  case  won  him  a wide-spread  reputation. 
In  1850  he  made  a fortunate  speculation  in  real  estate,  which  rendered  him  financially  in- 
dependent. He  then  decided  to  make  a tour  of  the  globe,  and  in  1851  left  for  the  Old 
Wforld,  taking  copious  and  interesting  notes  of  the  many  countries  he  visited.  Mr.  Ewing 
practiced  his  profession  in  Nashville  until  1S56,  when  lie  came  to  Rutherford  County  and 
resided  with  his  daughter  until  1860,  when  she  removed  to  Nashville  and  he  continued  to 
make  his  home  with  her  until  1861.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  spoke  and  voted 
for  the  Union  in  the  election  of  February,  1861,  but  after  Lincoln’s  proclamation  he  took 
a position  against  coercion.  In  the  latter  part  of  1863  he  advised  the  people  of  the  State 
to  submit  to  the  Federal  Government.  His  letter  to  this  effect  was  published  and  sub- 
jected him  to  much  criticism  and  aided  probably  in  his  defeat  for  judgeship  of  the 
supreme  court  afterward.  After  the  war  he  practiced  his  profession  in  Murfreesboro, 
but  of  late  years  has  retired  from  active  duties  and  is  spending  his  declining  years  at  his 
residence  in  this  city.  Mr.  Ewing  has  always  been  an  energetic  student  in  literature  and 
has  contributed  largely  to  newspapers  and  has  been  much  sought  after  throughout  the 
State  as  a public  lecturer. 

JOSIAH  W.  EWING  is  a well-known  citizen  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and  is  the 
eldest  of  two  children  and  only  son  of  Hon.  E.  II.  Ewing,  whose  sketch  precedes  this. 
He  was  born  in  Nashville  August  11,  1834,  and  attended  the  Nashville  University,  his 
father’s  old  alma  mater,  being  in  the  sophomore  class  at  the  classing  of  that  institution. 
He  then  completed  his  education  at  Bethany'  College,  Virginia,  graduating  with  the  de- 
gree of  A.  B.  in  1881.  He  then  removed  to  this  county  and  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits until  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Capt.  Ledbetter’s  company,  First  Regiment  Tennes- 
see Infantry,  and  served  in  this  capacity  until  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  when  he 
was  made  provost-marshal  of  the  court  of  Hardee’s  military  corps,  continuing  thus  about 
fifteen  months,  when  he  was  made  assistant  inspector  of  field  transportation  for  the  Con- 
federate forces  of  Tennessee,  which  position  he  retained  until  the  surrender.  He  then 
returned  to  Rutherford  County  and  resumed  the  management  of  his  farms,  but  in  1873 
came  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  has  since  resided.  November  21,  1855,  he  wedded  Miss 
Ada  B.  Hord,  of  this  county.  They  have  three  sons  and  one  daughter.  Mr.  Ewing,  like 
his  father,  was  an  old  time  Whig  until  that  party  ceased  to  exist.  Since  that  time  he 
has  affiliated  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

JOHN  W.  FARIS,  a successful  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county  September  30,  18-16, 
and  is  the  son  of  Rev.  C.  B.  and  Mary  (Ransom)  Faris,  natives  of  this  State.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  united  in  wedlock,  April  18,  18G0,  to  YD-  Lizzie  Hopkins,  and  to 
them,  were  born  the  following  children;  Mary  A..  Sue  E.,  Charley  13.,  James  R.,  Ada, 
Sallie  and  Lena  M.  "Mr.  Faris  took  an  active  part  in  tbe  late  war,  enlisting  in  Company' 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1035 


A,  Twenty-fourth  Tennessee,  serving  as  second  lieutenant,  hut  was  afterward  promoted 
to  lieutenant  of  Company  F,  Alabama  State  troops.  Later  he  joined  Company  D,  Elev- 
enth Tennessee  Cavalry,  where  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  a gallant 
soldier  and  a brave  man.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Faris  are  members  in  good  standing  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  aDd  are  regarded  with  esteem  and  affection  in  the  commun- 
ity in  which  they  reside. 

R.  W.  FARIS,  a prominent  merchant,  saw-mill  owner,  proprietor  of  a well-boring 
machine  and  manager  of  a blacksmith  shop,  is  financially  embarrassed,  and  was  never 
otherwise.  Mr.  Faris  is  an  uncompromising  Democrat  from  away  back.  In  youth  lie 
was  noted  for  mule  riding  and  coon  hunting.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  at  the  age  of  six- 
teen, in  Company  A,  Twenty-fourth  Tennessee,  and  was  as  timid  a soldier  as  ever  shoul- 
ered  a musket.  He  served  one  year,  was  discharged  for  youthfulness,  and  was  sworn  in 
the  next  day  for  three  years,  and  served  until  1865.  He  joined  the  Kuklux,  Good  Tem- 
plars, Free  Masons,  and  is  a consistent  member  of  all  the  above  named  societies.  Mr. 
Faris  has  been  twice  married;  the  first  time  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Z.  Jackson,  having  three 
children;  Walter  R.,  Mar}*  J.  and  Charles  R.  The  second  time  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Mattie  Mathews,  and  one  child  was  born  to  this  union,  Angre.  Mr.  Faris  is  now  super- 
intendent of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Sunday-school,  and  is  in  many  respects  the  equal  of 
Sam  Jones; 

MINOS  L.  FLETCHER,  farmer,  was  born  in  this  county  in  1822,  and  is  the  son  of 
John  and  Martha  (Howie t)  Fletcher,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  who  immigrated  to 
this  State  in  1818,  and  fully  participated  in  all  the  hardships  and  inconveniences  of  those 
limes.  The  father  died  in  1349.  and  the  mother  in  iS2S.  They  were  prominent  members 
of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  died  in  full  faith  of  a blessed  hereafter.  The  sub  - 
ject of  this  sketch  was  married,  June  7,  1841,  to  Miss  Lucretia  H.  Overall,  and  to  thi>  un- 
ion were  born  two  children,  both  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Mr  Fletcher  was  an  ardent 
advocate  of  the  union  of  States,  but  being’  a resident  of  the  South  he  refrained  from  par- 
ticipating in  the  late  war.  Mr.  Fletcher  supports  the  man  and  the  principle  rather  than 
the  party.  Our  subject  was  elected  magistrate  by  the  Democratic  party,  and  served  his 
county  in  that  capacity  for  sixteen  years.  He  was  also  elected  circuit  court  clerk  by  the 
Republican  party,  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  six  years.  Mr.  Fletcher  is  independent 
in  politics,  and  has  the  confidence  and  friendship  of  both  parties.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fletcher 
are  worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

THOMAS  B.  FOWLER,  cashier  of  Stone  River  National  Bank  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  was  born  in  Cannon  County  Tenn.,  July  7,  1838.  son  of  R.  and  H.  (Craft) Fowler, 
who  were  natives  of  the  same  place.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  was  clerk  of  the  county 
courts  twelve  years.  He  represented  his  county  in  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legisla- 
ture, the  sessions  of  1851—52.  His  death  occurred  in  1863.  At  the  age  of  twelve  years  our 
subject  left  home  and  came  to  Murfreesboro,  where  be  became  clerk  in  a book  store  and 
later  acted  as  book-keeper  in  the  dry  goods  business  until  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  Capt.  S.  X.  White’s  Company,  and  served  until  after  the  battle  of  Franklin, 
where  he  lost  a leg  in  a skirmish  near  Overall  Creek.  He  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  lieu- 
tenant and  adjutant.  He  was  revenue  collector  for  Rutherford  County  for  the  years 
1866-67.  After  he  had  recovered  from  his  wound  he  accepted  a position  as  book-keeper  at 
the  Savings  Bank  and  later.became  teller  of  the  First  National  Bank.  In  1870  he  became 
clerk  of  the  circuit  court  and  filled  the  position  until  1882.  He  then  accepted  his  pres- 
ent position.  February  8,  1868,  he  wedded  Mrs.  Sallie  (Major)  Richardson.  They  have  an 
adopted  daughter  named  Katie  B.  Mr.  Fowler  is  a Democrat  and  is  a Mason,  Ivuigbt 
Templar  and  Scottish  Rite  degrees.  He  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  Iv.  of  H.  and  he 
and  Mrs  Fowler  nre  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  R.  FOX,  proprietor  of  the  livery,  feed  and  sale  stables  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  which  were  established  by  Fox  & Smith,  in  1884,  was  born  in  this  county  July 
31,  I860,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Tennie  Fox,  natives,  respectively,  of  Ire- 
land and  this  State.  The  father  is  known  in  this  county  as  the  leading  trader  in  stock 


■ 


1036 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


since  the  war,  making  a specialty  of  cattle.  He  is  a Democrat,  politically,  and  his  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  subject  of  our  sketch,  William  R., 
was  reared  with  his  parents  and  secured  a good  education,  attending  the  University  of 
Tennessee,  at  Knoxville,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  engaged  in  business  with  his  father, 
dealing  and  trading  in  all  kinds  of  iive-stoek.  In  1884  William  R.  Fox  purchased  his  part- 
ner’s share  in  the  livery  business  and  has  since  conducted  it.  He  has  from  twenty  to 
twenty-five  head  of  good  livery  horses  on  hand  at  all  times  and  carriages  and  vehicles  of 
all  styles.  On  October  27,  1885,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lizzie  E.  Robertsou,  a 
native  of  this  State.  Mr.  Fox  is  classed  among  the  energetic  business  men  of  the  county 
and  has  the  respect  of  all. 

CAPT.  THOMAS  FRAME,  a well-known  citizen  of  Rutherford  County  and  superin- 
tendent of  the  Stone  River  National  Military  Cemetery, is  a native  of  Ireland,  and  was  born 
in  Londondeny  in  1829.  He  is  the  son  of  John  and  Bessie  (Black)  Frame,  both  natives  of 
Ireland.  The  father  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  his  son  Thomas  was  reared 
on  the  farm,  securing  a good  common  school  education  in  the  country  schools.  At  the  age 
of  sixteen  he  was  engaged  by  the  surveyors  of  Ireland,  and  here  he  remained  for  ten  years. 
He  then  studied  architecture  for  one  year  at  the  city  of  Londonderry  and  in  the  summer  of 
1850  be  Immigrated  to  this  country  and  engaged  in  surveying  in  the  State  of  Louisiana. 
In  1854  he  enlisted  in  the  regular  army  at  New  Orleans,  and  served  three  years.  When 
the  slavery  question  came  up  in  Kansas,  in  1857,  he  was  stationed  at  that  point  to  keep 
peace,  and  in  1858  was  sent  to  quell  the  Mormon  trouble,  and  afterward  was  engaged  in 
fighting  the  Indians.  In  1863  lie  started  south  with  Company  F,  United  States  Cavalry, 
and  their  first  engagement  was  at  Chickamauga,  and  afterward  in  all  the  principal  battles 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  then  appointed  first  sergeant  of  the  metropolitan  po- 
lice, which  position  lie  held  until  1870  when  he  was  appointed  to  his  present  position.  In 
1869  Mr.  Frame  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Sarah  (Graham)  Hawthorn,  widow  of 
Adam  Haw  thorn.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frame  were  born  two  children:  Irene  H.  and  Lula 
T.  Mr.  Frame  is  a member  of  the  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbj-terian  Church. 

W.  C.  FROST,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Murfreesboro  Nnos,  was  born  in  Yazoo 
County,  Miss.,  November  9,  1859,  and  is  the  son  of  William  D.  and  Mattie  L.  (Brown) 
Frost,  natives  of  Tennessee,  The  father  is  a practicing  physician  of  good  standing  in 
Bedford  County  to-day.  Walter  C.,  our  subject,  was  reared  to  agricultural  pursuits  in  his 
• boyhood  days,  securing  a fair  literary  education,  preparing  himself  for  teaching,  which 
profession  he  followed  for  about  one  year;  then,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  began  the 
study  of  law  at  Fayetteville,  Tenn.,  reading  in  the  office  of  Holman  «fc  Holman,  and  at  the 
age  of  tw  enty-one  was  admitted  to  the  Lincoln  County  bar  and  entered  into  the  practice  of 
law.  There,  in  partnership  with  S.  W.  Carmack,  and  later  at  Columbia,  Tenn.,  with  John 
Y.  Wright  and  Lee  Bullock.  In  the  spring  of  188-1  he  removed  to  Nashville  with  a view 
to  establishing  practice  there,  but  in  September,  1885,  he  came  to  Murfreesboro  and  bought 
out  the  Neves  of  that  city,  and  lias  since  conducted  the  paper  in  a faithful  and  highly  elli 
eient  manner.  Mr.  Frost  is  an  unswerving  Democrat  in  politics, and  his  paper,  which  is 
devoted  to  the  interests  of  this  party,  is  free  and  fearless  in  proclaiming  the  principles 
and  sentiments  of  the  Democracy  in  Rutherford  County.  Although  comparatively  a new 
comer  in  Rutherford  County,  Mr. .Frost  bears  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  entire  com 
munity,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  one  among  the  enterprising  and  successful  young  citi 
zeus  of  Murfreesboro  and  an  efficient  newspaper  man. 

JOHN  A.  GILLEY,  a prominent  and  enterprising  farmer  and  a native  of  the  county, 
was  born  February  4,  1813,  and  is  a son  of  Peterson  and  Elizabeth  (Cornelian)  Gilley,  both 
natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a fanner  and  a distinguished  minister  of  the  Sepa- 
rate Baptist  Church.  He  departed  this  life  July  13,  1884.  The  mother  is  still  living  and 
is  a resident  of  this  county.  Our  subject  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  McCrary  May  8, 
1806.  To  them  were  born  four  children:  Ephraim  D.,  John  F.,  Jessie  P.  and  Arthur  T. 
Mr.  Gilley  was  a soldier  in  the  late  war,  and  served  in  Company  G,  Fourth  Tennessee 


. 


. 


RUTHEBFOKD  COUNTY.  1037 

Cavalr\*,  until  liis  capture  shortly  after  the  evacuation  of  Savannah.  He  remained  a pris- 
oner about  two  months,  and  then  returned  home  and  refrained  from  further  participation 
in  the  war.  Mr.  Gilley  is  a believer  in  Democratic  principles,  and  gives  his  aid  and  sup- 
port to  that  party. 

JOHN  BUCHANAN  GOODWIN  was  born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  October  6, 
1827,  sou  of  George  and  Jane  T.  (Buchanan)  Goodwin,  natives,  respectively,  of  North 
Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a mechanic  of  Nashville,  and  was  an  extensive 
lumber  manufacturer,  in  which  business  lie  secured  a very  comfortable  competence.  His 
death  occurred  in  1837.  The  mother  was  a daughter  of  Maj.  John  Buchanan,  one  of  the 
prominent  settlers  of  the  State  and  a noted  suiveyor.  She  died  in  1838.  Our  subject,  John 
B.,  was  reared  on  a farm  with  his  eldest  sister  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age.  He  then 
attended  school  until  seventeen  years  of  age  when  lie  purchased  a farm  in  this  county; 
since  18(19  he  has  resided  on  his  present  farm,  and  March  £9,  1845,  he  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Ledocia  Thompson,  a native  of  Alabama.  They  have  eight  children:  Mary  J. 
■(deceased).  Sarah  E.  (Buchanan),  Margaret jL.  (Burnett),  George  31.,  Tennessee  L.  (Sanders)* 
Ledocia  (Sanders)  Mrs.  Goodwin  died  in  1859  and  he  took  for  his  second  wife  Mrs. 
Sarah  (Buchanan)  Mobry,  who  bore  him  live  children,  only  three  now  living:  Henry  M., 
William  11.  and  Joseph  D.;  she  was  the  mother  of  one  child,  Sarah  A.  (Goodwin)  by  her 
first  marriage.  Mr.  Goodwin  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  held  the  office  of  magistrate 
for  seventeen  years;  he  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  he  is 
among  the  successful  farmers  and  upright  citizens  of  the  county. 

JOSEPH  P.  HALE,  trustee  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Franklin 
County  of  the  same  State,  December  14,  1828,  son  of  Ellis  H.  and  ary  E.  (Miller)  Hale. 
The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1801,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1820  or  1827. 
He  was  married  December  20.  1827,  and  about  1830  came  to  this  county  and  followed 
farming  with  fair  success  until  his  death  October  21,  1877.  His  wife  died  March  25,  1885. 
Our  subject  resided  on  the  farm  with  his  parents.  His  early  education  was  limited  but 
in  later  years  he  prepared  himself  for  teaching,  which  profession  he  followed  for  a number 
of  years.  He  is  a natural  mechanic,  so  abandoned  school  teaching  and  began  following 
the  carpenter’s  trade.  In  August,  1882,  be  was  elected  county  trustee  and  served  one 
term  of  two  years  in  so  faithful  and  efficient  a manner  that  he  was  re-elected  to  the  office 
in  1884,  and  is  now  discharging  the  duties  of  that  office.  December  14,  1853,  he  wedded 
Elizabeth  C.  Vaughn.  They  have  these  children:  Thomas  J.,  William  S.,  Edgar  P., 
Laura  P.  (Barber).  Charles  V.  Branch  P.,  James  D.,  and  Rufus  O.  Mr.  Hale  is  a Demo- 
crat and  was  a warm  advocate  for  the  Confederate  cause  during  the  late  war.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I),  Forty-fifth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served 
until  lie  was  wounded  at  Shiloh,  when  he  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant.  He 
was  discharged  in  1802  hut  re-enlisted  and  served  until  December  7,  1864,  at  which 
time  he  was  severely  wounded  in  an  engagement  in  front  of  Murfreesboro,  having  his  right 
arm  broken  and  his  left  hand  badly  mangled.  Mr.  Hale  is  a member  of  the  Primitive 
Baptist  Church  and  is  an  able  official  and  excellent  citizen. 

JOHN  W.  HALL,  Esq.,  a prominent  farmer  and  fruit  grower  of  Rutherford  County, 
was  born  June  25,  1834,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Charlotte  (Gambill) 
llall,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  father  came  to  this  county  in 
1812  and  employed  his  time  in  teaching  school  and  fanning,  lie  died  in  the  fall  of  1846. 
The  son  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
the  county.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  started  to  farm  for  himself  on  a rented  farm,  at- 
tending school  and  farming.  lie  purchased  a farm  in  the  Fourth  District,  but  seven 
years  later  sold  it  and  still  later  bought  the  farm  on  which  he  is  now  living.  On  Febru- 
ary 8,  1859,  he  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Shelton,  and  to  this  union  were  born  the  following 
children:  William  A.,  Larraphine,  Charlntta,  Sarah  E.,  Jimmie  S.,  Mary  L , and  John  W. 
Mr.  Hall  is  a Democrat,  and  in  18G2  enlisted  in  Lytler  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry  as  a 
private.  He  participated  in  most  of  the  battles  that  the  command  was  engaged  in;  was 
taken  sick  soon  after  the  Franklin  battle  and  was  left  in  Davidson  County  until  lie  was 


65 


- 


. 


’ 


1038 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


able  to  tret  home.  In  1ST6  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  of  the  Fourth  District  and 
lias  held  the  office  up  to  the  present  time.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church  and  are  respected  and  esteemed  by  all. 

MRS.  JULIA  A.  HALL,  a widely  known  and  eminently  successful  land-owner,  was 
bom  in  Bedford  County,  this  State,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Isaiah  and  Mary  (Rainy) 
Gault.  The  father  was  a gentleman  highly  respected  as  a kind  neighbor  and  a warm 
friend.  His  death  occurred  in  the  year  1852  and  the  mother,  who  was  loved  and  esteemed 
by  all  who  knew  her,  followed  her  husband  to  his  last  resting  place  in  the  year  1876. 
They  were  devout  Baptists  and  died  in  full  fruition  of  all  Christian  hope.  The  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  united  in  marriage  in  the  year  1858,  to  John  L.  Hall.  To  this  brief  but 
happy  union  were  born  six  children,  live  of  whom  are  living:  Raiuy  I.,  John  B..  Albert 
S.,  Delphia  C.  (wife  of  James  E.  Floyd)  and  Thomas  J.  Mr.  Hall’s  death, which  occurred 
in  1873,  was  a sad  blow  to  his  bereaved  family  and  friends.  lie  was  justly  considered  a 
moral,  upright  man.  Mrs.  Hall  is  a worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church 
and  occupies  a prominent  position  in  the  community  in  which  she  resides. 

JOHN  C.  HARRIS,  a prominent  and  well-known  farmer  of  Rutlierfotd  County  and 
a native  of  this  State,  was  born  June  1,  1842.  He  is  the  son  of  John  C.  and  Jane  P.  (Rags- 
dale) Harris,  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  born  February  17,  1800,  and  was  one 
of  the  wealthiest  and  most  prominent  farmers  of  the  count}*,  and  one  of  its  pioneer  settlers, 
coming  here  as  early  as  1S23,  and  securing,  when  land  was  cheap,  one  of  the  finest  farms 
in  the  county.  In  1853,  having  lost  his  companion  in  life,  he  conceived  the  idea  that  he 
would  be  his  own  administrator,  hence  about  twenty  years  ago  he  divided  his  landed  es- 
tate among  bis  children,  giving  to  each  one  an  excellent  farm.  Many  are  they  who  can 
testify  to  the  kind  hospitality  and  broad  benevolence  of  this  noble  man.  He  was  an  elder 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church  for  a period  of  sixty  years,  and  on  his  death,  which  sad  event 
occurred  February  10,  1885,  he  lacked  just  seven  days  of  being  eighty-five  years  old.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and  secured  a fair  education  at  the  common 
schools.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regi- 
ment, serving  as  a private  for  two  years,  and  was  afterward  made  first  lieutenant  of  his 
company  until  the  close  of  the  war;  was  imprisoned  at  Camp  Chase,  Ohio,  in  December, 
18G3,  where  he  remained  until  March,  1865.  He  then  returned  home  and  attended  school  at 
College  Grove,  Williamson  County,  for  three  years,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  com- 
menced farming  for  himself  on  his  father’s  tract.  His  first  wife,  Miss  Annie  M.  Green, 
died  in  April,  1883;  they  had  one  child — Janie  R.  In  May,  1884,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in 
marriage  to  his  second  wife,  Miss  Maggie  Green,  a native  of  this  county. 

ROBERT  B.  HARRIS,  M.  D.,  a prominent  man  of  Rutherford  County  and  a native 
of  this  State,  was  born  September  6,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  John  C.  and  Jane  P.  (Rags- 
dale) Harris,  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm,  and 
secured  a good  common  school  education.  In  1856-57  he  attended  the  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity, of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and  returning  home  in  1858,  commenced  the  study  of  medicine, 
and  in  1858  attended  two  courses  of  lectures  at  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Phila- 
delphia, medical  department,  with  a view  to  making  it  a profession.  In  March,  1800,  he 
graduated  at  this  institution  with  the  degree  of  M.  ]).,  after  which  lie  returned  to  Ruther- 
ford County,  and  followed  the  practice  of  medicine  as  a business.  He  is  known  all  over 
the  county  as  a learned  and  skillful  physician.  On  account  of  his  health  failing  Dr.  Har- 
ris was  compelled  to  withdraw  from  practice  in  187C,  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing. In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Twenty-third  Tennessee  Regiment,  serving 
as  a private  until  the  organization  of  the  regiment,  when  he  was  made  assistant 
surgeon,  and  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh  was  promoted  to  surgeon  of  the  regiment, 
and  continued  with  this  regiment  until  after  the  fall  of  Petersburg,  when  he 
was  detailed  to  hospital  service  at  Montgomery,  Ala.,  remaining  there  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  In  1883  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Kittie  V.  Byers,  a native  of  this  county,  and  Mr. 
Harris’  second  wife,  his  first  wife,  Miss  Susie  R.  Hill,  having  died  in  1S70.  To  the  last 
union  two  children  have  b en  born:  James  P.  and  Robert  G.  Mr.  Harris  is  a Democrat. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1039 


in  politics  and  lie  and  family  arc  leading  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
of  which  Mr.  Harris  has  been  an  elder  for  some  time. 

IIAYIS'ES,  HOLLOWELL  CO.  are  merchants  of  Murfreesboro,  Tcnn.  In  18S2 
the  business  was  established  by  Thomas  R.  Hollowed  (see  sketch)  and  his  brother  George 
S. . under  the  lirm  name  of  G.  S.  Hollow-ell  & Co.  The  following  year  Thomas  R.  assumed 
complete  control  of  the  business,  and  conducted  it  aloue  until  the  latter  part  of  1883,  when 
Mr.  G.  C.  Batey  took  an  interest,  continuing  until  January,  1885,  when  William  R.  Haynes 
purchased  an  interest.  They  carry  a large  and  select  stock  of  general  merchandise,  and 
are  doing  a lucrative  business.  William  R.  Haynes  was  born  in  Camion  County,  Tcnn., 
February  11,  1840,  being  a son  of  Ivy  J.  C.  and  Elvira  (Fletcher)  Haynes,  natives,  respect- 
ively, of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  about  1823,  and 
located  in  Rutherford  County,  where  he  learned  the  cabinet-maker’s  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed until  1853.  He  then  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business,  but  in  1881  re- 
tired to  a farm  near  the  city,  where  he  now  resides.  Our  subject,  William  R.,  worked  in 
his  father’s  store,  and  in  1877  became  a partner  in  the  business.  In  1S81  he  retired  from 
business,  and  two  years  later  removed  to  the  country,  but  in  1885  returned  to  the  city  and 
engaged  in  his  present  business.  In  1878  lie  married  Miss  Sophia  M.  Reeves,  of  Bedford 
Couuty,  Tenn.  Mr.  Haynes  is  a Democrat.  In  1SG1  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Forty-fifth 
Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  commissary  department  of  the  Confeder- 
ate Army  until  its  surrender.  He  and  wife  arc  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

JAMES  F.  HENDERSON,  a pioneer  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  was  born  May 
4,  1811,  in  Lincoln  County,  N.  C.,  and  was  the  son  of  Logan  and  Margaret  E.  (Johnson) 
Henderson,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  immigrated  to  this  county  in  18lS,  set- 
tling on  a farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Murfreesboro,  and  was  a successful  farmer,  and  was 
elected  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he  held  for  a number  of  years.  He  died  in  this 
county  in  the  fall  of  1S46,  leaving  a large  estate.  The  son  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  re- 
ceived a good  education  at  Nashville  University.  After  reaching  his  majority  he  took 
charge  of  his  father’s  farm  for  eight  years,  and  then  moved  to  the  place  where  he  now 
lives.  He  has  been  a successful  farmer,  giving  each  of  his  three  sons  a farm  of  over  100 
acres  of  land.  On  December  20,  1832,  he  married  Miss  Amanda  Veoores,  a native  of  Tenues 
see,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living,  namely: 
Medra,  Octavine,  Yausinderan,  Hortense,  Frank,  Clifford  C.  and  Estella.  Mr.  Henderson 
is  a Democrat,  a Royal  Arch  Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  is  a leading  farmer  of  the  county  and  an  excellent  citizen. 

JAMES  W.  HILL,  a farmer  of  Rutherford  Count}',  was  boru  October  1,  1841.  and  is 
the  son  of  William  G.  and  Eliza  M.  (Westall)  Hill,  natives  of  Texas.  William  Hill  was  a 
wealthy  farmer  of  Texas  and  one  of  the  leading  citizens;  he  died  in  1S59.  The  subject  was 
reared  on  a farm,  receiving  a moderate  education  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina.  In 
1871  he  moved  to  Rutherford  County,  where  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  met  with  evident 
success,  having  105  acres  of  well  improved  land.  He  was  married  in  1863  to  Sarah  M. 
McLean,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight  children,  six 
of  whom  are  living:  Charley  B.,  Annie  IL,  John  W.,  Herbert  N.,  Florence  S.  and  Sadie 
C.  Mr.  Hill  is  a Democrat.  In  1801  lie  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  with  Terry’s 
Texas  Rangers,  as  a private,  solving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church.  Mr.  Hill  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  farmers  and 
a moral  and  upright  man. 

SAMUEL  II.  HODGE,  a prominent  business  man  of  Murfreesboro,  Tcnn.,  a native 
of  this  city,  was  born  November  G,  1838.  His  parents,  Samuel  II.  and  Sarah  C.  (Mitchell) 
Hodge  were  both  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1800,  and  immigrated  to  this  county  with  their 
respective  parents,  about  1814  or  1815.  Our  subject’s  father  was  raised,  married  and  raised 
his  family  in  this  county,  following  farming  the  greater  part  of  his  life,  in  which  lie  was 
very  successful.  lie  was  an  old-time  Whig  politically,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  local 
campaigns  in  his  day.  He  was  elected  by  his  party  to  the  office  of  clerk  of  the  circui1 


1040 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


court,  which  he  filled  continuously  and  in  a faithful  and  efficient  manner  for  several  terms. 
His  death  occurred  in  1846.  but  his  widow  survived  him  twenty  years.  The  immediate  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  secured  a good  education  in  his  youthful  days  at  the  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity at  Lebanon.  Tenn.  In  May,  1SG1.  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  I,  First 
Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  this  capacity  in  the  late  war  until  1863.  when 
he  was  detached  from  his  regiment  to  serve  as  a secret  scout  for  Geu.  Bragg,  and  was 
captured  in  the  latter  part  of  the  same  year,  while  engaged  in  discharging  the  duties  of 
this  most  perilous  and  difficult  task,  and  heid  as  a prisoner  of  war  at  Fort  Delaware  until 
March,  1863.  lie  was  then  exchanged  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  returned  home.  Here 
he  began  business  life  as  a clerk,  and  in  1868  he  established  a mercantile  establishment  for 
himself,  and  has  remained  in  the  same  to  the  present  time,  meeting  with  more  than  or- 
dinary aud  well-deserved  success.  Iu  January.  1883.  Mr.  Smith  became  his  partner  in 
business.  Mr.  William  Mitchell,  his  former  partner,  having  withdrawn  to  engage  in  busi- 
ness for  himself.  Alexander  Smith  was  also  a partner  previous  to  Mr.  Mitchell’s  connec- 
tion wit!)  the  business,  this  partnership  being  severed  b}'  Mr.  Smith’s  death.  Under  the 
firm  name  of  Hodge  & Smith  the  present  firm  carry  a large  and  well-selected  stock  of 
general  merchandise  of  nearly  every  conceivable  description  aud  command  the  leading 
trade  in  their  line  in  the  city  and  county.  They  also  buy  and  sell,  probably,  more  cotton, 
grain  and  seeds  than  any  other  firm  in  Rutherford  Couuty.  In  December.  1868,  Mr. 
Hodge  married  Emma  Smith,  of  this  county,  by  whom  he  is  the  father  of  five  children; 
George  W . Samuel  H.,  Florence,  Lillian  and  Emma  Sue.  Politically  he  is  an  unswerv- 
ing Democrat.  He  has  attained  the  Knight  Templar  and  Scottish  Rite  degrees  in  Masonry 
and  himself  and  wife  are  zealous  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  this  city. 

THOMAS  R.  HOLLOWELL,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn..  was  born  Sep- 
tember 16,  1839.  His  parents,  Edwin  C.  and  Ann  M.  (Crockett)  Hollowell,  were  born,  re- 
spectively, in  North  Carolina  and  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  At  an  early  period  the 
father  came  to  Tennessee  and  followed  farming  and  carpentering  for  a living.  The  latter 
part  of  his  life  was  spent  in  Murfreesboro,  where  he  died  in  1868.  Thomas  R.  secured  a 
common  school  education  and  followed  the  carpenter’s  trade  until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twelfth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry  and  served 
as  private  in  the  Southern  Army  until  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  where  he  was  wounded  and 
left  on  the  field  for  dead.  He  was  captured  by  the  Federals  and  held  until  the  September 
following,  when  he  was  exchanged  and  re-enlisted,  serving  in  the  commissary  department. 
In  1861  lie  was  made  captain  of  Company  1,  Twentt'-first  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  From  that  time  until  1878  he  farmed,  and  at  the  latter  date 
he  was  elected  county  trustee  and  served  faithfully  and  well  four  years.  He  is  at  present 
engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  and  is  doing  well  financially.  In  1867  lie 
married  Nannie  P.  Jobe,  of  Murfreesboro,  and  four  children  have  blessed  their  union: 
Mary  Ann,  Thomas,  Bessie  and  Lena.  Mr.  Hollowell  has  always  been  an  unswerving 
Democrat.  He  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

M.  IIIRSCII  & CO.  are  dry  goods  and  notion  merchants,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 
The  firm  is  composed  of  Moses  Hirsch,  resident  partner,  and  Joseph  Franklin,  of  Nash- 
ville, and  the  business  was  established  in  January,  1884,  Mr.  Hirsch  having  active  manage- 
ment and  control.  They  carry  a fine  line  of  goods  pertaining  to  their  business  and  have 
a dress  making  department  in  connection.  Mr.  Hirsch  is  a well-known  business  man  and 
a native  of  the  city.  He  was  born  March  9,  1839,  and  is  a son  of  Henry  Hirsch,  of  Mur- 
freesboro (sec  sketch).  Moses  was  reared  with  his  parents  and  secured  an  ordinal  busi- 
ness education.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  began  his  career  as  clerk  in  the  mercantile  es- 
tablishment of  his  uncle,  E.  Rosenfeld,  continuing  with  him  and  A.  Tobias  & I3ro.  until 
January,  1884,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  business  as  above  stated.  lie  is  unmarried, 
a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  a wide-awake  young  business  man  of  the  city. 

CAMILLUS  B.  HUGGINS,  a citizen  and  native  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born 
June  5.  1822.  His  parents,  Jonathan  and  Elizabeth  W.  (Smith)  Huggins,  were  born, 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1041 


respectively  in  North  Carolina  and  Davidson  County,  Tenn.  The  father  came  to  Ruther- 
ford County,  Tenn.,  in  ISIS,  and  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  life  in  mercantile  pur- 
suits, in  which  he  met  with  good  success.  In  politics  he  was  a Whig  before  the  late  war, 
and  was  a participant  in  the  war  of  1812.  His  death  occurred  at  Manchester,  Tenn.,  Sep- 
tember 30,  1870.  Our  subject’s  boyhood  days  were  spent  in  his  uative  county,  where  lie 
received  limited  educational  advantages.  He  began  his  business  career  as  clerk  in  a 
mercantile  establishment,  and  afterward  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  two  years  with 
J.  W.  Nelson,  in  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and  then  returned  to  Murfreesboro,  and  after  clerking 
a number  of  years,  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  with  Isaac  Lohman,  and  afterward 
with  his  father  and  brother  in  the  grocery  business,  continuing  until  1857.  Mr.  Huggins 
was  in  the  commissary  department  of  the  Confederate  Army  after  the  battle  of  Stone 
River  until  the  surrender.  Since  that  time  he  has  followed  different  occupations.  He  was 
connected  with  the  First  National  and  Stone  River  Bank  as  teller,  but  of  iate  years  has 
devoted  his  time  and  means  to  general  trading  and  speculation.  In  January,  1855,  he 
wedded  Miss  Sarah  E.  Ridley,  of  Rutherford  County.  To  them  were  born  eight  children, 
the  two  eldest,  a son  and  daughter,  dying  young.  Those  living  are  four  sons  and  two 
daughters.  Mr.  Huggins  is  now  a Democrat  in  politics,  although  a Whig  before  the  war. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  his  wife  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

THOMAS  G.  IYIE  was  a successful  merchant  at  Murfreesboro,  born  in  this  county 
September  17.  1837,  and  was  the  son  of  Charles  D.  and  Judith  (Wood)  Ivie,  natives,  re- 
spectively, of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  wedded  December 
18, 1870,  to  Sallie  Sawing,  and  to  this  brief  but  happy  period  of  wedded  bliss  were  born  two 
children,  one  of  whom  is  living,  namely:  Thomas  G.  Mr.  Ivie  was  a consistent  Method- 
ist and  one  of  Rutherford  County’s  best  citizens,  and  by  his  unswerving  integrity  was 
highly  esteemed  by  all.  His  death  which  occurred  March  13,  1872,  was  a sad  blow  to 
his  bereaved  family  and  acquaintances.  Mrs.  Ivie  still  survives  him  and  is  an  accomplished 
lady  and  a devout  Christian,  being  a leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  know  her. 

NATHAN  R.  JACKSON,  a well-known  and  successful  agriculturist,  was  born  in 
this  county  December  27.  1S45,  and  is  the  son  of  Nathan  and  Indiana  Jackson,  na- 
tives, respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee.  The  subject  of  tlii*  sketch  was  married 
January  20,  1873,  to  Miss  Emma  L.  Dawson,  and  to  this  union  were  born  five  children: 
William  F.,  Clara,  Cora  and  Flora  (twins)  and  Ruth.  Mr.  Jackson  took  quite  an  active 
part  in  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  Capt.  Miller’s  company  of  cavalry,  was  captured  at  Col- 
umbia, Tenn.,  and  remained  a prisoner  for  a short  time.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  took 
the  oath  and  returned  home.  Mr.  Jackson  is  a Democrat  with  prohibition  tendencies,  and 
a Methodist  by  inclination.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
and  they  are  justly  recognized  as  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  community  in 
which  they  live. 

PROF.  ROBERT  D.  JAMISON,  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  April 
13.  1838,  in  Rutherford  County,  and  is  the  son  of  Henry  D.  and  Sarah  W.  (Thomas)  Jami- 
son. The  father,  a well-known  saddler  and  farmer,  came  here  at  an  early  date  and  settled 
at  Murfreesboro,  where  lie  remained  for  fifteen  years.  He  then  moved  on  a farm  near  a 
place  where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  Murfreesboro  <Sr 
Nashville  Turnpike  Company,  was  a follower  of  the  old  Whig  party  and  a successful  fann- 
er, having  a large  estate  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  March,  1853.  Our 
subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  a good  education  at  Thomson  Academy,  in 
Williamson  County.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  taught  school  in  Williamson  County  for  a 
year  and  a half.  After  his  father's  death  he  took  charge  of  the  farm,  which  he  conducted 
until  1861.  In  18G5  he  purchased  a farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Murfreesboro,  erected  a school- 
house  and  taught  school  and  attended  the  farm  until  1878,  when  he  took  charge  of  Union 
University,  conducting  it  in  an  able  manner  for  five  years.  He  then  retired  from  a pro- 
fessional life  to  a farm  that  he  had  purchased  near  Murfreesboro,  and  where  he  now  .re" 


1042 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


sides.  December  26,  I860,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Camilla  T.  Patterson,  of  this  county, 
and  to  them  were  born  seven  children,  one  dying  in  infancy:  those  living  arc  At  ha  T.. 
Evis  C..  Samuel  P.,  Henry  D.,  Ella  and  Maddie.  Mr.  Jamison  is  an  unswerving  Demo- 
crat. He  enlisted  in  1861  as  private  in  Company  D,  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment  of 
Infantry,  and  was  promoted  to  surgeon  of  ambulance  train.  Mr.  Jamison  is  a member  of 
the  K.  of  H.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JAMES  F.  JEXKIXS,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  July  5,  1840, 
by  the  marriage  of  Hiram  and  Nancy  (Puckett)  Jenkins,  natives,  respectively,  of  Pettis 
County,  Mo.,  and  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  Hit  am  H.  Jenkins  came  to  Rutherford 
County  in  1S32,  and  settled  on  a farm,  which  he  improved  and  enlarged  to  a great  extent. 
Here  he  remained  and  farmed  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  December,  1870.  The 
subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a fair  education  at  Union  University,  after 
which  he  commenced  farming  on  his  father’s  place  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I.  of  the  First  Tennessee  Infantry,  as  a private,  serving 
three  and  a half  years.  In  1865  he  went  to  farming  again  on  the  old  place.  He  left  there, 
and  after  moving  around  for  some  time  and  after  his  father's  death,  which  occurred  in 
1868,  he  came  back  on  the  old  place.  He  has  since  followed  farming  and  has  purchased  a 
part  of  his  grandfather’s  estate,  where  he  lias  since  resided.  He  has  been  quite  successful 
and  owns  about  250  acres  of  good  land.  The  subject  was  married  in  1864,  to  Lizzie  Wil- 
son, who  died  in  1868.  He  then  married  Beulah  Clement,  a native  of  Gainesville,  Ala. 
One  child,  Anna  M.,  was  born  to  him  by  his  first  wife:  and  by  bis  second  wife  seven  chil- 
dren have  been  born,  namely:  Clement  B.,  Mary  A.,  James  F.,  Minnie  S.,  Kate  B.,  Ruby 
M.  and  Beulah.  MV.  Jenkins  is  an  unswerving  Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Jenkins  is  one  of 
the  leading  farmers  and  an  excellent  citizen. 

COL.  ROBERT  B.  JETTON,  register,  and  native  of  Rutherford  Count}',  Tenn.,  was 
born  February  15, 1818,  and  is  one  of  eight  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  Robert  Jetton 
and  Nancy  Wilson,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  came  to  this  State  about 
the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  He  was  a farmer  and  a Democrat  of  the  Jacksonian 
school,  being  a major  under  Jackson  in  the  Seminole  war.  He  was  a member  of  the  Leg- 
islature a number  of  terms,  and  was  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  spirits  of  Democracy 
in  the  county  during  his  time.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  all  private  and  public 
enterprises  and  was  a member  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church,  in  which  faith  he 
died  December  26,  1840.  Our  subject  resided  with  his  parents  on  the  home  farm  aud  re- 
ceived a good  collegiate  education,  attending  the  Nashville  University.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-two  he  began  farming  for  himself,  continuing  the  same  until  the  ravages  of  war 
almost  ruined  him  financially.  After  the  war  he  made  an  attempt  to  regain  li is  former 
financial  standing,  and  succeeded  in  part.  Later,  owing  to  financial  embarrassments,  he 
was  compelled  to  abandon  farming  and  seek  other  employment  as  a means  of  livelihood, 
and  for  a time  was  deputy  under  Hardy  Murfree,  register  of  the  county,  and  served  two 
years.  Mr.  Murfree  died  about  this  time  and  Mr.  Jetton  was  elected  to  fill  the  unexpired 
term,  and  in  1882  was  elected  to  the  office  by  the  people.  He  has  been  unfortunate  in 
matrimonial  affairs,  having  lost  two  wives  by  death.  His  present  wife  was  Miss  Esther 
L.  Murfree,  whom  he  married  in  1857.  They  have  five  children  living.  He  had  one 
daughter  by  his  first  wife,  now  Mrs.  G.  "W.  Fall,  of  Nashville,  who  was  reared  by  ex- 
Presidcnt  Polk’s  wife.  Mr.  Jetton  is  a Democrat  and  lie  and  family  are  members  of  the 
P reshy  te r i a n Cli  urcli . 

ELIIIU  C.  JOB.  one  of  the  enterprising  farmers  of  Rutherford  County,  was  born  Au- 
gust 7,  1809,  in  Murry  County,  Tenn.  lie  i>  the  son  of  James  and  Catharine  (Pitt)  Job, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  The  father  came  to  Maury  County 
at  an  early  date  aud  settled  on  a farm.  He  is  one  of  the  constructors  of  the  first  corton- 
gins  in  that  county.  His  death  occurred  in  1833.  The  son  was  a farmer  boy,  and  received 
a good  common  school  education.  At  an  early  age  he  served  an  apprenticeship  in  a cabi- 
inet  shop.  After  finishing  his  trade  he  started  in  business  for  himself  in  Rutherford 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


3043 


County.  He  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides,  and  has  met  with  evident  suc- 
cess. In  1833  he  married  Miss  Mary  AY.  Smith,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight  chil- 
dren, of  whom  six  are  now  living,  namely:  Luke  E.,  Elizabeth  C..  Benjamin  A.,  Naucv 
P.  (wife  of  T.  II.  Hollowell),  Martha  A.  (wife  of  J.  T.  Bcesley)  and  Lavina  S.  (wife  of 
W.  T.  Edwards).  Mr.  Job  is  a Master  Mason  and  a Democrat.  He  is  considered  a good 
citizen  and  a kind  neighbor. 

COLUMBUS  X.  JOHNSON,  a successful  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County, 
Tenn.,  in  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Jane  (Miller)  Johnson,  both  natives  of  Ihis 
county.  The  father  died  in  the  year  1SGG,  and  the  mother  in  1838.  They  were  consistent 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  died  happy  in  the  faith  of  a blessed  Redeemer  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  married,  in  1854.  to  Miss  Mary  Davis,  and  to  them  were  born 
eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  Tilman  D.,  Robert  B.,  Raymond  R.,  Sillie  G., 
Charles  C.  and  Tabitha  J.  When  the  late  war  broke  out  Mr.  Johnson  shouldered  his 
musket,  and  with  many  a gallant  companion  enlisted  in  Company  D,  Forty-fifth  Tennes- 
see Infantry,  serving  in  this  capacity  for  three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time,  ow- 
ing to  ill  health,  Mr.  Johnson  left  the  army  and  refrained  from  further  participation  in 
the  war.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a stanch  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Church,  and  are  kind  neighbors  and  good  citizens. 

WILLIAM  S.  JONES  & BROS.,  dealers  in  drygoods  and  groceries,  boots  and  shoes, 
queeusware  and  general  merchandise  at  Jefferson,  Rutherford  Co..  Tenn.  The  junior 
member  of  the  firm  succeeded  his  uncle,  W.  E.  Jones,  in  1878,  in  the  business,  and  in  1836 
bis  brother,  A.  M.  Jones,  purchased  a partnership  in  it.  The  subject  of  our  sketch,  Will- 
iam S..  was  born  September  9,  1840,  in  this  State,  and  is  the  son  of  Albert  and  Nancy  J. 
(Jones)  Jones,  natives,  respectively,  of  Tennessee  and  Virginia.  The  father  was  one  of 
the  leading  farmers  of  the  county,  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  was  elected  sheriff  of  this 
county  for  one  term,  and  was  magistrate  of  the  Fifth  District  for  twelve  or  thirteen  years. 
Himself  and  family  were  leading  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  and  received  an  education  like  the  average  country  boy.  At  the 
breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Forty-fifth  Tennessee,  serving  as  a 
high  private  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  with  his  uncle  until  he  started  in  his  present  business  in  1878.  Mr.  Jones 
is  a single  gentleman,  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  is  spoken  of  as  one  of  the  enterprising  and  successful  business  men 
of  the  county. 

MRS.  LIZZIE  II.  JONES,  widow  of  Amzi  Jones,  who  died  November  18,  1878,  is  a 
native  of  this  State,  horn  at  Murfreesboro  September  23,  1840,  being  a daughter  of  Alfred 
and  Narcissa  (Bradford)  Miller,  natives,  respectively,  of  Alabama  and  North  Carolina. 
The  father  was  a money  broker  of  considerable  note  in  this  county.  Amzi  Jones  was  a 
prominent  and  energetic  farmer  of  this  county,  born  near  Smyrna  October  7,  1841.  He 
lost  both  of  his  parents  when  an  infant,  and  was  adopted  by  his  half-brother,  Dr.  George 
Jones,  and  lived  the  greater  part  of  his  younger  days  with  him  in  Memphis,  Tenn.  lie 
received  his  education  at  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  and  enlisted  in  the  army  of  the  Confederate 
States  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  but 
continued  in  the  army  until  the  war  closed.  He  contributed  largely  to  the  literary  depart- 
ment of  the  county  papers,  and  was  a gentleman  of  much  intelligence  and  possessed  an 
untiring  energy,  which  was  depicted  ir.  a business  transaction  only  a few  hours  before  his 
death.  He  was  always  strictly  exact  in  his  business  transactions,  meeting  his  obligations 
faithfully  and  promptly.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  was  engaged  in  the  cotton  business, 
being  a very  successful  trader.  In  1870  he  came  to  this  county,  purchasing  a farm  close 
to  the  one  his  widow  now  resides  on,  aud  in  January,  1878.  removed  to  her  present  farm, 
at  which  place  he  died  one  month  biter.  Mr.  Jones  was  a successful  farmer,  was  univer- 
sal]}' esteemed,  and  had  many  friends.  The  subject  of  our  sketch,  Mrs.  Lizzie  Jones,  has 
lived  on  and  controlled  the  farm  since  his  death,  and  in  1882  finished  building  a grist-mill 
which  her  husband  had  commenced  shortly  before  his  death.  She  lias  conducted  this 


1044 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


business  in  connection  with  her  farming  interests  up  until  the  present  time.  Their  mar-  ' 
riage  occurred  in  1869.  They  have  one  child  by  this  union — Amzi.  Mrs.  Jones  is  a pleas- 
ant and  very  intelligent  lady:  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  is  justly  recog- 
nized among  the  leading  families  of  the  county. 

EDWARD  L.  JORDAN,  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Murfreesboro,  and 
one  of  Rutherford  County's  wealthiest  and  most  prominent  citizens.  Our  subject  first  saw 
the  light  of  day  in  Williamson  County.  Term.,  July  23.  1817.  Archer  Jordan,  our  sub- 
ject’s father,  was  born  in  Lunenberg  County,  Ya. , about  1770,  where  he  was  reared  to 
manhood  and  married  our  subject’s  mother.  Elizabeth  Walker,  also  a native  of  that 
county.  In  1795  Archer  Jordan  emigrated  West,  locating  first  in  Kentucky,  but  the  fol- 
lowing year  came  to  Tennessee,  and  crossing  the  Cumberland  River  on  the  ice  with  his 
wife,  and  his  father  and  family,  and  all  their  earthly  possessions,  which  was  limited  to  a 
few  essential  household  articles,  he  located  in  Davidson  County,  but  soon  after- 
ward removed  to  Williamson  County,  where  he  was  elected  magistrate  of  the  dis- 
trict, in  which  lie  resided  until  his  death  in  1835.  Edward’s  mother  dying  when  he 
was  but  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  his  father  three  years  later,  he  was  left  upon  his 
own  resources  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and  consequently  his  education  w'as  somewhat  lim~ 
ited.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he  entered  a mercantile  house  at  Hardeman  Cross 
Roads,  now  Triune,  Williamson  County,  as  clerk,  continuing  three  years  in  this  capacity, 
when,  in  company  with  William  P.,  son  of  the  late  Gov.  Cannon,  he  bought  out  his 
employers,  Thomas  F.  Perkins  & Co.  The  new  firm  conducted  the  business  successfully 
together  until  Mr.  Cannon’s  withdrawal,  in  1841,  after  which  Mr.  Jordan  owned  and  con- 
ducted the  business  alone  three  years.  He  then-  repaired  to  a farm  in  that  county,  where 
he  resided  until  1851.  He  then  removed  to  this  city  and  conducted  a mercantile  business- 
successfully  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  when  he  was  compelled  to  close  out; 
the  business,  as  well  as  many  others,  at  a great  sacrifice.  Mr.  Jordan  was  a non-partic- 
ipant in  that  bloody  strife,  but  strongly  maintained  his  position  in  favor  of  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  Union,  although  he  extended  a sympathizing  and  helping  hand  to  his  suffering 
and  sometimes  helpless  brethren  of  the  South.  Mr.  Jordan  has  always  taken  an  active 
lead  in  all  public  and  private  enterprises  in  this  city,  and  has  contributed  largely  to  the 
prosperity  of  the  county.  He  was  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Planters’  Bank  prior  to  the 
war,  which  was  never  reopened  after  that  time,  but  in  company  with  others  Mr.  Jordan 
established  the  savings  bank,  of  which  lie  wras  president  until  it  united  with  the  First 
National,  when  he  became  one  of  the  directors  of  the  latter,  and  finally  its  president., 
which  position  he  fills  in  a faithful  and  highly  efficient  manner.  He  has  also,  since  the 
war,  devoted  a great  amount  of  time  and  attention  to  the  collection  of  war  claims  from 
the  United  States  Government,  in  which  he  lias  been  very  successful.  Mr.  Jordan  lias 
been  very  unfortunate  in  matrimonial  affairs,  having  lost  two  wives  by  death.  In  1840  lie 
married  Martha,  daughter  of  the  late  Montford  Fletcher,  of  this  county.  She  died  in. 
1852,  leaving  four  children — three  of  whom  are  now  living:  Montford  F.,  Mary  (the  widow 
of  the  late  Dr.  G.  S.  Nuckolls,  of  Alabama)  and  Leland.  His  union  with  Mrs.  Jane 
Cook,  daughter  of  the  late  James  Carothers.  of  Williamson  Count}*,  was  without  issue. 
In  1858  he  was  united  in  mUrinnny  to  Mrs.  Mildred  Williams,  his  present  wife,  and 
daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  George  Hopson,  of  Montgomery  County,  Tenn.  The  following 
named  children  arc  the  result  of  this  union:  Maggie  (the  wife  of  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Taylor, 
of  Knoxville,  Tenn.)  and  Edward  L.  Mrs.  Jordan  has  three  children  by  her  former  mar 
ria^e.  They  are  Mrs.  E.  R.  Thomas  and  Mr.  II.  H.  Williams,  of  this  city,  and  John  P. 
Williams,  vice-president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Nashville.  Mr.  Jordan  was  for- 
merly an  old-line  Whig  before  the  war,  but  has,  since  that  party  ceased  to  exist,  been 
strictly  independent  in  his  political  views.  Himself  and  wife  are  leading  members  of  the 
Missionary  Baptist  Church  of  this  city,  and  lie  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  most 
enterprising  and  successful  business  men  of  Rutherford  County,  and  is  a reliable  and 
consistent  Christian  gentleman.  His  aged  brother,  Dr.  Clement  Jordan,  is  living  a retired 
life  at  our  subject's  home,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-five  years.  He  also  has  a sister. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


Mrs.  Ralston,  eighty-six  past,  living  in  West  Tennessee.  Mr.  Jordan  is  one  of  six  -on< 
ami  six  daughters  who  lived  to  maturity,  who  all  raised  large  families  with  exception  of 
two — three  sons  and  one  sister  now  living. 

MINOR  C.  JORDAN  (deceased)  was  a very  successful  agriculturist,  and  was  a native 
of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  where  he  was  horn  September  ‘-39,  18*30,  and  is  a son  of  John- 
son and  Rachel  (Hill)  Jordan,  who  were  born  in  the  “Old  Dominion."  Our  subject  was 
married  July  90,  184*2,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  W.  Jordan,  and  to  their  union  fourteen  children 
were  born,  seven  of  whom  arc  living:  Martha  J.  (wife  of  D.  S.  McCullough),  Mary  W. 
(wife  of  AY.  T.  Allison),  Clement  J.  (married  to  Martha  Lytle),  John  A.,  Minor  C.  E. 
James  S.  and  Lulu  B.  All*.  Jordan,  who  was  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church 
died  February  14,  1879.  Mrs.  Jordan  still  survives  and  is  a member  of  the  same  church 
as  her  husband.  She  is  very  charitable  to  the  poor  and  is  a woman  worthy  of  all  respect. 

DR.  ROBERT  F.  KEYES,  a well-known  and  eminently  successful  practitioner,  was 
born  in  Ontario,  iu  1S44,  and  is  the  sou  of  Henry  and  Martha  (Taylor)  Keyes.  The  father 
was  one  of  the  few  men  who  were  boru  on  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  The  mother  was  a native 
of  Ireland.  The  subject  of  this; sketch  is  a graduate  of  the  Queen’s  Medical  College  a ^ 
Weymouth,  is  a licentiate  of  Great  Britain,  a member  of  the  United  States  Board  of 
Health,  and  also  a member  of  the  State  Medical  Association  of  Teunessee.  He  was  one 
of  the  representatives  of  this  association  at  the  World’s  Fair.  The  Doctor  was  married 
March  27,  18G7,  to  Miss  Josephine  Hood,  and  this  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  two 
children:  George  L.  and  John  AY.  Our  subject  is  a radical  Democrat  of  the  most  pro- 
nounced type,  and  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  wife  is  a devout 
and  worthy  member  of  'lie  Methodist  Epicr,opal  Church.  The  Doctor  and  wife  promi- 
nent and  respected  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  they  reside. 

CAPT.  AYILLIAAI  D.  KILLOUGH,  a prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County, Tenn., 
who  was  born  in  said  county  March  15,  1838,  and  is  son  of  James  and  Matilda  (Martin) 
Killough.  The  father  was  a prosperous  agriculturist  and  engaged  in  commercial  broker- 
age to  a considerable  extent.  He  "was  a Presb3Tteriau  and  died  in  1S63.  The  mother  is 
still  living  and  is  a resident  of  this  county.  Our  subject  was  united  ir,  matrimony  to  Miss 
xVlice  Cunningham  in  1872,  and  two  children  blessed  their  union:  Alartin  C.  and  AAhliiam 
D.  Ah*.  Killough  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  civil  war  and  enlisted  in  Company  1, 
Forty -fifth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  was  soon  made  fourth  corporal.  He  achieved  distinc- 
tion in  this  position  and  was  raised  to  the  rank  of  orderly  sergeant,  and  was  soon  after 
promoted  to  first  lieutenant,  and  later  was  made  captain  of  his  company  and  served  in 
this  capacity  two  years.  He  was  wounded  at  Stone  River  and  was  brought  home.  He 
was  paroled  to  report  when  his  health  would  permit  his  rejoining  his  regiment,  but,  as 
there  was  no  exchange  of  officers,  he  toever  reported  but  remained  at  home,  not  participat- 
ing further  in  the  war.  The  Captain  is  a very  firm  Democrat,  and  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  are  worthy  citizens  of  the  county. 

MRS.  AMANDA  (FRAZIER)  KIMBRO,  a widely  known  and  eminently  success 
fill  land-owner,  was  born  in  north  Alabama,  October  11,  183*2.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  came  to  this  country  in  1832,  and  was  wedded  to  John  Bell  Kimbro  October  12, 
1852.  Mr.  Kimbro  was  a gentleman  possessing  large  business  ability  and  wealth.  lie 
was  the  first  president  of  the  First  Xatioual  Bank  at  Murfreesboro,  and  a Union  man: 
did  not  take  an  active  part  in  the  late  war,  being  religiously  opposed  to  it.  In  1872  Mr. 
Kimbro  died,  leaving  his  wife  and  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  now  living:  Clarence 
S.,  John  B.,  Frazier,  Azariah,  Fitzie  and  La  Salle.  Mrs.  Kimbro  is  a devout  and  con -A  t 
ent  member  of  the  Baptist  Church;  is  an  enterprising  and  estimable  lady,  and  is  justly 
recognized  as  a prominent  and  influential  member  of  the  community  in  which  she  liv-' 

COL.  JAMES  MOORE  KING  (deceased),  who  was  one  of  Rutherford  County’-  most 
highly  respected  pioneer  citizens,  was  born  near  Clinton,  Sampson  Co.,  N.  C.,  November 
18,  1792.  He  came  to  this  county  with  his  mother  in  1809;  was  a.  soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812.  lie  participated  with  his  regiment  and  company  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  ami 
was  also  a volunteer  in  Jackson’s  expedition  against  the  Seminole  Indians,  taking  an  act- 


1046 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ive  part  in  all  the  battles  of  that  campaign.  He  was  not  a regular  enlisted  soldier  in  the 
late  war,  but  was  engaged  in  seven  battles  and  cavalry  skirmishes,  spending  the  greater 
part  of  his  time  during  this  period  in  the  camps  and  on  the  battle  held.  In  1863  he  went 
south  and  did  not  return  until  after  the  close  of  the  war.  November  29,  1821,  be  married 
Miss  Martha  Batey,  an  excellent  woman,  and  to  them  were  born  nine  children:  Julia, 
wife  of  C.  W.  Moore:  Helen  J.,  widow  of  Capt.  Lythe;  James  M. ; Charles  II.;  Bettie  K.> 
wife  of  Col.  Thomas  G.  Morley;  Thomas  M. ; Morrison  I).;  John  H.  and  William  H. 
Charles  II.  King,  a prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  was  born  October  8,  1835, 
and  is  a son  of  Col.  James  Moore  King.  lie  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  a fair  ed. 
uc-ation  at  Salem  Academy,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  took  charge  of  his  father's  farm, 
and  two  years  later  engaged  in  farming  on  the  place  where  he  now  resides,  inheriting  the 
land,  which  now  consists  of  262  acres,  from  his  father's  estate.  July  18,  1856,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Ann  Wood,  and  to  them  were  born  seven  children:  Nettie  M.,  Mary  F., 
George  W.,  Pattie  B.,  Charles  H.  and  Anna  M.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat,  and  in  1861  en- 
listed as  private  in  Company  I of  First  Tennessee  Regiment;  was  promoted  to  lieutenant, 
and  served  one  year  in  that  capacit}7.  He  then  volunteered  as  private  m the  same  company, 
remaining  until  1863,  when  he  was  paroled,  and  went  on  detached  duty  as  a scout  after- 
ward. During  the  battle  of  Pcrryville  he  received  a wound  in  the  left  arm,  which  dis- 
abled him  from  active  service  for  three  months.  He  is  a Knight  Templar,  a Mason,  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Primitive  Baptist  Churches, 
respectively.  John  IT.  King,  a brother  of  Charles  H.  King  and  a son  of  Col.  James 
Moore  King,  was  born  October  10,  1845,  in  Rutherford  Count}';  was  reared  on  a farm,  and 
received  a limited  education.  In  1807  he  took  charge  of  his  father’s  farm  and  remained 
there  one  year.  He  then  commenced  for  himself,  farming  on  a portion  of  his  father’s 
land,  where  he  lived  until  his  father’s  death,  which  occurred  in  1879;  he  then  purchased 
the  old  homestead,  where  he  now7  resides,  and  supports  his  aged  mother.  May  18,  1882,  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Ophelia  (Alexander)  Rucker,  and  to  this  union  w7as  born  one  child — 
Robert  P.  Mr.  King  is  a Democrat,  and  at  the  age  of  fourteen,  in  1862,  he  enlisted  in  the 
war.  He  was  a participant  in  all  of  the  battles  in  which  the  command  was  engaged,  and 
in  1865  returned  home.  He  is  a Master  Mason,  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  and  a moral  and  upright  citizen.  William  H.  King,  another  son.  of  Col.  James 
Moore  King,  was  born  December  7,  1847,  in  Rutherford  County,  and  received  a collegiate 
education  at  Union  University,  in  Murfreesboro.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began 
farming  for  himself  on  a portion  of  his  father's  property,  it  afterward  being  deeded  to 
him.  He  has  succeeded  remarkably  well  in  his  farming  interests,  and  at  the  present  lie 
has  over  200  acres  of. excellent  land.  November  29,  1871,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Olivia 
M.  Jamison,  and  this  event  took  place  the  same  night  of  his  father’s  golden  wedding.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  were  born  seven  children:  S.  Moulton,  Jeannette  M.,  Anna  B.,  Henry 
J.,  John  C.,  James  R.  and  Dorsey  T.  Mr.  King  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers, respectively,  of  the  Old  and  Primitive  Baptist  Churches.  He  is  respected  by  all  who 
know  him,  and  is  an  honorable,  upright  mail. 

ROBERT  N.  KNOX,  a prominent  physician  and  farmer,  was  born  April  7,  1846.  in 
Rutherford  County,  and  is  the  son  of  William  F.  and  Armenia  E.  (Brown)  Knox,  natives 
of  Rutherford  County.  The  father,  a successful  farmer  of  this  county,  died  about  1850. 
The  son  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  a good  literan7  education  at  Oak  Hill  and 
Science  Hill  Seminary  of  Tennessee.  After  reaching  his  majority  and  in  order  to  make  a 
livelihood,  be  first  taught  school  in  this  county,  and  two  years  later  lie  entered  the  medi- 
cal university  at  Nashville  and  Vanderbilt  of  the  same  place.  He  graduated  and  received 
his  diploma  from  both  institutions.  In  1874  he  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Coffee 
County,  and  after  living  there  one  year  moved  to  this  county,  where  he  purchased  the 
farm  where  he  is  now  living.  January  4,  1871,  he  w as  married  to  Miss  Lucy  Catharine 
Fox,  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  them  were  born  the  following  children:  Sallie  E.  and 
William  C.  Mr.  Knox  is  a stanch  Democrat,  and  enlisted  in  1804  in  Company  E,  Fourth 
Tennessee  Cavalry,  as  a private,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  lie  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1047 


JOHN  J.  LEE,  farmer,  was  born  May  1,  1845,  in  Rutherford  County,  Teuu.,  son  of 
Asa  and  Elizabeth  (Jacobs)  Lee.  both  born  in  Tennessee,  the  former  in  Coffee  County  and 
the  latter  in  Rutherford  County.  The  father  was  a house  carpenter,  and  was  born  in  1819 
and  died  in  1808.  He  was  a Democrat  and  a leading  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Our 
subject  received  an  academic  education,  attending  the  Big  Spring  Academy,  and  after 
reaching  his  majority  worked  at  his  trade  seven  years.  He  then  purchased  a farm,  which 
he  worked  four  years.  After  residing  in  different  parts  of  the  county,  he  in  1881  pur- 
chased the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  has  made  his  own  way  in  the  world,  and  has 
met  with  well  deserved  success.  September  9,  I860,  he  married  Amanda  M.  Jernigam 
who  bore  him  nine  children:  Sarah  E.  (wife  of  Calvin  Lowe),  Anna  E.,  MaryM.,  William 
A.,  Thomas  E.,  Zoror  E..  Shelley  J.,  Oder  M.  and  Kate.  Mr.  Lee  is  a Democrat,  and  in 
July,  1864,  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  E,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O,  F.  and  is  a Master  Mason,  aud 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

NATHANIEL  M.  LEWIS,  M.  D.,  a prominent  physician  and  merchant  of  Florence 
Station,  Rutherford  Co..  Tenn.,  is  a native  of  this  county,  born  November 24,  1849.  son  of 
John  W.  aud  Elizabeth  (Miller)  Lewis.  The  father  was  a successful  farmer,  and  is  now 
extensively  engaged  in  stock  raising.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  himself  and  family  are 
members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Our  subject  spent  his  boyhood  days  on. a farm 
•aud  received  but  twenty  months  schooling  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  at  which 
time  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  under  W.  H.  Alexander.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  returned  home  and  attended  school,  and  also  assisted  his  father  on  the 
farm.  He  studied  medicine  at- nights.  In  1875  he  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  for 
himself  at  Walter  llill,  and  met  with  good  success.  In  1880  he  attended  the  Vanderbilt 
University  at  Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  graduated  with  first  honors  in  1881.  He  practiced 
medicine  in  Nashville  during  the  small-pox  epidemic  of  188*-?.  He  then  returned  to  his 
father’s  farm,  and  in  1883  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Florence,  where  he  has  continued 
to  the  present  time,  meeting  with  good  success.  February  0,  1883,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Estella  L.  Andrews,  daughter  of  John  T.  Andrews,  deputy  clerk  of  the  Williamson  County 
Court  for  a number  of  years.  Dr.  Lewis  is  a well  known  and  prominent  physician,  and  is 
one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  the  county, 

L.  K.  LOWE,  an  enterprising  and  successful  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County, 
this  State,  January  9,  1837,  and  is  the  son  of  Neri  and  Elizabeth  (Keeling)  Lowe,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  this  State.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  September. 
1S60,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Davis,  and  to  this  short  but  happy  wedded  life  were  born  three 
children,  two  of  whom  are  living,  namely:  Margaret  E.  and  Rosy  B.  Mr.  Lowe  was  soon 
called  to  mourn  the  death  of  his  wife  which  occurred  in  188.6.  In  the  year  1870  he  took 
for  his  second  wife  Miss  Sophia  P.  Williams,  and  to  this  happy  union  nine  children  were 
born,  seven  of  whom  are  living:  Elizabeth  P.,  James  W..  William  T.,  George  K., Leonard  K.. 
Effie  S.  and  Mary  D.  Mr.  Lowe  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war, enlisting  in  the  Third  Ken- 
tucky Cavalry,  serving  in  this  capacity  until  his  capture,  which  occurred  May  10,  1863,  He 
was  soon  exchanged,  and  returned  to  his  original  command,  where  he  remained  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  He  is  a Democrat  of  the  most  pronounced  type,  and  he  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  are  respected  by  all  who  know 
them. 

JAMES  M.  LOYD,  a prominent  teacher  and  citizen  of  Smyrna,  Tenn.,  is  a native 
■of  the  State,  born  in  Wilson  County,  March  9.  1838,  son  of  James  and  Matilda  (Morris) 
Loyd,  born  in  Alabama  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  was  a farmer,  and  died 
February  17,  1832.  The  mother  died  in  1869.  Our  subject  secured  a limited  early  educa- 
tion, but  finished  his  education  by  hard  study  at  home.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  be- 
gan teaching  school,  aud  has  since  made  that  hi-  profession.  August  12,  1883.  became  to 
Smyrna,  where  he  has  had  charge  of  the  schools,  and  is  considered  an  excellent  instructor. 
He  is  very  original  in  his  methods  of  instructing,  and  does  not  confine  himself  to  the  text- 
books. lie  has  gained  the  confidence  and  respect  of  the  patrons,  and  has  made  the 


1048 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


V 

school  a complete  success.  January  29,  1885,  he  wedded  MisS  Sallie  Garrett,  daughter  of 
George  C.  Garrett. 

MOSES  S.  LYNCH  may  be  mentioned  as  a successful  farmer  and  blacksmith  of 
Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  born  July  27.  1833,  son  of  Ecasmur  C.  and  Sallie 
(Swan)  Lynch.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  brick-mason,  and  at  the  present  time  is  a 
resident  of  Georgia.  The  mother  was  a worthy  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
died  in  186-1.  May  20,  1858.  our  subject,  Moses  S.,  married  Drucilla  Xuman,  and  they 
became  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  Robert  H.,  Catharine  (wife  of  Thomas 
Hayes),  James  S.,  Oliver  S.,  Arthur  B.  and  Leonard.  Mr.  Lynch  was  an  active  soldier  in 
the  late  war,  and  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Forty-lift h Tennessee,  and  served  two  months. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  wasdetailed  to  the  railroad,  owing  to  his  superior  mechan- 
ical qualifications,  and  remained  in  that  service  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is  a very 
stanch  Democrat,  and  is  at  the  present  time  magistrate  of  his  district,  serving  in  this  ca- 
pacity for  fourteen  years.  He  is  a Presbyterian  in  belief,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of 
the  same  church.  They  are  excellent  citizens,  and  have  many  friends  where  they  reside. 

DR.  WILLIAM  H.  LYTLE,  a practicing  physician,  was  born  in  this  county  September 
30,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  William  and  Violet  (Henderson)  Lytle,  natives,  respectively,  of 
Tennessee  and  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  a man  of  euergy  and  perseverence,  and 
his  death  was  universally  regretted.  The  Doctor  studied  medicine  under  the  eminent  physi- 
cians— Drs.  Wendel  tfe  Watson.  Our  subject’s  marriage  to  Miss  Lavinia  J.  Dashiell,  was 
solemnized  in  1849.  To  this  union  were  born  six  children — three  of  whom  are  living: 
Annie  R.,  wife  of  John  B.  Johns:  Violet  II..  wife  of  Leroy  B.  Wade,  and  Sophia  D.,  wife 
of  Frank  Henderson.  The  Doctor  did  not  participate  in  the  late  civil  war  between 
the  North  and  South,  but  his  sympathies  were  with  the  South.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are 
exemplary  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  have  the  confidence  and  respect  of 
all  their  acquaintances. 

MRS.  JULIA  LYTLE,  an  enterprising  and  eminently  successful  landowner,  was  born 
in  this  county  in  1824  and  is  the  daughter  of  Col.  William  and  Sarah  (Morton)  Searcy, 
natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  father  died  in  the  year  1846, 
and  the  mother  in  1832.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  June  12.  1844.  to  Col. 
Ephraim  F.  Lytle,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight  children — seven  of  whom  are  living: 
Mary  E.,  wife  of  Henry  Murphy,  a prominent  farmer  of  this  count)';  Catherine,  widow  of 
Robert  Lytle;  Sallie  E.,  wife  of  E.  C.  Cannon,  a merchant  at  Murfreesboro;  John;  Lizzie 
8.,  wife  of  H.  D.  Xichol,  of  Davidson  County;  E.  F.  and  Thomas  B.  Mr.  Lytle  took  an 
active  part  in  the  late  civil  war  between  the  North  and  South,  and  was  made  lieu- 
tenant-colonel  of  the  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  this  capacity  until  the 
beginning  of  1863.  At  that  time  his  health  failed  and  he  resigned  his  commission  and  re- 
frained from  further  participation  in  the  war.  He  was  a Methodist  in  inclination  and  was 
justly  regarded  a moral,  upright  man.  He  departed  this  life  February  10,  1868.  Mrs.  Lytle 
still  survives  him  and  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

1)R.  A.  W.  MANIRE,  a prominent  and  eminently  successful  practitioner,  was  born 
in  this  county  February  8,  18:7.  and  is  the  son  of  Lemuel  aud  Susan  (Jackson)  Manire, 
both  natives  of  Virginia.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  March  11,  1858,  to  Miss 
Julia  W.  White,  and  to  this  union  \\ere  born  the  following  childreu:  Dr.  John  W.t  Eliza 
J.,  wife  of  Johu  Lamb;  Josephine,  wife  of  J.  N.  Cothran;  Florence  E.;  Julia  A.;  Susan 
O.  and  Ella  M.  The  Doctor  is  a stanch  Democrat  aud  is  now  a candidate  for.  and  will 
probably  he  elected,  clerk  of  the  circuit  court.  The  Doctor  took  an  active  part  in  t He 
late  civil  war,  enlisting  in  Company  A,  Twenty  fourth  Tennessee,  serving  in  the 
capacity  of  hospital  steward  and  detailed  assistant  surgeon.  lie  resigned  his  commission 
in  1862,  came  home  and  resumed  his  practice  and  has  been  an  active  practitioner  ever 
since.  The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  and  his  wife  of  the  Cumberland 
Prcsbyterian'Church,  and  they  are  justly  recognized  as  influential  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity. 

WELCOM  MAN  KIN  was  born  October  5,  1835,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  son  of 


■ 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1010 


John  and  Elizabeth  (Hodge)  Mankin,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respect- 
ively. The  father  eame  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day  and  located  on  a farm  in  Rutherford 
County,  where  he  resided  until  his  death,  June  8.  1S83.  The  mother  departed  this  life 
February  14,  1879.  Wei  com  Mankin  received  a fair  English  education  in  the  common 
schools  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  years  began  earning  his  own  living  by  farming  on  his 
father’s  place,  which  was  subsequently  deeded  to  him.  In  1871  he  purchased  the  place 
where  he  now  resides,  and  is  well  fixed  financially.  February  25.  1860,  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Sarah  Lyon,  who  bore  him  two  children:  J.  E.  (wife  of  W.  R.  Manley),  and  John  P. 
Mrs.  Mankin  died  December  3,  1863,  and  September  17,  1866.  he  wedded  Mrs.  Louisa  Har- 
rison, and  to  them  were  born  three  children,  only  one  now  living:  Samuel  W.  In  April, 
1861,  Mr.  Mankin  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  F,  Second  Tennessee  Regiment,  and 
served  in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  July  10,  1864.  lie  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Peach  Tree  Creek  and  was  kept  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  111.,  nine  months,  and  was 
then  moved  to  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  and  there  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr. 
Mankin  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

BENTON  P.  MANKIN,  a successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Rutherford  Count}', 
was  born  November  12,  1843.  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Hodge)  Mankin,  na- 
tives, respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm 
and  received  a limited  education  as  be  attended  school  but  a short  time  before  the  war 
broke  out.  After  reaching  his  majority  he  began  farming  and  so  continued  until  the  death 
of  his  father,  when  he  moved  to  the  old  homestead.  In  1884  he  purchased  and  moved  to 
the  place  where  he  now  resides.  In  1877  he  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  F.  Hearn,  of  'Wil- 
son County,  and  to  this  union  have  been  born  two  children:  Mantilla  il.  and  Mary  L.  In 
1884  he  married  Miss  S.  J.  Atkinson,  of  this  county,  and  one  child,  Jessie  J.,  lias  blessed 
this  union.  Mr.  Mankin  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Fourth  Ten- 
nessee Cavalry,  as  a private.  He  took  an  active  part  in  most  of  the  battles  in  which  his 
command  was  engaged,  and  was  wounded  at  Thompson’s  Station  and  a second  time  near 
Knoxville,  being  off  duly  one  month.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  at- 
tended school,  going  at  intervals  and  farming  until  1869.  when  he  attended  strictly  to  bis 
farm  duties.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church  and  he  is  justly  consid- 
ered one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county. 

REV.  JOHN  J.  MARTIN,  a retired  minister  of  Milton,  Rutherford  Co.,  Tenn.,  was 
born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  March  24,  1811,  being  a son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Wallace) 
Martin,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  South  Carolina.  The  father  was  of  German  parent- 
age and  came  to  this  State  id  1810,  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Wilson  County,  and 
a fanner  by  occupation.  He  was  an  old-time  Whig  and  was  magistrate  in  his  county  for 
upward  of  twenty  years.  His  death  occurred  in  1864  and  the  mother’s  in  1873.  The 
subject,  John  J.r  was  reared  by  his  parents  on  the  farm,  where  he  remained  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  securing  but  a limited  education  in  early  days.  He  subsequently 
attended  the  Lascasas  Academy  with  a view  to  making  school-teaching  his  profession,  and 
afterward  taught  the  young  idea  in  that  vicinity  for  fifteen  years,  also  giviug  part  of  his 
attention  to  ministerial  work.  He  afterward  gave  all  Ids  attention  to  the  ministry  until 
his  health  failed  in  1885.  In  February,  1849,  lie  wedded  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Winsepp,  his  first 
wife  being  Miss  North  Vaughan.  She  died  in  1848.  To  them  were  born  two  children, 
both  of  whom  arc  dead.  Mr. -Martin  has  a wide.-spead  reputation  as  a learned  minister  of 
the  gospel  and  is  recognized  as  an  excellent  citizen. 

WILLIAM  MASON,  an  enterprising  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County.  Tenn., 
July. 31,  1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Hey  near  II.  and  Elizabeth  (Moss)  Mason,  natives,  respect- 
ively, of  Virginia  and  this  State.  The  father,  an  early  settler  of  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  came  to  this  county  in  1821  and  purchased  the  farm  William  Mason  now  lives  on 
lie  was  a Whig  in  politics  and  was  constable  of  the  Second  District  from  1824  to  1833,  aLo 
justice  of  the  peace.  His  death  occurred  January  2,  1852.  The  mother  died  in  1831.  I lie 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  a country  boy  and  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools, 
which  at  that  early  time  were  held  in  the  primitive  log  schoolhouses.  At  the  age  of 


1050 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


twenty-one  lie  was  elected  constable  of  the  Second  District,  and  in  1849  lie  purchased  his 
present  farm,  which  consists  of  1,400  acres  of  good  land.  He  was  re-elected  constable  in 
1852  and  deputj'  sheriff  in  185G.  In  185S  he  was  again  elected  .sheriff  and  was  re-elected  in 
1802.  He  was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Second  District,  and  is  now  holding  the  office. 
On  October  3,  1804,  he  was  married  to  his  second  wife,  Miss  Frances  J.  Sanders,  a native 
of  this  State,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight  children  : 'William  A.,  Dora  C.,  Daisy  L., 
>1.  A.,  Eulolia  P.,  Sanders,  It.  II.,  Moss  G.  and  Parthenia  M.  His  first  marriage  was  with 
Miss  Martha  J.  Hoover,  who  died  August  22,  1802.  To  this  union  were  born  four  chil- 
dren : Isabella  H.,  Robert  T.,  Pleasant  P.  and  Martha  J.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Mr. 
Mason  is  an  attendant  at  ami  his  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  He  is  classed  among  the  enterprising  and  successful  farmers  of  the  county. 

PLEASANT  P.  MASON,  attorue}*  at  law,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born  March 
23.  I860,  and  is  the  son  of  William  N.  and  Martha  J.  (Hoover)  Mason,  both  born  in  Ruth- 
erford County,  Term.  The  father  is  a well-to-do  citizen  of  the  county.  Pleasant  P.  se- 
cured a good  literary  education  in  the  public  schools  and  also  by  desultory  study.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon, 
Tenn.,  and  graduated  in  June,  1881.  He  came  to  Murfreesboro  and  in  January,  1882,  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  and  practiced  his  profession  two  years  with  ex- Congressman  Slieafe. 
Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  his  profession  alone  and  has  met  with  well-deserved  suc- 
cess. November  29,  1882,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Richie  II.  Keeble,  who  was 
born  in  the  county.  They  have  one  son,  Richard  K.  Mr.  Mason  is  a Democrat  in  poli- 
tics and  has  taken  quite  an  interest  in  the  political  affairs  of  the  State  and  county,  being 
apDointed  State’s  attorney  February  1,  1885,  and  at  the  same  time  was  chosen  attorney  tor 
Rutherford  County.  He  is  at  present  a candidate  for  attorney-general  for  Davidson  and 
Rutherford  Counties,  subject  to  election  August  5,  1886.  He  was  nominated  by  a conven- 
tion composed  of  the  justices  of  the  peace  of  Rutherford  County,  on  the  5th  day  of  April, 
1886,  as  Rutherford  County’s  candidate  for  this  position,  defeating  his  opponent,  Edgar  P. 
Smith,  a lawyer  many  years  his  senior  and  considered  among  the  most  popular  men  in 
Rutherford  County.  He  is  one  of  the  rising  members  of  the  Rutherford  County  bar, 
and  belongs  to  the  K.  of  H.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  B.  McCLANAHAN,  an  eccentric  old  resident  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn., 
was  born  February  IT,  1820,  being  a son  of  Matthew  and  a grandson  of  Samuel  MeClana- 
han,  who  came  from  Culpepper  County,  Va.,  to  Rutherford  County  in  1801.  Samuel’s  fa- 
ther having  come  to  that  State  from  his  native  country  (Ireland)  with  his  two  brothers  pre- 
sumably 300  years  .ago.  Samuel  McClanahan  was  a major  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and 
after  his  removal  to  this  county  participated  in  the  war  of  1812  with  Gen.  Jackson,  as 
major,  Matthew  being  also  a participant  in  the  latter  war  and  a colonel  in  the  Florida 
war.  He  (our  subject’s  father)  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  after  the  Indian  trouble  had 
subsided  he  followed  farming  in  this  county,  being,  as  was  his  father,  a Democrat  polit- 
ically. He  was  the  second  sheriff  of  the  county  and  afterward  represented  the  county  in 
the  State  Legislature.  Our  subject’s  maternal  grandfather.  Air.  Bradley,  had  a noted 
race  track  on  his  farm  two  and  one-half  miles  north  of  Murfreesboro,  on  what  is  now  the 
Johnson  farm.  This  course  was  largely  attended  yearly  by  some  of  the  most  noted  turf- 
men of  Tennnessee,  Mississippi,  Kentucky,  Alabama  and  Virginia.  John  B.  was  a pro- 
fessional rider  at  these  races  in  his  boyhood  days  and  has  set  astride  of  many  of  Gen. 
Jackson’s  coursers,  as  well  as  others  equally  noted,  often  riding  sixteen  miles  in  one  race 
before  it  came  to  a finish.  Our  subject's  father  and  grandsirc  died  in  this  county,  both 
having  spent  long  and  useful  lives,  the  latter  having  attained  li is  one  hundredth  year  and 
outliving  our  subject^  father,  who  died  about  1835.  .John  B.  has  emulated  the  example  of 
his  sires  only  partially,  lie  adheres  to  their  strict  examples  of  honesty  and  sobriety  but  has 
never  aspired  to  any  honors  or  position  other  than  to  attend  to  his  farm  and  command  the 
respect  of  his  neighbors  and  friends.  He  lias  in  his  possession,  as  relics,  a pair  of  silver  knee- 
buckles  that  were  made  in  Ireland  over  300  years  ago,  and  a glass  bottle  that  was  made 
there  which  is  nearly  as  old.  He  has  been  twice  married,  having  lost  his  first  wife  by 


. RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1051 


death.  He  has  two  sons.  He  was  a private  in  Company  I.  Forty-fifth  Regiment, 
Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  surrender.  He  has  quite  a notoriety 
in  the  county  as  a breeder  and  raiser  of  game  chickens,  having  some  handsome  specimens 
of  the  same  at  his  little  place  near  Murfreesboro.  He  is  a Democrat. 

MR.  LEVI  McCLURE,  a native  of  Augusta  County,  Va.,  and  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth (Graham)  McClure,  who  emigrated,  or  were  driven  from  Georgetown,  S.  C.,  by  the 
Tories  during  the  Revolution,  was  born  May  29,  1S06.  Our  subject  received  a limited  edu- 
cation, but  being  a lover  of  literature,  particularly  historical  and  biographical,  read  all 
that  came  in  his  way,  and  by  this  means  his  education  was  considerably  enhanced.  Leav- 
ing. Virginia  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  with  his  mother  and  brother  and  sister,  he  immi- 
grated to  Green  Count3',  Ohio,  near  Xenia,  where  he  worked  at  the  brick-mason’s  trade 
until  he  had  accumulated  a sufficient  amount  to  purchase  a large  farm  in  Shelby  County, 
Ohio.  In  the  year  1841  he  married  Miss  Charlotte  Moffet,  whose  parents  were  from  Lex- 
ington, Ky.,  her  father  a descendant  of  the  celebrated  hunter,  Daniel  Boone,  and  her 
mother  a near  relative  of  Jesse  Grant,  father  of  IT.  S.  Grant.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McClure's 
wedded  life  was  blessed  by  these  childreu:  John  H.  (deceased),  Frank  AY.,  William  G., 
James  F.,  Curtiss  H.,  Augustus  L.,  Sarah  E.  (deceased),  Mary  J.  and  Margaret  A.  During 
the  late  war  our  subject  took  quite  an  active  part,  sending  four  sons  to  assist  the  Federal?? 
during  the  civil  war.  After  moving  about  for  some  years  he  concluded  to  pass  the  residue 
of  his  life  in  the  “ Sunny  South,"  and  bought  a large  farm  and  settled  near  Murfreesboro. 
Tenu..  on  the  Franklin  road.  The  family  was  trained  under  the  influence  of  the  Old 
School  Presbyterian  Church. 

DR.  WILLIAM  H.  McUORD,  a successful  practitioner,  was  born  in  Marshall  County. 
Tenn.,  September  1,  183S,  and  is  the  son  of  Allen  and  Jane  (Jordan)  McCord,  both  na- 
tives of  this  State,  who  with  their  parents  endured  all  the  hardships  arid  privations  of 
those  early  times.  The  Doctor  is  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Louisiana  City  of  Xew 
Orleans.  His  marriage  with  Miss  Sarah  Williams  was  solemnized  November  24.  1868,  and 
by  this  union  the  following  children  were  horn  : William  E.,  John  H.,  Emmet  A.  and 
Anna  V.  The  Doctor  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  late 
civil  war  between  the  North  and  the  South.  He  enlisted  in  Gen.  Forrest’s  company 
and  was  surgeon  in  the  Eighth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  in  this  capacity  throughout 
the  entire  war.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are  leading  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church,  and  the  Doctor  is  considered  one  of  the  best  physicians  in  the  county,  and  has  an 
extensive  practice. 

McFADDEN  & SON,  merchants  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.  The  business  was  begun  by 
James  S.  McFadden  in  1852,  but  was  closed  at  the  beginning  of  the  war  and  resumed  in 
1866.  For  the  last  two  years  his  son,  Edgar  S.,  has  been  his  partner.  He  sold  out  his 
stock  in  March.  1885,  and  in  September  of  that  year  established  his  present  general  mer- 
chandise store,  and  is  making  life  a success  financially.  James  S.  McFadden  is  the  oldest 
merchant  of  Rutherford  County,  and  was  born  near  Murfreesboro  December  14.  1823,  be- 
ing a son  of  Samuel  and  Ilollie  (Posey)  McFadden,  natives  of  Soutli  Carolina.  The  father 
came  to  Tennessee  when  a boy  and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  Davidson  County,  lie  catne 
to  Rutherford  County  and  located  on  a farm  where  he  reared  his  family  of  four- 
teen children,  and  was  a successful  farmer.  He  was  magistrate  of  his  district  a number 
of  years  and  died  in  1852.  James  S.  McFadden  secured  a fair  education  in  his  boyhood 
days,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  came  to  this  city  and  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  incrcuiit.il'* 
business  and  worked  one  year  for  W.  11.  Lytle  A AY.  R.  McFadden,  and  then  went  to 
Milton  with  the  latter,  with  whom  he  remained  one  year.  He  engaged  in  the  business  tor 
himself  in  184-1  in  Milton,  following  that  occupation  there  and  in  AVilson  County  f<>r 
nearly  two  years, and  then  went  to  Mississippi,  where  he  remained  about  six  years.  In  1*51 
lie  returned  to  Murfreesboro,  and  in  1852  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business, 
which  he  has  continued  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  four  years  during  the  war.  v.h*n 
he  was  badly  crippled  financially.  March  13,  1844,  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth  A.  Mor- 
gan, who  bore  him  six  children,  five  living:  Anna  E.,  James  T.,  Laura  C.,  Walter  M.  and 


■ 


. 


1052 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Edgar  S.  Mr.  McFadden  was  an  old  time  Whig,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  He  was  not  a 
participant  in  the  war,  but  sympathized  with  the  Southern  cause.  He  has  been  alderman 
of  the  city  for  a number  of  terms,  is  a Mason,  Knight  Templar  degree,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  L.  MeKNIGHT,  proprietor  of  a livery  stable  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn..  is  a 
successor  of  J.  H.  Major  iu  the  business,  commencing  in  1881.  In  1885  his  buildings 
caught  fire  and  were  consumed  together  with  about  $4,500  worth  of  stock  and  vehicles. 
He  afterward  opened  his  present  stables  and  now  has  an  excellent  lot  of  horses  and  car- 
riages. Mr.  McKnight  is  a native  of  Tennessee,  bom  May  22,  1857,  and  is  a son  of  A.  D. 
and  Mary  (Hare)  McKnight.  also  born  iu  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a farmer  for  many 
years  and  good  luck  attended  his  efforts.  He  is  now  residing  with  the  subject  of  our 
sketch,  who  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  parents  until  seventeen  years  old.  securing  a 
good  education.  He  was  then  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  E.  Rosenfield  for 
five  years,  and  afterward  with  H.  H.  Kerr,  with  whom  he  remained  until  18S1,  when  he 
engaged  in  his  present  business.  December  27, 1882,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Susie  Pitts,  who 
bore  him  two  children,  both  now  deceased.  Mr.  McKnight  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Church.  He  is  courteous  and  accommodating  in 
his  business  transactions,  and  has  a fair  share  of  the  trade  in  city  aud  county. 

GEORGE  W.  McLAUGHLIN.  a prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn..  was 
born  August  5.  1827,  in  Davison  Count)7,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  son  of  William  H.  and  Cath- 
arine (Peebles)  McLaughlin,  natives  respectively  of  Rowan  and  Warren  County,  N.  C. 
The  father  immigrated  to  Davidson  County  in  1800,  and  settled  on  the  farm,  operated  a 
tannery  and  attended  the  farm  duties.  In  ISiO  he  was  elected  colonel  of  ihe  State  militia, 
between  Nashville  and  Stewart  Creek,  and  was  trustee  and  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Washington  Institutions.  He  resided  in  Davidson  County  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
In  February,  1854.  The  son  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a good  literary  education 
at  Pleasant  Grove  Seminary  aud  Washington  Institute.  After  reaching  his  majority,  he 
taught  school  in  different  localities.  September  16,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Tennis- 
see  L.  Morton,  and  became  the  father  of  five  children:  Joseph  W.,  James  M.,  Mary  N.. 
William  H.,  Ervin  M.  After  bis  marriage,  he  purchased  the  farm  where  he  now  resides. 
Mr.  McLaughlin  was  a Whig  before  the  war,  and  since  has  voted  the  Democratic  ticket. 
lie  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  from  1865  till  1877.  He  and  family  are  members 
of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are  good  conscientious  people. 

THOMAS  B.  MILES.  Pattisou  Miles,  the  father  of  Thomas  B..  was  a sou  of  Thomas 
and  Nancy  {Pattison)  Miles,  natives  respectively  of  Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  Thomas 
Miles  served  seven  years  in  the  Revolutionary  war  in  the  capacity  of  lieutenant.  He  came  to 
Tennessee  with  his  family  and  negroes  in  1792,  settling  in  Williamson  County.  He  died  in 
1837, and  his  wife  in  1846.  Pattison  Miles  died  in  1873:  he  was  an  old  time  Whig,  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Church  and  a farmer  by  occupation.  His  wife,  formerly  Dicey  Moore  of  Ken- 
tucky, died  in  1882.  Thomas  B.  Miles,  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  born  near  Triune, 
Williamson  Co.,  Term.,  February  14,  1814,  and  remained  on  the  farm  until  seventeen 
years  of  age.  lie  received  a limited  early  education,  but  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  engaged 
in  the  mercantile  business  in  Jefferson,  Tenn.,  remaining  until  1840,  and  for  the  uext  five 
years  resided  on  a farm  which  lie  had  purchased  near  Murfreesboro.  From  that  date  until 
1850,  he  managed  a cotton  plantation  in  Mississippi,  meeting  with  good  success.  At  the 
latter  date  he  returned  to  Tennessee,  farmed  near  Overalls  Creek  for  about  eight 
years,  and  then  resided  on  another  farm  near  Murfreesboro.  In  1866  he  moved  to  the 
town  where  he  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  until  1874,  and  then  clerked  for  differ- 
ent firms  until  1882,  when  lie  engaged  in  his  present  business  of  keeping  the  hotel  known 
as  the  Commercial  Men's  Home  at  Murfreesboro.  He  keeps  a first-class  house  in  every 
respect,  and  is  known  to  be  strictly  exact  in  all  his  dealings.  June  9,  1841,  he  wedded 
Miss  Catherine  E.  Johns,  born  iu  Tennessee,  in  1822.  Thomas  B.  is  a Democrat,  and  he 
and  wife  are  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Church. 

r.  D.  MILLER,  an  eminently  successful  agriculturist,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County, 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1053 


Ten®.,  January  0, 1855,  and  is  the  son  of  Alfred  and  Narciora  (Bradford)  Miller,  natives, 
■respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Alabama.  The  father  was  a hatter  by  trade  but 
spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life  in  commercial  brokerage,  and  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  24,  1867.  was  universally  regretted  by  all  his  acquaintances.  The  mother  was  a good 
Christian  woman  and  died  with  full  confidence  of  a blessed  hereafter.  April  14.  1815. 
Our  subject  received  a collegiate  education  attending  the  noted  military  college  of  Frank, 
fort,  Ky. ; he  also  took  a thorough  course  at  the  Commercial  College  of  Evansville,  Ind- 
On  September  18,  1883,  his  marriage  to  Miss  Mamie  Elam  was  solemnized:  the  fruits  of 
this  union  was  one  child,  I.  M.  Mr.  Miller  is  a Democrat  and  is  now  a candidate  for.  and 
"will  probably  be  elected  county  court  clerk.  Mrs.  Miller  is  a leading  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  the  family  are  respected  by  all  who  know  them. 

WILLIAM  MITCHELL,  president  of  Stone  River  Bank,  and  a prominent  business 
man  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Rutherford  County.  July  8.  1840. 
Col.  Addison  Mitchell,  our  subject’s  father,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina  and  came  to  this 
county  with  his  parents,  locating  on  a farm  where  he  was  raised.  He  was  married  in  this 
county  to  our  subject’s  mother,  Mary  A.  Hodge,  and  they  raised  a family  of  three  children, 
including  William.  The  father  was  a colonel  in  the  Confederate  Army  and  met  his  death 
in  the  spring  of  1863  at  Iuka,  Miss.  William  obtained  a good  education  in  his  youthful 
days  at  the  Union  University  of  this  city  and  the  Cumberland  University  of  Lebanon,  Tenn- 
Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  I,  First  Regi- 
ment of  Tennessee  Infantry,  serving  one  year  in  this  capacity.,  when  he  was  prompted  to 
first  lieutenant  of  the  Fourth  Confederate  Tennessee  Regiment,  serving  in  this  capacity 
and  Inter  as  captain  of  Company  I,  of  ibis  regiment,  until  near  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
then  repaired  to  his  farm  in  this  county,  which  he  managed  in  a successful  manner  until 
1879,.  when  he  moved  to  Murfreesboro  and  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business 
■with  Hodge,  Smith  & Co.,  with  whom  he  remained,  sharing  equally  in  the  success  of  that 
well-kn  own  firm  until  January  of  1885,  when  he  engaged  in  a similar  business  for  and  by 
himself  and  has  met  with  his  usual  good  and  well  deserved  success  in  this  enterprise.  He 
dealt  exclusively  in  grain,  cotton  and  provisions  during  1885,  but  in  1886  added  a large 
stock  of  groceries  and  general  merchandise,  and  now  controls  a large  share  of  the  trade 
in  ibis  combined  line  in  the  city  and  count}".  In  1871  Mr.  Mitchell  took  unto  himself  a 
wife  in  the  person  of  Mary  E.  Howse,  of  Rutherford  Count}’.  He  is  one  of  the  firm  and 
unswerving  but  progressive  Democrats  of  the  county,  has  attained  the  Knight  Templar 
and  Scottish  Rite  degrees  in  Masonry,  and  has  been  among  the  foremost  in  all  public 
and  private  enterprises  that  are  conducive  to  the  prosperity  of  his  native  county.  He 
has  been  a stock-holder  in  the  Stone  River  Bank  for  some  years,  and  January  1.  1885, 
was  made  its  president,  which  position  be  has  since  filled  in  a faithful  and  efficient  man- 
ner. Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

I>K.  JAMES  B.  MURFREE,  an  old  and  prominent  physician  of  Murfreesboro. 
Tenn.,  is  a native  of  this  county,  born  September  16,  1835,  and  is  the  son  of  Matthias  B. 
and  Mary  A.  (Roberts)  Murfree,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The 
father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county,  from  whose  family  the  town  of  Mur- 
freesboro derives  its  name.  His  death  occurred  September  15,  1856.  The  mother  died 
July,  1857.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  his  education 
at  Union  University,  Murfreesboro,  and  received  the  degree  of  A.  M..  from  that  insti- 
tution... At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  for  two  years 
In  the  summer  of  1856  he  commenced  studying  medicine  with  a view  of  making  it  a pro- 
fession; and  October,  1856,  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Nashville. 
In  1857  Mr.  Murfree  entered  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  taking  two 
courses  of  lectures.  In  March,  1859,  he  graduated  at  the  above  college  with  the  degree 
of  M.  i).  He  then  returned  home  and  began  the  practice  of  medicine,  which  he  con- 
tinued u ntil  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  First  Tennessee 
Volunteers,  and  served  as  a private  until  June,  when  he  was  appointed  surgeon  and  was 
afterward  ordered  to  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  assigned  to  duty  as  assistant  surgeon  at  that 


66 


1054 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


place.  In  September,  1861,  he  was  commissioned  assistant  surgeon  of  the  Confederate 
Army.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  resumed  the  practice  of  medicine 
with  good  success  up  to  the  present  date.  Dr.  Murfree  is  a Democrat  in  politics  aud 
served  two  terms  as  mayor  of  Murfreesboro  during  1874-73.  Himself  and  family  are 
leading  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  In  1862  Mr.  Murfree  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Ada  J.  Talley,  a native  of  this  count y and  a daughter  of  Maj.  P.  C.  Talley. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Murfree  were  born  nine  children:  Hordy,  Talley,  Jane  R.,  Ada  J..  James- 
B.,  Fannie  D.,  Libbie  M.,  Mary  R.  and  Matthias  B.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Dr.  Mur- 
free is  classed  as  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Murfreesboro  and  Rutherford  County. 

JOHN  M.  NAYLOR,  a retired  merchant  of  Rutherford  County,  was  born  October 
1848,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  son  of  Wade  II.  and  Hanuah  (McMinn)  X ay  lor. 
natives,  respectively,  of  South  Carolina  and  Bedford  County,  Tenn.  The  father,  a prom- 
inent farmer  of  this  county,  moved  to  Bedford  County  in  1827,  and  came  to  this  county 
some  years  later,  and  settled  on  a farm  where  he  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
November  17,  1857.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  received  a fair  education  at 
the  common  schools  of  the  county.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  was  left  in  charge  of  his 
mother’s  farm,  where  he  remained  until  after  the  war,  attending  school  until  1872,  when 
he  engaged  in  merchandising  in  Fosterville.  In  1885  he  sold  out  and  moved  to  the  place- 
where  he  now  resides.  He  has  met  with  well  deserved  success,  having  a good  farm  of  120 
acres.  Jauuary  20,  1876,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Jessie  Robinson,  daughter  of  Dr.  George 
W.  Kobinson,  an  eminent  practitioner  of  this  county,  aud  captain  of  a company  of  cavalry 
under  Forrest;  was  killed  at  Richmond,  Ky.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Naylor  were  horn  three 
children:  Eugene  B.,  William  E.  and  Arthur  T.;  they  also  have  an  adopted  child,  Lavic  M. 
Robinsoo,  who  was  an  orphan  of  his  wife’s  brother.  Mr.  Naylor  is  a Democrat,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

MOSES  A.  NELSON  was  born  in  Bedford  County  Tenn.,  September  22,  1888,  son  of 
Benjamin  A.  and  Agnes  J.  (Nelson)  Nelson,  natives  also  of  Bedford  County,  and  residents 
of  the  same.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  Moses  Nelson,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Middle  Tennessee.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm  in  his  native  county, 
and  received  an  ordinary  education.  In  May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B.  Eleventh 
Regular  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Confederate  Army  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
He  was  promoted  during  service,  to  first  lieutenant,  and  paroled  as  such  at  Greensboro. 
N.  C.  He  then  returned  home,  and  in  1868  removed  to  Murfreesboro  and  engaged  in  ther 
liquor  and  restaurant  business,  aud  has  continued  to  the  present  time.  He  keeps  a strictly 
first-class  house,  and  controls  the  leading  trade  in  his  line  in  the  city.  In  July,  1855, 
Mr.  Nelson  leased  the  opera  house  in  Murfreesboro,  and  lias  managed  it  very  successfully 
to  the  present  time.  In  1866  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kate  R.  Mclchar.  a native 
of  Arkansas.  They  have  six  children  living — three  sons  and  three  daughters.  In  politico 
Mr.  Nelson  is  a Democrat,  though  he  was  raised  a Whig  and  voted  that  ticket  previous  to 
the  war. 

JOSEPH  G.  NELSON,  druggist,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and  a native  of  the  city, 
was  born  September  17,  1843,  being  a son  of  the  late  Joseph  W.  and  Mary  (Graves)  Nel- 
son, natives,  respectivi  ly,  of  Prince  Edward's  County,  Ya.,  and  Alabama.  The  father 
was  born  in  1803,  and  came  to  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  in  1815,  and  was  a resident  of 
Murfreesboro  for  more  than  half  a century.  He  was  energetic,  industrious  aud  possessed 
the  attributes  that  make  an  excellent  man  and  citizen.  His  death,  which  occurred  when 
he  was  seventy-nine  years  of  age,  was  much  deplored  by  his  many  relatives  and  friends. 
He  was  buried  in  Evergreen  Cemetery  by  the  side  of  his  wife,  whose  death  preceded  his 
several  years.  Joseph  G.  Nelson  received  an  ordinary  education,  and  in  1861  enlisted  as 
private  in  Company  C,  Eighteenth  Tennessee  Regular  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  After  his  return  home  he  clerked  in  his  father’s  store  until  the  latter’s  death, 
in  1882,  when  he  assumed  control  and  management,  and  has  since  carried  on  his  drug 
store  with  perfect  success.  Mr.  Nelson  is  a Democrat  and  is  unmarried,  lie  is  wide- 
awake and  promises  to  be  one  of  the  first  business  men  of  the  city. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1055 


JAMES  O.  OSLIN,  of  Murfreesboro,  Term.,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn., 
September  22,  1835,  a son  of  Lucas  and  Mary  A.  (Arnold)  Oslin,  who  were  both  born  in 
Virginia,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1825  and  settled  in  Rutherford  County.  In  January. 
1850,  they  removed  to  Murfreesboro,  at  which  place  his  father  died  in  1851.  and  his 
mother  in  1864.  After  the  death  of  his  father  his  mother  remained  a widow  the  balance 
of  her  life.  They  both  died  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  James 
spent  his  early  days  on  a farm  and  secured  a limited  education.  He  learned  tue  brick - 
mason  and  plasterer’s  trade,  and  followed  that  occupation  until  the  war  between  the  States, 
when  he,  in  April.  1S61.  enlisted  as  private  in  Company  A.  Second  Tennessee  Infantry,  and 
served  until  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  where  he  lost  his  left  leg.  He  was  in  the  first 
battle  of  Manassas,  Shiloh,  Richmond,  Kv.:  Perry ville,  Ky.,  and  Stone  River.  Ho  never 
missed  a battle  or  skirmish  that  his  regiment  engaged  in  until  after  he  had  lost  his  leg,  as 
above  stated.  After  he  was  wounded  he  remained  with  kind  friends  and  relatives  in  Ala- 
bama and  Georgia  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  returned  home  in  July,  1865,  and  en- 
gaged as  clerk  in  a mercantile  store,  and  after  a year  or  more  he  accepted  the  position  of 
deputy  register  of  Rutherford  County,  continuing  until  January,  1870,  when  he  was 
elected  recorder  of  the  city  of  Murfreesboro,  serving  but  three  months,  when  he  resigned 
and  became  a candidate  for  the  office  of  county  court  clerk,  and  was  elected  in  August, 
1870,  under  the  new  State  constitution,  and  served  by  re-election  until  1878.  In  March. 
1879,  he  engagedin  the  sale  and  livery  stable  business,  and  while  he  remained  as  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  the  “City  Stables”  he  did  the  leading  business  of  the  city,  and  has  been 
fairly  prosperous.  Mr.  Oslin  is  an  own  cousin  of  the  gunner,  James  Oslin,  of  Vicks- 
burg, Miss.,  who  threw  the  grape-shot  referred  to  in  the  history  of  the  Mexican  war  at 
the  battle  of  Buena  Vista,  where  Gen.  Taylor  told  Capt.  Bragg  to  “give  ’em  a little  more 
grape,  Capt.  Bragg,  a little  more  grape.”  Mr.  Oslin  in  a stanch  Democrat  and  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  H.  and 
A.  O.  U.  W.  fraternities.  He  is  the  owner  of  the  Stone  River  Stock  Farm,  near  the  city, 
and  gives  nearly  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  breeding  Holstein,  Friesian  cattle,  some 
of  which  are  second  to  none  in  America. 

REV.  WILLIAM  B.  OWEN  was  born  in  the  “Old  Dominion”  June  29,  1S25,  and  is  a 
son  of  Thomas  and  Sallie  (Stewart)  Owen,  who  were  born  in  the  same  State.  They  came 
to  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  in  1840,  and  followed  the  lives  of  farmers.  The  father  was 
alsoa  minister  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  died  November  20,  1859,  and  the  mother  in  1835. 
William  B.  Owen  was  reared  on  the  farm  with  his  father,  and  secured  a good  common 
school  education.  He  attended  the  Stone  River  Academy,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two 
began  working  for  himself  on  his  father’s  farm.  In  1850  he  purchased  the  place  where  he 
now  lives,  and  March  8.  1860,  he  wedded  Betty  M.  Nance,  a native  of  the  State  and 
daughter  of  Elder  Josiah  C.  Nance,  a well-known  farmer  and  minister  of  Davidson 
County.  To  them  were  born  these  children,  all  of  whom  are  dead:  Josiah  W.,  died  April 
15,  1883,  and  Eugenia  S.,  died  April  14.  1883.  Mr.  Owen  is  classed  among  the  successful 
farmers  of  the  county  in  which  he  resides,  and  is  a man  strictly  honest  and  fair  in  his 
business  transactions. 

NATHANIEL  OWEN,  an  old  and  prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn., 
was  born  in  Virginia  October  9,  1S29,  and  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Sallie  (Stewart)  Owen, 
who  were  also  born  in  the  State  of  Virginia.  Nathaniel  Owen,  the  subject  of  this  me- 
moir, remained  and  assisted  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  se- 
curing but  a limited  education.  He  then  began  tilling  the  soil  on  his  own  account,  and 
has  since  been  steadily  engaged  at  that  work,  and  lias  met  with  the  success  that  has  al 
ways  attends  industry,  economy  and  fair  dealing.  December  23,  1857,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Mary  E.  McNeil,  of  Rutherford  County.  They  have  six  children: 
Mary  A.  (wife  of  John  Pitts).  Thomas  E.,  Martha  L.,  John  W..  Lillie  V.  and  Sally  C.,  all 
of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Oweu  is  independent  in  his  political  views,  and  he  and  family 
are  leading  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

GEN.  JOSEPH  B.  PALMER,  a well-known  and  prominent  member  of  the  Ruth- 


105G 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


erford  County  bar,  was  born  in  this  county  November  1.  1825.  He  is  a son  of  William  IT. 
and  Mildred  C.  (Johns)  Palmer,  who  were  natives,  respectively,  of  Halifax  County,  Ya., 
and  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  William  H.  Palmer  secured  a liberal  education  in  his 
early  days,  attending  not  only  literary  but  medical  institutions  of  learning  in  his  native 
State.  About  the  year  18*30,  having  attained  his  majority,  he  immigrated  to  this  county, 
where  he  married  soon  after,  and  locating  on  a farm  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until 
1830,  when  his  wife  died  and  he  removed  to  Illinois  and  followed  the  practice  of  medicine 
until  his  death  in  that  State,  when  Joseph  B.  was  still  quite  young.  After  his  mother’s 
death  and  his  father’s  departure  for  Illinois,  our  subject,  Joseph  B.,  was  taken  to  raise  by 
his  maternal  grandparents,  Joseph  B.  and  Elizabeth  Johns.  He  received  a good  collegiate 
education  early  in  life,  attending  the  old  Union  University  of  Murfreesboro.  After  com- 
pleting his  literary  education  he  followed  school  teaching  in  the  count}'  one  year,  in  order 
to  secure  meaus  enough  to  enable  him  to  begin  the  study  of  law.  Later  he  entered  the 
office  of  Hardy  M.  Burton,  of  this  city,  with  whom  he  read  law  until  March.  1848,  when 
he  had  so  far  mastered  his  profession  as  to  be  admitted  to  the  Rutherford  County  bar, 
and  opening  an  office  in  this  city  lie  engaged  in  the  practice,  gradually  increasing  his  repu- 
tation as  a lawyer  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  wheu  he  renounced  a large  and 
lucrative  practice,  and  in  May,  1801,  organized  a company  of  infantry  from  here,  of  which 
he  was  elected  captain,  but  immediately  proceeded  to  organize  the  Eighteenth  Regiment 
of  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  was  elected  colonel  of  the  same.  He  served  with  this  re- 
nowned and  gallant  regiment  in  the  capacity  of  colonel,  and  later  in  command  of  a brigade 
until  July,  1864,  when  he  was  commissioned  a brigadier-general.  The  history  of  this  well- 
known  regiment  will  give  evidence  of  the  gallant  and  soldierly  bearing  of  our  subject  dur- 
ing its  many  and  repeated  engagements  throughout  the  entire  war.  As  an  instance  of 
the  same  we  might  mention  the  capture  of  the  General  with  nearly  his  entire  regiment  and 
Floyd’s  entire  command  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson.  He  was  imprisoned  by  the  Fed- 
orals  at  Fort  Warren  eight  months,  when  he  was  exchanged  and  soon  after  returned  to 
his  command.  In  the  engagement  at  Stone  River  the  General  was  three  times  wounded 
while  leading  liis  regiment  in  the  famous  and  fatal  Breckinridge  charge,  but,  notwith- 
standing his  wounds  were  severe,  he  did  not  leave  the  field  until  the  close  of  the  battle, 
when  he  lay  disabled  from  his  wounds  until  April,  1803.  He  then  resumed  his  command 
at  Tullahoma,  and  was  again  seriously  wounded  at  Chickamauga  while  leading  a charge, 
it  being  thought  at  the  time  that  his  wound  was  mortal;  but  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  Dalton- Atlanta  campaign;  then  returned  with  Hood’s  campaign  to  Tennessee, 
and  in  company  with  other  brigades  covered  Hood’s  retreat  from  Nashville  to  across  the 
Tennessee  River.  The  General  was  a participant  in  the  closing  battle  of  the  war,  at  Beu- 
tonville,  N.  C.,  having  his  horse  shot  from  under  him  and  himself  receiving  a slight  flesh 
wound.  As  is  well  known,  shortly  before  the  close  of  the  war  Gen.  Palmer  was  placed  in 
charge  of  all  the  Confederate  Tennessee  soldiers,  and  he  surrendered  and  disbanded  them, 
as  brave  a body  of  men  and  officers  as  ever  raised  a weapon  in  defense  of  their  property, 
wives  and  families.  At  the  close  of  the  war  the  General  returned  home  and  resumed  his 
legal  practice,  in  which  he  has  remained  continuously  to  the  present  time,  meeting  with 
more  than  ordinary  and  well-deserved  success,  the  law  firm  of  Palmer  & Palmer,  of  which 
he  is  the  senior  member,  ranking  among  the  first  at  the  Rutherford  County  bar.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1854,  the  General  was  united  in  matrimony  to  Miss  Ophelia  M.  Burrus,  who  died 
July  8,  1856,  leaving  one  son,  Horace  E.  June  10.  1869,  he  married  liis  present  wife,  who 
was  Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Mason,  of  Pulaski,  Tenn.  There  are  no  children  of  this  union. 
The  General  was  originally  an  old  line  Whig,  and  was  the  acknowledged  leader  of  the 
party  in  this  count}'  a number  of  years  prior  to  the  war.  lie  represented  this  District  iri 
the  State  Legislature  iu  the  session  of  1849-50,  also  1851-52.  Gen.  Palmer  was  a firm  sup 
porter  of  the  Union  before  and  up  to  the  firing  upon  Fort  Sumter,  being  decidedly  averse 
to  secession  of  the  Southern  States.  But  when  the  unfortunate  crisis  was  attained  and  the 
Union  was  virtually  broken  and  out  of  existence,  he  took  up  the  cause  of  his  people, 
solely  from  a strict  sense  of  duty  and  his  conscientious  convictions  of  honor  and  right,  and 


. 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1057 


so  conducted  his  course  through  the  entire  war  as  to  emphasize  and  verify  this  fact  beyond 
a doubt.  Since  the  war  he  has  beeu  an  uncompromising  Democrat  iu  his  political  views. 
The  General  is  a Mason  of  high  standing,  having  attained  the  Knight  Templar  and  Scot- 
tish Rite  degrees,  and  is  Past.  Grand  Commander,  also  Knight  Templar  of  Tennessee.  He 
is  a leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  of  this  city.  His  entire 
military,  official  and  legal  career  has  been  such  as  to  command  the  love  and  esteem  of  his 
friends  and  the  respect  of  his  enemies,  if  any  there  be  of  the  latter,  and  he  is  justly  recog- 
nized as  an  enterprising  and  reliable  business  man,  an  able  and  experienced  jurist  and 
practitioner  and  a consistent  Christian  citizen,  to  whom  the  citizens  of  “old  Rutherford" 
may  refer  with  pride  and  esteem. 

HORACE  E.  PALMER,  attorney  at  law,  and  mayor  of  the  city  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  a native  of  the  city,  and  only  son  of  Gen.  Joseph  B.  Palmer,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 20,  1853.  Horace  was  educated  in  the  Union  University,  his  father’s  old  alma  mater , 
and  would  have  graduated  there,  but  for  the  suspension  of  the  institution  in  September 
1873.  He  then  attended  the  University  of  Virginia  at  Charlottsville,  taking  an  eclectic 
course.  In  the  fall  of  1875  he  began  the  study  of  law  in  his  father’s  office,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  attended  the  Lebanon  (Tenn.)  Law  School,  from  which  he  graduated  June  7. 
1877.  He  was  admitted  to  the  Rutherford  County  bar  the  following  month  and  began  the 
practice  alone,  continuing  successfully  until  January  1879.  when  he  formed  his  present 
partnership  with  his  father,  in  which  he  has  shared  equally  the  success  of  this  well-known 
legal  firm.  May  15,  1879,  he  married  Willie  T.  Mason,  of  Giles  County,  Tenn.  They  have 
three  children  by  this  union,  named  William  M.,  Joseph  B.,  and  Horace  E.  Mr.  Palmer 
is  a Democrat  of  the  active,  progressive  and  younger  class.  He  was  elected  November 
10,  1885,  to  the  office  of  mayor,  and  is  now  discharging  the  duties-  of  the  office  in  a zealous 
and  efficient  manner.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South,  and  he  is  known  as  an  active  and  rising  attorney,  a reliable  citizen  and  justly 
popular  official  of  the  city  and  county. 

COL.  WILLIAM  Iv.  PATTERSON,  an  influential  farmer  of  Rutherford  County, 
Tenn.,  and  a native  of  this  State*  was  born  October  22,  1823.  He  is  the  son  of  Hugh  K. 
and  Cynthia  (Murray)  Patterson,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  one  of 
the  early  settlers  of  Sumner  County.  Tenn.,  coming  here  in  1800  and  engaging  in  farming 
and  milling,  conducting  the  latter  business  for  sixtv-five  years.  He  was  a Democrat  in 
politics,  of  the  old  Andrew  Jackson  type;  Mmself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presby 
terian  church,  and  in  1872,  at  the  unusual  age  of  ninety-two  he  passed  from  this  earth.  The 
mother  died  in  1866.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  secured  a good  education, 
attending  the  Wirt  College  of  Sumner  County;  at  the  early  age  of  seventeen  he  com- 
menced teaching  school  and  studying  law  in  Sumner  County.  He  studied  law  for  eight 
years,  and  in  1853  removed  to  Arkansas  where  he  purchased  a farm  and  commenced  the 
practice  of  his  profession.  He  was  soon  afterward  appointed  presiding  judge  of  the  cav- 
elry  court  of  Arkansas,  under  Gen.  Kirby  Smith,  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  remaining  as 
such  until  the  close  of  the  war,  when  he  resumed  the  practice  of  law.  Iu  1876  he  removed 
to  Tennessee,  purchasing  the  farm  on  which  he  now  resides;  and  has  since  been  engaged 
successfully  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  having  600  acres  of  excellent  land.  On  Novem- 
ber. 27,  1849.  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  S.  J.  Ridley,  a native  of  this  State  and  a 
daughter  of  Moses  Ridley,  a prominent  farmer  of  this  county,  whose  sketch  appears  in 
this  volume.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patterson  were  born  four  children,  only  two  of  whom  are 
living:  Thomas  R.,  deceased;  Mary  J.,  deceased;  William  K.  and  Ella  M.  Col.  Patterson 
is  a Democrat  in  politics,  a member  of  the  Masons  (a  Knight  Templar),  and  I.  O.  O.  F. 
and  himself  and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

BURR  F.  PATY,  the  leading  and  senior  member  of  the  firm  B.  E.  Paty  A Co.,  is  a 
Dative  of  Smith  County,  Tenn.,  born  August  28,  1839.  His  early  life  was  spent  upon  the 
farm  in  that  county  with  his  parents,  John  W.  and  Frances  (Parker)  Paty  who  were  both 
natives  of  Middle  Tennessee.  At  about  the  age  of  fourteen  years  our  subject  left  home 
and  began  life  for  himself  as  a clerk  in  a mercantile  business  at  Alexandria,  and  later  iu 


, 


105S 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Lebanon,  Tenu.  At  tlie  breaking  out  of  the  war,  he  enlisted  from  the  latter  place  in  1861 
as  private  iu  Company  A,  of  Gen.  Hadden’s  regiment,  and  seven  months  later  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  commissary  department  and  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain,  but  never  re- 
ceived his  commission,  as  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  time  on  account  of  ill 
health,  caused  by  exposure  during  his  service.  After  the  war  Mr.  Paty  engaged  in  a mer- 
cantile business  for  himself  at  Viola,  Warren  Co.,  Tenn.,  where  he  continued  success- 
fully until  his  removal  to  this  city  in  1878.  In  1879,  he  engaged  iu  his  present  business  as 
above  stated,  and  it  may  be  truthfull}1-  said  that  he  has  contributed  largely  to  the  success 
of  this  enterprising  firm,  bv  his  energy,  industry  and  practical  business  tact  and  experi- 
ence. In  1872  Mr.  Pat\-  married  Miss  Flora  Lillard,  of  this  city,  who  died  five 
years  later.  In  1879,  he  married  Mary  Lillard,  his  present  wife.  They  have  no  chil- 
dren of  their  own.  but  have  an  adopted  daughter  named  Mattie  G.  Mr.  Paty  is  a Demo- 
crat in  politics,  although  be  was  formerly  an  old-line  Whig,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for 
John  Bell.  He  has  never  aspired  to  any  official  position,  having  been  too  wholly  engrossed 
with  his  business  matters  to  give  any  time  to  such  matters  even  were  he  so  inclined.  He 
bas  been  a life-long  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  is  popu- 
larly conceded  to  be  one  of  Rutherford  County’s  moat  energetic  and  successful  business 
men.  and  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  fellow  citizens  for  his  many  excellent  qualities  as  a 
consistent  Christian  gentleman. 

B.  F.  PATY  & CO.,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  dealers  in  dry  goods  and  general  mer- 
chandise. The  firm  is  composed  of  the  following  named  persons:  Burr  F.  Paty,  M.  F. 
Leatherman  and  E.  C.  Cannon.  This  business  was  established  in  1879  by  Messrs.  Paty 
Leatherman,  who  conducted  it  in  a successful  manner  up  to  August,  1884,  when  Mr.  Can- 
non, who  had  been  their  book-keeper  up  to  this  time,  was  admitted  as  a partner.  These 
gentlemen  carry  a large  and  well  selected  general  stock,  consisting  of  dry  goods,  gents’ 
clothing  and  furnishing,  hats,  boots  and  shoes,  making  a specialty  of  the  latter,  and  con- 
trol probably  the  leading  trade  in  this  combined  line  in  the  city  and  count}". 

DANIEL  P.  PERKINS  was  horn  in  Hinds  County,  Miss.,  June  27,  1839,  son  of  Peter 
and  Sarah  P.  (Camp)  Perkins,  who  were  born  in  Tennessee  and  Virginia,  respectively. 
When  Daniel  P.  was  but  one  year  old  his  father  died  in  Mississippi,  and  he  and  his  mother 
came  to  Tennessee  and  located  in  his  father’s  native  county  (Williamson).  Here  Daniel 
was  reared  and  secured  a fair  literary  education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  his 
business  career  as  clerk  in  a mercantile  store,  where  he  continued  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war.  In  1861  he  enlisted  from  Nashville,  in  Company  I,  Forty-fourth  Regiment 
Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Confederate  Army  until  April  2.  1865,  when  he  was 
captured  at  Hatcher’s  Run,  near  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  held  a prisoner  at  Fort  Delaware 
until  after  the  close  of  the  war.  He  returned  home  much  impaired  in  health,  and  until 
1870  was  engaged  in  farming.  At  that  date  he  began  keeping  a retail  boot  and  shoe  store 
in  Nashville,  and  continued  until  1873,  when  he  came  to  Rutherford  Couutv  and  located 
on  a farm  near  the  city.  In  1883  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  with  George  W.  Ran- 
som. Mr.  Perkins  was  married  in  1861  to  Miss  Kate  Morgan,  who  died  in  1872,  leaving 
five  children,  all  now  living:  MaryM.  (wife  of  J.  B.  Ransom),  Morgan,  Charles  F.,  Jennie 
and  Kate.  In  1S73  Mr.  Perkins  wedded  Mrs.  Florence  (Ewing)  Fletcher,  daughter  of 
Hon.  E.  H.  Ewing.  To  them  were  born  three  children,  two  now  living:  Rebecca  W.  and 
Sarah  L.  Mr.  Perkins  is  a Democrat,  and  is. a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and 
K.  of  U. 

I1ENRY  CLAY  PIERCE,  proprietor  of  the  Pierce  Grist  and  Saw  mills  of  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  this  county  March  3,  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Granville  S.  and 
Elizabeth  (Abbott)  Pierce,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  this  State.  The  father  engaged 
in  milling  and  farming,  and  was  also  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  the  county.  lie 
was  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  his  death  occurred  April  22.  1879.  The  mother  died  Jan- 
nary  1ft,  1883.  The  milling  business  at  Walter  Ilill  postoffice  was  established  by  Maj. 
Abbott,  grandfather  of  Henry  C..  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Granville  S.,  father  of  Henry 
C.  After  the  death  of  Granville  S.,  his  son,  Henry  C.,  took  control  of  the  mill  and  oper- 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1059 


ated  it  with  success  one  year,  after  which  he  rented  it  to  his  cousin,  Lee  Pierce.  Our  sub- 
ject was  never  married.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  also  a member  of  the  Old  School 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  resides  on  the  old  homestead  with  his  two  sisters,  Tennie  and 
Annie  Pierce.  Mr.  Pierce  is  well  known  in  the  county  and  is  respected  by  all. 

WILLIAM  P.  PRATER,  a prominent  and  well-to-do  farmer  of  Rutherford  County, 
Tenn.,  was  born  November  28,  1830.  His  parents,  Monroe  and  Caroline  (Knox)  Prater, 
were  natives  of  Rutherford  and  Bedford  Counties,  respectively,  and  the  father  was  a well- 
known  farmer  and  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church.  Our  subject's  early  days  were  spent  on  a farm,  and  his  educational  advantages 
were  limited,  only  attending  the  common  schools  of  the  county  a short  time.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  years  he  began  working  for  himself,  and  farmed  two  years  on  the  old  home 
place.  He  then  rented  land  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  and  farmed  one  year.  He 
then  returned  to  the  paternal  roof,  and  there  resided  until  1875,  when  he  moved  on  his 
present  properly.  Mr.  Prater  has  met  with  good  and  well  deserved  success,  and  now  has 
a well  improved  farm  of  100  acres.  In  1871  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lethie  Pruiett. 
and  their  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children:  Sailie  C.,  D.  J.,  Fannie  P.  and  Mary 
L.  Mr.  Prater  is  a stanch  Democrat,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Prater  are  members  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Baptist  Church. 

BEVERLY  RANDOLPH,  clerk  of  the  circuit  and  criminal  courts  of  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn..  is  a descendant  of  the  old  and  time-honored  Randolph  family  of  Virginia, 
and  is  a son  of  Beverly  and  Lucy  (Searcy)  Randolph,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and 
Kentucky.  The  father  came  to  Rutherford  County  in  1816,  and  was  here  married  in  1818, 
and  was  a successful  merchant  of  Murfreesboro  » number  of  Nears.  Later  he  operated  a 
large  plantation,  continuing  until  his  death  February  9,  1868.  He  was  an  active,  old-time 
Whig,  and  was  a magistrate  of  more  than  ordinary  ability.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  well  and  widely  known  as  a successful  and 
honorable  business  man.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Rutherford  County,  and  secured  a 
fair  literary  education  in  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon.  Tenn,  He  has  always 
been  a farmer,  and  has  met  with  more  than  ordinary  success  in  that  vocation.  In  1882  he 
was  elected  to  his  present  office,  which  he  has  filled  abl3*  and  efficiently.  Mr.  Randolph 
still  resides  on  his  farm,  which  is  situated  about  eight  miles  north  of  the  city.  December 
19,  1863,  be  was  married  to  Elizabeth  C.  Wade,  a native  of  the  county.  They  have  six 
children:  Sailie  L.,  Annie,  John  B.,  Catherine,  Henry  S.  and  Walter  A.  Mr.  Randolph 
was  formerly  a Whig,  but  has  been  a Democrat  since  the  war.  He  served  four  years  as 
a private  and  non-commissioned  officer  in  the  Forty-fifth  Regimeni  Tennessee  Infantry, 
but  was  a prisoner  at  Camp  Mortou,  Ind.,  sixteen  months.  He  is  a Mason  of  the  Royaj 
Arch  degree,  and  himself  and  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

RANSOM  & PERKINS.  This  firm,  composed  of  George  W.  Ransom  and  Daniel  P. 
Perkins,  are  dealers  in  lumber  and  operate  a saw  and  planing  mill  at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn. 
The  business  was  established  in  the  fall  of  1879  by  G.  W.  Ransom,  who  conducted  it  suc- 
cessfully until  January,  1883,  w hen  Mr.  Perkins  purchased  an  interest.  They  do  an  ex- 
tensive and  lucrative  business,  and  are  one  of  the  leading  firms  of  the  city.  George  W. 
Ransom  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  July  29,  1838,  and  is  the  youngest  son  in  a family 
of  thirteen  children  (seven  npw  living)  born  to  the  marriage  of  John  Ransom  and  Elizabeth 
Bowman,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  Both  father  and 
mother  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  period -with  their  parents,  and  in  this  State  our  sub- 
ject's father  reared  his  family.  lie  was  a farmer  and  cotton  dealer,  a Whig  in  politics, 
and  was  magistrate  of  his  district  a number  of  years.  He  died  September  9, 1849.  George 
W.  secured  a good  education,  taking  an  academic  course  in  his  boyhood  days.  In  1857  he 
took  a prospecting  trip  through  Texas,  but  in  1858  returned  and  followed  merchandising 
in  this  city  and  Fayetteville,  Tenn.,  until  the  war.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  D, 
Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Since  that  time  he  has 
been  engaged  in  merchandising  and  the  lumber  business.  In  1859  he  married  Bettie  Bos- 


1060 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


tick,  who  died  in  1863,  leaving  two  sons:  John  B.,  of  this  city,  and  George  T.,  of  William- 
son County.  In  1869  Mr.  Ransom  married  Margaret  Buchanan,  of  Davidson  County. 
They  have  seven  children — five  sons  and  two  daughters.  Mr.  Ransom  is  a Democrat,  and' 
has  served  several  terms  as  alderman.  He  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  H.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.. 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

DR.  JOHN  W.  RICHARDSON  was  born  in  Charlotte  Count)",  Va.,  November  23, 
1809,  and  died  iu  Rutherford  County.  Tenn.,  November  19,  1872.  He  came  to  Tennessee 
with  his  parents  about  1815,  and  settled  at  Old  Jefferson,  Rutherford  County.  He  received 
a fair  education,  and  studied  medicine  at  Transylvania  University.  He  never  removed 
from  the  civil  district  of  the  county  in  which  his  parents  first  settled.  Here  he  practiced 
his  profession  actively  until  his  last  illness,  and  was  for  a number  of  years  one  of  the  lead- 
ers of  the  Whig  party  in  Rutherford  County.  He  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the 
State  Legislature  as  a Whig  for  four  terms — for  the  years  1843-44,  1845-46,  18*51-52,  1857- 
58;  to  the  Senate  two  terms — for  the  years  1847-48,  1859-60.  In  the  session  of  1S57-58  he 
was  the  choice  of  his  party  for  speaker  of  the  House,  and  in  1859-60  for  speaker  of  the 
Senate.  His  father,  James  Richardson,  and  his  mother,  Alary  Richardson,  died  in  Ruther- 
ford County.  In  1833  he  married  Miss  Augusta  Mary  Starnes,  who  still  survives  him,  as 
his  widow,  living  in  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.  At  his  death  he  left  four  children,  who  are  still 
liviug:  Mrs.  Sue  W.  Jolly,  of  Alabama:  James  D.  Richardson;  Mrs.  Alary  H.  Batey  and 
John  E.  Richardson,  of  Rutherford  County.  He  was  a devoted  member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  on  many  occasions  publicly  conducted  religious  exercises.  After  the  war  be- 
tween the  States  he  acted  and  voted  with  the  Democratic  party. 

HON.  JAMES  D.  RICHARDSON,  congressman  from  the  Fifth  Congressional  Dis- 
trict of  Tennessee,  was  born  ia  Rutherford  County  Alarch  10,  1843.  He  secured  a good 
education  in  the  common  branches  during  his  boyhood  days,  and  on  the  breaking  out  of 
the  civil  war  was  attending  Franklin  College,  near  Nashville.  Before  graduating,  and  at 
eighteen  years  of  age.  he  entered  the  Confederate  service,  serving  the  first  year  as  private- 
and  the  succeeding  three  years  as  adjutant  of  the  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Infantry.  At  the 
close  of  the  war  he  began  the  study  of  law,  and  January  1,  1867,  begau  the  practice  of  his 
profession  at  Alurfreesboro,  where  he  soon  became  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost  law- 
yers of  that  locality.  As  a Democrat  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature in  1870,  and  on  the  organization  of  that  body  was  made  speaker,  at  that  time  being 
only  twenty-eight  years  of  age.  The  year  following  he  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate, 
serving  in  the  session  of  1873-74.  In  1876  he  was  a delegate  to  the  National  Democratic 
Convention  that  met  at  St.  Louis,  and  the  same  year  was  elected  to  the  Forty-ninth  Co  n- 
gress.  He  was  also  chairman  of  the  Democratic  Convention  of  that  year  that  nominated 
a candidate  for  governor  of  Tennessee.  Air.  Richardson  is  a prominent  member  of  the 
Alasonic  fraternity,  having  served  as  Grand  Alaster  and  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Chapter. 
He  is  also  the  author  of  “Tennessee  Templars,”  a work  containing  the  biographies  of  all  the 
Knights  Templar  of  the  State.  Air.  Richardson  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He 
wedded  Aliss  Alabama  R.  Pippin  in  1865,  and  by  her  is  the  father  of  five  children,  all  liv- 
ing but  one. 

JOHN  E.  RICHARDSON,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Ridley  & Richardson,  at- 
torneys at  law,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  is  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  born  January 
7.  1857,  son  of  John  W.  and  Augusta.AI.  (Starnes)  Richardson,  who  were  born  in  Virginia 
and  Georgia,  respectively  (see  sketch).  John  E.  was  reared  in  the  county  of  his  birth, 
and  entered  the  Princeton  (N.  J.)  College,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1877  with  the  de- 
gree of  A.  B.  He  then  entered  the  legal  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  at 
Lebanon,  Tenn.,  graduating  in  June,  1878.  He  then  returned  home  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar.  and  has  since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Alurfreesboro.  May  18, 
I83i,  he  was  united  iu  marriage  to  Aliss  Annie  Lou  McLemore,  of  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  and  daughter  of  Judge  W.  S.  McLernore.  They  have  had  two  children:  William* 
M.,  living,  and  Augusta,  deceased.  Mr.  Richardson,  in  1879,  entered  in  partnership  with 
Janies  I).  Richardson,  continuing  until  July  1,  1885,  when  he  formed  his  present  partner- 
ship. He  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 


' 


' 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1061 


G.  S.  RIDLEY,  of  the  firm  of  Ridley  & Richardson,  attorneys  at  law,  of  Murfrees- 
boro, Tenn.,  was  born  May  12,  1847,  son  of  James  and  Almira  (Russwurm)  Ridley,  who 
were  born  in  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a physician,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  life  was 
spent  near  Smyrna  Depot,  where  he  successfully  followed  his  calling.  He  was  a Demo- 
crat, and  was  a member  of  the  State  Senate  during  the  sessions  of  1871-72.  He  is  now- 
practicing  his  profession  in  Nashville.  Our  subject  resided  with  bis  parents  in  Ruther- 
ford County,  and  secured  a good  literary  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  entered  the 
law  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and  graduated  in  June. 
1868.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  this  county,  aud  has  since  continued  to  practice  his 
profession  here.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  but  has  never  aspired  to  office.  He  ha* 
been  connected  with  B.  L.  Ridley,  Jr.,  and  Judge  John  W.  Burton  in  the  practice  of  his 
profession.  Subject  is  a grandson  of  Henry  Ridley,  late  of  Rutherford  County,  who  was 
a public  man  in  the  county  in  his  day,  and  was  a member  of  the  State  Constitutional  Con- 
vention of  1834. 

THOMAS  RIDOUT,  a prominent  citizen,  was  born  in  Virginia  November  25,  1795. 
and  came  to  this  county  in  February,  1827.  He  was  united  in  marriage,  December  19, 
1822,  to  Elizabeth  A.  Butts,  and  to  this  union  wTere  born  ten  children,  three  of  whom  are 
living,  namely:  Jessie  B.,  Anna  R.  Blaekborn,  wife  of  Raven  C.  Blackborn,  a successful 
farmer  of  this  county,  and  Mrs.  Mary  Henry,  wife  of  T.  B.  Henry,  a prominent  farmer. 
Mr.  Ridout  was  a man  of  pronounced  type,  and  was  justly  recognized  as  a moral  and  up- 
right citizen.  His  death  occurred  in  1875.  Mrs.  Ridout  is  a consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who  know  her. 

LINS  FORD  M.  ROBERTS  was  born  in  Tennessee  November  12,  1844,  and  is  the 
son  of  James  M.  and  Louisa  (Coaly)  Roberts,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and 
Tennessee.  The  father  came  to  this  State  at  an  early  day,  and  has  spent  a long  and  use- 
ful life  ou  the  farm.  He  is  in  very  comfortable  circumstances,  and  now  resides  in  Can- 
non County  with  his  wife,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm, 
and  secured  an  ordinary  education.  In  1862  be  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army, but  being 
under  age  could  not  enlist  until  the  following  year,  when  he  enlisted  in  Capt.  Nmols’  com 
pany.  Smith’s  Fourth  Tennesee  Cavalry,  and  served  as  private  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
when  he  came  home  and  returned  to  farming  until  1868,  when  he  removed  to  this  city 
and  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  general  merchandise  business  with  evident  success  until 
1879,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  livery  business.  In  1876  Air.  Roberts  married  Jo- 
sephine Arnold,  of  this  count}',  and  to  them  one  child — Erskine  P. — was  born.  Mr.  Rob- 
erts is  a Democrat,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Murfrees- 
boro. 

COL.  WILLIAM  D.  ROBISON,  clerk  of  the  Rutherford  County  Court,  a native  of 
this  county,  was  born  June  30,  1840.  His  father,  Samuel  B.  Robison,  a native  of  North 
Carolina,  removed  to  this  county  with  his  parents  about  the  year  1824.  Soon  afterward 
his  parents  emigrated  to  Illinois  where  they  both  died.  Samuel  B.,  being  of  age  at  the 
time  of  his  parents’  removal  to  the  West,  remained  in  this  county  and  engaged  as  clerk 
in  the  mercantile  business  at  old  Jefferson.  A few  years  later  he  engaged  in  business  for 
himself  at  Versailles,  continuing  two  years,  when  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  a 
view  to  making  it  his  profession  for  life.  He  attended  lectures  in  the  Jefferson  Medical 
College,  of  Philadelphia,  from  jvhich  institution  he  graduated,  and  soon  after  located  at 
Salem,  this  county,  where  he  practiced  his  profession  until  1852,  when  he  removed  to  Mur- 
freesboro, where  he  soon  acquired  a large  and  lucrative  practice.  Politically,  the  Doctor 
was  an  old-time  Whig  before  the  late  war,  but  after  this  event  he  affiliated  with  the  Dem- 
ocratic party.  He  was  a Mason  of  high  standing  and  a life-long  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  Soon  after  his  removal  to  this  county  he  married  Mary  North,  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  mother  of  our  subject.  She  died  January,  1862.  The  Doctors 
death  occurred  in  1871,  while  on  a visit  to  his  daughter  near  Rome,  Ga.  William  D . 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  reared  in  this,  the  county  of  his  birth,  with  hi*  parents, 
securing  a fair  literary  education.  Upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  he  enlisted  m 


1002 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


April.  1861,  as  a private  in  Company  F,  Second  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry,  under 
-Col.  Bate,  now  governor.  He  was  promoted  early  in  the  service  to  second  lieutenant, 
and  after  the  battle  of  Shiloh  to  captain  of  his  company.  After  the  promotion  of  Col. 
Bate  to  brigadier-general.,  our  subject  was  made  colonel  of  his  regiment,  in  which  capacity 
he  served  in  a faithful  and  valiant  manner  until  the  battle  of  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  where 
he  received  a severe  bullet  wound  in  the  left  hip,  which  totally  disabled  him  for  further 
service,  confining  him  to  his  bed  eight  months.  At  close  of  the  war,  having  partially  re- 
covered from  the  effects  of  his  wound.  Col.  Robison  returned  home  and  obtained  employ- 
ment as  clerk  and  book-keeper  in  mercantile  establishments  in  this  city,  and  being  elected 
to  the  office  of  count}'  trustee  in  1866,  fulfilled  the  duties  of  this  office  also.  In  1S69  he 
was  elected  county  tax  collector,  serving  the  remainder  of  the  unexpired  term  of  his  pre- 
decessor, who  had  died.  He  also,  in  the  meantime,  continued  his  clerkship  in  mercantile 
houses  until  1876,  when  he  engaged  in  the  grocery  and  general  merchandise  business  for 
himself.  He  conducted  this  business  with  good  success  until  1878,  when  he  was  elected 
-county  court  clerk,  and  he  has  filled  this  office  continuously  by  re-election  in  a faithful 
and  highly  efficient  and  satisfactory  manner  to  the  present  time.  September  15, 1869,  Col. 
Robison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fannie  Rice,  a most  estimable  lady,  daughter  of 
John  P.  Rice,  who  was  a highly  respected  resident  of  this  county  from  after  the  war  until 
his  death.  Our  subject’s  w'ife  departed  this  life  March  6,  1885,  leaving  no  issue,  but  her 
memory  will  ever  be  cherished  by  the  bereaved  husband  and  a large  circle  of  admiring 
Jfriends  and  relatives.  Col.  Robison  has  always  been  a firm  supporter  of  Democracy,  and 
his  many  terms  of  public  office  give  evidence  of  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  his  con- 
stituency in  this  county.  He  is  a Mason  of  the  Knight  Templar  and  Scottish  Rite  degiecs, 
being  Past  Grand  Commander  of  the  Tennessee  State  Commander}*  of  Knights  Templar. 
He  is  a zealous  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  justly  recog- 
nized as  one  among  the  leading  and  enterprising  business  men  of  old  Rutherford,  and  a 
highly  popular  official. 

L.  A.  ROGERS.  Esq.,  an  energetic  and  prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  was 
born  November  14.  1842,  in  Jefferson  County,  Tenn..  and  was  the  son  of  Elisha  and  Mary 
<Statham)  Rogers,  natives  of  Jefferson  County.  The  father  was  one  of  Jefferson  County’s 
leading  farmers,  and  died  in  1879  in  that  county.  The  son  was  reared  on  the  farm,  received 
a moderate  education,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  started  out  for  himself.  At  the  close  of 
the  war  he  purchased  the  place  where  he  now  resides,  and  has  been  successful  in  farming* 
In  1869  be  married  Miss  Mattie  A.  Carter,  and  to  them  w*ere  born  three  children:  Charlie 
E.  (deceased),  Sallie  M.  W.  and  Maggie  M.  Mr.  Rogers  is  a Democrat  and  enlisted  in 
1861  in  Company  C,  Thirty-seventh  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  participated  in  many  of  the 
battles.  After  the  battle  of  Franklin  he  was  detailed  to  care  for  the  wounded,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Rogers  is  a Master  Mason.  He  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  has  held  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace  and  has  given  evident  satisfaction.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  men  of  the 
district  and  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

MORRIS  G.  ROSENFELD,  merchant,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tcdh.,  was  born  in  the  king- 
dom of  Wurtemburg,  Germany,  February  3,  1850,  and  came  to  the  United  States  in  July, 
1867.  He  came  to  Murfreesboro  soon  after  landing  in  America,  and  became  a clerk  in  his 
uncle’s  (E.  Rosenfeld)  store,  remaining  with  him  until  1870,  when  he  engaged  in  his  pres- 
ent business.  He  carries  a full  and  select  stock  of  staple  and  fancy  groceries,  dry  goods, 
boots,  shoes  and  general  merchandise,  and  has  succeeded  well  in  his  business  ventures,  and 
controls  a large  share  of  the  trade  in  town  and  county.  October  15,  1873,  he  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Hirsch,  of  this  city,  and  the  following  five  children  have 
blessed  their  union:  Gabriel,  Ruby,  Sylvia,  Sigmund  and  Emanuel.  Mr.  Rosenfeld  votes 
the  Democratic  ticket,  and  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  He  and  Mrs. 
Rosenfeld  belong  to  the  Jewish  faith,  and  are  considered  worthy  citizens. 

CAPT.  CHARLES  A.  SI1EAFE  is  a prominent  attorney  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn..  and 
-came  to  Tennessee  from  his  native  State  in  1865,  and  located  first  at  Manchester,  Coffee 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1063 


County,  where  he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession,  and  continued  there  until  Jan- 
uary, 187*2.  In  1868  he  was  elected  by  the  Democratic  party  to  Congress  for  this  district, 
but  was  prevented  from  taking  his  seat  by  the  governor  giving  the  certificate  to  the  Repub- 
lican candidate.  In  1872  he  removed  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  soon  acquired  a fairly 
large  and  remunerative  practice.  He  is  a Democrat.  In  1862  he  was  made  captain  of 
Company  I.  Fifty-ninth  Regiment  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  The  second  year  he  served 
as  provost-marshal  on  the  staff  of  Gen.  H.  P.  Van  Cleve,  and  during  the  Georgia  cam- 
paign was  in  command  of  his  regiment,  and  was  mustered  out  in  February,  I860,  as  cap- 
tain of  his  company. 

JOHN  B.  SHELTON,  constable  of  the  Fourth  District,  Rutherford  County,  was 
born  February  10.  1846,  in  this  county,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Sallie  A.  (Bennett) 
Shelton,  natives,  respectively,  of  Patrick  County.  Va.,  and  Rutherford  County,  Tenn. 
The  father,  a widely  known  farmer  of  this  county,  died  January  6.  1872.  The  subject  was 
reared  and  educated  like  the  average  country  boy,  and  upon  reaching  his  majority  en- 
gaged in  farming  for  himself,  and  purchased  the  property  where  he  now  resides.  He  has 
been  quite  successful,  having  at  present  106  acres  of  well  improved  land.  In  1868  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Susan  E.  House.  Mr.  Shelton  is  a solid  Democrat,  and  in  1862 
enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  Iv,  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantry;  took  an  act- 
ive part  in  most  of  the  battles  in  which  his  company  was  engaged.  After  the  battle  of 
Mission  Ridge  be  was  detailed  as  guard  of  commissary.  Upon  returning  to  the  command 
he  was  captured  and  held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Shelton  is  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  the  county,  and  an  honest,  industrious  man. 

CAPT.  WILLIAM  H.  SIKES,  a successful  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County. 
Tenn.,  April  27,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Jesse  and  Martha  L.  (Howse)  Sikes,  natives,  re- 
spectively, of  Georgia  and  Virginia.  The  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  coun- 
ty, coming  here  in  1824  and  engaging  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  and  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1869,  was  a sad  blow  to  the  county  and  community.  The  mother  still  survives 
at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy-eight.  Mr.  William  Sikes  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  re- 
ceived his  education  at  the  Union  University  at  Murfreesboro.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four 
he  purchased  a farm,  where  he  remained  two  years.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  E. 
Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment,  as  first  lieutenant  and  retained  this  rank  until  after  the 
battle  of  Shiloh,  when  he  was  appointed  captain  of  his  company,  serving  in  this  capacity 
from  the  summer  of  1862  until  the  autumn  of  1863  when  he  was  put  on  the  staff  of  Maj- 
Gen.  Brown,  serving  with  him  but  a few  months  when  he  was  transferred  to  Maj-Gen. 
Stephenson's  staff,  subject  to  a requisition  issued  by  the  General  himself  and  was  with 
the  General  in  all  his  commands  until  the  surrender  in  April,  i860.  Mr.  Sikes  did-  not  re- 
ceive any  wounds  whatever  during  his  service  in  the  army;  he  then  returned  to  Ruther- 
ford County,  purchased  a farm  adjoining  his  father’s  od  which  lie  remained  until  1882, 
when  he  removed  to  the  old  homestead  where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Sikes  is  a Democrat  in 
politics  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  1866  he  was  married  to 
his  second  wife.  Miss  Bettie  Thompson,  a native  of  Alabama.  To  this  union  were  horn 
four  children:  Mary  L..  Mattie  N.,  Bessie  T.  and  William  H.,  Jr.  His  first  wife.  Mi>s 
Mattie  Gooch,  a native  of  this  State,  died  in  1861,  and  his  second  wife  died  in  1884.  Capt. 
Sikes  is  oue  of  the  leading  .farmers  of  this  county  and  is  an  estimable  citizen  in  every 
respect. 

JAMES  M.  SMITH,  a well-known  and  eminently  successful  farmer,  was  born  in  this 
county  February  0,  1831,  and  is  the  son  of  John  P.  and  Elizabeth  (Sims)  Smith.  The 
father  died  in  1SG2  and  the  mother  followed  in  1883.  Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Fannie  Beckton  in  the  year  1837.  To  this  union  was  born  one  child.  Jennie 
The  sad  event  of  Mrs.  Smith’s  death  occurred  in  1838  and  Mr.  Smith  realizing  that  it  is 
uot  well  for  man  to  live  alone  took  for  his  second  wife  Miss  Margaret  Hutton,  in  1SG0.  To 
them  were  born  seven  children:  John  H..  Sallie  J..  Mary  M..  James  I)..  Ruth,  William  S. 
^nd  Sidney  B.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  Mr.  Smith  shouldered  his  musket  and  en- 


1064 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


listed  in  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  nearly  three  years;  at  the  expiration  of 
that  time  he  returned  home  and  refrained  from  further  participation  in  the  war.  Mr. 
Smith  is  a strong  Democrat  and  he  and  his  wife  are  worthy  and  exemplary  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOSEPH  P.  SMITH,  farmer,  of  Rutherford  County.  Tenn.,  was  born  July  23.  1840, 
and  is  a son  of  Daniel  D.  and  Lockie  (McAdoo)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
this  county.  The  father  is  a descendant  of  Samuel  Smith,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of 
the  county  and  State.  The  father  was  a prosperous  farmer,  a Whig  in  politics,  and  he  and 
family  were  leading  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He  died  in  1871 
and  the  mother  in  1841.  Our  subject,  Joseph  P.,  was  reared  by  his  grandmother,  Mrs. 
Mary  McAdoo,  until  he  was  twelve  years  of  age,  when  he  removed  to  his  father's,  living 
with  him  until  he  was  twenty  years  old,  and  securing  a common  school  education.  In 
1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  C.  Eighteenth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  as  a high 
private  during  the  war.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  Donelson,  and  was  a prisoner  at  Camp 
Butler  seven  months.  He  was  again  taken  prisoner  at  Atlanta  in  July,  1863,  and  held  as 
such  until  April,  when  he  returned  home  and  purchased  a farm  in  this  county,  where 
he  has  since  been  steadily  engaged.  In  November,  1865,  he  was  married  to  Lockie  W. 
Weatherly,  who  bore  him  two  children;  Ida  L.,  and  Joseph  W.  Mrs.  Smith  died  in 
October  1883.  Mr.  Smith  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

EDGAR  P.  SMITH,  of  the  firm  of  Avent.  Smith  & Avent,  attorneys  at  law,  of  Mur- 
freesboro, was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  February  21. 1850,  son  of  Ephraim  and 
Carolina  (Miles)  Smith,  who  were  born  in  Middle  Tennessee.  The  father  spent  his  life- 
time on  a farm  in.  the  county,  and  his  death  occurred  in  October,  1855.  Edgar  P.  resided 
with  his  parents  and  secured  a good  education,  graduating  from  the  Union  University  of 
Murfreesboro  in  1872.  He  then  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Cumberland  University 
of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  in  1874.  He  then  returned  to 
Murfreesboro  and  was  admitted  to  the  Rutherford  County  bar  in  May,  1874,  and  imme- 
diately began  the  practice  of  his  profession  with  W.  H.  Washington,  continuing  until  four 
years  after  the  latter's  election  to  the  office  of  attorney-general  for  Davidson  and  Rather 
ford  Counties,  actiug  as  his  assistant  during  that  time.  In  1885  Mr.  Smith  entered  into 
his  present  partnership  and  has  shared  equally  in  the  success  of  this  well-known  firm. 
April  29,  1880,  Mr.  Smith  married  Miss  Eloise  Childress;  they  have  two  children:  Saline 
and  Mary.  Mr.  Smith  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party  and  to  the  Masonic  fraternity, 
and  is  a rising  member  of  the  Rutherford  County  bar. 

DEWITT  H.  SMITH,  of  the  firm  of  Hodge  & Smith,  merchants  of  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  and  a son  of  George  W.  Smith,  the  well-known  magistrate  of  the  Seventh  District, 
was  born  in  this  county  March  31,  1860.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  in  his  boyhood  days, 
securing  a fairly  good  literary  education.  In  1880  he  graduated  from  the  Southern  Business 
College  of  Louisville,  Ky.,  and,  returning  home,  he  found  employment  as  clerk  and  book- 
keeper with  the  firm  of  McKinley  <fc  Jackson,  remaining  with  them  until  they  became 
insolvent,  when  Mr.  Smith  was  appointed  assignee,  and  he  closed  out  and  settled  up  the 
business  of  the  firm.  Iu  1882  he  entered  the  store  in  which  he  is  now  a partner,  and  re- 
mained herein  the  capacity  of  a clerk  until  1885,  when  he  entered  into  partnership.  Jan- 
uary 8,  1885.  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  matrimony  to  Miss  Lulie  J.  Collier,  of  this  city.  By 
this  union  they  have  a daughter,.named  Jessie.  Mr.  Smith  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
himself  and  wife  are  Presbyterians  in  their  religious  faith. 

FOUNT  SMITHSON,  attorney  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Williamson 
County,  July  31,  1849.  His  parents,  John  G.  and  Ann  V.  (Ladd)  Smithson,  were  born 
in  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  respectively,  and  the  father  came  to  the  latter  State  in  1827  or 
1828  and  followed  the  life  of  a farmer.  Both  parents  now  reside  in  Giles  County.  Our 
subject  attended  Giles  College  two  years  and  paid  his  expenses  while  there  by  teaching 
school.  In  1870  lie  began  reading  law  in  the  office  of  his  brother.  Noble  Smithson,  and 
two  years  later  was  admitted  to  the  Giles  County  bar.  In  August,  1882.  he  came  to  Mur- 
freesboro, where  he  has  practiced  his  profession  successfully  to  the  present  time.  Decern- 


— ■ 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1005 


ber  17,  1879,  Mr.  Smithson  married  Alma  E.  Doughty,  daughter  of  Capt.  \V.  \\\  Doughty, 
of  this  city.  They  have  one  daughter  named  Sarah  W.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  > 
member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  K.  of  II.  and  is  Fast  Grand  Dictator  of  the  State  for  the  K.  of 
H.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOSEPH  P.  SMOTHERMAN,  a widely  known  and  eminently  successful  tobacco 
manufacturer,  was  born  in  this  county  October  21,  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Eldridge  and 
Sue  (May)  Smotkerman.  Our  subject’s  early  life  was  passed  as  most  boys'  in  attending 
school,  and  at  the  age  of  manhood  he  was  wedded  to  Miss  Gray.  This  was  in  1873. 
Their  wedded  life  has  been  blessed  and  they  have  five  children:  Sue  L..  Robert  T..  Ali«  < 
T.  Fred  and  Joseph.  Mr.  Smotherman  is  a Democrat  of  the  most  pronounced  type.  He 
and  wife  are  zealous  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  are  regarded  as 
prominent  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 

JESSE  W.  SPARKS,  clerk  and  master  of  the  Chancery  Court  of  Rutherford  County. 
Term.,  was  born  in  Nacogdoches  County,  Tex.,  January  1,  1837.  His  father.  James 
Sparks,  who  was  a soldier  in  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto,  where  he  lost  four  brothers,  was 
born  in  South  Carolina,  and  died  in  Texas  in  1840  or  1841.  The  mother,  whose  maiden 
name  was  Massey  C.  Wadlington,  was  a native  also  of  South  Carolina.  Jesse  \Y.  spent 
his  boyhood  days  upon  a plantation  in  his  native  State  with  his  parents.  At  the  aire  of 
seventeen  years  he.  in  company  with  three  lads  in  his  neighborhood,  were  sent  to  this 
State  to  complete  their  education,  their  objective  place  being  Nashville,  but  they  entered 
the  Union  University  of  Murfreesboro  instead  and  from  this  institution  our  subject  gradu 
ated  iu  July,  I860.  Early  in  1861.  upon  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war.  Mr.  Sparks  enlisted 
as  a private  in  the  company  commanded  bv  Capt.  Richard  S Walker  (at  present  one  of  !!:• 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Texas).  Soon  after  entering  the  service  Mr.  Sparks  was 
promoted,  through  the  influence  of  Judge  W.  B.  Ochiltree,  to  a second  lieutenantcy  iu  tin 
Regular  Confederate  Army,  with  orders  to  report  to  Gen.  Van  Dorn,  at  San  Antonio.  Tex- 
Soon  after  complying  with  this  order  he  was  ordered  by  Van  Dorn  to  muster  in  and  or 
ganize  a lot  of  troops  at  Houston,  Tex.,  which  he  proceeded  to  do.  and  among  them  were 
the  afterward  famous  Texas  RaDgers,  of  which  regiment  Lieut.  Sparks  was  made  adju 
tant,  serving  as  such  about  one  year,  when  in  1863  he  was  promoted  to  major  with  instruc 
tions  to  report  to  Gen.  Kirby  Smith  west  of  the  Mississippi  River.  Complying  readily 
with  this  injunction,  Mr.  Sparks  served  under  Smith  as  major  in  the  adjutant-general* 
department  until  he  was  made  lieutenant-colonel  of  a cavalry  regiment  and  served  in  thi- 
capacity  with  ardent  vigor  until  the  surrender  of  his  regiment  at  Houston.  Tex.,  June  5. 
1865.  Returning  to  his  home  in  Texas,  Maj.  Sparks  soon  made  preparations  for  removing 
to  this  State  and  county.  In  December,  1865,  he  started  for  here  and  after  being  captured, 
imprisoned  and  released  various  times  by  the  Federals  whom  he  encountered  on  the  way 
arrived  in  the  spring  of  1866  and  locating  on  a farm,  followed  agricultural  pursuit* 
successfully  until  1875,  when  he  was  appointed  to  his  present  office,  which  he  has  filled  by 
appointment  until  the  present  time,  and  it  may  be  truthfully  said  that  Maj.  Spark*  ha* 
discharged  t lie  duties  of  this  important  office  in  a faithful  and  highly  efficient  manner 
The  Major  is  and  always  has  been  an  uncompromising  Democrat  iu  his  political  view*, 
and  this  together  with  his  generosity,  natural  wit  and  affable  manners,  has  made  him 
justly  popular  in  Rutherford  County  a9  an  official  and  citizen.  April  18.  1866.  he  was 
united  iu  marriage  to  bis  presnt  wife,  who  was  Miss  Josephine  Bivens,  a native  «>f  t lii- 
county.  The  result  of  this  union  has  been  six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living:  Jesse  V 
Henry  B.,  Docie,  James,  Fannie  and  Ingraham  Twohig.  Maj.  Sparks  is  a Mason  of  the 
Royal  Arch  and  Scottish  Rite  degrees,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  an  enterprising  and  re 
liable  citizen. 

JOHN  C.  SPENCE.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  is  of  Irish-Americau  d<  scent.  the 
father,  John  Spence,  having  been  born  in  Ireland,  and  the  mother.  Mary  Chism,  in  \ n 
ginia.  John  C.  Spence  was  born  November  14,  1899,  in  Rutherford  County,  U nn  lb- 
had  about  the  usual  experience  of  boys  of  his  day.  His  school  days  extended  over  a p«  n 1 
of  about  seven  years.  Eighteen  months  of  this  time  were  spent  in  Hopewell  Academy 


. 


10GG 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Within  this  period  he  obtained  a fair  knowledge  of  the  English  language,  and  learned  the 
rudiments  of  the  natural  sciences.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  entered  the  store  of  his 
uncle,  Marman  Spence,  with  whom  he  remained  eight  years,  at  which  time  he  went  to 
Somerville,  West  Tenn.,  and  opened  a store  on  his  own  account.  He  remained  in  business 
ar  Somerville  from  1832  to  1847,  when  he  moved  to  Memphis,  and  continued  in  business 
there  till  1849.  at  which  time  he  returned  to  Murfreesboro.  He  remained  in  the  mercan- 
tile business  at  the  latter  place  until  age  unfitted  him  for  the  active  duties  of  life.  He 
was  married  to  Elizabeth  Spence,  their  family  name  being  the  same,  September  16.  1884. 
in  Murfreesboro.  The  result  of  this  marriage  was  eight  children;  of  these.  Ellen.  Henry 
C-,  John  C.,  William  J.  and  Ellen  S.  are  dead;  and  Mary  S.  Roulet,  Henry  and  Florence 
still  survive.  The  wife,  Elizabeth,  died  January  13,  1884.  Our  sub  ject  became  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  October  15,  188*2.  under  the  ministration  of 
the  Rev.  J.  R.  Plummer.  Mr.  Spence  has  since  lived  a consistent  member  of  said  church. 
Politically  he  was  always  a Whig  so  long  as  that  party  existed.  At  the  outbreak  of  the 
Rebellion  he  bitterly  opposed  secession,  but  when  the  war  began  his  influence  and  feelings 
were  with  the  South.  His  course  was  such  as  to  maintain  the  friendship  of  his  friends 
and  command  the  respect  of  his  enemies.  Since  the  war  Mr.  Spence  has  voted  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket.  For  a number  of  years  Mr.  Spence  was  engaged  in  writing  annals  of  Ruther- 
ford County,  which  has  been  valuable  as  reference  to  the  compilers  of  this  work,  and  is 
cited  frequently  herein.  In  these  he  has  a large  collection  of  facts,  incidents  and  remini- 
scences of  the  past.  Mr.  Spence  has  always  borne  the  reputation  of  an  honest,  upright, 
intelligent  gentleman. 

SQUIRE  JAMES  E.  STOCKIRD,  a farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born 
in  the  county  where  he  now  resides,  September  9,  1817,  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Elliott) 
Stockird,  who  were  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  settled  in  this  county  in  1S09, 
and  was  an  energetic  and  successful  farmer,  and  lived  a long  and  useful  life.  He  was  a 
Whig  in  politics,  and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  served  a number  of 
years  in  the  Indian  war,  and  his  death  occurred  in  August,  1876.  James  E.  was  reared 
by  his  grandmother,  Deborah  Elliott,  on  a farm,  and  secured  a limited  education.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  served  an  apprenticeship  in  mechanics  and  engaged  in  making  cotton- 
gins,  and  followed  this  business  for  sixteen  years.  At  the  age  of  thirty-four  he  purchased 
the  farm  of  300  acres  where  he  now  resides.  On  February  17.  1842,  he  was  married  to 
Lucy  McGowen,  daughter  of  Rev.  E.  McGowen,  a prominent  Methodist  Episcopal  minis- 
ter. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stockird  were  born  these  eight  children:  Frances  J.  (Sander).  Will- 
iam F.(deeeased),  Mary  C.  (Hunt).  James  E. (deceased),  Alice  E.  (Miles).  Nancy  F. (deceased), 
and  Thomas  A.  Mrs.  Stockird  died  April  28, 1866,  and  in  1869  Mr.  Stockird  married  Mary 
L.  Russwurm,  daughter  of  Gen.  John  S.  Russwurm.  They  have  four  children:  Samuel 
R.,  Rosalind  D.,  John  E.  and  Virginia  L.  Mr.  Stockird  did  not  take  an  active  part  in  the 
late  war,  but  sympathized  with  the  Southern  cause.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  has  been 
squire  of  the  Ninth  District  for  twenty  years.  He  and  family  are  members  of  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church. 

STREET,  BYRN  6c  CO.  are  dealers  in  general  hardware,  agricultural  implements, 
saddles,  harness,  etc.,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.  The  business  was  established  in  January. 
1869,  by  W.  M.  Street  and  others  under  the  firm  name  of  Street,  Andrews  6c  Co.  In 
March.  1875,  Mr.  Street  purchased  the  entire  stock  and  conducted  it  until  December  15. 
1877,  When  he  sold  to  Binford  & YVade;  in  1S79  the  business  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
present  firm, who  carry  on  a successful  business.  William  31.  Street,  senior  member  of  the 
firm,  was  born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  September  13,  1830.  son  of  Park  and  Mary  J. 
(Smith)  Street,  who  were  born  in  Virginia  and  were  mairied  in  that  State  in  1828,  and  came 
to  Tennessee  the  same  year.  The  father  was  a successful  farmer,  and  now  resides  in 
Williamson  County.  The  mother  died  in  1848.  William  M.  received  a good  rudimentary 
education  iu  the  common  schools,  and  attended  the  Emery  6c  Henry  Virginia  College 
two  years.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  in  Columbia, 
Tenn.,  first  as  clerk,  and  later  as  partner  in  the  business,  but  closed  out  shortly  before  the 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1007 


war.  In  180*3  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Xintli  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  in  this  and 
Col.  X.  W.  Carter’s  Rcgimeut  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  then  engaged  in  the 
hardware  business  in  Columbia  until  1809,  when  he  removed  to  this  city  and  established 
his  present  business.  June  14.  1855,  he  married  Elizabeth  C.  Johnson,  of  Columbia. 
Tenn.  Mr.  Street  was  a Whig  in  olden  days,  but  is  now  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Charley  H. 
Byrn,  a junior  member  of  the  above  named  firm,  is  a native  of  Rutherford  County, 
born  February  8,  1856,  son  of  William  B.  and  Sarah  C.  (Hunt)  Byrn,  who  were 
born  in  Wilson  aud  Williamson  Couuties,  Tenn.  The  father  spent  the  greater  part 
of  his  life  on  a farm  in  Rutherford  County,  where  he  died  August  5,  1883.  Pie  was  a Whig 
before  the  war,  but  after  that  time  was  a Democrat.  He  was  a magistrate  a number  of 
years  and  a life-long  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Charley  II.  was  reared  on  a farm 
and  secured  an  ordinary  education  in  the  country  schools.  In  April,  1875,  he  engaged  as 
clerk  for  W.  M.  Street,  and  in  November,  1879,  became  a partner  in  the  business.  He  is 
a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

ROBERT  T.  TOMPKINS,  a well-known  citizen  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  a native  of 
Rutherford  County,  was  born  January  3,  1835,  being  a son  of  James  M.  and  Kitty  G. 
(Ruckel)  Tompkins,  both  natives  of  Fluvanna  Count}*,  Ya.  The  father  was  born  in  1S07. 
came  to  this  county  in  1831  with  his  wife  and  located  on  a farm  in  the  Seventh  District, 
when  he  followed  farming  very  successfully  until  1855,  when  he  removed  to  this  city  and 
engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  until  the  war.  lie  was  an  old-time  Whig  in  politics 
and  was  magistrate  of  this  district  a number  of  years,  and  served  also  as  county  surveyor. 
Before  the  war  he  served  three  terms  of  two  years  each,  and  in  1855-56  represented 
this  county  in  the  State  Legislature.  After  the  war  he  was  appointed  clerk  and  master 
of  chancery  court,  which  office  he  filled  in  a highly  efficient  and  satisfactory  manner  until 
his  death,  June  3,  1870.  Robert  T.  was  reared  with  his  father  on  a farm  until  after  lie  at- 
tained his  majority.  In  1861  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company^.  Forty-fifth  Regiment, 
Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  Southern  Army  one  year.  He  was  promoted  to 
sergeant  and  then  to  first  lieutenant  of  his  company,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged 
on  account  of  ill  health.  Before  the  war  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business,  aud  in 
1860  was  appointed  deputy  sheriff,  which  position  he  filled  until  he  enlisted  in  the  service. 
In  July,  1805,  he  was  appointed  deputy  clerk  and  master  of  chancery  court  uuder  his 
father,  and  served  in  this  capacity,  having  almost  the  entire  work  and  responsibility  rest- 
ing upon  him  until  his  father’s  death,  when  he  was  appointed  to  his  father’s  position,  which 
he  held  one  year  during  the  change  of  the  constitution.  Since  that  time  he  has  acted  as 
deputy  in  the  office,  and  has  also  been  engaged  in  the  mercantile  and  general  trading 
business.  He  was  a member  of  the  board  of  aldermen  and  treasurer  of  the  city  during 
1871-7*3,  and  has  been  a member  of  the  city  school  board  twelve  years,  being  clerk, 
and  treasurer  of  the  same.  June,  1869,  he  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Clark,  of  this  city 
They  have  one  daughter,  named  Mary  J.  In  politics  Mr.  Tompkins  is  a conservative 
Democrat,  aud  has  taken  an  active  partin  the  political  affairs  of  the  county  as  his  num- 
erous terms  of  office  testify.  He  is  a Mason  of  Knight  Templar  and  Scottish  Rite  degrees, 
and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

ALBERT  G.  TOMPKINS,  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  is  a dealer  in  produce,  hides,  furs, 
poultry,  eggs,  etc.,  etc.  The  .business  was  established  in  1879  by  Tompkins  A Rice,  and 
was  purchased,  a year  later,  by  our  subject,  who  has  carried  on  the  business  very  success- 
fully to  the  present  time.  The  chief  markets  for  his  produce  are  in  Georgia  and  Alabama, 
and  for  furs,  in  the  East.  lie  controls  the  trade  in  this  line  in  Murfreesboro  and  is  doing 
extremely  well  financially.  Mr.  Tompkins  was  born  in  this  State  December  31,  1S43,  and 
is  the  son  of  James  M.  and  Kittie  G.  (Rucker)  Tompkins,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Virginia.  lie  resided  on  the  farm  until  fifteen  years  of  age  and  secured  a good  common 
school  education.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  attending  the  military  school  at  Mur- 
freesboro. April  16,  1861,  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  C,  Eighteenth  Tennessee- 
Regiment,  and  served  in  that  company  until  after  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  when  he  was. 


1068 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


transferred  to  the  Forty-fifth  Regiment,  Company  C,  and  served  as  a private  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  and  at  the  battle  of  Fort  Donelson  he  received  a serious  wound  in  the 
head.  August  31.  1S64,  he  was  imprisoned  at  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  and  was  released 
in  April,  1865.  He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with 
Tompkins,  Singleton- A Co.  From  1869  to  1870  he  was  engaged  in  speculating  in  cotton 
and  grain  and  was  afterward  engaged  in  the  boot,  shoe  and  hat  business  in  this  place, 
with  a Mr.  Singleton  as  partner.  He  afterward  engaged  at  millinery  wrork  in  the  firm  of 
Jamerary  A Tompkins.  At  a later  period  he,  in  company  with  a Mr.  Jetton,  began  keep- 
ing a grocery  store  and  continued  until  1880,  when  he  engaged  in  his  present  employment. 
February  7,  1807,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lizzie  Jamerary,  a native  of  this  State. 
They  became  the  parents  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  still  living:  Martha  II..  Mar- 
garet M.,  Wade  H..  Robert  T.,  Albert  S.  and  Speer  T.  Mr.  Tompkins  is  a Democrat,  be- 
ing a magistrate  for  the  Thirteenth  District  for  three  years.  He  and  family  are  members 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  he  is  classed  among  the  enterprising  business  men  of  the 
county,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

THOMAS  TOBIAS  was  born  in  Poland.  December  24,  1851,  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1865.  locating  immediately  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  where  he  resided  until  1869. 
when  he  came  to  Murfreesboro,  where  he  has  since  resided.  April  2.  1878,  he  married 
Hannah  Abrahams,  of  Nashville,  and  three  children  have  blessed  their  union:  Emory 
Lee,  Daisy  and  Nettie.  Mr.  Tobias  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  A.  O. 
U.  W.,  and  is  proprietor  of  the  leading  dry  goods  and  clothing  house  of  Murfreesboro. 
The  business  was  established  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  by  Amos  & Abraham  Tobias,  about 
the  close  of  the  war.  At  Amos’  death,  in  1866,  Thomas  purchased  a one  half  interest, 
and  in  the  latter  part  of  1869  came  to  Murfreesboro  and  opened  a branch  store,  called 
“The  Nashville  Store.”  The  entire  business  was  removed  here  in  1S70  and  was  conduct- 
ed successfully  under  the  firm  name  of  A.  Tobias  A Bro.  until  Abraham’s  death,  in  1883. 
In  January,  1884.  Solomon  Tobias,  a younger  brother,  was  taken  into  the  business,  but 
December  28,  1885,  our  subject  became  sole  proprietor  and  manager.  His  store  is  the 
largest  of  the  kind  in  Rutherford  County,  and  is  well  stocked  with  dry  goods,  clothing, 
carpets,  gents’  furnishing  goods,  hats,  boots,  shoes  and  millinery.  He  and  Mrs.  Tobias 
belong  to  the  Hebrew  faith. 

AARON  TODD,  a farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  August  8,  1840,  and 
his  early  days  were  spent  on  a farm.  He  received  a limited  education,  and  at  the  age  of 
•eighteen  began  doing  for  himself,  and  farmed  on  rented  property  until  1872,  when  he  pur- 
chased a iarm  of  185  acres  on  which  he  resided  until  1882.  He  then  moved  to  his  present 
farm,  lie  has  been  quite  prosperous  in  his  undertakings,  and  now  owns  two  well  improved 
farms,  consisting  of  436  acres  in  all.  In  1867  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth 
Prater,  and  to  them  were  born  six  children,  one  of  whom  is  deceased;  those  living  are 
Josephine,  Andrew,  Mattie  K.,  George  and  Ida  F.  July  16,  1861,  Mr.  Todd  enlisted  in  the 
Twenty-third  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In 
1864  he  was  taken  sick  with  small  pox,  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Federals  and  was 
taken  to  Camp  Douglas,  Chicago,  where  he  was  retained  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr. 
Todd  is  a Democrat,  and  has  been  constable  of  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  and  in  January, 
1886,  he  was  elected  sheriff  of  the  county,  and  is  one  of.  its  leading  men  and  prosperous 
citizens. 

TODD  A MORGAN,  merchants,  of  Murfreesboro.  The  business  was  established  in 
October,  1883,  by  Thomas  J.  Todd  and  W.  W.  Sageley,  who  conducted  it  uutil  February, 
1884.  when  Mr.  Todd  purchased  his  partner's  interest  and  carried  on  the  business  part  of 
the  time  alone  and  part  with  a partner  uutil  November  1,  1885,  when  J.  A.  Morgan  pur- 
chased a one-half  interest.  Thomas  J.  Todd  was  born  in  Cannon  County.  Tenn.,  October 
26,  1855,  son  of  Jefferson  and  Mary  (Simmons)  Todd,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The 
father  died  when  our  subject  was  twro  years  of  age,  and  the  mother  when  he  was  sixteen. 
Thomas’  early  days  were  spent  on  a farm,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  he  engaged  in  mer- 
cantile pursuits  in  his  native  county,  continuing  until  his  removal  to  this  city.  December 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


10G9 


*29,  188*2,  he  wedded  Martha  B.  Creson.  They  have  two  children:  Herman  A.  and  Palmer 

D.  Mr.  Todd  is  a Democrat  and  Mason  and  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  James  A. 
Morgan  was  born  in  Cannon  County.  Tenn.,  October  26.  1851.  being  a son  of  Allen  and 
Sylvia  (Barrett)  Morgan,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  and  South  Carolina.  They  came 
to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  and  located  on  a farm  in  Cannon  County,  where  they  both 
died.  James  A.  resided  with  his  parents  on  a farm,  and  secured  an  ordinary  education. 
He  worked  at  farming  and  shoe-making  until  1878,  when  he  engaged  in  the  drug  business 
in  Auburn,  Tenn.,  continuing  two  years.  He  was  salesman  in  a mercantile  store  until 
1884,  and  in  November,  1885,  engaged  iu  his  present  business.  In  1S70  he  wedded  Sarah 

E.  Reed.  They  have  one  daughter — Hattie  E.  Mr.  Morgan  is  a Democrat,  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  belonged  to  the  Christian  Church. 

LEONIDAS  S.  TUCKER,  an  energetic  and  prominent  farmer,  was  born  in  Ruther- 
ford County,  Tenn.,  March  21,  1850,  and  is  the  son  of  Silas  and  Ellen  M.  Tucker, 
natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county,  and  one  of 
its  leading  and  successfal  farmers.  His  death  occurred  June  27,  1863.  The  mother  died 
August,  1867.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity, of  Lebanon,  where  he  secured  a good  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  Mr. 
Tucker  took  charge  of  his  father’s  homestead,  which  he  inherited  at  his  father’s  death, 
and  which  contains  550  acres  of  good  land.  October  11,  1871,  Mr.  Tucker  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Lizzie  C.  Davis,  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  wrere  born  six 
children:  Oscar  D.,  Johnnie  M.,  Lee  S.  (deceased),  Silas,  Collier  B.  and  Carrie  T.  In 
politics  our  subject  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  is  a good,  conscientious,  Christian  man,  and  is  esteemed  and  respected  by  all. 

CAPT.  CHARLES  F.  VANDERFORD,  a well-known  and  prominent  farmer  of 
Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  South  Carolina  August  21,  1S33,  and  is  the  son  of 
Charles  and  Eliza  (Duatt)  Yanderford,  natives,  respectively,  of  Massachusetts  and  South 
Carolina.  The  father  was  a sailor,  being  the  captain  of  the  first  steam-boat  that  went  up 
Cape  Fear  and  the  Peedee  River,  and  mate  of  the  privateer  “Obellina”in  the  war  of  1812. 
His  death  occurred  in  1843  and  the  mother’s  in  1870.  Our  subject  received  a good  educa- 
tion and  engaged  in  business  as  a telegraph  operator,  being  one  of  the  first  operators  iu 
the  country.  After  being  witli  them  about  eight  months  he  was  employed  by  Henry  Mis- 
Toon  as  shipping  merchant  and  steamship  agent,  and  here  he  remained  until  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  then  took  the  position  of  assistant  secretary  of  an  insur-. 
ance  company  of  St.  Louis,  then  book-keeper,  and  afterward  manager  of  a firm  at  St. 
Louis.  At  the  beginning  of  the  war  he  returned  to  Nashville,  offering  his  services  to  the 
vigilance  committee  to  put  electric  torpedoes  in  the  Cumberland  and  Tennessee  Rivers  to 
protect  the  forts.  In  1861  he  enlisted  inCapt.  W.  II.  Sike’s  company,  Forty-fifth  Tennes- 
see Regiment,  as  a private,  but  was  soon  appointed  ordnance  officer  of  the  troops.  After- 
ward he  was  transferred  to  the  brigade  commanded  by  Col.  Palmer.  He  soon  received  the 
rank  of  captain,  and  received  orders  to  report  to  Gen.  P.R.  Cleburne, and  afterward  to  Gen. 
Johnston,  then  commander  of  the  Confederate  forces  in  Mississippi.  He  was  afterward 
made  acting  chief  ordnance  officer  of  the  army,  and  discharged  the  duties  of  that  posi- 
tion to  the  satisfaction  of  the  generals.  At  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Yanderford  returned 
to  his  present  home  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  has  been  postmaster 
and  agent  at  Florence  Station  fol  twenty  years.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  December  16,  1858,  Mr.  Vanderford 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Florence  Anderson,  a native  of  this  State,  and  to  them  were 
born  six  children:  Eugene  S.,  Charles  R..  Harry  A.,  Mary  F.,  Silas  M.,  Bertha  E.  Capt. 
Charles  F.  Yanderford  is  one  of  the  energetic  and  successful  farmers  of  the  county,  and 
is  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

GEORGE  WALTER,  manufacturer  and  dealer  in  carriages,  buggies,  phaetons  and 
spring  wagons  at  Murfreesboro,  Term.,  was  born  in  Germany,  State  of  Baden,  County  <*f 
Offenburg.  town  of  Zunsweierer,  April  23.  1837,  and  is  a son  of  Kasper  and  Katherine 
(Bittmaun)  Walter,  who  lived  and  died  in  Germany.  George  left  his  native  home  at  the 


67 


' 


1070 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


age  of  sixteen,  and  came  to  the  United  States  by  way  of  New  Orleans,  and  learned  the 
carriage-maker’s  trade  at  Memphis,  Tenn.  He  came  to  Murfreesboro.  Tenn..  July  IT. 
1857,  and  worked  for  N.  G.  Garrett  until  January  1,  I860,  when  he  engaged  iu  business 
f«or  himself  with  William  Fox  and  John  Gilbert,  under  the  style  of  Fox,  Gilbert  & Co. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  States  he  enlisted  as  private  in  Company 
I.  First  Tennessee  Regiment.  In  1866  he  began  business  again  lor  himself  under  the  style 
of  Osborn,  Bock  & Co.,  continuing  until  January,  1879,  when  the  above  firm  dissolved  by 
mutual  consent,  when  he  engaged  in  business  for  himself,  and  has  established  a good 
trade.  Mr.  Walter  married  his  second  and  present  wife,  Miss  Emily  E.  Parrish,  a native 
of  London.  England,  May  3,  1883.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and  a Mason,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

CHARLES  A.  WARD,  a }'oung  and  enterprising  farmer  of  Rutherford  Count}',  was 
born  in  Tennessee  June  15,  1852,  and  is  the  son  of  Jackson  J.  and  Mary  J.  (Leath)  Ward, 
natives  of  this  State.  The  father  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  and  was 
extensively  engaged  in  farming,  owning  1,900  acres  of  the  best  land,  and  was  known  as 
otae  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  the  county.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  his  death, 
which  occurred  February  1,  1886,  was  a sad  blow  to  the  community.  The  mother  still 
survives  at  the  age  of  sixty-two,  and  resides  on  the  old  homestead.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch,  Charles  A.,  was  reared  on  the  farm  with  his  parents,  and  secured  a good  common 
school  education,  and  has  for  the  last  four  years  conducted  his  father’s  business.  Mr 
Ward  is  a single  gentleman,  and  is  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

DR.  H.  JOSEPH  WARMUTH.  a prominent  physician  of  Rutherford  Countv.  was 
born  January  19,  1840,  in  the  City  of  Mexico,  and  is  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Maria  (Munoz) 
Warmuth,  natives,  respectively,  of  Bavaria  and  Madrid,  Spain.  The  father,  an  importer 
of  merchandise  in  Mexico  died  in  1859  in  that  cit}r.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  the  City  of 
Mexico  until  he  reached  his  sixth  year;  he  was  then  taken  to  New  Orleans,  and  from  there 
to  Paris  where  he  commenced  his  studies  in  a preparatory  school,  then  at  Lycee  Bonaparte; 
finished  a literary  course  at  the  gymnasium  at  Wurzburg  and  entered  the  university 
at  the  same  place  as  medical  student.  After  his  father's  death  he  returned  to  the  United 
States  and  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  College  in  1862.  During  the  late  war  he  entered 
the  army  as  a private  in  the  Ninth  Georgia  Battalion,  Artillery,  and  was  promoted  to  first 
assistant  surgeon  in  the  same,  after  passing  the  Medical  Army  Examining  Board,  at 
Chattanoogo.  March  23,  1S63,  he  was  promoted  to  surgeon  in  the  same  command,  and 
passed  the  examination  at  Shelbyville,  Tenn.  After  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  he  was 
sent  to  the  rear  as  hospital  surgeon,  at  Marietta,  Rome,  and  Covington,  Ga.  In  the  fall 
of  1864  he  returned  to  Johnston’s  army  as  surgeon  of  the  Seventeenth  and  Eighteenth 
Texas  Regiments.  After  the  Franklin  fight  he  took  charge  of  the  Thirty-seventh  Georgia 
Infantry, and  was  left  by  Forrest  in  charge  of  all  the  hospitals  between  Smyrna  and  Mur- 
freesboro. Tcun.  After  the  war  he  began  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Atlanta.  Ga..  where 
he  remained  until  January,  1866,  when  he  moved  to  Tennessee  and  married  Miss  Mary 
Worsham  Peebles,  born  in  this  county  in  1846,  and  the  daughter  of  Mr.  Ishani  R.  Peebles. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Warmuth  were  born  three  children:  Sallie  A.,  Laura  (deceased),  and 
Mitchell  P.  W.  Dr.  Warmuth  has  practiced  .his  profession  ever  since  in  this. county. 
In  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  and  has  held  the  offee  of  president  of  Rutherford  County 
Medical  Society,  and  vice-president  of  the  medical  society  of  the  State  of  Tennessee.  He 
is  a Master  Mason,  an  Odd  Fellow  and  member  of  Encampment,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem 
feers  of  the  Christian  Church. 

FRANCIS  WHITING  WASHINGTON,  a well  known  and  prosperous  farmer  and 
citizen  of  Rutherford  County,  is  the  son  of  Francis  Whiting  and  Elizabeth  Mason  (Hally 
Washington.  Our  subject  is  a descendant  of  John  Washington,  who  was  an  uncle  of 
George  Washington  and  a grandson  of  the  original  John  Washington,  who  immigrated  to 
the  United  States  from  the  North  of  England  in  1057.  Francis  Whiting  Washington, 
the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Frederick  or  Clark  County,  Vu.,  in  1781,  and  was 
educated  at  Liberty  Hall,  Lexington,  Va.,  afterward  called  Washington  College.  In  1806 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1071 


or  ISOS  he  immigrated  to  Tennessee,  settling  first  in  Franklin,  Williamson  County,  where, 
in  1S13,  he  married,  and  soon  after  moved  to  Logan  County,  Ky.  By  this  union  he  had 
five  sons:  Beverly,  James,  Allen  H.,  John  and  Francis  Whiting.  In  1884  he  removed  to 
Nashville,  in  order  to  facilitate  the  education  of  liis  children,  and  afterward  to  Augusta. 
Ga.,  where  he  died  at  the  residence  of  his  son.  Dr.  Beverly  Washington,  in  1871.  All  the 
sous  have  died,  with  the  exception  of  our  subject,  who  is  the  sole  survivor  of  the  family 
He  resided  at  Nashville  from  1834  until  his  marriage,  which  occurred  soon  after  attaining 
his  majority,  to  Miss  Sarah  Catharine  Crockett.  He  then  removed  to  this  county,  where 
he  has  since  resided  on  the  Ancient  Manor  of  Springfield,  except  during  the  late  war, 
when  he  served  with  distinction  in  the  Confederate  Army.  Springfield  is  a majestic  and 
antique  mansion  on  the  bank  of  Overalls  Creek,  and  was  built  in  181-4.  Our  subject’s 
wife  was  a descendant  from  the  Virginia  Crocketts.  Her  grandfather.  Col.  Anthony 
Crockett,  was  a first  cousin  of  the  famous  David  Crockett.  Our  subject’s  married  life 
has  been  blessed  with  three  children:  William  Hunter,  America  Isabella  (deceased)  and 
John  nenry. 

SAMUEL  B.  WATKINS,  an  old  and  prominent  farmer  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.. 
and  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  was  born  in  Montgomery  County,  Md.,  April 
18,  1813,  being  a son  of  Thomas  S.  and  Mary  (Magruder)  Watkins.  Samuel  B.  Watkins 
was  raised  with  his  parents  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  securing  but  a limited  educa- 
tion. He  then  engaged  in  business  with  his  father,  who  was  a contractor  on  the  Chesa- 
peake & Ohio  Canal.  He  witnessed  the  first  shovel  of  dirt  taken  in  the  construction  of 
that  famous  canal  in  1829,  and  worked  with  hie  father  until  1830,  at  which  time  his  father 
retired.  He  then,  with  his  two  brothers,  succeeded  their  father  in  contracting  on  this 
work.  In  1840  he  immigrated  to  Texas  staying  in  that  country  six  mouths;  he  then  came 
to  this  county  in  1841,  purchasing  his  present  farm,  where  he  has  since  lived.  Mr.  Wat 
kins  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  did  not  take  any  active  part  in  the  lat  • war.  but  sym- 
pathized with  the  Southern  cause,  as  he  had  one  son  in  the  Southern  Army.  Himself 
and  family  are  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Church.  In  1842  Samuel  B Watkins 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Anne  Wade,  a native  of  this  county  and  daughter 
of  Walter  Wade,  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  county.  They  have  five  children  by 
this  union,  of  which  only  two  are  living,  viz.:  Samuel  S.  and  Mary  S.,  wife  of  William 
Roberts,  a well-known  farmer  of  this  county.  The  death  of  Mrs.  Watkins,  which  was  a 
sad  blow  to  the  bereaved  family  and  friends,  occurred  September  8, 1877.  Mr.  Watkins  is 
classed  among  the  energetic  and  successful  farmers  of  the  county  and  is  justly  recognized 
as  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

ADALINE  W.  WATKINS,  widow  of  Col.  Wilson  L.  Watkins,  was  born  in  Virginia 
March.  6.  1815,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Ambrose  and  Mary  (Hartwell)  Howse.  Wilson  L. 
Watkins,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1S02.  and  came 
to  this  county  when  quite  young.  He  was  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Catharine  (McGrudy) 
Watkins,  both  natives  of  Maryland.  Col.  W.  Watkins  was  a Democrat  in  politics  and 
held  the  office  of  sheriff  of  this  county  for  eight  years  and  for  many  years  was  colonel  of 
the  militia  in  this  State;  his  death,  which  was  a sad  blow  to  the  bereaved  family  and 
frieuds,  occurred  in  March,  1861.  He  was  a strong  Union  man  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death.  In  January,  1851,  Mr.  Watkins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Adaline  W.  IIowsc. 
the  subject  of  this  sketch,  an<3  by  this  union  two  children  were  born:  Louise  S.,  wife  of 
Jerome  Winford,  a farmer  of  this  State,  and  Wilson  L.  Mrs.  Adaline  Watkins  had  three 
children  by  her  first  union,  which  was  with  Hubbard  P.  Wilkinson,  in  1832.  These  chil- 
dren arc  Mary  E.,  widow  of  Col.  Thomas  B.  Johnson,  William  A.  and  George  H.  The 
mother  lives  on  the  farm  and  with  the  help  of  her  oldest  son,  William  A.,  carries  on  farm 
ing  and  stock  raising.  She  and  family  arc  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  and  justly  recognized  as  one  of  the  leading  families  in  the  county. 

JAMES  E.  M ENDEL,  M.  D.,  one  of  the  leading  practitioners  of  Rutherford  County, 
Tenn.,  was  born  at  Cheek’s  Cross  Roads,  Jefferson  Co.,  Tenn.,  November  29,  1812.  He  is 
the  eldest  sou  of  four  surviving  members  of  the  family  of  David  and  Sarah  II.  (Neilson) 


1072 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Wendel.  David  Wendel  was  born  in  Virginia  and  removed  to  Tennessee  with  his  father, 
Christopher  Wendel,  at  or  shortly  before  the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  The 
family  located  on  a farm  near  Nashville,  where  our  subject’s  grandparents  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  In  1801  David  was  apprenticed  to  his  uncle  in  a mercantile  busi- 
ness in  East  Tennessee,  remaining  with  him  in  the  capacity  of  a clerk  until  March, 
1S06,  when  he  married  our  subject’s  mother,  who  was  a native  of  that  section  of  the  State, 
and  succeeded  his  uncle  in  business,  continuing  there  until  August.  1817.  He  then  re- 
moved to  Rutherford  County  and  established  a store  in  Murfreesboro,  which  he  conducted 
successfully  until  1839.  After  that  date  he  retired  from  active  life,  having  accumulated 
sufficient  means  by  his  frugal  and  industrious  habits  in  early  life  to  enable  him  to  spend 
his  declining  years  in  peace  and  comparative  luxury  and  ease.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
active  politicians  of  the  county  in  his  da}*,  and  gained  considerable  local  notoriety  for  his 
antagonistical  views  to  Gen.  Jackson’s  administration,  basing  his  views  upon  the  grounds 
that  no  military  man  should  hold  civil  office.  Notwithstanding  this  opposition  to  Jack- 
son  he  was  postmaster  of  Murfreesboro,  under  as  well  as  before  and  after  that  gentle- 
man’s term  of  office.  He  was  a strict  Presbyterian  in  his  religious  views,  as  was  also  his 
wife,  who  died  in  August,  1838,  followed  by  her  husband  October  8.  1840.  There  were 
few,  if  any,  better  or  more  enterprising  and  reliable  pioneer  citizens  of  Rutherford  County 
than  was  David  Wendel.  James  E.  Wendel.  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  se- 
cured a good  literary  education  in  his  boyhood  days.  He  took  a common  school  and  clas- 
sical course  in  this  county  and  then  after  a four  years’  attendance  at  the  Nashville  Uni- 
versity, graduated  from  that  institution  in  1831.  Returning  home  he  entered  the  office  of 
his  uncle.  Dr.  Patrick  D.  Neilson,  under  whom  he  read  medicine  until  1S34,  when  he  en 
tered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  at  Philadelphia 
and  remained  there  during  the  winter  and  summer  months  continuously  for  a period 
of  eighteen  months,  when  his  health  failed  him.  and  abandoning  his  studies  he 
traveled  rather  extensively  through  the  New  England  States,  Canada,  and  finally  re- 
turned home,  but  the  following  fall  returned  to  the  university,  where  in  the  winter 
of  1836  he  was  elected  a resident  physician  of  Blockley  Hospital,  Philadelphia.  He 
held  the  position  one  year,  when  he  resumed  his  studies  at  the  university,  from 
which  he  graduated  in  1839.  Returning  home  the  Doctor  entered  into  the  practice 
of  his  profession  in  this  city.  And  the  fact  alone  that  after  nearly  fifty  years  residence 
in  our  midst,  during  which  time  he  has  given  his  whole  time,  attention  and  en- 
ergy to  the  success  and  advancement  of  his  profession,  and  yet  retains  a large  and  lu- 
crative practice,  speaks  more  highly  in  his  favor  than  words  or  pen  can  portray.  Dr. 
Wendel  is  Democratic  in  politics,  although  he  was  formerly  a warm  advocate  for  the 
principles  of  the  Whig  party  until  it  ceased  to  exist.  He  is  a zealous  member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  this  city,  and  is  justly  recognized  as  one  among  the  leading  and 
successful  members  of  the  medical  profession  of  Middle  Tennessee  and  an  enterprising 
and  reliable  citizen  of  our  county. 

ROBERT  S.  WENDEL.  M.  D.,  brother  af  Dr.  James  E.  Wendel,  and  a well-known 
and  successful  physician  of  Murfreesboro,  Tenn..  was  born  in  Rutherford  County  July  14. 
1821.  He  secured  a good  literary  education  in  his  early  days,  and  in  1839  . began  the  study 
of  medicine  with  a view  to  making  it  his  profession  for  life.  He  graduated  from  the  med- 
ical department  of  the  University  pf  Louisville,  Ky.,  in  March.  1843.  He  first  began  the 
practice  of  medicine  in  Mississippi,  where  he  remained  six  years;  then  returned 
home,  where  he  has  since  been  wholly  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession, 
meeting  with  good  and  well  deserved  success.  In  1852  the  Doctor  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Emma  C.  James,  a native  of  Virginia.  They  have  ten  living  children  by  this 
union— one  son  and  nine  daughters.  Dr.  Wendel  is  Democratic  in  Lis  political 
views,  although  like  his  brother,  he  was  formerly  an  old-line  Whig.  During  the  late 
war  the  Doctor  participated  in  it  in  his  professional  capacity  as  hospital  surgeon  for  a 
term  of  three  years,  being  stationed  during  the  time  at  Dalton.  Marietta  and  Forsyth, 
Ga.,  and  Columbus,  Miss.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 


' 


/ 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY.  1073 

Church  South,  and  he  is  one  of  the  acknowledged  enterprising  and  reliable  citizens  of  our 
county,  and  a physician  of  equally  high  standing. 

DR.  BARTLEY’  N.  WHITE,  a widely  known  and  eminently  successful  practitioner, 
was  born  in  this  county  August  16,  1S41,  and  is  a son  of  Burrell  G.  and  Mary  (Donley) 
White,  natives,  respectively,  of  Tennessee  and  Ireland.  The  father  was  an  enterprising 
merchant  and  farmer,  and  departed  this  life  October  31,  1884.  He  was  a consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church.  The  mother  still  survives  him  and  is  a resident  of  this 
county.  Our  subject  is  a graduate  of  the  University  of  Nashville,  and  is  one  of  the  class 
of  1867.  He  was  married  in  May  of  that  year  to  Sue  Ransom,  of  Bedford  County,  and 
five  children. have  blessed  their  union:  Waller  M.,  Sallie  W.,  William  R.,  Burrell  G.  and 
Bartley  N.  The  Doctor  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  May,  1861,  in 
Company  F,  Second  Tennessee  Infantry,  serving  in  the  capacity  of  sergeant  for  three 
years.  He  was  captured  July  20, 1864,  at  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Ga.,  and  was  a prisoner  nine 
months.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  was  exchanged.  He  was  on  parole  for  sixty 
days,  and  during  that  time  the  surrender  of  the  Confederate  Army  was  announced.  The 
Doctor  is  a Democrat  of  the  most  pronounced  class,  and  is  at  present  a candidate  for  and 
will  probably  be  elected  clerk  of  the  circuit  court.  He  and  wife  are.  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  are  recognized  as  prominent  and  influential  citizens  of  the  com- 
munity in  which  they  reside. 

FRANK  WHITE,  postmaster  at  Murfreesboro.  Tenn.,  first  saw  the  light  of  day 
August5,  1843,  son  of  Burrell  G.  and  Mary  M.  (Donley)  White,  natives,  respectively,  of 
Tennessee  and  the  Emerald  Isle.  Our  subject  was  brought  up  to  the  mercantile  business 
by  his  father,  and  secured  a good  business  education.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebel- 
lion he  was  chosen  second  lieutenant  of  Company  E,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
served  until  the  reorganization  of  the  company  a year  later,  when  he  was  made  first  lieu- 
tenant. After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits. 
In  1878  he  was  appointed  deputy  clerk  of  the  county  court,  aud  removed  to  Murfreesboro. 
In  December,  1885,  he  was  appointed  by  President  Cleveland  postmaster  of  Murfreesboro, 
and  is  now  discharging  the  duties  of  that  office.  March  6,  1866,  he  wedded  Miss  Joe  E. 
Miller.  They  have  three  children  living:  Mary  L.,  Kate  and  Frankie.  Mr.  White  is  a 
Democrat  and  a member  of  the  K.  of  H.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

LEVI  B.  WHITE  was  born  in  Tennessee  February  18,  1813,  son  of  Henry  aud  Eliza- 
beth.(Ward)  White,  natives,  respectively,  of  this  State  and  North  Carolina.  The  father's 
family  were  old  settlers  of  the  county,  aud  were  prominent  people  of  their  day.  aud  he 
was  an  old-time  Whig.  He  was  strictly  exact  in  all  his  business  transactions,  and  his 
death  occurred  in  1855.  The  mother  died  in  1815.  Levi  B.  White,  our  subject,  was 
reared  on  a farm  by  his  uncle.  Levi  White,  aud  secured  a common  school  education  in  t lie 
old  log  schoolhouse  of  long  ago.  When  thirty  years  of  age  he  began  farming  for  himself, 
and  has  met  with  good  success  in  that  work.  July  7,  1846.  he  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza 
J.  Hall,  born  in  Alabama.  She  died  April  25,  1865,  having  borue  these  children:  Sallie 
B.  (Alexander),  Henry  H..  Kate  (Goodloe),  John  M.  and  James  L.  In  August,  1867.  Mr. 
White  was  married  to  his  second  wife.  Mrs.  Kate  Mays,  widow  of  Samuel  Mays  and  sister 
of  his  first  wife.  They  have  one  child.  Azile.  Mr.  White  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
he  and  family  are  members  of*  the  Methodist  Church.  He  is  very  prosperous,  and  owns 
from  1.000  to  1.100  acres  of  good  land. 

WILLI  AY  I B.  WHITE  was  born  near  Gallatin,  Sumner  Co.,  Tenn.,  September  1<>, 
1814,  and  is  a son  of  Stephen  and  Jane  (Bell)  White,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Caro- 
lina aud  Tennessee.  The  father  was  one  of  the  early  educators  of  Sumner  County,  and 
was  a school-teacher  in  that  part  of  the  State  for  many  years.  He  was  a farmer  of  con- 
siderable note  and  his  death  occurred  in  1821.  The  mother  died  in  1859.  \\  illiam  B. 

made  his  home  with  his  uncle,  John  Bell,  of  Gallatin,  and  served  an  apprenticeship  at 
tailoring,  and  followed  that  occupation  for  ten  years.  He  removed  to  Milton  in  ls33  and 
began  merchandising  there  in  1844.  In  1855  he  purchased  a farm  south  of  Milton  on  which 


, 


1074 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


he  remained  five  years  and  then  purchased  his  present  farm.  June  5.  1850.  he  was  married 
to  Miss  Martha  C.  Peebles,  a native  of  the  State,  and  daughter  of  George  Peebles.  They 
have  four  children:  Sarah  J.  (deceased),  wife  of  George  Martin;  Martha  F.  (wife  of  R.  T. 
Knox);  George  A.  and  William  Thomas.  Mr  White  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  beiug 
Sarah  A.  Wilson,  who  died  March  13.  1847.  He  was  the  father  of  four  children  by  this 
union:  Hugh  L.  (died  in  1862),  John  H.  (died  in  1S70),  Elizabeth  A.  (wife  of  W.  J.  Hooper) 
and  Mary  A.  Mr.  White  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Old  School 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  good  farmer  and  takes  considerable  interest  in  stock  raising. 

JOHN  V.  WHITE,  merchant,  of  Murfreesboro.  Tenn..  is  a native  of  Monroe  County, 
Miss.,  born  September  24.  1850.  His  parents  were  Peyton  H.  and  Sarah  (Lee)  White. 
The  father  died  in  Mississippi  and  the  mother  still  resides  in  that  State.  John  V.  was 
reared  on  a Mississippi  plantation  and  secured  a good  practical  education  in  his  boyhood 
days.  In  1877,  he  came  to  Murfreesboro.  Tenn.,  and  was  salesman  in  a mercantile 
store  two  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  same  business  for  himself  and  has  continued  to 
the  present  time,  meeting  with  good  and  well  deserved  success.  Mr.  White  started  in 
business  with  a limited  capital  and  small  stock,  but  by  industry,  economy  and  strict  busi- 
ness integrity  has  climbed  the  ladder  of  success  until  he  now  is  one  of' the  first  merchants 
of  the  city,  and  controls  a large  share  of  the  trade  in  city  and  county.  April  15.  18S2,  wit- 
nessed the  celebration  of  his  nuptials  with  Miss  Bettie  Jarrett.  of  this  county.  The}'  have 
one  son  named  Thomas  Y.  Mr.  White’s  political  views  are  Democratic,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  he  is  justly  considered  one  of  the  relia- 
ble and  prosperous  business  men  of  Murfreesboro. 

DR.  WILLIAM  WHITSON  was  born  near  Nashville.  Tenn..  August  22,  1821  and 
a son  of  George  and  Mary  (Deth)  Whitson,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  and  the  father  a 
skilled  mechanic  and  farmer.  He  was  a worthy  member  of  the  Christian  Church  and 
died  about  1840.  The  mother  was  a devout  Methodist  and  died  in  1833.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  a member  of  the  first  class  that  graduated  from  the  Nashville  University 
of  Medicine.  He  was  married  the  22d  of  February,  1844,  to  Miss  Mernira  Newman;  to 
them  were  born  two  children,  one  now  living,  Lurenza  D.,  a resident  of  Columbia.  N. 

C.  Mrs.  Whitson  died  December  31.  1849.  and  the  Doctor  took  for  his  second  wife  Maria 
E.  Phillips,  November  6.1850.  To  them  were  born  five  children,  tlnee  now  living: George 

D. ,  Hygene  and  William  W.  On  the  3d  of  November.  1885,  the  Doctor's  second  wife  died. 
She,  as  well  as  the  first  wife,  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Dr.  Whitson 
-was  an  active  participant  in  the  late  war,  beingsurgeon  of  the  Fort\'-fifth  Tennessee  Regi- 
ment, and  served  two  years.  Owing  to  ill  health  he  resigned  his  commission  and  returned 
home.  He  is  an  enthusiastic  Democrat  and  a -worthy  and  consistent  member  of  the  Christ- 
ian Church.  He  has  a thorough  knowledge  of  his  profession  and  is  doing  well  finan- 
cially. 

CHESLEY  WILLIAM  S,  a retired  merchant  of  Eagleville.  was  born  in  Williamson 
County.  July  22,  1809,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sallie  (Allison)  Williams,  both  natives 
of  North  Carolina.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  married  December  9.  1830.  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Jordan,  and  to  this  union  were  born  eight  children,  namely:  Martha  J.,  wife  of 
Whit.  Ransom;  Mary  V.,  -wife  of  Joseph  Ransom;  James  C.:  Macon  S..  wife  of  Dr.  W. 
H.  McCord;  Sophia  P.,  wife  of  S.  K.  Lowe;  Fannie  F..  wife  of  Prof.  Savage;  Emma,  wife 
of  Jesse  E.  Sullivan,  and  Robert  E.  Mr.  Williams  did  not  take  an  active  part  in  the  late 
war,  but  had  a son  in  the  Confederate  Army,  and  for  that  reason  his  sympathies  were  with 
the  South,  and  yet  he  was  always  in  favor  of  the  union  of  States.  Mr.  Williams  is  an  old- 
line  Whig.  He  has  served  his  county  in  the  capacity  of  magistrate  fora  number  of  years, 
and  was  postmaster  at  Eagleville  for  thirty  years.  He  and  his  wife  are  devout  and  con- 
sistent members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  are  respected  by  all  who  know'  them. 

JAMES  C.  WILLIAMS,  a prominent  and  successful  merchant,  was  born  in  William- 
son County.  Tenn.,  September  22,  1842,  and  is  the  son  of  Cheslcy  and  Elizabeth  (Jordan) 
Williams,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  served  as  magistrate  for 
a number  of  years  and  was  postmaster  at  Eagleville  for  thirty  years.  The  subject  of 


RUTHERFORD  COUNTY. 


1075 


this  sketch  was  married  November  12,  1868,  to  Miss  Mar}*  T.  McLean,  and  their  wedded 
life  has  been  blessed  by  seven  children,  namely:  Minnie.  Samuel.  James  C.,  Horace, 
Granville.  Edward  L.  and  Thomas  S.  Mr.  Williams  took  an  active  part  in  the  late  war. 
shouldered  his  musket,  and  in  1862.  enlisted  in  Company  C.  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
and  served  in  that  capacity  with  Maj.  Deering  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Williams 
is  now  a Democrat,  formerly  a Whig.  He  and  wife  are  worthy  and  consistent  members 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  are  respected  and  esteemed  as  kind  neighbors  and 
excellent  citizens. 

JOHN  A.  WILLIAMSON,  a successful  farmer  and  saw-mill  owner,  was  born  in  this 
county  May  24.  1845,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Jordon)  Williamson,  both  native- 
of  this  State.  Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  November  28,  1865,  to  Miss  Lizzie 
Faris,  and  became  the  father  of  eight  children:  Charles  T..  Horace  S..  Eula  D.,  .Sue  M., 
Abbie  L.,  Richard  W..  Maggie  E.  and  Alfred  F.  Mr.  Williamson  took  an  active  part  in 
the  war,  enlisting  in  Company  D.  Twenty-fourth  Teunessee  Infantry,  was  honorably  dis- 
charged in  1863.  but  re-enlisted,  after  a few  months’  recreation,  in  Company  I).  Twenty- 
first  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  with  that  company  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Will- 
iamson is  a Democrat  with  prohibition  tendencies.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Williamson  are  worthy 
and  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  are  justly  recognized  as 
influential  citizens  of  the  community  in  which  they  live. 

JOSEPH  T.  B.  WILSON,  a cotton  dealer,  of  Murfreesboro.  Tenn.,  established  his 
business  in  that  city  in  1874.  He  controls  the  leading  trade  in  his  line  (cotton-ginning)  in 
the  county,  and  is  doing  well  financially.  He  was  born  in  the  “ Keystone  State”  at  New 
Castle,  and  is  a son  of  John  and  Martha  (Graham)  Wilson,  who  were  natives,  respectively, 
of  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  The  father  was  a merchant  for  a number  of  years  and 
afterward  became  a successful  tiller  of  the  soil  in  Pennsylvania.  The  subject  of  this 
memoir,  Joseph  T.  B.  Wilson,  spent  his  boyhood  days  at  work  on  the  home  farm  and  in 
attending  the  common  schools,  where  he  received  a good  education.  He  located  in  Mur- 
freesboro, Tenn.,  about  1874  and  engaged  in  his  present  occupation,  at  which  he  has  since 
been  steadily  engaged.  He  does  an  annual  business  of  about  §40,000  and  is  always  strictly 
accurate  in  his  business  transactions  and  prompt  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  Mr.  Wil- 
son is  a strong  supporter  of  Republican  principles,  and  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

MAJ.  JOHN  WOODS,  the  well-known  and  highly  respected  chairman  of  the 
Rutherford  County  Court,  was  born  to  the  marriage  of  Thomas  Woods  and  Su<an 
Baldridge,  who  were  both  natives  of  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  and  came  to  this  county  after 
their  marriage,  in  the  spring  of  1807.  Thomas  Woods  was  one  of  the  sturdy  pioneer  black- 
smiths of  Rutherford  County  and  he  plied  his  trade  on  Overall  Creek,  also  in  Murfreesboro, 
a number  of  years.  In  1827  he  removed  to  near  Hickman,  Ky.,  where  he  died  in  March. 
1838.  Our  subject  "was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  September,  11.  1807,  and  spent  his 
youthful  days  on  the  farm  and  in  his  father’s  shop.  Like  his  father  he  was  a natural 
mechanic,  but  was  prevented  early  in  life  from  following  his  father’s  trade,  by  meeting 
with  an  accident  which  permanently  disabled  his  left  hand  and  arm.  His  early  education 
was  such  as  could  be  procured  by  a few  months  attendance  each  year  at  the  subscription 
schools,  held  in  the  primitive  “ log  structures,”  which  were  common  at  that  early  day. 
In  May,  1827.  Mr.  W'oods  entered  public  life  by  being  elected,  by  the  court,  to  the  office  of 
constable  of  the  district  on  Overall  Creek.  He  served  in  this  position  two  terms  of  two 
years  each;  then  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  one  year  at  Middleton,  this  county, 
and  thence  until  1833  was  engaged  as  clerk  in  Murfreesboro.  During  1833-34  he  was  en 
gaged  in  business  for  himself  again  at  Salem.  In  the  latter  year  he  repaired  to  his  farm, 
to  which  he  devoted  his  entire  time  and  labors  until  1840.  when  he  was  elected  register  <>f 
the  county,  serving  by  re-election  until  1848.  During  his  term  of  office  he  served  also  as 
deputy  clerk  of  the  county  court.  In  1848  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  county  court,  fillin  ur 
this  office  by  re-election  until  1856.  It  is  a fact  worthy  of  recording  that  Maj.  Wood- 
popularity  as  an  official,  as  was  evinced  by  his  almost  continous  term  of  office,  for  nearly 


, 


1076 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


thirty  years  before  the  war,  was  due  entirely  to  the  efficiency  of  the  man,  as  his  party  the- 
Democratic,  were  largely  in  the  minority  during  that  time.  In  1859  he  was  elected  to  repre- 
sent this  county  in  the  State  Legislature.  He  served  in  the  regular  and  called  sessions- 
during  1859-60-61.  The  Major  was  not  a participant  in  the  late  war,  but  was  a warm, 
advocate  for  the  cause  of  the  people  of  the  South  and  this,  together  with  the  fact  that  he 
had  been  a member  of  the  General  Assembly  that  passed  resolutions  of  secession,  probably 
caused  him  much  annoyance  from  persecution  by  the  Federal  soldiery  after  they  had  in- 
vaded these  parts.  They  even  went  so  far  as  to  conspire  with  one  of  his  former  slaves 
and  go  though  with  a sham  of  arresting  him,  but  the  matter  was  dismissed  without  serious 
trouble.  In  March,  1866.  Mr.  W oods  was  elected  a magistrate  of  this  district,  and  the  fol- 
lowing January  was  elected  chairman  of  the  county  court,  and  it  may  be  said  to  his  credit 
that  he  has  filled  these  offices,  continously.  byre-election  to  the  present  time,  discharging  his 
duties  in  a aighly  satisfactory  manner,  to  his  constituency  and  the  people  of  the  county  at 
large.  October  30,  13S3,  Maj.  Woods  married  Mary  F.  Jarratt,  of  this  county,  who  died 
August  19,  1884.  October  15,  1S85,  he  married  Mrs.  Nancy  (Boring)  Jetton.  He  has  no 
children  of  his  own.  but  has  raised  and  taken  care  of  a great  many  friendless  children. 
He  has  always  been  prominently  identified  with  all  public  and  private  enterprises  in  the 
city  and  county;  before  the  war  he  was  one  of  the  foremost  in  establishing  in  the  city  a 
branch  of  the  Planters’  Bank,  and  was  afterward  a director  and  stockholder  in  the  savings 
bank  and  also  First  National  Bank  of  this  city,  but  has  withdrawn  from  the  latter  of  late 
years,  having  by  his  economical  and  industrious  habits  acquired  a sufficient  competency^ 
to  support  him  in  a comfortable  manner  in  his  declining  years.  He  has  never  belonged  to 
any  secret  society  or  church,  but  is  a firm  believer  in  the  Bible,  and  his  life  has  b<»en 
spent  in  comformity  with  these  views.  He  has  been  a life-long  Democrat  and  his  many 
and  continued  terms  of  office  give  evidence  of  the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  the 
Democracy  of  old  Rutherford  County,  and  know  him  only  to  respect  his  many  superior 
qualities  as  an  official  and  a moral,  upright  citizen. 

THOMAS  H.  WOOD,  undertaker,  of  Murfreesboro.  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn.,  April  28,  1838,  son  of  Hughes  and  Sarah  (Kelly)  Wood,  natives  of  Virginia. 
The  father  came  to  Rutherford  County  shortly  before  our  subject  was  born,  and  died  in 
Evansville,  Ind.,  while  there  on  a visit  about  18-10.  Thomas  H.  resided  in  Murfreesboro 
with  his  mother,  and  secured  an  ordinary  education.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began 
learning  the  cabinet-maker’s  trade,  which  he  mastered  and  at  which  he  worked  until  1859. 
At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  in  1861  he  enlisted  as  a private  in  Company  D,  Eleventh 
Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  to  Murfrees- 
boro, and  worked  as  clerk  in  the  merchandise  business  until  1875,  when  he  began  to  keep- 
furniture  and  undertaking  goods,  continuing  until  1882,  and  since  that  time  has  carried 
on  the  undertaking  business  alone.  In  1858  Mr.  Wood  married  Lucy  McKnight,  of  Bed- 
ford County,  Tenn.  They  have  one  daughter,  Lizzie.  Mr.  Wood  is  a Democrat  in  poli- 
tics, and  was  alderman  of  Murfreesboro  during  1874-75.  He  is  a Mason,  Knight  Tem- 
plar and  Scottish  Rite  degrees,  and  is  one  of  the  worthy  citizens  of  Murfreesboro. 

ROBERT  H.  YOUNG  may  be  mentioned  as  a successful  farmer  and  native  of  David- 
son County,  Tenn.  He  is  a son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Alford)  Young,  who  were  natives 
of  this  State.  The  father  was  a skilled  ornamental  painter,  and  acquired  quite  a.  repu- 
tation as  a master  of  his  trade  in  Nashville.  He  died  in  1849.  The  mother  is  yet  living, 
and  is  the  widow  of  George  Moxley,  «of  Texas.  Our  subject  was  married  March  19,  1872, 
to  Miss  Sarah  Davis,  who  has  borne  him  one  child,  named  Earnest.  Mr.  Young  took  an 
active  part  in  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  the  Eighteenth  Tennessee  Infantry,  serving  in  this 
capacity  until  the  capture  of  Fort  Donelson,  when  he  escaped  without  being  captured, 
and  attached  himself  to  Forrest’s  independent  company  of  ‘scouts,  and  remained  with 
them  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  is' now  a Democrat  in  politics,  but  was  formerly  a 
Whig.  His  religion  is  humanity  to  all.  His  wife  is  a consistent  member  of  the  Method- 
ist Church,  and  they  are  highly  esteemed  and  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1077 


WILSON  COUNTY. 

JAMES  N.  ADAMS,  farmer  and  merchant,  was  born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.. 
August  17,  ISol.  and  is  one  of  three  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  Harvey  Adams  and 
Mariah  Wasson,  natives  of  Bourbon  County,  Ky..  and  of  Irish  and  English  descent,  re- 
spectively. The  father  was  born  in  1815,  and  before  his  marriage  (in  1840)  was  a dealer 
in  fast  horses.  After  residing  some  time  at  Nashville  he  removed  to  Wilson  County, 
where  he  owned  a farm  of  187  acres.  In  1876  he  sold  this  farm  and  again  removed  to 
Nashville,  where  he  vet  resides.  Our  subject  was  reared  at  home,  and  received  the  degree 
of  A.  B.  from  Bethany  College.  West  Virginia,  and  LL.  B.  from  the  law  department  of 
Cumberland  University  of  Lebanon.  Tenn.  He  afterward  became  a teacher  in  the  Oak- 
land Seminary,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  two  j’ears.  He  began  practicing  law  in 
Nashville,  but  owing  to  ill  health  was  compelled  to  discontinue.  May  11,  1881,  he  wedded 
Ladie  M.,  daughter  of  John  C.  and  Mary  R.  Fowler.  She  was  born  August  7,  1862,  in 
Nashville,  Tenn.  They  have  two  children:  Eldon  and  Charmian.  After  his  marriage 
Mr.  Adams  resided  on  a farm  near  Nashville  until  1885,  when  he  removed  to  the  farm 
where  he  now  lives,  and  engaged  in  his  present  business.  He  is  a believer  in  the  pried 
pies  of  Democracy,  and  votes  according  to  the  dictates  of  his  conscience.  His  .wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOSEPH  M.  ANDERSON,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  the  town  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  on 
the  southeast  corner  of  the  Public  Square,  October  17,  1815,  being  the  oldest  natural 
born  citizen  now  living,  and  is  one  of  the  two  sons  of  Patrick  and  Fannie  (Chandler)  An- 
derson. The  brother,  Thompson  Anderson,  resides  in  the  city  of  Nashville  and  is  worthy 
of  its  citizenship.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1779,  and  the  mother  in  North  Car- 
olina, in  1779.  The  father  w'as  a merchant  and  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee  and 
suffered  the  privations  incident  to  early  times.  His  death  occurred  in  1817,  and  his  widow 
married  Maj.  William  Hartsfield  and  became  a resident  of  Davidson  County,  where  she 
resided  at  the  time  of  her  death,  in  1838.  Our  subject  was  reared  without  a father’s 
guidance  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Lebanon  and  at  a school  called 
Porter’s  Hill  Academy,  afterward  Clinton  College,  in  Smith  County,  Tenn.  At  the  age 
of  eighteen  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  John  Ray,  and  in  1835  he  entered 
the  Transylvania  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  Penn.,  remaining  one  session.  On 
September  24.  1835,  he  "wedded  Mary  Dixson  Lypert,  a daughter  of  Lawrence  and  Mary 
Lypert.  Mrs.  Anderson  was  born  October  27,  1820,  in  Wilson  County,  and  she  and  her 
husband  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  only  three  of  whom  are  living:  Joseph 
B.,  Samuel  and  Kate  Lee.  In  the  fall  of  1836  Dr.  Anderson  returned  to  college  at  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  graduated  as  an  M.  D.  in  March,  1837.  He  is  now  the  oldest  and  one 
of  the  most  successful  physicians  and  surgeons  of  Lebanon  as  well  as  one  of  the  most 
enterprising,  public-spirited  and  progressive  citizens  of  the  county.  He  was  formerly 
a member  of  the  old  Whig  party,  but  since  the  death  of  that  party  has  affiliated  with  the 
Democracy.  He  is  a member  of  the  following  fraternities:  Lebanon  Masonic  Lodge, 
No.  98;  he  became  a Master  Mason  in  1843;  Royal  Arch  Mason,  in  1849;  Knight  Tem- 
plar, in  1886;  Junior  und  Senior  Warden  of  the  Grand  Lodge;  served  as  Grand  Master  L>r 
two  years,  which  fact  stands  unequaled  and  established  a precedent  in  the  Tennessee 
Grand  Lodge  for  forty  years;  was  Most  Excellent  Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Chap- 
ter of  the  State  of  Tennessee;  Thrice  Illustrious  Grand  Master  of  the  Grand  Council  of 
the  State  of  Tennessee,  Deputy  Grand  Commander  of  the  Grand  Conunandery,  and  served 
as  Grand  Commander  the  same  year.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  his  wife 


1078  BIOGr.AFIIICAL  APPENDIX. 

of  the  Christian  Church.  Our  subject  has  lived  a long  and  useful  life,  and  no  man  occu- 
pies a more  exalted  place  in  the  estimation  of  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens. 

JAMES  AUST,  a young  and  energetic  farmer  of  District  No.  3,  was  born  in  ISoo.  in 
Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  and  is  the  son  of  Thomas  P.  and  Sarah  (Riggin)  Aust.  The 
father  was  of  German  descent  and  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1811.  He  was  a farmer  oy 
occupation.  When  but  a youth  he  left  his  native  State  with  his  father,  who  went  to  West 
Tennessee  and  took  possession  of  a large  tract  of  land  for  services  rendered  in  the  war  of 
1812.  Thomas  Aust  lived  in  Wilson  County  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  occurred 
in  1832.  Soon  afterward  he  bought  140  acres  of  land  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1S48 
he  sold  out  and  bought  202  acres  three  and  a half  miles  from  Lebanon.  Here  he  died  in 
18*6.  The  mother  was  born  in  1812,  in  North  Carolina,  and  is  now  living  with  her  sou 
James.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools  and  in  addition  he  at- 
tended the  preparatory  schools  of  the  University  at  Lebanon,  and  also  at  Transylvania 
University,  at  Lexington,  Ky.  For  the  past  eight  years  James  has  had  control  of  the  old 
home  place  and  has  managed  it  in  a skillful  manner.  He  is  a young  man  of  temperate 
habits  and  is  courteous  and  unassuming.  His  mother  is  a member  of  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

DR.  R.  H.  BAKER,  a prominent  citizen  and  physician  of  Watertown,  Tenn.,  was 
born  in  Davidson  County  June  1,  1847,  one  of  a family  of  eight  children  of  William  D. 
and  Mary  (Fuqua)  Baker.  The  father  was  born  in  Tennessee  October  9,  1812,  and  was 
married  in  1831.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  held  the  office  of  magistrate  for 
twenty-seven  years.  Since  1883  he  and  wife  have  made  their  home  with  our  subject,  Dr. 
R.  H.  Baker,  who  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  a farm.  He  attended  the  common  schools 
and  completed  his  education  at  the  Nashville  University,  and  afterward  entered  the 
medical  department  of  that  institution  and  graduated  in  1873.  He  located  at  Cherry 
Valley,  where  he  remained  two  years,  but  since  his  marriage  has  lived  in  Watertown, 
with  the  exception  of  a short  time  spent  at  a Medical  College  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
where  he  took  a course  in  homoeopathy.  He  has  had  good  success  as  a physician,  and  is 
a member  of  the  Philadelphos  Society,  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  an  institution  for  the  mutual 
advancement  of  students  and  professors.  He  owns  100  acres  of  land  which  he  manages 
in  connection  with  his  practice.  The  Doctor  is  conservative  in  politics.  For  some  time  he 
was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  I.  O.  O.  F.,  being  a Master  Mason  in  the 
former,  but  since  joining  the  Christian  Church  he  has  ceased  to  be  an  active  worker  in 
either  order. 

CAPT-  WADE  BAKER,  a successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  Smith 
Count}*,  Tenn.,  January  30,  1824,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  two  children  born  to  John  E. 
and  Elizabeth  (Benshy)  Baker.  The  father  was  of  German  lineage  and  a native  of  Vir- 
ginia. bom  January  S,  1781.  He  was  a farmer  and  stock  raiser  by  occupation.  He  was 
in  the  war  of  1812  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  January  8,  1822,  he 
was  married.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  October  23,  1866,  he  owned  a 
considerable  amount  of  property,  both  personal  and  real.  The  mother  was  horn  Febru- 
ary 2,  1804,  in  Smith  County,  and  died  September  9,  1829.  Our  subject  was  reared  in 
Wilson  County  and  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools.  In  1800  he  commenced 
farming  for  himself,  and  in  the  space  of  ten  years  had  accumulated  a considerable 
amount  of  property.  During  the  late  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  service,  and  in 
1861  was  made  captain  of  Companj*  F,  Twenty-eighth  Tennessee.  He  was  in  the  battles 
of  Fishing  Creek  and  Shiloh.  August  19,  1862,  he  returned  home  and  married  Mary  E. 
Hudleston.  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  March  27.  1843,  and  the  daughter  of  William  W. 
and  Mary  Hudleston.  Capt.  Baker  continued  to  till  the  soil  and  iu  1870  he  engaged  in 
merchandising  in  connection  with  farming,  which  he  continued  for  eight  years.  He  theu 
retired  to  his  farm  where  he  now  lives,  enjoying  good  health,  with  his  wife  and  three 
children,  named  Lee,  John  E.  and  Wade.  The  Captain  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of 
the  Christian  Church.  He  has  been  postmaster  at  Rural  Hill  for  ten  years.  Mrs.  Baker  is 
a worthy  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1079 


CAPT.  WILLIAM  P.  BANDY,  sheriff  and  native  of  Wilson  County,  Teun.,  was  born 
on  the  4th  of  July,  1823.  one  of  five  children  of  Epperson  and  Harriet  (Pierce)  Bandy,  of 
German  and  French  origin,  born  in  1794  and  1804,  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  respectively. 
The  father  was  a farmer,  and  in  1800  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  pareuts  and  became  the 
owner  of  300  acres  of  land.  He  was  twice  married,  his  second  wife  being  Betsy  (Dcutou) 
Walker.  He  died  in  1863  and  the  mother  in  1831.  Our  subject  attended  the  county 
schools,  and  June  11,  1850,  was  married  to  Lucinda  Lane,  daughter  of  Bennett  Lane. 
She  was  born  in  1830  and  became  the  mother  of  these  children:  Mildred  C..  wife  of  George 
W.  Lanius,  and  Harriet,  wife  of  James  Boss.  Mr.  Bandy  moved  to  Arkansas  in  1855,  and 
there  his  wife  died  in  1857.  He  then  returned  home.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  Iv. 
Eighteenth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  being  first  lieutenant,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of 
-captain.  He  was  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war  and  was  wounded  at  Mur- 
freesboro and  Chickamauga,  but  not  seriously.  He  was  captured  at  the  fall  of  Fort 
Donelson  and  sent  to  Camp  Chase,  Ohio.  He  returned  home  in  May,  1865.  He  served 
as  deputy  sheriff  from  1865  to  1872,  and  in  1876  was  chosen  sheriff,  serving  as  such  six 
years,  and  the  following  year  was  deputy.  Since  1884  he  has  held  the  office  and  is  a 
■candidate  for  re-election.  In  1871  he  wedded  Mrs.  Virginia  (Holmes)  Brown,  born  in  New 
Y~ork  In  1840.  They  have  three  children  living:  Sallie  L.,  Edward  P.  and  Henry  J. 
Capt.  Bandy  came  to  Lebanon  in  1880.  He  owns  183  acres  of  the  old  home  place.  He 
belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
.Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JONATHAN  BANDY,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  the  Fourth  District,  Wil- 
son County,  was  born  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  February  20,  1829,  and  is  one  of  five 
children  born  to  Epperson  and  Harriet  Bandy.  (See  sketch  of  W.  P.  Bandy).  Our  sub- 
ject‘remained  at  home  until  he  was  twTenty-five  years  of  age,  receiving  his  education  in 
the  schools  of  the  county.  In  1815  he  wedded  S.  M.  Ross,  a native  of  Wilson  County, 
Tenn.,  born  November  12,  1842,  and  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Susan  Ross.  To  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Bandy  were  born  four  children:  Corrie  E.,  Pierce  J.,  Sudie  S.  and  Maxie  R. 
In  1854  he  bought  land  in  Wilson  Count}*  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  has 
added  to  his  land  from  time  to  time  till  at  the  present  he  has  450  acres.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

DANIEL  J.  BARTON,  trustee  of  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  is  a native  of  this  count}*, 
born  February  6.  1842.  son  of  Gabriel  and  Jane  (Johnson)  Barton.  The  father  was  of 
Irish  birth,  born  in  Nashville.  Tenn.,  April  4,  1794,  and  followed  the  occupation  of 
farming.  His  father,  Samuel  Barton,  was  a native  Virginian,  and  came  to  Nashville 
when  there  were  but  four  families  residing  in  the  place,  and  when  it  was  necessary  to 
take  every  precaution  to  guard  against  the  Indians.  Gabriel  Barton  was  the  possessor  of 
333  acres  of  land  at  the  time  of  his  death.  June  5,  1862.  The  mother  died  in  1857.  Our 
subject  was  educated  in  the  country  schools,  and  in  July.  1861,  enlisted  in  Company  K, 
Twenty-fourth  Regiment,  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  an  active  participant  in 
the  battles  of  Perry  ville,  Murfreesboro  and  Chickamauga,  where  be  was  severely  wounded 
in  the  right  arm  from  the  explosion  of  a shell,  the  limb  having  to  he  amputated.  He  theu 
remained  in  the  commissary  department  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned 
home  and  attended  school  at  Taylorsville  two  years,  and  in  1868  began  farming.  In  1874 
Mr.  Barton  was  appointed  revenue  collector  for  Wilson  County  for  two  years,  and  after 
farming  until  1883  was  elected  bounty  trustee,  and  now  holds  the  office.  December  14. 
1882,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Eudora.  daughter  of  Robert  C.  and  Anna  B.  Seobey. 
Mrs.  Barton  was  born  September  21,  1857,  in  Wilson  County,  and  she  and  Mr.  Barton  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  P.  BASHAW,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  horn  December  7.  1842, 
in  Wilson  County,  Tenn,,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  five  children  born  to  J.  W.  and  Char- 
lotte (Cherry)  Bashaw.  The  father  was  born  May  6.  1804,  in  Davidson  County.  Tenn.. 
and  was  of  French  descent.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  December  5,  1833.  he 
married  and  moved  to  Wilson  County.  Tenn..  where  he  carried  on  stock  raising  in  cou- 


10S0 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


iiection  with  fanning.  He  died  November  6,  1884.  The  mother  was  born  September  24. 
1816.  and  died  August  30,  1844.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  the 
Twenty-fifth  District,  receiving  his  education  in  the  country  schools  and  at  Washington 
and  Lee  Universities.  November  10,  1S70,  Salura  Cook  became  his  wife.  She  was  born 
March  19.  1851,  and  is  a daughter  of  Dr.  L.  M.  N.  Cook.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bashaw  were- 
born  four  children:  Kate  E.,  Pierce,  Eulixis  and  James  B.  Mr.  Bashaw  holds  to  the 
principles  of  Democracy,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church. 

. REV.  RICHARD  BEARD,  D.  D.  (deceased),  was  born  November  27,  1790,  in  Sum- 
ner Count}',  Tenn.,  and  died  December  2,  1880,  at  Lebanon,  this  State.  On  March  10, 
1819,  he  joined  the  Nashville  Presbytery  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  was 
licensed  to  preach  October  12,  1820,  and  July  29,  1822,  was  ordained.  He  attended  Cum- 
berland College  at  Princeton.  Ky.,  from  which  he  graduated  in  September,  1832,  and  the 
day  following  this  event  was  made  professor  of  ancient  languages  in  that  institution,  a 
position  he  retained  six  years.  In  the  summer  of  1838  he  was  elected  to  the  professorship 
of  languages  in  Sharon  College,  Mississippi,  entering  upon  the  duties  of  that  position  the 
succeeding  fall.  In  September.  1843,  he  was  made  president  of  Cumberland  College, 
Kentucky,  and  in  the  spring  of  1853  was  made  professor  of  systematic  theology  in  Cum- 
berland University,  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  He  moved  to  Lebanon,  and  in  March,  1854, 
assumed  the  position  to  which  he  had  been  elected,  and  so  continued  until  his  demise. 
Dr.  Beard  was  a man  of  keen  intellect,  extended  information,  an  able  instructor,  an  ex- 
cellent counselor  and  zealous  Christian.  He  wedded  Miss  Cynthia  E.  Castleman,  in 
Davidson  Count}',  Tenn.,  January  21,  1834.  Mis.  Beard  was  born  November  22,  1804,  in 
the  county  where  she  was  married,  and  died  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  May  27,  1886. 

HON.  E.  E.  BEARD,  a son  of  Rev.  Richard  Beard,  D.  D.,  and  Cynthia  E.  Beard  was 
born  at  Princeton,  Caldwell  Co.,  Ky.,  August  27,  1850.  His  father  removed  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  in  1854,  w'here  Mr.  Beard  has  resided  since  that  time.  He  gradu- 
ated in  the  academic  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  in  1870,  and  in  the  law 
department  in  1871.  He  has  practiced  law  at  Lebanon  since  his  graduation  and  is  now  a 
member  of  the  firm  of  "Williamson  & Beard.  In  December,  1877,  lie  was  elected  mayor 
of  Lebanon  and  re-elected  in  1878  and  1879.  In  the  year  1881  Lebanon  became  a taxing 
district  of  the  second  class  and  Mr.  Beard  has  held  the  position  of  treasurer  of  the  board 
of  commissioners  since  that  date.  Iu  January,  1879,  Mr.  Beard  was  elected  treasurer  of  the 
trustees  of  the  Cumberland  University  and  now  holds  that  position.  In  January,  1SS5,  he 
was  elected  to  represent  Wilson  County  in  the  lower  house  of  the  Tennessee  Legislature, 
filling  a vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  John  C.  Forr.  On  the  12th  of  October, 
1876,  Mr.  Beard  married  Miss  Sarah  Livingston,  of  Davidson  County,  Tenn. 

MAJ.  ROBERT  BELL,  one  of  the  old  citizens  and  farmers  of  the  Twenty-third  Dis- 
trict, was  born  in  1805  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Mary 
(Dean)  Bell.  The  father  was  born  in  1777,  in  North  Carolina,  and  in  1783  came  with  his- 
parents  to  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  but  afterward  moved  to  Davidson  County.  His  father, 
Robert  Be!?,  our  subject’s  grandfather,  was  the  father  of  nineteen  children,  eighteen 
of  whom  lived  to  be  grown.  He  was  a captain  iu  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  died  in 
1816  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  Iu  1819  James  Bell  came  to  Wilson  County  and 
bought  515  acres  in  the  Twenty-thirfl  District,  settled  and  remained  here  until  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1823.  The  mother  was  born  in  1777,  in  Virginia,  aud  died  in  1829.  They 
had  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  now-  living.  Our  subject  received  his  education 
mostly  outside  of  the  school  room.  During  his  boyhood  days  and  youth  the  schools  were 
few  and  far  between,  aud  educational  advantages  were  very  poor.  After  the  death  of  his 
father,  Ro!>ert  being  the  eldest  child,  the  responsibility  of  the  family  fell  largely  upon  his 
shoulders.  January  21,  1830,  he  married  Polly  Hooker,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born 
in  1811,  and  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  Hooker.  To  them  was  born  one  child,  Erastus  P.( 
who  resides  in  Rutherford  County.  Mrs.  Bell  died  June  3,  1841,  and  the  following  year 
he  married  Sarah  A.  Furgason,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  iu  1818,  and  by  her  became  the- 


‘ 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


10S1 


father  of  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  living:  Jane  M..  wife  of  James  A.  Neal,  who  lives 
in  Lebanon;  Samuel  S.,  Byron,  George  F.  and  Willie  S..  wife  of  A.  D.  Peyton.  Maj. 
Bell  is  now  living  on  the  old  homestead  and  is  esteemed  as  an  honest  and  upright  citizen. 
In  politics  he  was  formerly  a Whig,  casting  his  first  vote  for  Andrew  Jackson.  February, 
1S7G,  he  lost  his  wife,  and  since  then  his  son,  G.  F.,  has  been  living  with  him.  Maj.  Bel! 
is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  has  led  a conscientious 
Christian  life  for  the  past  forty-seven  years. 

W.  H.  BROWN  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  December  IS,  1837,  and  is  one  of  seven 
children  of  Samuel  and  Lucy  (Chandler)  Brown,  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  in 
1800  and  1804.  and  died  in  1852  and  1872,  respectively.  The  father  was  a saddler  by  trade 
and  after  coming  to  Tennessee  always  made  Lebanon  his  home.  Our  subject  was  educated 
in  the  academies  of  Lebanon,  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  began  clerking  for  A.  R.  Davis, 
for  whom  he  worked  ten  years.  February  2,  18G0,  he  wedded  Mattie  C.  Davis,  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Davis.  Mrs.  Brown  was  born  September  18,  1834,  and  to  her  and 
husband  were  born  seven  children:  Dixon  Lee,  Frank  William.  Mary,  Robert  Samuel. 
Jordan  Harry, Charlie  Brittin  and  Fannie.  In  1865  Mr.  Brown  established  a dry  goods 
store  in  Lebanon  with  a capital  of  $1,195,  $1,000  of  which  was  borrowed.  In  1876  he 
added  ready-made  clothing  to  his  stock,  continuing  until  January  1,  1885,  when  he  sold 
his  stock  to  his  son,  Dixon  Lee.  In  1874  Mr.  Brown  succeeded  in  organizing  the  Spring- 
field  National  Bank,  and  was  appointed  cashier,  but  resigned  at  the  end  of  six  months  as 
he  did  not  wish  to  leave  his  old  native  town  and  county.  In  1881  he  organized  the  Peo- 
ples Bank,  of  Lebanon,  a private  bank,  with  a capital  of  $25,000,  and  was  appointed 
cashier.  This  bank  paid  to  its  stockholders  13  per  cent  the  first  Year.  January  1.  1883, 
the  capital  stock  of  the  bank  was  increased  to  $40,000.  In  June,  1884,  Mr.  Brown  and  his 
■stockholders  bought  out  the  Second  National  Bank,  of  Lebanon,  a bank  organized  in  1872, 
with  a capital  of  $50,000.  June  9.  1884,  the  People’s  Bank  of  Lebanon  was  consolidated 
with  the  Second  National  Bank,  and  the  capital  was  increased  to  $70,000.  In  the  reorganiza- 
tion Selden  R.  Williams  was  elected  president,  successor  to  James  Hamilton,  and  W.  H. 
Brown  was  appointed  cashier,  successor  to  T.  J.  Stratton.  Mr.  Brown  owns  $23,000  stock 
in  the  bank,  two  business  houses  in  Lebanon,  seven  houses  and  lots,  a small  farm,  and 
has  a herd  of  pure  bred  Short-horn  cattle.  He  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  i<  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  in  Lodge  No.  98,  of  Lebanon.  He  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church. 

T.  B.  BROWN,  farmer  and  proprietor  of  a saw-mill,  was  born  in  Page  County.  Va.. 
March  31,  1844.  He  is  one  of  .six  chidren  born  to  Isaac  and  Rachel  A.  (Wood)  Brown. 
The  father  was  of  German-Irish  lineage  and  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1819.  He  wa>  a 
cooper  by  trade  and  this  occupation  he  followed  the  principal  part  of  his  life.  He  died 
in  1885.  The  mother  was  also  of  German-Irish  lineage  and  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1821, 
and  is  at  present  living  in  De  Kalb  County.  Tenn.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  assisted  at 
home  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  receiving  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the 
county-  In  July,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B.  Fifth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  Volunteers. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Stone  River,  Missionary  Ridge,  Nashville  and 
many  other  minor  engagements.  He  remained  in  the  field  until  the  close  of  the  war.  when 
he  returned  home.  In  1867  he  wedded  Cauras,  daughter  of  Howard  aud  Pattie  Compton. 
Mrs.  Browrl  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1846.  In  1869  Mr.  Brown  married  Annie,  daugh- 
ter of  Isaac  and  Sarah  Smith.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  four  children:  Cau- 
dis.  Sally,  Lulecta  and  Daisy.  In  1871  Mr.  Brown  bought  four  town  lots  in  Alexandria. 
Tenn.,  and  the  year  previous  had  purchased  the  saw  mill  which  hei.>  at  present  operating 
and  has  operated  successfully  for  the  past  sixteen  years.  In  1876  he  purchased  155  acres 
of  land  in  Wilson  County  and  began  tilling  the  soil.  lie  is  now  the  owner  of  over  300 
acres  of  land  and  in  connection  with  his  farming  carries  on  the  saw-milling  business,  lie 
has  been  quite  successful  in  life.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics  and  ? worthy  member 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  W.  BRYAN,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  Wilson  Count}*,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Halt- 


10S2 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


fax  County,  Va..  March  7,  1822,  and  is  one  of  a family  01  ten  children  of  Richard  and 
Mary  (Brown)  Bryan.  The  father  was  a native  of  the  “Old  Dominion,”  born  in  1792, 
and  was  married  about  1818,  aud  came  to  Tennessee  in  1826.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  war 
of  1812  and  died  June  30,  1S55.  The  mother  was  born  in'  the  same  State  as  her  husband 
in  1800,  and  died  March  27,  1884.  Our  subject's  early  educational  advantages  were  limit- 
ed. July  15,  1849,  he  wedded  Unity,  daughter  of  John  H.  and  Elizabeth  Bryant.  She  was 
born  in  May,  1821,  and  died  December  15,  1855,  leaving  three  children,  one  now  living. 
Samuel  H.  In  1846  Mr.  Bryan  became  a soldier  in  the  Mexicau  war,  enlisting  in  Com- 
pany B,  First  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was  under  Gen.  Scott  in  the  bombardment  of  Vera 
Cruz  for  twenty-six  days.  He  returned  home  in  184?  and  resumed  tilling  his  farm  of  120 
acres,  which  he  had  purchased  in  1845.  April  29,  1856,  he  married  Margaret  C.,  daughter 
of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Carr)  Turner.  Mrs.  Bryan  was  born  in  Sumner  County,  No- 
vember 8,  1838.  The}'  have  eight  children:  Sarah  A.,  Tennessee,  Mary,  Alice,  Thomas 
M.,  Hugh  B.,  Ervin  aud  Zula.  To  his  first  purchase  of  land  he  has  added  to  until  he 
at  one  time  owned  TOO  acres,  but  now  owns  about  530  acres  of  valuable  farming  laud.  He 
has  been  exceptionally  prosperous  and  has  given  his  children  good  educations,  and  is 
himself  well  posted  on  all  the  topics  of  the  day.  He  is  a Democrat  and  cast  his  first  pres- 
idential vote  for  Henry  Clay.  He  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

PROF.  E.  S.  BRYAN  is  a redden t and  native  of  Wilson  County,  Tenn..  and  was 
born  October  13,  1856.  He  is  the  second  son  of  six  children  of  Algernon  and  Elizabeth 
C.  (Phillips)  Bryan.  The  father  was  a physician,  born  in  1822.  He  purchased  177  acres 
of  land  in  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  and  there  remained  until  his  career  ended.  He  was  ed- 
ucated in  the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute,  at  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  and  at  the  University  of 
Nashville,  graduating  from  both  institutions.  He  was  a successful  physician  and  died  in 
August,  1884.  The  mother  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1830,  and  like  her  hus- 
band was  of  Irish  descent;  she  died  July  18,  1881.  Our  subject,  after  attending  the  com- 
mon schools,  became  a student  in  the  Big  Spring  Seminary,  and  Cumberland  University. 
In  1880  he  became  a student  in  the  Commercial  College,  at  Nashville,  and  graduated  in 
November  of  the  same  year.  In  1881  he  became  book-keeper  for  a Nashville  firm,  but 
at  the  end  of  six  months  returned  home.  He  was  an  instructor  of  the  young  about 
five  years,  the  last  two  and  a half  years  in  Santa  Fe,  Tenn.,  and  was  a good  educator  and 
disciplinarian.  After  serving  as  book-keeper  for  J.  T.  McClain  tfc  Co.,  he  went  to  Louisville, 
Ky.,  and  attended  a business  college,  devoting  the  most  of  his  time  to  penmanship,  after 
which  he.  taught  in  Santa  Fe.  as  above  stated.  Prof.  Bryan  is  a Democrat  and  cast  his 
first  presidential  vote  for  Hancock.  In  1879  he  was  deputy  postmaster  of  Lebanon.  He 
is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  K.  of  P.,  and  belongs  to  the  United  Brethren 
Church. 

P.  B.  CALHOUN  was  born  on  the  12th  of  December,  1819,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.. 
son  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Johnson)  Calhoun.  The  father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  origin,  born 
in  North  Carolina  in  1782,  and  came  to  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  in  1801.  He  was  married 
in  1809  and  died  in  1855.  The  mother  w'as  also  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1784  and  died 
in  1850.  Our  subject  spent  about  one  year  and  a half  in  Clinton  College,  Smith  County, 
aud  afterward  entered  as  sophomore  at  Miami  College,  Oxford,  Ohio,  graduating  in  1841. 
In  1855  he  wits  united  in  marriage  to  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Dr.  and  Sarah  Jennings  and 
two  children  were  born  to  their  union,  named  Mary  (wife  of  John  Lamb),  and  P.  J.  Mrs. 
Calhoun  lived  but  three  years  after  her  marriage.  In  1864  Mr.  Calhoun  married  the 
widow  of  Thomas  Johnson,  who  has  borne  him  the  following  family:  Mattie  S.,  Ewing 
G.,  Lilia  M.,  Thomas  Wayne  and  Corrie  M.  Mr.  Calhoun  was  a resident  of  Columbus. 
Miss.,  a number  of  years  and  was  clerk  of  the  circuit  and  county  courts  for  three  years. 
In  1850  he  went  to  Texas  and  there  taught  school  three  years,  and  was  engaged  in  the 
land  business  five  years.  He  then  returned  home  and  remained  until  the  war,  when  he 
was  made  commissary  agent  of  the  Confederate  States  and  remained  in  Georgia  until  the 
close  of  the  war,  Mr.  Calhoun  is  a distant  relation  of  John  C.  Calhoun.  While  in  Texas 
he  owned  8,000  acres  of  land,  but  suffered  severe  losses  during  the  war.  lie  now  owns  a 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1083 


good  home,  aud  is  a Democrat  and  Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church. 

JOSEPH  CAMPER,  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  October  31,  1812,  in  Bote- 
tourt County.  Ya.,  and  is  a son  of  John  and  Sailie  (Level)  Camper.  The  father  was  born 
in  1782  in  Virginia  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  He  died  in  Missouri  in  183S.  The 
mother  w'as  born  in  1778  in  Pennsylvania  aud  died  in  Teunessee  in  1838.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  country  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  began  tilling 
the  soil  for  himself.  In  1840  he  was  licensed  to  preach  by  the  quarterly  conference  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  continued  to  travel  and  preach  for  four  years.  May  30, 
1844,  he  married  Elizabeth  A.  (Brewer)  Camper.  She  was  born  February  15,  1826,  in  Ten- 
nessee, and  is  the  daughter  of  M.  and  S.  Brewer.  After  marriage  he  settled  in  the 
Twenty- second  District  of  Wilson  County  on  260  acres,  where  he  now  lives.  He  is  the 
father  of  three  children:  Mary  J.,  S.  E.  and  Willie  Lee.  He  is  a Democrat,  a Mason,  and 
he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  was  elected  president 
of  the  Teunessee  Annual  Conference  aud  has  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  his  fellow-men. 

HON.  ROBERT  CANTRELL,  judge  of  the  Seventh  Judicial  Circuit,  is  a native  of 
Warren  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  a son  of  Isaac  and  Nancy  (Adcock)  Cantrell.  The  parents 
were  of  English  lineage,  born  in  South  Carolina  in  17S4  and  1790,  and  died  in  1840  and 
1872,  respectively.  He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Bettie  Cantrell.  He  was 
the  father  of  eleven  children,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1816.  Robert  Cantrell,  the  seventh 
son,  was  educated  in  the  pioneer  schoolhouse  and  in  the  Fulton  Literary  Academy  at 
Smithville,  Tenn.  After  his  father’s  death  Robert  looked  after  the  interests  of  the  farm 
and  cared  for  his  mother.  December  23,  1846,  he  and  Martha  Magness  were  married. 
She  is  a daughter  of  Perry  and  Mary  Magness,  and  was  born  December  15,  1831.  They 
have  eight  children  living:  Mary  J.,  Kate,  Harriet  P.,  William  M.,  Robert,  Bailey,  Min- 
nie and  Mattie.  He  worked  on  a farm  until  twenty-one  years  old,  for  some  time  as  clerk 
in  a store  and  afterward  became  interested  in  the  dry  goods  business.  About  1848  he 
abandoned  this  and  began  studying  law.  February  9,  1849,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  Wilson  County.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany F,  Twenty-third  Regiment  Infantry,  and  was  chosen  captain  of  his  company,  and 
was  afterward  elected  lieutenant-colonel  and  in  1862  was  tendered  the  position  of  colonel, 
and  was  assured  he  would  have  no  opposition  in  case  he  became  a candidate,  but  declined 
on  account  of  ill  health.  He  assisted  in  collecting  stores  for  the  quartermaster  and 
commissar}*  departments.  He  was  captured  by  a scouting  party  in  1863,  but  was  soon 
after  paroled.  Since  the  war  he  has  been  a resident  of  Lebanon.  In  1858  lie  was 
elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature  and  in  1860  was  nominated  for 
the  Legislature  again,  but  having  no  desire  to  enter  into  politics  declined  the  race. 
In  1878  he  was  elected  to  his  present  position.  He  is  a prominent  and  popular  judge 
aud  to-day  stands  at  the  head  of  his  profession.  He  is  a Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a zealous  temperance  worker 
aud  has  been  ever  since  1848,  aud  says  he  will  continue  the  war  on  whisky  as  long  as  it 
continues  to  produce  crime,  causes  murders,  makes  w idows  and  orphans,  fills  jails  and 
alms  houses  and  causes  our  helpless  women  and  children  to  cry  for  help  as  against  their 
oppressors— men  who  ought  to  aid  as  husband,  parent  and  friend. 

JOHN  I).  CARSON  is  oner  of  seven  children  of  James  and  Lucinda  (Dalton)  Carson, 
and  was  born  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  in  1S26.  James  Carson  was  of  Irish  descent  aud 
a North  Caroliniau  by  birth.  He  was  brought  to  Tennessee  by  his  parents  when  an  in- 
fant and  wras  a resident  of  Sumner  County  at  the  time  of  his  marriage.  He  came  t<>  Wil- 
son County  in  1833  and  became  the  possessor  of  230  acres  near  Lebanon.  He  died  in  1875. 
The  mother  was  born  in  Virginia  and  died  in  1832  Our  subject  made  his  borne  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-six  years  old  aud  February  4,  1852,  wras  united  in  marriage  to  Nancy 
C.  Johnson,  born  in  1835,  daughter  of  John  anil  Elizabeth  Johnson.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Carson  were  born  the  following  children:  Cornelia  (wife  of  R.  M.  Williams),  Alice,  Kit. 
Bell,  Laura  (wife  of  William  King),  Ida,  Dora  and  Walter.  Mr.  Carson  possesses  377 


1084 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


acres  of  land  in  Wilson  County.  In  1844  he  had  a stroke  of  paralysis,  which  has  unfitted 
him  for  manual  labor,  and  although  in  good  health  is  obliged  to  walk  with  the  aid  of 
canes.  He  takes  but  little  interest  in  politics  and  has  not  voted  for  a presidential  candi- 
date since  1S60.  Both  husband  and  wife  belong  to  the  Christian  Church. 

MAJ.  SAMUEL  A.  CARTER  (deceased)  was  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of 
Lebanon,  Tenn.  He  was  born  February  29.  1832,  in  Wilson  County,  being  one  of  eight 
children  of  William  W.  and  Isabella  (Roane)  Carter.  Maj.  William  W.  Carter  was  born 
in  Culpepper  County,  Ya.,  in  1798,  and  when  quite  young  moved  with  his  parents  to  Ken- 
tucky, and  at  a later  period  moved  to  Tennessee,  where  he  engaged  in  various  pursuits, 
dealing  extensively  in  tobacco,  built  and  owned  two  large  flouring-mills:  one  at  Lebanon, 
Wilson  County,  and  the  other  in  the  city  of  Nashville.  He  also  dealt  extensively  in  real 
estate,  owning  some  of  the  largest  and  best  farms  in  the  county;  notably  the  celebrated 
Big  Springs  farm,  containing  1,000  acres,  lying  seven  miles  east  of  Lebanon,  and  what  is 
now  known  as  the  Grigby  farm,  containing  1,000  acres,  three  miles  from  Lebanon.  Mr. 
Carter  was  noted  for  his  honest}'  and  fairness  in  all  his  dealings,  and  his  word  was  always 
considered  as  good  as  his  bond,  and  with  his  great  energy  and  good  financiering  he  accu- 
mulated a handsome  fortune.  He  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church 
for  a number  of  years,  and  died  at  his  home  near  Lebanon  in  1877  at  the  ripe  old  age  of 
seventy-nine.  Isabella  (Roane)  Carter,  mother  of  our  subject,  was  of  a distinguished 
family  of  this  State.  Two  of  her  brothers,  Samuel  and  John  Roane,  were  governors  of 
Arkansas.  She  was  also  a niece  of  Gov.  Roane,  of  Tennessee.  She  died  at  the  old  home- 
stead near  Lebanon  in  1883.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Lebanon,  and 
July  4,  1876,  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  -Jackson,  daughter  of  Thomas  R.  and  Elizabeth 
Jackson,  who  were  born  in  1804  and  1814  in  North  Carolina  and  Missouri  respectively. 
Mr.  Jackson  died  May  6,  18S3.  Mrs.  Carter  was  born  March  22,  1853.  She  and  husband 
became  the  parents  of  four  children:  Estelle,  Willie  W.,  Inez  and  Sammie.  Maj.  Carter 
lived  all  his  life  in  and  around  Lebanon,  and  was  closely  connected  with  some  of  the 
town’s  principal  business  interests  for  years,  and  by  his  industry  and  fine  business  capacity 
acquired  a considerable  estate,  and  at  his  death  was  a large  stockholder  in  the  Second 
National  Bank  of  Lebanon.  In  1858  he  and  J.  A.  Lester  established  a family  grocery, 
which  they  conducted  three  years.  He  was  also  a member  of  the  tobacco  firm  of  Carter 
& Lester.  In  1S61  Maj.  Carter  enlisted  a large  company  of  volunteers  in  Wilson  County 
for  the  Confederate  Army,  and  was  elected  their  captain,  and  when  the  Forty-fifth  Ten- 
nessee Regiment  was  organized  he  was  elected  major  of  the  regiment.  After  his  father’s 
death  he  settled  on  his  farm  of  220  acres  near  Lebanon,  and  there  died  March  27,  1884. 
His  widow*  and  her  mother  have  since  lived  on  the  home  farm.  Maj.  Carter  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  as  is  his  w ife. 

JOHN  L.  CASTLEMAN,  farmer,  was  born  January  15,  1838,  near  his  present  home. 
He  is  the  son  of  Robert  and  Artimenta  (Reed)  Castleman.  The  father  is  of  Welsh  descent, 
born  1814  in  Wilson  County,  and  w’as  a tiller  of  the  soil.  His  father,  Jacob  Castleman, 
was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Wilson  Couuty.  Tenn.,  about  1800.  He  was 
a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  Robert  lived  in  his  native  county  at  the  time  of  his  marriage, 
which  occurred  in  1834.  He  settled  five  miles  from  Lebanon  on  the  Murfreesboro  Pike  and 
bought  150  acres,  and  here  he  has  since  resided.  He  is  one  of  Wilson  County’s  old  citi- 
zens. He  believed  that  a rolling  stone  gathers  no  moss,  as  he  has  never  lived  more  than 
one  mile  from  his  birth-place,  and*  never  been  farther  than  Nashville  from  home.  The 
mother  was  born  1810  in  Wilson  County,  and  died  September  2,  1885.  They  had  three 
children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  county  schools 
of  his  native  county,  and  iu  addition  he  attended  the  Cumberland  University  of  Lebanon 
for  one  year.  In  1859  he  wedded  Sarah  J.  Holloway,  daughter  of  Ezekiel  Holloway. 
Mrs.  Castleman  was  born  1837  in  Wilson  County,  and  by  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Castleman 
became  the  mother  of  three  children:  Jef  L.,  Edward  and  Val.  Mr.  Castleman  bought 
140  acres  near  his  old  home  place,  where  he  has  since  resided.  The  Castleman  family  do 
not  possess  the  disposition  to  be  dissatisfied.  They  are  content  to  live  in  Wilson  County. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1035 


In  politics  our  subject  is  a Democrat.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  First  Tennessee 
Regiment,  but  was  soon  changed  to  the  Thirty-eighth  Tennessee.  He  took  an  active 
part  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Murfreesboro,  Corinth,  and  numerous  minor  engagements. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
■Church. 

J.  P.  CAWTHON  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  September  27* 
1817,  and  is  one  of  three  children  of  Thomas  F.  and  Susan  (Daniel)  Cawthon.  The 
father  was  born  in  Prince  Edward’s  County,  Ya.,  August  31, 179*2,  and  came  to  Tennessee 
in  1808.  He  was  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  died  in  June,  1873.  The  mother  was  born 
in  1794,  and  died  iu  March,  1874.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  the  Twenty-fifth  District  of 
Wilson  County,  and  obtained  his  education  in  the  country  schools.  After  attaining  his 
majority  he  began  learning  the  saddlery  business,  which  he  mastered  in  four  years’  time. 
December  3,  1840,  he  was  united  iu  matrimony  to  Ann  (Robbins)  Cawthon,  who  was  born 
March  15.  1827,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Ruth  Robbins.  Mr.  Cawthon  resided  for  some 
time  at  Mount  Juliet,  Tenn.,  and  in  1850  purchased  100  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  since 
increased  to  220  acres.  Since  1857  he  has  held  the  office  of  squire  and  has  given  good  sat- 
isfaction. Mr.  Cawthon  has  eight  children:  Lunsford  Polk,  Allie,  William  H.,  Sue  W., 
James  Edward,  Thomas  Preston,  Mary  A.  and  Emma  Lee.  Mr.  Cawthon  supports  Dem- 
ocratic principles,  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church. 

J.  I).  CHAMBERS,  an  enterprising  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1S44,  and  is  a son  of  John  and  Edna  (Johnson)  Chambers.  The  father  was  of 
Scotch  Irish  descent,  and  was  born  in  V/iison  County,  Tenn.,  m 1806,  and  followed  agri- 
cultural pursuits  the  principal  part  of  his  life.  He  never  left  his  native  county,  and  died 
there  in  1865.  The  mother  was  of  Scotch-Irisli  extraction,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in 
1812,  and  died  iu  Wilson  County,  of  that  State,  in  1878.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was 
reared  at  home,  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  count}'.  After  the  death 
of  his  father  he  took  charge  of  the  estate  which  he  superintended,  with  the  assistance  of 
his  brothers,  for  about  ten  years.  In  1874  be  was  married  to  Woody,  daughter  of  John 
and  Mary  Miller.  Mrs.  Chambers  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  December  19. 1849. 
In  1867  he  bought  forly-five  acres  of  land  iu  Wilson  County,  where  he  commenced  farm- 
ing on  his  own  responsibility,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  243  acres  of  land,  all  lying  in  Wil- 
son County,  Tenn.,  where  he  is  at  present  living.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

H.  A.  CHAMBERS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  December  23,  1841, 
and  is  a son  of  John  and  Edna  (Johnson)  Chambers  (for  sketch  of  parents  see  biography 
of  J.  D.  Chambers).  Our  subject  assisted  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  the  farm  and  at- 
tended the  county  schools.  September  18,  1861.  he  enlisted  in  Company  E,  Twenty- 
eighth  Tennessee  Infantry.  Confederate  States  Army,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  bat- 
tles of  Shiloh,  Chickamauga  and  many  other  minor  engagements.  At  the  close  of  the 
war  he  returned  home,  and  in  1866  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Marcia  Holman,  a native 
< £ Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  born  August  20,  1844,  a daughter  of  William  S.  and  Sophia  A. 
Holman.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight  children:  Lelia,  Eugene,  Pearl.  Hor- 
tense,  Daisy,  Sophia,  Pauline  and  Bessie.  In  1867  he  purchased  165  acres  of  land  in  Wil- 
son County,  where  he  engaged  iu  agricultural  pursuits.  He  now  possesses  and  controls 
about  400  acres  of  land  in  the  Fifth  District.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  aud  a member 
of  the  Christian  Church. 

D;  D.  CLAYTON,  an  energetic  farmer  of  Wilson  County,  was  born  iu  Macon  Coun- 
ty. Tenn.,  in  1827,  and  is  one  of  five  children  born  to  John  and  Phoeebe  (Hogg)  Clayton. 
The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  a tiller  of  the  soil;  he  died  in  1830.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Tennessee  and  died  in  Wilson  County  July  8,  1848.  Our  subject 
passed  his  early  life  on  the  farm,  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  county. 
In  1866  he  was  married  to  Ann  E.  .daughter  of  A.  and  E.  Kirkpatrick.  Mrs.  Clayton  was 
born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1831,  and  the  fruit  of  her  union  with  Mr.  Clayton  was 


60 


1086 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


one  child — Alexander  A.  Mr.  Clayton  is  a man  of  energy  and  perseverance,  and  is  quite 
a successful  farmer.  He  is  the  present  owner  of  100  acres  of  land  lying  in  the  Fourth 
District,  where  he  is  at  present  living.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

LEMUEL  X.  M.  COOK.  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  August  15.  1815, 
and  is  a son  of  Green  and  Mary  A.  (Nicholson)  Cook,  North  Carolinians,  born  in  1788  and 
1787,  and  died  in  1875  and  1S53,  respectively.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  was  married  in  1814.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  Our  subject  attended  the 
common  schools,  and  his  medical  education  was  obtained  in  the  Medical  College  of  Lou- 
isville, Ky.,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1838.  He  was  married,  April  10,  1845, 
to  Alvira  Lassiter,  daughter  of  Enos  Lassiter.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1823  and 
died  February  26,  1883,  leaving  eight  children:  E.  K.  (elsewhere  written),  Chloe  N.  (wife 
of  Prof.  Kennedy),  Seluria  (wife  of  J.  P.  Bashaw),  Joseph  L.,  Ella  (wife  of  Prof.  B.  M. 
Mace),  Mary,  William  and  Emma  (wife  of  H.  L.  Pickett).  In  1876  Dr.  Cook  wa«  elected 
trustee  of  Wilson  County,  and  served  in  that  capacity  four  successive  terms,  returning  to 
his  home  in  1S84.  He  is  an  old  and  highly  esteemed  citizen,  and  is  a supporter  of  Demo- 
cratic principles.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge,  and  also  of  the  K.  of  P.  lodge.  No. 
2D,  of  Lebanon,  and  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

CHARLES  H.  COOK,  farmer,  was  born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  March  29,  1826, 
and  is  one  of  six  children  born  to  James  H.  and  Jane  (Hope)  Cook.  The  father  was  born 
in  North  Carolina  in  1779,  and  was  of  English-German  lineage.  He  was  a mechanic  by 
trade,  and  was  elected  constable  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  several  years.  He  was. 
also  magistrate,  and  held  that,  office  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1811. 
The  mother  was  born  in  1800  and  was  of  English  lineage;  she  died  in  1866.  Our  subject 
was  reared  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  and  learned  the  plasterer's  trade,  which  he  fol- 
lowed successfully  for  twenty  years.  In  1850  he  wedded  Rachel  A.  Carver,  who  was  born 
in  June,  1S24,  and  who  is  the  daughter  of  Isaac  Carver.  Our  subject  has  been  engaged 
in  the  shoe  business,  the  blacksmithing  and  wheelwrighting  and  the  saw  and  grist-mill 
business  since  1861.  In  1865  he  wedded  Cleopatra  Ozment,  who  was  born  August  5,  1834, 
and  is  the  daughter  of  James  H.  and  Martha  Ozment.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
these  children:  Mary  J.,  Seleta  Ann.  Zuella  S.,  James  E.,  Martha  L.,  Oliver  C.  K.,  Eva- 
lena.  Green  G.  and  D.  Lillian.  Mr.  Cook  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church;  he  is  also  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  In  1875-76 
he  was  elected  constable,  and  filled  that  office  in  an  able  and  satisfactory  manner. 

DAVID  COOK  was  born  in  Rhode  Island  in  1795,  and  died  June  17,  187S.  He  was 
educated  in  Newport,  R.  I.,  Com.  Perry  being  his  schoolmate.  He  was  quite  a 
mechanical  genius,  and  after  serving  an  apprenticeship  in  a machine  shop  became  a work- 
man of  superior  ability  and  was  made  foreman  in  large  factories  in  Lowell.  In  1841  he 
came  to  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  to  take  charge  of  a cotton  factory,  and  the  following  year  sent 
for  his  wife  (formerly  Mary  Colburn)  and  family.  He  worked  at  several  occupations 
through  life,  and  was  a resident  of  Lebanon  for  thirty-eight  years,  being  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial and  influential  citizens  of  the  town.  This  tribute  to  his  memory  was  proclaimed 
by  the  mayor  of  the  city  at  his  death:  "To  the  citizens  of  Lebanon — Death  has  been 

among  us;  he  has  taken  the  oldest  of  our  numbers.  David  Cook  is  no  more.  His  clear, 
sound  judgment;  liis  moral,  upright  walk;  his  active,  industrious  life;  his  manly.  Christian 
bearing,  all  call  for  our  respect  and  admiration.  For  more  than  forty  years  he  has  gone 
in  and  come  out  before  this  community,  and  we  can  all  bear  witness  to  his  many  virtues. 
It  i$  exceeding  appropriate  that  we  should  show  our  esteem  for  such  a life.  I therefore 
request  that  all  the  business  houses  of  the  city  be  closed  from  12  to  4 P.  M.  as  a mark  of 
respect  to  the  deceased.  E.  E.  Beard,  mayor.’1  He  was  a strong  adherent  of  the  Ma- 
sonic fraternity,  and  was  highly  honored  by  that  order.  Besides  having  filled  all  the 
chairs  of  the  Blue  Lodge.  Chapter,  Council  and  Commandery,  he  officiated  as  Deputy 
Grand  High  Priest  of  the  Grand  Royal  Arch  Chapter  and  Deputy  Grand  Commander  of 
the  Grand  Commandery.  He  was  one  of  Tennessee’s  brightest  Masons,  and  before  the 


■ 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


10S7 


time  of  his  death  was  said  to  have  been  the  oldest  living  Sir  Knight  in  Tennessee.  His 
wife  was  a sister  of  Warren  Colburn,  the  author  of  Colburn’s  Arithmetic,  which  is  widely 
known’throughout  the  United  States. 

CLARK  COOK,  farmer,  of  the  Third  District,  was  boru  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  November. 
1S32,  He  is  the  son  of  David  and  Mary  (Colburn)  Cook.  [For  further  particulars  of 
parents  see  sketch  of  Julia  A.  Jones,  of  the  Tenth  District.]  Our  subject  came  to  Wil- 
son County  with  his  parents  in  1841,  and  received  his  education  in  the  Cumberland  Uni- 
versity. In  1856  he  commenced  clerking  in  a dry  goods  store  in  Lebanon.  In  1858  he 
went  to  South  Carolina,  and  from  there  to  Alabama,  where  he  began  buying  and  selling 
carriages.  During  the  four  years  of  the  war  he  was  a traveling  druggist  dealing  out 
medicine  to  the  soldiers.  In  1S64  he  clerked  in  a drug  store  in  the  city  of  New  York.  The 
following  year  he  came  to  Nashville  and  clerked  for  his  brother.  The  same  year  he  and 
Mr.  McCarty  established  a dry  goods  and  grocery  store  in  Lebanon,  the  first  goodsbrought 
to  the  town  after  the  war.  In  1870  he  went  to  Missouri  and  kept  a first-class  restaurant 
for  eighteen  months.  In  1873  he  came  to  Wilson  Count}’,  Tenn.,  bought  125  acres  in  the 
Third  District  and  began  farming,  which  he  has  continued  nearly  ever  since.  January 
7,  1869.  he  married  Alice  Smith,  a native  of  Canal  Dover,  Tuscarawas  Co.,  Ohio,  born 
March  27,  1854,  and  the  daughter  of  John  and  Annie  Smith.  To  our  subject  and  wife 
were  born  four  children:  George,  Harry,  David  and  Mary.  Mr.  Cook  is  a man  of  good 
moral  character,  and  a useful  and  enterprising  citizen. 

E.  K.  COOK,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  March  3,  1846.  and  is  one  of 
eight  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  L.  N.  M.  Cook  and  Alvira  Lassiter.  (See  sketch  of 
L.  N.  M.  Cook).  Our  subject  was  educated  in  his  native  county,  and  resided  under  the 
paternal  roof  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age.  In  1S63  he  enlisted  in  Company  B, 
Fourth  Tennessee,  Confederate  States  Army,  Cavalry,  and  was  with  Jeff  Davis  in  Georgia 
when  the  forces  were  surrendered.  He  was  in  all  the  principal  engagements  with  Sher- 
man on  his  march  to  the  sea.  June  9,  1880,  Mr.  Cook  wedded  Susan,  daughter  of  Samuel 
and  Martha  Young.  She  was  born  March  11,  1864,  and  has  borne  her  husband  two  chil- 
dren: Bashie  and  Mamie.  Mr.  Cook  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  a member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

M.  W.  COWEN,  M.  D.,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County  Tenn.,  March  7,  1828,  and 
is  one  of  seven  children  born  to  James  and  Nancy  (Walker)  Cowen.  The  father  was  born 
in  Wilson  County  Tenn.,  in  1800,  and  was  living  in  that  county  at  the  time  of  his  marriage 
and  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer  during  his  entire  existence.  He  died  in  his  na- 
tive county  August,  1838.  The  mother  was  born  in  Wilson  County  in  1806,  and  died  in 
that  county  in  1847.  Our  subject  passed  his  early  life  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  attend- 
ing the  schools  of  the  county.  Later  he  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  the 
University  of  New  York.  Having  received  his  first  course  of  lectures  from  the  University 
of  Louisville,  Ky.  In  1851  he  was  married  to  Adeline,  daughter  of  B.and  M.  F.  Hill. 
Mrs.  Cowen  was  born  in  Wilson  County  Tenn.,  October  12,  1828,  and  by  her  union  with 
Dr.  Cowen  became  the  mother  of  an  interesting  family  of  six  children:  Julius  E.,  James 
B.,  George  W..  Matthew  W.,  Albert  B.  and  John  W.  In  1847  Mr.  Cowen  came  in  posses- 
sion of  sixty-six  acres  of  land  and  in  1851  he  bought  150  acres  more,  in  Wilson  County  and 
began  farming  for  himself.  He  has  added  from  time  to  time  and  is  at  present  the  owner 
of  over400acres  of  land,  all  lying  in  the  Fourth  District,  where  he  is  at  present  living  and 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  is  a Democrat,  a member  of  the  Christian  Church, 
and  a successful  practitioner  of  this  county. 

J.  P.  COX,  undertaker,  of  Lebanon.  Tenn.,  was  born  August  15,  1834, in  Wilson  County, 
son- of  Andrew  and  Sarah  A.  (Palmer)  Cox,  horn  in  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  in  1800  and 
1804,  respectively.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  when  ten  years  old  with  his  parents, 
and  became  a prosperous  farmer  of  Wilson  County.  He  died  in  1856  and  the  mother  in 
1876.  After  her  husband’s  death  she  married  W.  A.  Rohinson.  Our  subject  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools  and  in  1856  married  Maria  Freeman,  daughter  of  Josiah  Freeman. 
She  was  born  November  4,  1837.  Mr.  Cox  was  operating  a carriage  factory  at  the  break- 


' 


1088 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ing  out  of  the  war,  and  in  November,  1861,  enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Regiment,  Tennessee 
Cavalry,  and  participated  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war.  He  was  captured  at 
Lebanon  in  1S04  and  was  kept  a prisoner  at  Nashville  until  the  fall  of  Richmond.  In  186.5 
he  lost  his  wife,  and  April  16,  1871.  he  married  Jackie  Maud  Wright,  daughter  of  James 
Wright,  who  was  born  in  1815.  She  was  born  December  19, 1854,  in  Arkansas.  They  have 
four  children  : Edgar  E..  Beulah  M..  W.  Andrew  and  Fannie  O.  In  1869  Mr.  Cox  engaged 
in  photography,  traveling  in  Tennessee,  Alabama,  Georgia  and  Kentucky.  In  March, 
1882,  he  engaged  in  his  present  business.  He  is  a Democrat  and  in  1875  he  was  elected 
city  marshal,  holding  the  office  eight  years.  He  is  a Knight  of  Pythias  and  his  wife  be- 
longs to  the  Christian  Church. 

W.  T.  CRAGWALL.  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  August  21, 1847,  and 
is  one  of  nine  children  born  to  William  J.  and  Ellen  B.  (Harris)  Cragwall.  The  father 
was  of  English  extraction,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  April  21,  1807.  He  came  to  Tenn- 
essee in  1S35  and  bought  about  100  acres  of  land  and  began  tilling  the  soil.  He  is 
at  present  living  in  Wilson  County,  and  is  still  engaged  in  farming.  The  mother  was 
born  in  Hanover  County,  Va.,  March  2,  1811,  and  died  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  July 
15,  1861.  Our  subject  passed  his  youthful  days  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  in  getting  a 
fair  education  in  the  schoolsof  the  county  and  at  White  Creek  Spring  in  Davidson  Count}*, 
Tenn.  In  1875  he  married  Sally  Welkisen,  a native  of  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  born  March 
4,  1853,  and  is  the  daughter  of  Isaac  J.  and  Elizabeth  J.  Welkisen.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Cragwall  were  born  four  children:  Albert  O.,  Tepuple  O.,  James  W.  and  Willie  C.  In 
1S73  our  subject  bought  231  acres  of  land  in  the  Fifth  District  where  he  is  at  present  liv- 
ing. He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a worthy  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JAMES  A.  CURD  is  a native  of  Prince  Edward’s  County.  Ya..  born  in  September, 
1809.  and  is  one  of  twelve  children  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Lumpkin)  Curd.  The  father  was 
a Virginian  by  birth,  born  in  1761,  and  came  to  Wilson  County.  Tenn..  in  1818,  where  he 
settled  and  became  the  possessor  of  800  acres  of  land.  He  died  in  1821.  The  mother  was 
born  in  1775  in  Virginia,  and  died  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1835.  James  A.  Curd  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Susan  Everett.  November  18,  1833.  She  was  born  in  Wilson  County, 
July  4,  1809,  and  is  a daughter  of  John  Everett.  After  his  marriage  Mr.  Curd  began  to  till 
the  soil  for  himself,  and  by  his  energy  and  industry  accumulated  about  600  acres  of  good 
land,  where  he  and  wife  now  live.  To  them  were  born  the  following  children:  John,  Eliza 
and  Emma.  Mr.  Curd  is  a prominent  farmer  of  the  county,  and  favors  and  supports  Dem- 
ocratic principles.  He  and  Mrs.  Curd  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

J.  N.  CURD,  M.  D.,  of  Mount  Juliet,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in 
1834,  and  is  a son  of  William  and  Susan  (Davis)  Curd,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia 
and  Tennessee.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  period  and  during  his  lifetime 
he  followed  dhe  occupation  of  farming,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1842,  about 
.420  acres  of  land.  After  her  husband’s  death  the  mother,  who  was  born  in  1814,  resid- 
ed on  the  home  place  with  her  children  and  added  200  acres  to  their  already  extensive 
farm.  She  died  in  June,  1870.  Our  subject  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools 
of  his  native  county  and  in  addition  attended  the  Union  University  of  Murfreesboro, Tenn. > 
for  one  year.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  began  studying  medicine  under  A.  J.  Winter. 
In  1860  he  attended  the  medical  department  of  the  Nashville  University,  remaining  until 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  enlisted  in  Hardy  Brett’s  company  of  the  Forty- 
fifth  Regular  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  served  in  the  capacity  of  hospital  steward  and  as- 
sistant surgeon,  ne  was  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war  and  numerous  skir- 
mishes He  returned  home  May  20,  1865,  and  resumed  his  practice.  In  1S66  he  returned 
to  the  University  of  Nashville,  from  which  he  graduated  as  an  M.  D.  in  March,  1867.  He 
has  a thorough  knowledge  of  his  profession  and  has  met  with  good  success.  Owing  to 
ill  health  he  has  farmed  principally  for  the  last  eleven  years  and  is  the  possessor  of  469 
acres  of  land.  In  May,  1869,  he  wedded  Ella  Winter,  daughter  of  Dr.  A.  J.  Winter.  She 
was  born  in  1849  and  became  the  mother  of  five  children:  Gela,  William  E.,  Elmer,  Edgar 
and  May.  Dr.  Curd  is  a Democrat  and  was  formerly  a Whig,  casting  his  first  presiden- 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1089 


tial  vote  for  Gen.  Scott.  He  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  his  wife  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  South.  The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being 
a Master  Mason. 

W.  P.  DAVIS  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  August  19,  1S33,  and  is  one  of 
seven  children  of  I.  F.  and  Sarah  E.  (Curd)  Davis.  The  father  was  a native  of  Virginia, 
born  in  1800.  He  was  brought  to  Tennessee  when  only  four  years  old,  and  afterward  be- 
came a prosperous  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  owning  1,500  acres  of  land  at  his  death  .Janu- 
ary 20,  1880.  The  mother  was  a native  of  the  same  State  as  her  husband,  born  Novem- 
ber 10,  1802,  and  is  yet  living  in  Wilson  County  with  her  sou.  R.  T.  Davis.  Our  subject 
was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and  the  Union  University  at  Murfreesboro.  Tenn. 
October  25,  1855,  he  was  married  to  Margaret  Elizabeth  (Lindsey)  Davis,  born  in  1831,  and 
daughter  of  Lewis  Lindsey.  Mr.  Davis  was  a soldier  in  the  late  war  and  served  as  quar- 
termaster until  its  close.  He  returned  home  and  farmed  one  year,  and  then  went  to  Colum- 
bus, Ga.,  and  was  engaged  in  the  livery  business  for  six  years.  He  then  returned  to  Wil- 
son County,  where  he  manages  his  farm  of  425  acres.  He  and  wife  have  five  children:  S. 
E.,  Mattie  A.,  Ella  B.,  James  L.  and  A.  T.  Mr.  Davis  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

R.  T.  DAVIS  may  be  mentioned  as  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Wilson 
County.  Tenn.;  was  born  April  18,  1843,  and  is  one  of  five  children  of  I.  F.  and  Sarah 
(Curd)  Davis.  (For  parent’s  history  see  sketch  of  W.  P.  Davis.)  R.  T.  Davis  was  reared 
to  manhood  on  a farm  in  the  Second  District  of  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  there  re- 
ceived his  education.  In  1867  he  became  a tiller  of  the  soil  on  his  own  responsibility,  and 
uu  the  14th  day  of  July,  1370,  the  nuptials  of  his  marriage  with  Alice  Reynolds  was  cele- 
brated. She  was  born  in  Cumberland  County,  Va.,  July  25,  1844,  and  is  a daughter  of 
Obadiah  Reynolds.  She  died  October  5,  1875,  and  Mr.  Davis  took  for  his  second 'wife 
Miss  Rachel  J.  Winter,  who  was  born  January  10,  1854,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn. .daugh- 
ter of  Dr.  Winter.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  born  these  children:  Ovie  W.,  Alice  R. 
and  Nora  E.  Our  subject  is  the  owner  of  about  650  acres  of  fertile  land,  and  is  doing 
well  financially.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 
His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

I.  J.  DODSON,  merchant,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born  July  3,  1853,  in  Wilsi-n 
County,  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of  four  children  of  Isaac  J.  and  Levina  (Edwards)  Dodson. 
The  father  was  born  in  Davidson  County,  but  was  a resident  of  Wilson  County  at  the 
time  of  his  marriage.  He  wras  twice  married  and  the  father  of  eight  children.  He  died 
in  1853.  His  widow  married  S.  T.  Nix,  with  whom  she  lived  until  her  death  in  1883.  Our 
subject  was  left  without  a father  at  the  age  of  one  month.  His  education  was  obtained  in 
Lawrence  College,  De  Kalb  County.  Tenn.,  and  Cumberland  University,  Lebanon. 
November  17,  1874,  he  married  Sallie  Cox,  daughter  of  T.  J.  Cox.  She  was  born  Sep- 
tember 8,  1857,  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children:  Tommie,  Sallie  L.,  Maggie,  Harry  and 
Isaac  J.  From  1871  to  1873  Mr.  Dodson  was  salesman  for  Fondill  6c  Bennett,  grocers,  of 
Lebanon,  and  he  then  engaged  in  the  business  on  his  own  responsibility.  A year  later  he 
sold  out,  and  he  and  his  father-in-law  formed  a partnership  in  the  hardware  business, 
the  firm  being  known  as  Dodson  & Cox.  Later  they  disposed  of  their  stock,  and  Mr. 
Dodson  purchased  400  acres  of  land  and  began  tilling  the  soil.  In  1879  he  sold  out  and 
returned  to  Lebanon,  and  with  John  W.  Price  started  a hardware  store,  and  later  became 
connected  with  J.  T.  McClain  in  business,  aud  the  firm  was  later  known  as  McClain  Bros. 
A Co.  They  have  about  830,000  stock,  and  are  doing  ail  extensive  business.  Mr.  Dodson 
is  a man  of  fine  business  capacity,  and  in  politics  is  a Democrat.  He  is  a member  of  tlic 
K.  of  P.  and  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  His  wife  is  a Baptist. 

G.  T.  DODSON,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  was  born  Jan- 
uary 29,  1835,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  oue  of  six  children  born  to  I.  J.  and  Oota- 
via  (Ballard)  Dodson.  The  father  was  born  in  1808  in  Tennessee,  and- wa*  of  Scoti  h-Irish 
extraction.  He  was  married  in  1829,  and  in  1850  moved  to  Wilson  County  and  tilled  the 
soil  until  his  death,  which  occurred  August  5,  1853.  The  mother  was  born  in  1813,  in  Mil- 


1090 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


son  County,  and  was  the  daughter  of  George  Ballard.  Her  death  occurred  in  1S42.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  and  received  the  rudiments 
of  his  education  in  the  country  schools  and  subsequently  attended  college  three  terms. 
He  soon  purchased  180  acres  of  land  in  the  Eleventh  District,  and  May  12,  1857,  he  wedded 
Sarah  J.  Edwards,  daughter  of  James  Edwards.  Mrs.  Dodson  died  Octobers,  1S71.  and 
April  7,  1881,  he  was  married  to  Maggie  A.  Eatherly.  Mr.  Dodson  is  the  father  of  two 
children:  Stonewall  Jackson,  born  May  21,  18G6  (who  has  received  a thorough  English 
education,  and  will  take  a collegiate  course,  and  will  then  stud}*  law),  and  Kate,  who  was 
born  September  13,  1883.  In  1861  our  subject  volunteered  in  the  Confederate  service,  and 
was  elected  captain  of  the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee  (under  Col.  J.  S.  Fulton).  He  was 
in  the  battles  of  Shiloh  and  Murfreesboro,  received  a gun-shot  wound,  and  was  captured 
and  taken  to  Fort  Delaware,  where  he  remained  for  six  months,  when  he  was  exchanged 
at  Petersburg.  Ya.  He  came  back,  enlisted  again,  was  at  Richmond,  Petersburg  and 
Knoxville,  and  was  with  Lee  at  Appomattox  Court  House  at  the  time  of  the  surrender. 
He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  in  farming  and  stock  raising,  He  is  a Democrat  in 
politics  and  a good  man. 

WILLIAM  W.  DONNELL,  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Courts  of  Wilson  bounty,  Tenn., 
was  born  October  25, 1850,  and  is  one  of  twelve  children  born  to  Robert  P.  and  Cleopatra 
(Hearn)  Donnell.  The  father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  born  in  Virginia,  and  came  to 
Tennessee  in  his  youth.  He  was  a farmer  and  owned  about  200  acres  of  land.  He  was 
one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  county,  and  died  in  March,  1862.  The  mother  was  born  in 
North  Carolina  and  after  the  death  of  her  husband  made  her  home  with  our  subject.  She 


died  in  1876.  When  William  W.  was  but  twelve  s ears  old  his  father  died.  His  cider 


brother  being  in  the  army  the  burden  of  supporting  the  family  fell  upon  William.  He 
has  only  attended  school  about  fifteen  months,  but  in  spite  of  this  disadvantage  he  has  a 
good,  practical  business  education,  acquired  through  study  and  early  contact  with  busi- 
ness life.  He  early  began  speculating  in  stock,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  hired  out 
as  a clerk  in  the  general  merchandise  store  of  C.  C.  Hancock,  and  remained  with  him 
seven  -years.  In  1S70  he  purchased  Mr.  Hancock’s  entire  stock,  and  same  year  the 
building  in  which  he  did  business  caught  fire,  and  was  consumed  with  the  entire  contents. 
He  and  Marshall  Young  opened  a similar  store,  but  in  1881  disposed  of  . the  stock.  A year 
later  Mr.  Donnell  was  elected  to  his  present  office  by  the  Democratic  party  for  a term  of 
four  years,  and  is  now  filling  the  duties  of  that  office  very  efficiently. 

G.  L.  DRIFOOS,  groceryman,  of  Lebanon,  was  born  August  14,  1849,  in  Nashville, 
and  is  one  of  twelve  children  of  L.  and  Eliza  (Harsh)  Drifoos.  The  father  was  born  in 
Switzerland  in  1806  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years  came  to  the  United  States  and  be- 
gan his  life  as  a pack  peddler.  He  was  economical  and  persevering  and  in  a few'  years 
had  accumulated  sufficient  means  to  enable  him  to  establish  a dry  goods  store,  which  he  did 
in  Harrisburg,  Penn.  After  his  marriage,  in  1838,  he  removed  to  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  and  in 
1S43  came  to  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  where  he  has  been  in  the  mercantile  business  nearly  ever 
since.  Since  1870  he  has  lived  a retired  life.  The  mother  was  of  German  descent,  born 
in  Harrisburg,  Penn.,  in  1820.  Our  subject  wras  educated  in  Cumberland  University  and 
Franklin  College,  Nashville.  When  about  seventeen  years  of  age  he  engaged  in  business 
with  his  father  but  in  1S70  began  farming  on  326  acres  of  land  belonging  to  his  father.  In 
1883  he  purchased  his  brother  JIarry’s  grocery  store,  which  he  manages  in  connection 
with  his  farming.  January  19,  1871.  he  married  Laura  Smith,  born  in  1850.  They  have 
seven  children:  Leopold.  Frank.  Alice,  Harry,  Mary  X.,  Carrie  and  Annie  Laura.  Mr. 
Drifoos  is  a Democratic  Prohibitionist  and  is  a Good  Templar  and  a member  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

JOHN  EATHERLY,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  February  3.  1821,  in  Wilson 
County,  Tenn.,  and  is  a son  of  Warren  and  Peggie  (Robertsou)  Eatherly,  both  natives  of 
North  Carolina.  The  father  was  born  in  1780,  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and  was 
married  in  1805.  He  was  quite  well  off  in  this  world’s  goods,  owning  over  200  acres  of 


■ 


’WILSON  COUNTY. 


1001 


land  besides  a good  many  slaves.  His  death  occurred  in  1S54.  The  mother  was  born 
in  1780  and  died  in  1866.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Hugh  Robertson.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  country  schools,  where  he  received 
a practical  education.  December  23,  1843,  he  wedded  Margaret  J.  Wilson,  a native  of 
Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  born  February  IS,  1824.  and  the  daughter  of  John  R.  Wilson.  To 
our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eleven  children:  Nancy  C.,  John  W.,  Margaret.  Ann 
Eliza,  T.  Hugh,  Martha  E.,  Wilson  R.,  Lem  R..  Charles  H.,  Andrew  and  Mary  F.  Mr. 
Eatherly  is  the  present  owner  of  nearly  300  acres  of  good  land  well  stocked.  He  was 
elected  constable  of  the  Second  District  from  1848  to  1851,  which  office  he  filled  in  a satis- 
factory manner.  He  was  also  elected  magistrate  and  holds  that  office  at  the  present  time. 
During  the  late  war  be  was  one  of  the  boys  in  gray  and  was  appointed  quartermaster 
under  Gov.  Harris. 

DR.  J.  C.  ESKEW,  physician  and  surgeon,  was  born  in  lS40in  Wilson  County,  and  is 
the  son  of  Dr.  Andrew  and  Matilda  (McFarland)  Eskew.  The  father  was  born  March  16, 
1811.  in  North  Carolina,  and  was  a physician  and  surgeon  by  profession.  His  father,  Ben- 
jamin Eskew,  was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Wilson  County,  and  assisted  in  forming 
one  of  the  first  settlements  in  the  district.  Andrew  Eskew  was  married  in  1840,  and  after 
studying  medicine  for  some  time  he  took  a course  of  lectures  in  the  Transylvania  College 
at  Lexington,  Kv.  About  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  entered  upon  his  practice,  which 
he  continued  until  his  death,  which  occurred  May  6,  1854.  The  mother  was  bom  August 
16.  1818,  and  died  November  27,  1854.  Our  subject  was  reared  at  home,  and  received  his 
literary  education  in  the  county  schools  and  at  Mount  Vernon  Academy.  At  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  began  teaching  and  met  with  good  success.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  com- 
menced the  study  of  medicine  under  John  Logue.  where  he  remained  for  one  year,  after 
which  he  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Nashville,  from  which 
institution  he  graduated  in  1865.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Forty-fifth  Regi- 
ment Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  appointed  surgeon  in  his  regiment,  and  afterward 
commissioned  as  hospital  steward.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Chickamauga,  Mis- 
sionary Ridge,  Jonesboro,  Atlanta.  Murfreesboro,  Franklin  and  others.  He  returned 
home  in  May,  1865,  and  began  practicing  medicine.  November,  1S65,  he  bought  112  acres 
in  the  Twenty-second  District,  a part  of  the  old  homestead,  where  he  has  since  lived. 
November,  1867,  he  wedded  Martha  (Rogers)  Carver,  born  in  Wilson  County  in  1845,  and 
to  them  were  born  five  children:  Alice  A.,  James  O.,  Andrew’  O.,  Viola  G.  and  Lula  B. 
Mrs.  Eskew’  had  one  child,  Jonas,  by  her  first  husband.  Dr.  Eskewr  is  one  of  the  leading 
surgeons  of  Wilson  County,  and  bears  an  unsullied  reputation.  He  and  wife  are  members 
of  the*  Christian  Church. 

J.  M.  FAKES,  senior  member  of  the  boot  and  shoe  store  of  Fakes,  Taylor  & Co., 
and  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Fakes  A Co.,  dealers  in  coal  and  lumber.  w’as  born 
June  21,  1841,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  a son  of  W.  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Moser) 
Fakes.  The  father  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  born  in  1816,  a farmer  by  occupation, 
and  was  married  in  1834.  The  mother  was  of  Scotch-German  descent,  born  in  1818  in 
Wilson  Count}’,  and  she  and  her  husband  are  yet  living.  Our  subject  received  a com- 
mon education,  and  began  doing  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twelve.  lie  clerked  for  some 
time  in  Lebanon,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  joined  the  Confederate  Army  in  May, 
1861,  in  Company  K.  Eighteenth  Regiment  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  cap- 
tured at  Fort  Donelson  and  taken  to  Camp  Butler,  111.  Three  months  later  he  made 
his  escape  and  joined  Morgan’s  command.  He  afterward  joined  his  own  command,  and 
later  w’as  one  of  Hawkins’  scouts.  He  w as  again  captured  and  taken  to  Fort  Delaware. 
June  11,  1867,  he  wedded  Rosa  A.  Gugcnheim,  born  in  Nashville  iu  184S.  They  have 
five  children:  Sally,  Mark,  Daisy,  Gertrude  and  Clarence.  He  has  been  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  Lebanon  for  twenty-one  years.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic,  K.  of  II.  and  K 
-of  P.  fraternities.  He  and  w’ife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

COL.  O.  G.  FINLEY  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1787,  and  came  to  Tennessee  when  a 
young  man,  locating  in  Lebanon  in  1807.  He  was  a son  of  Samuel  Finley,  who  was  born 


1092 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


in  the  north  of  Ireland  and  was  of  Scotch  descent.  At  what  date  he  came  to  the  United 
States  is  not  known.  He  was  married  to  Mary  Gains,  of  Kentucky  or  Virginia.  Col. 
O.  G.  Finley  wedded  Mary  Lewis  Johnson,  of  Sumner  Count}’,  Tenn.,  in  1811,  daughter 
of  Jesse  Johnson,  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  a Revolutionary  soldier.  His  wife,  Mary 
Lewis,  was  also  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  they  came  to  Tennessee,  locating  in  Sumner 
County  at  an  early  period.  Col.  O.  G.  Finley’s  wife  died  in  1830,  leaving  the  following 
children:  Jesse  J.,  William  M.,  John  B.  (deceased),  Foster  G.,  Sarah  A.  and  Mar}’  (de- 
ceased). Col.  Finley  served  in  the  Creek  war,  and  was  a member  of  the  State  Senate 
about  1812  or  1813,  when  Knoxville  was  the  capital  of  the  State.  He  was  a leather  manu- 
facturer, and  retired  to  his  farm  near  Lebanon  in  1830.  He  was  a man  of  strong  char- 
acter, reared  in  Kentucky  "when  it  was  a frontier  State.  He  received  a limited  early  edu- 
cation, but  owing  to  his  fondness  for  books  and  thirst  for  knowledge  he  became  a finely 
educated  man,  and  was  pronounced  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lindsly,  president  of  the  Nashville 
University.  one  of  the  best-read  historians  in  the  State.  As  the  epitaph  on  his  tombstone 
indicates,  he  was  “an  honest  man.”  Jesse  J.,  his  eldest  son,  was  born  in  Wilson  County, 
Tenn.,  November  18,  1812,  and  received  an  academic  education.  He  was  captain  of 
mounted  volunteers  in  the  Seminole  war,  and  afterward  studied  law  and  was  admitted  to 
the  bar  in  1S38.  He  located  in  Arkansas  in  1840.  and  was  elected  to  the  State  Senate  in 
1841.  He  removed  to  Memphis,  Tenn.,  in  1842,  and  began  practicing  law.  He  was  elect- 
ed mayor  of  Memphis  in  1845,  but  a year  later  removed  to  Florida  aud  was  there  elected 
to  the  State  Senate  in  1850,  and  was  appointed  candidate  for  presidential  elector  on  the 
Whig  ticket  in  1852.  He  became  judge  of  the  Western  Judicial  Circuit  of  Florida  in 
1853,  and  was  elected  to  the  same  two  terms  without  opposition.  In  1861  lie  was  elected 
judge  of  the  Confederate  States  Court,  but  resigned  in  1862  and  enlisted  as  a private  in  the 
Confederate  Arm}*,  and  arose  to  the  rank  of  captain,  colonel  and  brigadier-general.  In 
1871  he  located  in  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  and  in  1874  was  elected  to  the  United  States  Con- 
gress, and  re-elected  in  1876,  but  declined  to  be  a candidate  in  1878.  He  was  again  elect- 
ed in  1880,  hut  is  now*  practicing  law*  in  Ocala,  Fla.  He  has  four  children:  Lucius, 
George,  Charles  A.  and  Maggie.  William  M.,  second  son  of  O.  G.  Finley,  was  horn  in 
Lebanon,  Tenn.,  October  11,  1816;  received  an  academic  education,  and  in  1836  volun- 
teered and  served  as  private  in  the  Seminole  war.  lie  returned  home  iu  1837  and  began 
studying  medicine,  and  in  the  following  fall  entered  the  Cincinnati  College  of  Medicine, 
but  in  1838  removed  to  Transylvania  University  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  where  the  title  of  M_ 
D.  was  conferred  upon  him  in  1839.  He  traveled  over  the  “Lone  Star  State,”  but  in 
1840  located  in  Arkansas.  In  1842  he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legis- 
lature. In  1843  he  removed  to  Clarksville,  Tenn.,  where  he  practiced  his  profession 
thirty  years.  In  1871,  ow*ing  to  impaired  hearing,  he  gave  up  his  profession  and  pur- 
chased and  located  on  the  old  homestead.  He  was  last  married  to  Mrs.  V.  C.  (Corad> 
Boyd.  They  have  two  children:  Virgie  Lee  and  Jessie  C.  John  B.,  third  son  of  O.  G. 
Finley,  was  born  in  Lebanon  in  1820.  He  received  a practical  education,  and  early 
evinced  a fondness  for  military  tactics.  He  possessed  a splendid  physique,  and  at  the 
commencement  of  the  late  civil  war  was  made  captain  of  a corps  of  men  from  Ar- 
kansas, where  he  then  resided.  Owing  to  disease  he  was  compelled  to  resign  his  com- 
mand, and,  after  several  painful  operations,  died  at  Searcy,  Ark.,  in  1868.  He  had  taken 
the  degree  of  doctor  of  medicine,  and  ranked  high  in  the  community  where  he  practiced. 
Foster  G.,  fourtli  son  of  O.  G.  Finley,  was  born  in  Lebanon  iu  1822,  and  received  a fair 
English  education.  He  was  reared  on  his  father’s  farm,  and  immigrated  to  Arkansas  in 
1843.  He  soon  after  returned  to  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  where  he  now  resides,  aud  is 
noted  for  his  generous  hospitality  and  kindness  of  heart. 

FOSTER  G.  FINLEY  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  and  farmers  of 
Wilson  County,  Tenn.  He  was  born  March  22,  1822,  and  is  one  of  eight  children  of  O. 
G.  and  Mary  L.  (Johnson)  Finley.  (See  Dr.  Finley’s  sketch.)  Foster  was  educated  in  the 
Campbell  Academy  at  Lebanon,  and  in  1842  married  Mary  Buckner,  who  died  the  same 
year.  In  June,  1845,  he  wedded  Almira  Taylor,  horn  October  10,  1820,  daughter  of  Isaae 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1093 


and  Margaret  Taylor.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Finley  were  born  this  family:  Isaac,  Mary  (wife 
of  Louis  Peyton).  Maggie  (widow  of  Gus  Lampton),  William,  Charles  and  Obadiah.  Isaac 
has  an  orange  farm  in  Florida,  and  William  is  in  Alabama  practicing  medicine.  Mr.  Fin- 
ley spent  five  years  in  Arkansas  and  some  time  in  Florida,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  life 
has  been  spent  in  Tennessee.  In  1884  he  purchased  50  acres  of  land  in  the  Ninth  District 
where  he  yet  resides.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to  the  tilling  of  the  soil,  with  the  exception 
of  three  years’  residence  in  Nashville,  where  he  was  in  the  grocery  business  a short  time 
and  then  clerked  on  a steamer  on  the  river.  Mrs.  Finley  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South. 

ROBERT  V.  FOSTER,  A.  M.,  D.  D.,  professor  of  exegetical  theology  and  the  Hebrew 
language  in  Cumberland  University,  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn., 
August  12,  1845,  and  is  a son  of  Rufus  H.  and  Sarah  (Spain)  Foster,  who  were  born  in 
Tennessee  in  1814  and  1818,  respectively.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  John  Foster* 
who  came  from  North  Carolina  to  Tennessee  in  1796,  and  followed  the  life  of  an  agricult- 
urist. He  participated  in  the  war  for  independence,  being  a soldier  in  the  army  of  Wash* 
ington.  Rufus  H.  Foster  was  married  in  1841  and  settled  on  a portion  of  the  old  home 
place,  and  eventually  became  the  possessor  of  240  acres.  His  wife  died  in  1876,  and  he 
has  lived  with  his  son  John  and  our  subject  since  that  time.  His  children  are  John  S. 
Benjamin  S.  (the  principal  of  the  Lebanon  College  for  Young  Ladies),  Mrs.  Addie  Elling- 
ton, Mrs.  Charlotte  Brantly  and  Robert  V.,  who  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  his 
rudimentary  education  in  the  neighboring  country  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he 
entered  the  sophomore  class  of  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  graduating  as  an  A. 
B.  in  1S70.  The  following  year  he  was  elected  to  the  chair  of  mathematics  in  the  Cooper 
Institute  at  Daleville,  Miss.,  which  position  he  held  four  years.  In  1875  he  returned  to 
Cumberland  University  and  graduated  from  the  theological  department  with  high  honors, 
receiving  the  degrees  of  D.  D.  and  A.  M.  The  following  year  he  entered  the  senior  class 
of  the  Union  Theological  Seminar}*,  New  York  City,  and  remained  one  year,  receiving  the 
graduating  degree,  and  w hile  there  v*as  proffered  the  professorship  of  mathematics  in  the 
Waynesburg  (Penn.)  College.  He  remained  one  term  and  received  a call  to  his  first  alma 
mater  to  become  professor  of  belles  lettres  and  Hebrew,  and  entered  on  his  duties  in  the 
fall  of  1877,  occupying  the  chair  four  years.  He  was  then  tendered  his  present  position, 
w’hich  he  has  since  filled  with  credit  to  himself  and  honor  to  the  institution.  While 
teaching  at  Waynesburg  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  Miss  Belle  Braden,  to  whom  he 
was  married  November  7,  1882.  She  is  the  daughter  of  D.  W.  Braden,  M.  D.,  and  was 
educated  in  the  Waynesburg  College  and  at  Vassar,  and  has  traveled  in  Europe  and 
visited  the  leading  cities  of  this  country,  being  a very  intelligent  and  refined  lady.  Prof. 
Foster  is  one  of  the  leading  educators  of  the  South,  and  is  a member  of  the  Blue  Lodge 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

JOHN  H.  FREESE,  merchant  tailor,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Hanover, 
Germany,  September  4,  1850.  Ilis  parents  were  Wessel  and  Angelia  (Ahrens)  Freese,  tic- 
father  being  a forester  by  occupation  employed  by  the  Government.  They  w*ere  born  in 
1812  and  1822,  and  died  in  1881  and  1853,  respectively.  Wessel  Freese  was  twice  married 
and  was  the  father  of  seven  children,  four  by  his  first  wife.  John  II.  Freese  was  educated 
in  the  schools  of  Hanover,  attending  until  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  he  became  an  ap- 
prentice at  the  tailor’s  trade  and  worked  as  such  two  and  a half  years.  In  1867  lie 
came  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  Louisville,  Ivy.,  where  he' worked  at  his  trade 
until  1872,  with  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  Chicago.  At  the  latter  date  he  went 
to  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  remaining  two  and  a half  years  and  has  resided  in  the  followin  g 
places:  Huntsville,  Ala.,  fifteen  months;  Fayettville,  fifteen  months:  Tullnhoma,  three 
years;  Nashville,  two  years,  and  iu  1881  came  to  Lebanon,  where  he  has  since  re- 
resided.  June  8,  1876,  he  married  Alice  Crawford,  of  Tullahoma,  Tenn.,  born  in  1858. 
They  have  two  children:  Eva  and  Katie.  Mr.  Freese  is  a skillful  tailor  and  has  built  up  a 
lucrative  trade.  He  belongs  to  the  following  fraternities:  Masonic,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  lv.  of  P. 
and  K.  of  II.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 


1094 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


JESSE  II.  GLEAVES  is  a son  of  Guy  T.  and  Julia  A.  (Jennings)  Gleaves,  and  was 
born  May  6,  1859,  in  Wilson  County,  Teun.  The  father  was  born  in  1814  and  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  also  followed  the  mercantile  business.  He  was  married  in 

1851  and  died  in  1867.  The  mother  was  born  in  1S17  and  died  in  1885.  The  subject  of 
our  sketch  was  reared  and  educated  in  Wilson  County.  When  only  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  began  tilling  the  soil  for  himself  and  afterward  purchased  a farm  of  thirty-five  acres 
and  is  now  a well-to-do  citizen.  On  the  28th  of  November,  1880,  his  marriage  with  Miss 
Annie  T.  Hawks  was  celebrated.  She  is  a daughter  of  Preston  and  Cassandra  Hawks. 
Our  subject  is  a highly  respected  citizen  of  the  county  in  which  he  resides,,  and  a strong 
supporter  and  believer  in  the  principles  of  Democracy.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

EUGENE  C.  GLEAVES  is  a native  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  born  March  24,  1864,  and  is 
one  of  five  children  of  James  W.  and  Emma  L.  (Stroud)  Gleaves,  natives  of  Wilson 
County,  Tenn.  They  were  married  in  1861  and  six  years  later  moved  to  Green  Hill 
Tenn.,  where  the  father  opened  a dr}'  goods  and  grocery  store,  continuing  until  1873, 
when  he  began  ginning  cotton.  In  1883  he  sold  his  cotton-gin  and  removed  to  Nashville, 
where  he  now  resides.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
Wilson  County,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  began  doing  for  himself.  He  was  married 
November  30,  1882,  to  Rosa  B.,  daughter  of  Leonard  and  Elizabeth  Lowe.  She  was  born 
March  7,  1865,  and  became  the  mother  of  two  children.  Mr.  Gleaves  has  the  reputation 
of  being  an  honest  and  trustworthy  gentleman,  and  in  politics  is  an  old  line  Democrat 
aud  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  G.  T.  at  Green  Hill. 

J.  B.  GRANDSTAFF,  a thrifty  farmer  and  native  of  the  Sixteenth  District  of 
Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  February  17.  1831,  and  is  one  of  eight  children  of  David 
and  Margaret  (Phillips)  Grandstaff.  The  father  was  born  in  Wilson  County  about  1805, 
and  was  married  in  1828  and  immediately  began  farming.  He  died  January  1,  1852.  The 
mother  was  born  in  Wilson  County  two  years  later  than  her  husband  and  died  about 
1865.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  schools  near  home  and  remained  on  the  home 
farm  until  twenty-seven  years  of  age.  In  1857  he  wedded  Miss  Arsula,  daughter  of 
Stacy  and  Jane  (Anderson)  Young.  Mrs.  Grandstaff  was  born  in  Wilson  County  in  1836. 
She  and  her  husband  became  the  parents  of  these  children:  William  D.:  Jane,  Frank, 
Mary  and  Martha.  Mr.  Grandstaff  is  a well-to-do  farmer  and  owns  about  230  acres  of 
valuable  and  well  improved  land.  He  has  been  very  industrious  and  by  his  own  efforts 
has  accumulated  a large  amount  of  property.  He  is  conservative  in  his  political  views 
but  on  national  tickets  votes  usually  with  the  Democratic  party.  He  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  fraternity  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  GRANNIS,  A.  M.,  principal  of  the  preparatory  school  of  the  Cumber 
land  University,  was  born  April  24,  1823,  in  Morristown,  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  Y.  He 
was  educated  in  the  Jefferson  Count}-  Institute  at  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  and  the  State  Nor- 
mal School  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  graduating  from  the  latter  in  1847.  He  began  his  first  work 
in  teaching  November  29,  1841,  aud  afterward  followed  that  occupation  in  Chaumont,  N. 
Y.,  and  the  following  year  was  elected  principal  of  the  graded  school  at  Cape  Vincent, 
being  also  superintendent  of  the  town  schools,  which  position  he  held  four  years.  In 

1852  he  came  to  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  having  been  chosen  principal  English  teacher  of 
the  preparatory  school  of  Cumberland  University,  Owing  to  the  war  the  school  was  sus- 
pended in  1862,  and  Prof.  Grannis  was  given  a clerkship  in  the  quartermaster’s  depart- 
ment of  the  Union  Army,  stationed  at  Nashville,  holding  the  position  until  1866.  when  he 
was  appointed  as  deputy  internal  revenue  collector  of  the  Fifth  District  of  Tennessee. 
In  1873  he  resigned,  having  previously  been  elected  principal  of  the  preparatory  school  of 
Cumberland  University,  aud  was  at  once  elected  to  bis  former  position,  thus  forcibly  illus. 
trating  his  ability  as  an  educator  and  a disciplinarian.  Previous  to  the  war  the  degree  of 
A.  M.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Cumberland  University,  which  demonstrates  how 
high  a position  he  held  in  the  estimation  of  the  faculty  and  board  of  trustees.  In 
October,  1849,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucy  A.  Gates,  born  in  Oneida,  N.  Y.,  in 


. 


WILSON'  COUNTY. 


loo:, 


September,  1829,  daughter  of  Eliphas  and  Lucy  Gates.  Prof,  and  Mrs.  Grannis  are  the 
parents  of  the  following  family:  Herbert  W.,  who  is  assistant  teacher  in  the  preparatory 
school  of  the  university;  Hattie,  who  is  music  teacher  in  the  girls’  department,  and 
Henry.  Prof.  Grannis  and  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
His  parents,  John  and  Marian  (Dunlap)  Grannis.  were  natives  of  Oneida  County  and 
Schoharie  County.  X.  Y..  born  in  1798  and  1802,  respectively.  The  father  was  a farmer, 
and  always  made  “ York  State  ” his  home.  He  was  married  three  times,  and  was  the 
father  of  two  children.  He  died  in  1877  and  the  mother  in  1846. 

J.  S.  GRIBBLE,  attorney  at  law.  of  Lebanon,  was  born  in  Warren  County.  Teuu.,  in 
October,  18*34.  His  education  was  received  in  Videmour  College  and  Burrett  College,  of 
Warren  and  Van  Bureu  Counties,  respectively.  J.  S.  speculated  in  stock  for  several 
years  after  leaving  his  parents,  and  in  1856  commenced  merchandising  in  his  native 
county,  and  continued  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  September,  1861.  he  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  Fifth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  anu  the  same  month  was  appointed 
commissary  of  his  company,  holding  the  rank  of  captain.  He  was  captured  soon  after 
the  battle  of  Missionary  Ridge,  and  taken  to  McMinnville,  where  he  was  paroled  with  the 
condition  that  he  was  to  report  every  thirty  days.  After  the  surrender  of  the  Confeder- 
ate Army  he  returned  to  Lebanon,  and  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Cumberland 
University,  remaining  two  sessions.  In  February,  1856,  he  went  to  Woodbury.  Tenn., 
aud  began  practicing  with  Judge  Robert  Cantrell,  but  in  1879  dissolved  partnership  by 
mutual  consent.  In  April  of  the  following  year  Mr.  Gribble  came  to  Lebanon.  In  1870 
he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  Cannon  Count}'  Court,  and  held  the  office  one  year.  In 
July.  1857,  he  wedded  S.  J.  Webb,  daughter  of  B.  W.  We 


bne  was  born  iu 


icon,  turn 


is  the  mother  of  these  children:  Nora  (wife  of  F.  B.  Martin).  Clingmau,  Gertrude  (wife 
of  J.  E.  Miller),  Hilda  (wife  of  Stokely  Black).  Robert  E.,  Power.  Cannon  and  Vida. 
Mr.  Gribble  is  an  earnest  advocate  and  safe  counselor,  and  has  arisen  to  distinction  in 
"his  profession. 

J.  V.  GRIGSBY,  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Wilson  County,  Teuu.,  was 
horn  in  Clark  County,  Ky.,  in  1826,  and. is  one  of  five  children  of  Lewis  K.  and  Fanny 
•(Bush)  Grigsby,  natives  of  Clark  County,  Ky.,  born  in  1801  and  1804,  and  died  in  1864  and 
1819,  respectively.  They  were  married  about  1822,  and  the  father  was  a wealthy  farmer, 
owning  at  the  time  of  his  death  300  acres  of  land.  J.  V.  Grigsby  was  educated  at  Win- 
chester, Ky.,  and  after  the  death  of  his  mother  assumed  control  of  the  old  homestead,  of 
■which  he  became  the  owner,  and  to  which  he  added  acres  until  he  owned  600  acres  of 
land.  October  16,  1867,  he  married  Mary  C.  Robinson,  daughter  of  Dr.  Thomas  H.  Rob- 
inson. Mrs.  Grigsby  was  born  April  5,  1848.  They  have  six  children:  Fannie,  Mar}  W.. 
Thomas  R.,  Amanda  C.,  John  Y.  and  Lewis  K.  In  1878  Mr.  Grigsby  sold  the  old  home 
place  and  came  to  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  where  he  purchased  618  acres  of  land.  For  the 
past  twenty  years  he  has  been  dealing  in  fine  horses,  cattle  and  mules.  His  average  price 
for  cattle  is  about  $1,000,  hut  he  has  received  as  high  as  $3,000  for  one  animal.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  church  members. 

WILLIAM  HAY  HALBERT  was  born  in  Lincoln  County.  Tenn.,  March  26, 1847,  be- 
ing the  son  of  Pleasant  and  Nancy  (Crawford)  Halbert,  both  of  whom  were  born  and  raised 
in  the  above  county.  Our  subject  was  brought  up  on  the  farm,  and  attended  college  at 
Cain  Hill,  Ark.,  for  three  years  under  Prof.  Buchanan.  In  about  1867  he  began  the  study 
*of  medicine,  and  in  1872  entered  the  Eclectic  School  of  Medicine  in  Cincinnati,  and  re- 
mained until  1873,  at  which  time  he  returned  to  his  native  county  and  began  the  practice 
of  his  profession.  He  enlisted  in  the  Ninth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Confederate  Cavalry, 
and  before  he  had  reached  his  eighteenth  year  was  commissioned  color-bearer  of  the  same. 
After  six  years  and  a half  spent  in  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Lincoln  County,  our  sub- 
ject removed  to  Lebanon,  'Wilson  County,  in  order  to  gis'e  his  children  the  benefit  of  the 
excellent  schools,  and  also  to  practice  medicine.  Iu  September,  1870,  h.e  was  married  to 
Susan  J.  Beatic,  who  was  born  also  in  Lincoln  County  in  18*16.  To  them  have  been  born 
itwo  children:  Thomas  Edwin,  born  in  July,  1872,  aud  Mary  Beatie  (deceased),  born  Sep 


1096 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


tember,  1876.  Oursubject  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
Though  practicing  in  a comparatively  new  school  of  medicine  (the  eclectic),  Dr.  Halbert 
has  succeeded  in  building  up  a large  practice,  and  occupies  a prominent  position  in  the 
medical  fraternity  of  Wilson  County.  He  is  a member  of  the  National  Eclectic  Medical 
Association,  and  makes  a practice  of  attending  all  the  meetings  of  the  State  Association. 
He  is  devoted  to  his  profession,  and  is  one  of  the  very  few  physicians  who  practice  for 
love  of  the  profession  as  well  as  for  gain.  Our  subject’s  father  was  one  of  the  wealthiest 
land  and  slave  owners  in  Lincoln  County  before  the  war. 

W.  F.  HAMBLEN,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Dis- 
trict. was  born  March  30,  1817,  in  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  eleven 
children  born  to  Joseph  F.  and  Martha  (Hill)  Hamblen.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia 
in  1790  and  was  of  Turkish  extraction.  In  1S15  he  immigrated  to  Wilson  County,  Tenn., 
purchased  land  in  the  Second  District  and  engaged  in  farming.  By  energy  and  persever- 
ance he  accumulated  considerable  means  which  enabled  him  to  enjoy  the  comforts  of  life. 
He  died  May,  1861.  The  mother  was  also  a native  of  Virginia,  and  died  in  Wilson  County 
in  June,  1871.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District  of  Wilson  County, 
Tenn.,  and  secured  a fair  education  in  the  country  schools.  November  3,  1841,  he  pur- 
chased a farm  of  112  acres  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  and  in  the  same  }'ear  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Sallie  Foster  (Cloide)  Hamblen.  Mr.  Hamblin  has  always  followed 
the  occupation  of  a farmer  and  in  this  he  has  been  quite  successful.  He  is  a Democrat  in 
politics. 

IION.  JAMES  HAMILTON,  president  of  the  Bank  of  Lebanon,  and  one  of  Wilson 
Counties  prominent  farmers,  was  born  August  i4,  1814,  in  Loudoun  County,  Va.,  and  is 
one  of  six  children  born  to  William  and  Margaret  (Hugley)  Hamilton.  The  father  was  of 
Irish  descent,  born  in  Virginia,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  In  1815  he  came  to 
Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  located  in  the  Tweuty-fourth  District,  He  was  quite  success- 
ful as  a farmer,  owning  1,000  acres  at  one  time.  His  death  occurred  in  1840  or  1S41.  The 
mother  was  of  English  descent  and  was  also  a native  of  Virginia.  She  died  about  1870  at 
the  advanced  age  of  eighty  years.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  country  schools  and 
later  in  the  Cumberland  University  at  Nashville.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  began 
teaching,  which  he  continued  for  several  years.  May  20,  1841,  he  married  Jane  McFar- 
land. daughter  of  James  and  Dicy  McFarland.  Mrs.  Hamilton  was  born  August.  1824,  in 
Wilson  County.  They  have  five  children:  Nannie,  wife  of  Dr.  W.  G.  Miller;  Emma,  wife 
of  John  L.  Jones;  James  W.,  a farmer;  John  M.,  a druggist,  and  Robert  Hatton,  a lawyer. 
In  1856  he  bought  1,200  acres  in  the  Third  District,  where  he  now  resides.  In  1881  he 
succeeded  Dr.  Owen  as  president  of  the  Second  National  Bank  of  Lebanon,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1884,  when  the  Bank  of  Lebanon  was  organized,  and  he  was  elected  as  its 
president.  About  1881  he  was  elected  president  of  the  Ilumbold  Carriage  & Wagon  Fac- 
tory. Mr.  Hamilton  has  dealt  largely  in  buying  and  selling  land,  and  at  one  time  was 
running  1,800  acres,  and  is  a man  of  marked  business  capacity  and  a successful  financier. 
In  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  and  in  1843  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  aud  in  1847  he 
was  elected  to  the  Senate  iu  the  State  Legislature,  and  again  in  1872.  During  the  war  he 
was  appointed  colonel  of  the  State  militia  in  Wilson  County,  aud  thus  he  is  known  as 
Col.  Hamilton. 

J.  W.  HAMILTON,  Jr.,  was  bom  August  10,  1853,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is 
the  eldest  son  boru  to  Col.  James  and  Jane  (McFarland)  Hamilton.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  and  received  a rudimentary  education  in  the  county  schools.  At  the 
age  of  fifteen  he  entered  the  Central  College  at  Fayette,  Mo.,  which  institution  he  at- 
tended for  two  and  a half  years,  graduating  from  the  mathematical  department.  After 
leaving  school  he  secured  the  position  of  passenger  conductor  on  the  Nashville  & Chat- 
tanooga Railroad,  his  line  of  travel  beiug  from  Nashville  to  Lebanon.  This  position  he 
held  for  eight  years.  During  the  time  he  was  on  the  railroad  he  was  in  partnership  with 
J.  R.  Shorter  in  the  livery  and  feed  stable  business  in  Lebanon  for  a period  of  two  years. 
September  14,  1883,  lie  wedded  Ruth  Lee  Powell,  who  was  born  in  1865,  and  who  is  the- 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1097 


daughter  of  William  and  Sarah  Powell.  To  our  subject  and  wife  was  born  one  child, 
James  W.  In  1884  Mr.  Hamilton  abandoned  the  railroad  business  and  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  agricultural  pursuits.  He  owns  780  acres  on  the  Nashville  Pike,  live  miles  we>t  of 
Lebanon.  The  first  count}'  court  ever  held  in  the  county  assembled  on  his  farm.  Mr. 
Hamilton  is  a young  man  of  push  and  energy,  which  are  essential  to  success.  He  is  a 
practical  business  man,  and  understands  the  modern  idea  of  cultivating  and  enriching  the 
soil.  He  is  very  conservative  in  regard  to  politics,  voting  for  principle  rather  than  for 
party.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

SAMUEL  HAMILTON,  farmer,  was  horn  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C.,  March  7.  1818. 
and  is  the  son  of  George  and  Rebecca  (Greer)  Hamilton.  The  father,  born  iu  Guilford 
County,  N.  C.,  in  1795,  was  of  Irish  extraction.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  iu 
1819  left  his  native  State  and  immigrated  to  Williamson  Count}',  Tenn.,  where  he  bought 
200  acres  of  land.  His  death  occurred  in  1869.  The  mother  was  born  about  1793  iu  North 
Carolina,  and  died  at  the  unusual  age  of  eighty-five.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the 
farm,  and  secured  his  education  in  the  country  schools  held  in  the  old-fashioned  log- 
houses,  with  stick  aud  mud  chimney,  greased  paper  for  window  lights,  puncheons  for 
seats,  and  the  wide  fire-place  so  prevalent  iu  those  early  days.  October  31.  1844.  he  mar- 
ried Fredonia  Rice,  daughter  of  James  Rice.  She  was  born  about  1825  in  Wilson  County. 
This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children:  Andrew  J.  and  Rebecca  A.  After  mar- 
riage Mr.  Hamilton  settled  on  180  acres  iu  the  Twenty -fifth  District,  which  hi>  Grand- 
father Hamilton  received  for  services  rendered  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  is  very 
conservative  in  politics,  voting  for  principle  and  not  for  party.  He  was  formerly  a mem- 
ber of  the  old  Whig  party,  casting  his  first  vote  for  W.  K.  Harrison  in  1840. 

HON.  R.  A.  HANCOCK,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  January  17, 
1827,  and  is  one  of  twelve  children  of  Lewis  and  Frances  (Adams)  Hancock,  born  in  Vir- 
ginia in  1788  and  1791,  and  died  in  Tennessee  in  1866  and  1864.  respectively.  The  father 
was  of  English  origin,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  brother,  Richard,  in  1809.  He  was 
married  in  1812.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  a farm  and  acquired 
the  rudimentary  portion  of  his  education  in  the  schools  near  his  home,  and  afterward  at- 
tended the  Liberty  school  in  DeKalb  County,  Tenn.  January  12,  1858,  he  married  Ann  J. 
Sneed,  daughter  of  John  and  Annie  Sneed.  Mrs.  Hancock  was  born  in  Wilson  County, 
January  29,  1835.  She  and  husband  became  the  parents  of  these  children:  Della  (de- 
ceased), Etna  (wife  of  Jacob 'Young),  Addie  (deceased).  Walter,  Hallie  and  Myrtle.  After 
attaining  I majority,  Mr.  Hancock  began  farming  for  himself,  but  at  the  end  of  three 
years  went  to  Texas  where  he  remained  six  years.  He  then  returned  and  purchased  500 
acres  of  land  in  Cannon  County,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall  of  1879.  Iu  1870 
he  purchased  his  present  farm  and  now  owns  250  acres  of  valuable  land,  also  166  acres  of 
fine  land  in  Cannon  County,  including  the  old  home  place  of  his  father.  Mr.  Hancock 
has  held  various  civil  offices,  and  in  1884  was  chosen  to  represent  Wilson  County  in  the 
State  Legislature.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  al- 
ways ready  to  assist  laudable  enterprises,  and  lias  been  instrumental  in  organizing  and 
Starting  a number  of  schools.  He  is  a grandson  of  Benjamin  Hancock,  who  helped  pre- 
pare the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

WESLEY  HANCOCK,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  in  1829  in  Wilson  County, 
and  is  the  son  of  Wesley  and  Polly  (Lee)  Hancock.  The  father  was  born  1787  in  the  State 
of  North  Carolina,  and  in  his  early  life  was  a hatter,  but  in  his  latter  days  engaged  in 
farming.  He  was  married  in  1815,  and  in  1818  emigrated  to  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  where 
he  died  in  1865.  The  mother  was  born  in  1796  in  North  Carolina,  aud  after  the  death  of  her 
husband  made  her  home  with  her  son,  Janies  II.  She  died  January  13,  1833,  at  the  ad 
v a need  age  of  eighty-six.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native 
county,  and  remained  at  home  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  June  6.  1850,  he  married 
Margaret  Drake,  daughter  of  James  and  Jane  Drake.  Mrs.  Hancock  was  horn  in  1SU  in 
Wilson  Couuty,  and  by  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Hancock  became  the  mother  of  three  cliil 
dren:  Samuel  L..  Ifettie  L.  aud  Kate.  After  marriage  our  subject  bought  244  acres  iu  the 


■ 


1098 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Twenty-first  District,  four  miles  south  of  Lebanon,  on  the  Murfreesboro  Pike,  where  he 
now  resides.  He  has  added  to  his  land  from  time  to  time,  and  at  the  present  owns  564 
acres.  Mr.  Hancock  is  highly  esteemed  as  a good  citizen  and  neighbor.  During  the  late 
war  he  was  a Union  man,  but  was  formerly  a member  of  the  old  Whig  party.  His  wife 
is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

PROF.  J.  B.  HANCOCK.  A.  B.,  A.  M.,  principal  of  Maple  Hill  Seminary,  was  born 
in  July,  1848,  in  Wilson  County  and  is  theson  of  Martin  and  Martha  (Handcock)  Hancock. 
The  father  was  of  Scotch  lineage  and  was  born  in  1827  in  Wilson  County.  He  was  a farmer 
by  occupation.  His  parents,  our  subject’s  grandfather  and  grandmother,  were  natives 
of  Virginia,  coming  to  Tennessee  as  early  as  1796.  They  remained  in  the  fort  at  Nash- 
ville for  a short  time  and  then  came  to  Wilson  County.  The  grandfather  settled  on  Pilot 
Knob  and  assisted  in  farming  the  first  settlement.  Martin  Hancock  located  in  the  Nine- 
teenth District  and  purchased  300  acres  of  land.  Here  he  remained  uniil  his  career 
ended.  He  died  April  16,  1876.  The  mother  was  of  Scotch  lineage,  a native  of  Wilson 
County,  Tenn.,  and  her  birth  occurred  in  183*3.  Since  her  husband’s  death  she  has  been 
living  with  her  son.  Prof.  J.  B.  Hancock.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  at  home 
and  received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  county  schools.  At  the  early  age  of 
fourteen  he  assumed  control  of  his  father’s  farm  and  managed  it  successfully  for  some 
time,  and  when  nineteen  years  of  age  he  entered  the  sophomore  Class  of  the  Cumber- 
land University,  graduating  with  honors  June,  1870.  He  then  entered  the  teacher’s  pro- 
fession and  was  elected  president  of  Woodbury  College,  Cannon  County,  where  he  re- 
mained for  two  years.  Subsequently  he  was  president  of  different  colleges  and  at  the 
present  is  president  of  Maple  Hill  Seminary,  of  which  institution  he  is  the  founder  and 
proprietor.  It  was  organized  September  1, 1880,  for  the  purpose  of  educating  young  ladies. 
It  is  beautifully  situated  west  of  Lebanon  on  the  Nashville  *fe  Lebanon  Pike.  It  had  a 
gradual  increase  from  its  organization  and  at  the  present  accommodates  118  pupils.  Prof. 
Hancock  owns  268  acres  of  land  and  supplies  bis  boarding  school  from  the  products  of 
this  fertile  farm.  He  also  owns  the  old  homestead  of  300  acres.  As  an  educator,  Prof. 
Hancock  ranks  among  the  leaders  of  the  county  and  is  universally  recognized  as  a very 
able  instructor  and  disciplinarian.  In  1870  bis  alma  mater  conferred  on  him  the  degree 
of  A.  B.,  and  in  1873  the  degree  of  A.  M. ; October  15,  1874,  be  wedded  Julia  J.  Harris, 
daughter  of  Baker  W.  and  Sarah  Harris.  Mrs.  Hancock  was  born  October  29,  1852,  in 
Wilson  County.  Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  (Knights  Templar) 
and  K.  of  P.,  having  taken  all  the  degrees.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  his  wife  of  the  Christian  Church. 

J.  E.  HANCOCK,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  District  No.  21,  was  born  August  19, 
1S52,  where  he  is  now  living.  He  is  the  son  of  William  and  Sophia  (Hines)  Hancock. 
The  father  was  born  June  14,  1818,  in  District  No.  21,  Wilson  County,  and  was  a farmer  by 
occupation.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  occurred  February  10, 1842.  he  was  living* 
in  his  native  county.  In  July,  1845,  he  bought  135  acres  in  the  Twenty-first  District, 
where  he  located  and  remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  August  18,  1872.  He  was. 
quite  successful  as  a farmer,  owning  at  one  time  upward  of  1,000  acres.  The  mother  was- 
born  January  17,  1824,  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  and  died  July  30.  1866.  There  were 
seven  children  born  to  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject  received  bis  edu- 
cation in  the  country  schools,  and.  in  addition  lie  attended  Woodbury  College  at  Wood- 
bury, Tenn.  October  10,  1877,  he  wedded  Carrie  Alsup,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born 
September  17.  1860,  and  the  daughter  of  Rev.  A.  II.  Alsup.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hancock 
were  born  two  children:  Homer  and  Howard.  After  marriage  our  subject  remained  on 
the  old  home  place  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a young  man  of  push  and  energy,  and 
owns  590  acres  in  the  Twenty-first  District,  and  he  and  his  wife  own  295  acres  in  the 
Twenty  third  District.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  and  a member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity. His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  HANNAH,  M.  D..  is  a son  of  John  M.  and  Amelia  (Jones)  Hannah,  and 
-was  born  October  12,  1828.  The  parents  were  of  Welsh  and  Scotch  descent,  born  in  1802 


' 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


ioor> 


ami  1806,  respectively,  in  Tennessee.  The  father  was  a farmer,  and  died  in  1830.  His 
widow  then  married  Dr.  Hardin  Ragland,  and  died  December  15,  1885.  Our  subject  was 
educated  in  the  Cumberland  University,  and  when  twenty-one  years  old  began  studying 
medicine  under  Dr.  Ragland.  In  1851  he  graduated  from  the  Louisville  (Ky.)  Medical 
College,  and  in  February  of  that  year  wedded  S.  E.  Hankins,  born  in  1835  in  Wilson 
County,  and  daughter  of  Matthew  C.  and  Martha  P.  Hankins.  They  have  one  child  liv- 
ing— John  Matthew.  Dr.  Hannah  was  with  Dr.  Ragland  two  years,  and  then  moved  to 
Cherry  Valley  and  practiced  about  the  same  length  of  time.  In  1860  he  bought  160  acres 
of  land,  and  carried  on  farming  with  his  practice.  In  1885  he  sold  out  and  moved  to 
Lebanon,  and  a year  later  established  a livery  and  feed  stable,  with  Merrit  House  as  part- 
ner, still  continuing  his  practice.  The  Doctor  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Good  Templars. 

DR.  J.  S.  HARALSON,  farmer,  was  born  August  2, 1832,  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn., 
and  is  the  son  of  Jara  and  Margaret  (Hessa)  Haralson  The  father  was  of  English  de- 
scent, born  in  1802  in  Halifax  County,  Ya.,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  He  came  to 
Tennessee,  and  in  1824  was  married.  In  1S39  he  bought  500  acres  in  the  Twenty-second 
District,  Wilson  County,  where  he  died  in  1S79.  He  was  twice  married,  and  was  the  father 
of  six  children,  three  of  whom  are  living.  The  mother  was  of  Irish  descent,  born  in  1803 
in  Virginia.  She  died  in  1836.  Our  subject  was  reared  without  a mother’s  love  or  train- 
ing, she  having  died  when  he  was  but  four  years  old.  He  was  educated  in  the  country 
schools  and  in  Booth  Spring  Seminary.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  commenced  the- 
study  of  medicine,  which  he  continued  for  three  years.  In  1S54  he  entered  the  medical 
department  of  the  University  of  Nashville,  and  took  a course  of  lectures.  October  18. 
1856,  he  married  Sarah  Sanders,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  1840,  and  the  daughter  of 
Thomas  Sanders.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haralson  were  born  five  children:  Leonard.  James, 
Samuel,  Chorus  and  Beulah.  In  1857  he  began  practicing,  and  continued  until  the  war,, 
when  he  enlisted  in  the  Second  Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Coffeeville, 
Belmont,  and  numerous  skirmishes.  In  February,  1863,  he  wras  discharged,  and  returned 
home,  settling  near  the  old  home  place.  After  his  father’s  death  he  moved  to  the  old 
homestead,  where  he  has  since  resided.  Dr.  Haralson  lost  his  wife  in  1872,  and  in  1881  he 
married  M.  F.  Gleaves,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  in  1854,  and  by  this  union  became  the 
father  of  three  children:  Zara,  Mary  and  Etta  G.  The  Doctor  now  owns  391  acres,  and  is 
a Prohibitionist.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 

WILLIAM  M.  HARKREADER,  clerk  of  the  Wilson  County  Court,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 9,  1839,  the  youngest  of  three  children  born  to  John  F.  and  Judith  (Oldham)  Hark- 
reader.  The  father  was  of  German  origin,  born  in  Virginia  in  1805,  and  a wheelwright 
and  farmer  by  occupation.  He  came  to  Robertson  County,  Tenn.,  in  his  youth,  but  after 
residing  some  time  in  Kentucky  came  to  Wilson  County,  Tenu.,  and  there  resided  until 
his  death  in  1878.  The  mother  was  born  in  1810,  and  came  from  Virginia  to  Tennessee  in 
her  youth,  and  here  died  in  1878,  only  a few  hours  previous  to  that  of  her  husband. 
William  M.  was  educated  inthe  schools  of  Wilson  County,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of 
hostilities  between  the  North  and  South  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Seventh  Regiment  Ten- 
nessee Infantry,  and  participated  in  many  of  the  bloodiest  engagements  of  the  war.  He 
was  so  severely  wounded  at  the  second  battle  of -Manassas  that  his  left  arm  was  ampu- 
tated. At  the  reorganization*  of  the  army  he  was  made  second  lieuteuant,  and  rose  to 
the  rauk  of  first  lieutenant.  After  receiving  his  wound  he  was  given  post  dut}’  until  1861, 
when  he  resigned,  but  was  captured  at  Rome,  Ga.,  and  taken  to  Johnson’s  Island,  where 
he  remained  until  the  surrender.  After  his  return  home  he  attended  school  teu  months, 
and  in  1870  was  elected  revenue  collector  of  Wilson  County  for  two  years,  and  in  1873  was 
appointed  to  fill  an  unexpired  term  in  the  same  office  by  the  county  court.  In  1877  he  was 
appointed  deputy  clerk  of  the  county  court,  and  served  until  1880.  Since  1882  he  has  held 
his  present  office,  and  has  gi.ven  good  satisfaction.  December  5,  1878,  he  married  Ella  L. 
Coe,  daughter  of  J.  F.  Coe.  Mrs.  Ilarkreader  was  born  in  1859  in  Lebanon.  They  have 


• 

■ 


1100 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


one  child,  Mary  L.  Mr.  Harkreadcr  is  a Mason,  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  P.  and 
A.  O.  U.  W. 

J.  A.  HAYNES,  proprietor  of  a boot  and  shoe  store  and  manufacturing  establishment 
of  Lebanon,  was  born  March  2,  1825,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  son  of  Anderson  and 
Margaret  (Swift)  Haynes,  born  in  Virginia,  the  father  in  17S4.  He  was  a carpenter, 
and  after  his  marriage  came  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  where  he  died  in  1S30.  The 
mother  died  in  1827,  thus  leaving  our  subject  without  a protector.  At  the  age  of  eight 
years  he  was  bound  out  to  John  M.  Wright,  of  whom  he  learned  the  shoe-maker’s  trade, 
continuing  four  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  he  was  bound  out  to  William  Denning, 
of  Nashville,  remaining  with  him  seven  years.  In  1844  he  came  to  Lebanon  and  in  1845 
established  a boot  and  shoe  establishment.  At  the  latter  date  he  married  Elizabeth  Har- 
rington, daughter  of  H.  and  L.  Harrington.  Mrs.  Haynes  died  in  1848,  having  borne  two 
children,  both  of  whom  are  deceased.  September  2,  1840,  Mr.  Haynes  married  Martha 
Smith,  born  in  1831,  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Smith.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haynes  have 
two  children:  John  and  Elizabeth.  Mr.  Haynes  is  the  oldest  business  man  of  Lebanon, 
and  his  boot  and  shoe  establishment  is  the  next  oldest  in  the  United  States.  By  his 
straightforward  course  through  life  he  has  deservedly  prospered.  He  is  a Democrat,  and 
cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  James  K.  Polk.  He  is  a Mason  and  a member  of  Lodge 
No.  98,  of  Lebanon,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

LEE  HAYS,  farmer,  was  born  at  Cottage  Home,  Tenn.,  in  September,  1S34,  and  is 
one  of  nine  children  born  to  James  T.  and  Marlinda  (Knight)  Hays,  natives  of  North 
Carolina,  born  in  1803  and  1807  and  died  in  1864  and  1875,  respectively.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  Tennessee  in  1825.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  schools  near  his  home,  and 
on  the  24th  of  April,  1861,  wedded  Miss  M.  P.,  daughter  of  James  M.  and  Nancy  Weath- 
erby.  She  was  born  in  Rutherford  County  in  1844,  and  departed  this  life  April  12,  1877. 
To  them  were  born  five  children,  four  of  them  now  living:  Martha  L.,  James  P..  Hattie 
M.  and  Lockie  D.  In  March.  18S0,  he  wedded  F.,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth 
Kiolon.  Mrs.  Hays  was  born  in  1854,  and  has  borne  three  children:  Stokley  B.,  Mary  E. 
and  Fannie.  Our  subject  remained  under  the  paternal  roof  until  he  was  twenty-six  years 
of  age,  but  began  farming  for  himself  some  time  before.  Since  his  marriage  he  has  lived 
on  the  old  homestead  and  now  owns  100  acres  of  valuable  land.  In  1859  he  began  mer- 
chandising at  Cottage  Home,  continuing  until  the  war.  In  1881  he  began  the  business  in 
partnership  with  J.  B.  Eastes.  and  at  the  end  of  one  year  became  sole  proprietor.  Later 
-he  disposed  of  his  stock  and  has  since  given  his  attention  to  farming,  and  has  dealt  ex- 
tensively in  mules  and  hogs  for  upward  of  thirty  years.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member 
of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JAMES  B.  HORN,  farmer  and  an  old  citizen  of  District  No.  3.  was  born  in  1828,  near 
his  present  residence,  and  was  reared  without  a father’s  care  or  training,  his  father  hav- 
ing died  when  our  subject  was  but  six  years  old.  His  education  was  received  in  the  pioneer 
schools  of  his  native  county.  May  4,  1854,  he  married  Margaret  A.  Vaughan,  who  was 
born  Novembers,  1833,  in  Davidson  Count}’.  Tenn.  To  this  union  were  born  three  chil- 
dren: Bettie,  Fannie  and  James  A.  Sir.  Horn  is  living  on  the  old  place  and  owns  128 
acres  of  the  old  home  tract,  but  his  sou  James  looks  after  the  interest  of  the  tract  in  a 
skillful  and  successful  manner.  Mrs.  Horn  died  September  12.  1861,  and  for  the  past  sev- 
enteen years  Bettie  Horn  has  been  keeping  house  for  her  brother  and  father.  Mr.  Horn 
was  at  one  time  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat.  He  is  the  son  of  Etheldred  P. 
and  Elizabeth  N.  (Baker)  Horn.  The  father  was  born  in  1796.  in  the  State  of  North  Car- 
olina, and  was  a tiller  of  the  soil.  He  came  to  Tennessee  in  the  early  part  of  the  present 
century,  and  bought  640  acres  in  District  No.  3,  five  miles  west  of  Lebanon,  where  he 
settled  and  where  his  career  ended  Septeuiber  1,  1835,  while  he  was  yet  in  the  prime  of 
life.  The  mother  was  born  about  1792,  in  Baltimore  County.  Md.  After  the  death  of  her 
husband  she  lived  on  the  old  home  place  with  her  son  James,  our  subject,  until  her  death, 
which  occurred  in  1873. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1101 


J.  M.  HORN,  farmer,  was  born  in  1843.  in  Smith  County.  Tenn.,  son  of  Burrell  and  Abi- 
gail (Traywick)  Horn.  The  father  was  of  English  descent,  and  was  a native  of  Hanson 
County,  X.  C.  He  was  married  in  his  native  county,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  immi- 
grating to  Smith  County.  Tenn.,  about  1837.  At  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in 
1866,  he  was  living  in  Lawrence  County,  Ark.  The  mother  was  of  Welsh  descent,  a native 
of  Hanson  County,  X.  C.,  and  since  her  husband’s  death  has  been  living  in  Arkansas.  They 
were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  five  of  whom  are  living.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  our  subject 
left  home,  and  when  hostilities  broke  out  bet  ween  the  Xorth  and  South  he  enlisted  in  May, 
1861.  in  Company  B,  Seventh  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantry,  Confederate  States  Army.  He 
took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Cheat  Mountain.  Romney,  Seven  Pines,  Cold  Harbor, 
where  he  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm  and  released  from  active  duty  for  about  two  weeks. 
He  afterward  fought  in  the  battles  of  Cedar  Run,  Second  Manassas.  Harper’s  Ferry,  Fred- 
Ticksburg,  Chancellorsville  and  Gettysburg,  where  he  was  captured  and  taken  to  Fort  Dela- 
ware, but  was  kept  a very  short  time.  He  returned  to  Smith  County  after  the  war,  and  in  a 
few  days  came  to  Wilson  County,  and  has  lived  there  ever  since.  In  connection  with  farm- 
ing he  began  the  study  of  law.  and  in  1869  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  and  from  that  date  to 
the  present  he  has  been  practicing  his  profession.  December  31, 1882,  he  married  Isabell  R. 
Harris,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  December  6.  1860,  and  the  daughter  of  W.  D. 
Harris.  Mr.  Horn  commenced  lite  as  a poor  boy,  but  by  perseverance  and  industry  is 
doing  finely.  He  now  owns  1,400  acres,  and  is  an  honest  and  respectable  citizen.  In 
politics  he  is  a Democrat,  casting  his  first  vote  for  Jefferson  Davis.  His  wife  is  a member 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

-J.  W.  HUDDLESTOX,  retired  physician  and  surgeon,  of  Lebanon,  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee in  1834.  son  of  W.  W.  and  Mary  (Tarver)  Huddleston.  The  father  was  born  in 
Buckingham  County,  Va.,  in  1808,  and  was  a farmer  and  merchant  by  occupation.  He 
came  to  Tennessee  in  his  boyhood  and  was  married  in  1827,  dying  in  1855.  The  mother 
was  b^rn  in  Tennessee  in  1812,  and  died  in  1854.  J.  W.  Huddleston  attended  the  acade- 
mies of  his  native  county  and  the  University  of  Xashville  for  nearly  two  years.  At  the 
age  of  twenty  he  began  studying  medicine  under  Dr.  Alsup,  and  the  following  year  en- 
tered the  medical  department  of  the  Xashville  University,  graduating  in  March,  1857,  as 
an  M.  D.  He  practiced  for  some  time  in  Xashville,  afterward  in  Wilson  County;  thence 
to  Marshall  County,  in  1877.  In  1884,  he  finally  located  in  Lebanon,  where  he  purchased 
property  and  has  since  resided.  He  has  been  a leading  man  in  his  profession,  and  in  1862 
- was  surgeon  in  the  Confederate  armies.  In  polities  the  Doctor  is  a Democrat,  but  was  a 
Whig  while  that  party  was  in  existence.  In  February,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Alice  Rob- 
ertson. daughter  of  Dr.  Peyton  and  Ellen  (Davis)  Robertson,  and  granddaughter  of  Gen. 
James  Robertson,  one  of  Tennessee’s  most  noted  pioneers.  He  was  a sturdy,  brave  and 
influential  man,  and  Robertson  County  was  named  in  his  honor.  (See  history  for  further 
facts  concerning  him.)  Mrs.  Huddleston  w*as  born  in  Xashville.  in  1838,  and  she  and  hus- 
band have  two  children,  Xellie  (wife  of  W.  R.  Chambers)  and  Josie. 

R.  M.  IRELAND,  agent  of  the  Southern  Express  Company  and  freight  agent  of  the 
Nashville,  Chattanooga  & St.  Louis  Railroad  at  Lebanon,  was  born  in  Sumner  County, 
Tenn.,  July  28,  1844,  and  is  one  of  twelve  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  Benjamin  W. 
and  Fannie  (Stratton)  Ireland,  who  were  of  Irish  descent,  born  in  Xorth  Carolina  and 
Tennessee  in  1789  and  1817,  respectively.  The  father  was  a teacher  by  profession,  but 
later  in  life  followed  merchandising  and  farming.  He  died  in  1853.  The  mother  was  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Fannie  Stratton  and  after  her  husband’s  death  lived  on  the  old 
home  place  with  her  children  until  1875,  when  she  broke  up  housekeeping  and  afterward 
Tesided  with  her  children.  She  died  in  Xashville  in  1881.  Our  subject  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  and  one  session  at  Chapel  Hill  Seminary  in  Marshall  County.  In  1871  he 
was  appointed  deputy  sheriff  of  Sumner  County,  and  held  the  office  four  years.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Second  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  participated  in  many  of  the 
battles  of  the  war,  serving  until  the  close,  not  being  wounded  or  captured  during  his  serv- 
ice. December  9,  1$>07,  he  married  Maggie  Scroggin,  who  died  in  January,  1875.  A year 

co 


1102 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


later  he  came  to  Lebanon  and  became  night  watchman  for  the  Lebanon  Depot,  and  eight 
months  later  was  appointed  express  messenger  and  baggage  master  on  the  railroad  be- 
tween Lebanon  and  Nashville,  and  in  1878  was  given  his  present  position.  October  2, 
1878,  he  married  Addie  Kelly,  daughter  of  Hanson  and  Annie  Kelly,  of  New  Orleans. 
Mrs.  Ireland  was  born  October  2.  1857.  They  have  three  children:  Laura,  Hanson  and 
Fannie.  Mr.  Ireland  is  very  popular  as  a railroad  official,  and  in  politics  is  a Democrat. 
He  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

THOMAS  JENKINS  is  one  of  teu  children  born  to  Simon  and  Nancy  (Muse)  Jenkins, 
and  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Ky.,  September  10,  1822,  and  there  received  his  educa- 
tion. He  made  his  home  with  his  parents  as  long  as  they  lived  and  then  he  and  a brother 
managed  the  homestead  for  several  years.  In  18G9  he  came  to  Lebanon  and  in  1871  en- 
gaged in  the  grocer}"  business,  and  after  continuing  for  seven  years  he  added  hardware  to 
his  stock,  but  sold  out  in  1855.  In  July,  1884,  he  purchased  a beautiful  home,  consisting 
of  fifty-eight  acres  in  the  suburbs  of  Lebanon.  During  Mr.  Jenkins’  career  as  a merchant 
in  Lebanon  he  carried  a No.  1 stock  and  was  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Lebanon 
for  fifteen  years.  During  his  long  lease  of  life  he  has  proved  himself  to  be  “ an  honest 
man,  the  noblest  work  of  God."  He  is  liberal  in  all  benevolent  movements,  and  is  an 
earnest  member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a Democrat.  The  father  and  mother  were 
born  in  Virginia  in  1793  and  1800,  and  died  in  1845  and  1847,  respectively.  They  were 
married  in  Virginia  about  1809  and  moved  to  Warren  County,  Ky.,  and  there  purchased 
680  acres  of  land  and  became  a very  successful  farmer.  He  at  one  time  owned  1,826  acres, 
but  gave  liberally  to  his  children. 

J.  M.  and  J.  L.  JENNINGS  constitute  the  firm  of  Jennings  Bros.,  merchants  of 
Statesville,  Tenn.  They  are  two  of  five  children  of  J.  L.  and  Martha  (Doss)  Jennings,  who 
were  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  DeKalb  County,  Tenn.,  October  20,  1827,  and 
July  7,  1828,  respectively.  They  -were  married  in  1830  and  located  near  Statesville, 
where  they  still  reside.  J.  M.  Jennings,  the  older  member  of  the  firm,  was  born  in  Wil- 
son County  September  31,  1836,  and  in  1880  entered  into  partnership  with  his  cousin  A. 
L.  Jennings  in  the  mercantile  business,  continuing  for  about  eighteen  months  when  he 
purchased  his  cousin’s  interest,  and  up  to  1885  carried  on  the  business  by  himself.  At 
that  time  his  brother  J.  L.  became  his  partner.  He  was  married  January  26.  1885,  to 
-Miss  Lena,  daughter  of  J.  P.  Hale.  She  was  born  August  17,  1867,  and  has  borne  one 
child — Mamie.  Mr.  Jennings  is  a Democrat,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  J.  L.  Jennings  was  born  December  25,  1858,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  purchased  a farm  near  Statesville,  on  which 
he  lived  several  years,  and  in  1885  became  a partner  with  his  brother  in  the  mercantile 
business.  He  is  also  proprietor  of  a hotel  in  Statesville,  and  controls  a large  share  of  the- 
traveling  public.  October  13,  1881,  be  wedded  Miss  S.  A.,  daughter  of  Dr.  T.  H.  Knight. 
He  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  his  brother  are  recognized  as  honest  and  upright  business 
men. 

C.  L.  JOHNS  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  in  1850,  being  one  of  two  sons  of  Charles 
L.  and  Elizabeth  (Davis)  Johns.  The  father  was  a Baptist  minister  of  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee, and  after  his  marriage  also  worked  at  the  printer’s  trade.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  in  1850,  he  was  a resident  of  Lebanon.  The  mother  was  born  in  1823,  and  since 
her  husband's  death  has  been  living  with  her  mother  and  son  in  Lebanon.  C.  L.  Johns 
was  educated  in  private  schools  and  in  the  Cumberland  University.  When  quite  young 
he  began  working  in  a brick -yard,  receiving  25  cents  per  day  for  his  services,  and  also 
clerked  in  W.  II.  Brown's  dry  goods  store  in  Franklin,  Ky.,  and  in  Lebanon  for  several 
years.  In  1871  he  went  to  Nashville,  and  after  clerking  there  two  years  returned  to  Leb- 
anon and  resumed  work  with  Mr.  Brown,  with  whom  he  remained  until  1879,  when  he 
established  a dry  goods  store  of  his  own  in  Lebanon,  which  he  has  conducted  very  suc- 
cessfully to  the  present  time.  February  5.  1879.  he  was  married  to  Kate  Cowcn.  who  was. 
born  in  1854,  daughter  of  Dr.  M.  W.  and  Addie  Cowen.  Mrs.  Johns  died  June  28,  1880„ 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1103 


and  since  that  time  Mr.  Johns  has  resided  with  his  mother.  Mr.  Johns  is  a good  business 
man  and  one  of  the  lirst  merchants  of  Lebanon.  He  is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  Iv.  of  P.,  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

J.  C.  JOHNSON  is  oue  of  nine  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  James  and  Cassandy 
Johnson,  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion,  were  born  in  1772  and  1774,  and  died  in  1848  and 
1846,  respectively.  They  were  married  about  1800.  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  180G,  where 
they  purchased  land  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  Our  subject,  J.  C.  Johnson, 
was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  December  20,  1810.  He  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  his 
education  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  near  his  home.  December  23,  1841,  he  led 
to  the  hymeueal  altar  Miss  Locky  Craddock,  daughter  of  Richard  and  Nancy  Craddock. 
She  was  born  in  February,  1817,  and  departed  this  life  July  20,  1864.  To  them  were  born 
these  children:  Richard,  Locky  (wife  of  Lewis  Tribble),  Mary  J.  (wife  of  H.  C,  David). 
Emily  (wife  of  T.  Iv.  David)  and  Dr.  J.  H.,  now  a practicing  physician  of  Nashville. 
After  attaining  his  twenty-first  birthday  our  subject  went  to  West  Tennessee,  where  he 
remained  one  year  and  then  returned  home  and  began  managing  his  father’s  farm.  For 
bis  second  wife  he  wedded  Mrs.  Malissa  (Bedel)  Branch,  who  was  born  June  24,  1833.  They 
have  three  children:  Joseph  M.,  Andrew  and  Ida.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a well-to-do  farmer, 
and  has  always  contributed  liberally  to  church  and  school  organizations.  He  is  a Re- 
publican, and  was  strongly  opposed  to  secession.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Mis- 
sionary Baptist  Church. 

CALVIN  JONES,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  Cherry  Valley,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Wil- 
son County,  November  23, 1819,  being  one  of  eight  children  of  William  and  Lucy  (Wamack) 
Jones,  natives  of  Virginia,  born  in  1791  and  1798  respect ively.  The  father  came  to  Tonnes-, 
sec  when  a boy,  and  was  married  September  25,  1816.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation, 
and  died  December  7,  1848,  and  the  mother  in  1835.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared 
on  a farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  near  his  home.  June  18.  1846,  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Susanna,  daughter  of  Ethelrid  and  Nancy  Barby.  Mrs.  Jones  was  born 
Novembers,  1824.  and  has  borne  her  husband  two  children:  Nancy  A.  (wife  of  George 
Donnel),  and  Mandy  (widow  of  John  M.  Berry).  At  an  early  day  Mr.  Jones  learned  the 
blacksmith’s  trade,  and  after  his  marriage  worked  at  that  business  for  twenty-two  years. 
After  Iiis  father’s  death  he  and  his  brother  Alfred  purchased  about  170  acres  of  the  home 
farm  and  discontinued  smithing.  He  has  devoted  his  time  to  farming,  but  spent  a few 
years  in  operating  a saw-mill.  He  now  owns  211  acres  of  land,  on  which  he  erected 
a fine  dwelling  house.  Mr.  Jones  is  noted  for  his  honesty,  and  is  much  esteemeed  b}T  a 
large  circle  of  friends  and  relatives. 

J.  H.  KENNEDY  is  one  of  thirteen  children  of  William  B.  and  Drusilla  (Hobson) 
Kennedy,  and  was  born  in  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  June  23,  1816.  The  father  was  born  in 
the  “ Old  Dominion  ” in  17S1,  and  went  to  Kentucky  with  his  widowed  mother  when  a 
youth,  and  later  came  to  Tennessee  and  died  in  September,  1840.  The  mother  was  born 
in  Tennessee  in  1801,  and  died  in  1853.  Our  subject  was  educated  near  home,  and  Febru- 
ary 28,  1S39,  married  Lucinda  C.,  daughter  of  Janies  and  Nancy  Ewing.  Mrs.  Kennedy 
was  born  in  1819,  and  has  borne  five  children:  J.  W.,  N.  D.  (wife  of  Horace  Knight), 
Mary  E.  (wife  of  Daniel  Smith),  J.  T.  and  S.  A.  (wife  of  C.  P.  Rich).  At  the  age  of  eight- 
een our  subject  began  working  for  Tally  & Bro.,  merchants,  of  Statesville,  and  a year 
later  became  a soldier  in  the  Seminole  war.  and  Ins  company  acted  as  advance  guard  for 
the  regular  army.  After  again  serving  some  time  as  salesman  he  purchased  200  acres  of 
land  where  he  now  lives,  and  which  he  has  increased  to  300  acres.  He  suffered  large 
losses  from  the  effects  of  the  civil  war,  but  in  the  main,  fortune  has  dealt  kindly  with  him. 
lie  belongs  to  the  Democratic  party  and  the  Masonic  fraternity.  His  wife  is  a member 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  D.  KIRKPATRICK,  1).  I).,  professor  of  historic  and  practical  theology  in 
Cumberland  University  and  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Lebanon  Rrgistrr,  was  born  July 
8,  1836,  r-oti  of  Anderson  and  Eliza  (Moss)  Kirkpatrick,  who  were  the  parents  of  nine 
children.  The  father  was  of  Scotch-Irisli  lineage,  born  iu  Wilson  County  in  1808,  a farmer 


1104 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


and  stock  raiser  by  occupation.  He  was  married  about  1828,  and  lias  since  resided  on  the 
the  old  homestead,  which  consists  of  several  hundred  acres.  The  mother  was  born  in 
1814  in  Christian  County,  Ky..  and  died  in  1ST5.  Our  subject  received  his  rudimentary 
education  in  the  county  schools,  and  afterward  attended  the  Hartsville  High  School  for 
three  years  and  the  high  school  at  Mount  Juliet  two  years.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he 
entered  Cumberland  University,  remaining  two  years.  In  1857  he  entered  the  Theologi- 
cal Seminary  of  the  same  institution.  He  began  teaching  in  1854,  and  in  1858  became  a 
minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  being  ordained  in  1860.  In  April,  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Maney's  company,  First  Tennessee  Regiment.  In  1802  he  returned  to  Sumner  County 
and  raised  Companies  C and  D,  and  was  elected  captain  of  Company  C,  Seventh  Tennes- 
see Cavalry.  He  participated  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  of  the  war,  and  rose  to  the 
rauk  of  colonel,  lie  was  seriously  wounded  at  Cynthiana.  Ky.,  and  was  compelled  to 
give  up  active  duty,  and  was  given  charge  of  the  enrolling  department  at  Richmond,  Va. 
He  was  also  chaplain  of  his  regiment.  After  his  return  he  resumed  teaching,  and  Novem- 
ber 1,  1806,  he  married  Susan  Kirkpatrick,  who  has  borne  him  four  children:  Curry  B.. 
Donnell  B.,  John  D.  and  Harry  B.  In  1865  he  was  given  the  pastorate  of  the  Goodletts- 
ville  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  where  he  remained  four  years,  and  then  took 
charge  of  the  Second  Cumberland  Church  of  Nashville.  In  1875  he  was  called  to  Leba- 
non to  become  the  financial  agent  of  Cumberland  University,  and  at  the  same  time  ac- 
cepted the  chair  of  historic  and  practical  theology,  which  he  has  since  filled  with  credit 
to  himself  and  honor  to  the  institution.  In  1880  he  was  made  managing  editor  and 
proprietor  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Recitw.  This  he  disposed  of,  however,  and 
in  1385  took  charge  of  the  Register . In  December  of  the  same  year  the  building  caught 
fire,  and  was  con>umed  with  all  its  contents.  He  immediately  re-established  himself  and  is 
at  present  editing  a newsy  and  valuable  paper.  In  1SS4  the  degree  of  D.  D.  was  conferred 
upon  him  entirely  unsolicited.  He  is  a man  of  unsullied  reputation,  a gentleman  and  a 
scholar.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  K.  of  Id.  and  K.  of  P. 

N.  P.  LAXOM,  farmer  and  miller,  of  District  No.  23,  was  born  in  1839,  in  Wilson 
County,  and  is  the  son  of  William  R.  and  Sallie  (Leatli)  Lnnom.  The  father  was  born 
November  25, 1809,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  Soon 
after  his  marriage  he  moved  to  Bedford  County,  and  in  four  or  five  years  moved  back  to 
Wilson  County,  where  he  bought  upward  of  400  acres  of  land  in  the  Twenty-third  Dis- 
trict. He  died  in  1874.  The  mother  was  born  July  22,  1811.  and  is  now  living  with  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  W.  N.  Flowers.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  Nathan  Lanom,  was  a native 
of  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Wilson  Count}*  previous  to  the  year  1800,  and  was  oue  of 
the  first  settlers  of  that  county.  Our  subject  was  reared  at  home,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted 
in  Company  C4,  Seventh  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  Confederate  States  Army,  and 
fought  in  the  battles  of  Seven  Pines,  Richmond  and  Cedar  Run.  In  the  last  named 
battle  he  was  wounded  in  the  thigh,  the  cause  of  which  relieved  him  from  active  duty 
about  four  months,  he  being  in  the  hospital  p.t  Charlottsville,  Va.  After  recovering  from 
his  wounds  he  received  an  unlimited  furlough  and  returned  home.  In  the  fall  of  1863  he 
enlisted  in  Company  D,  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  remained  out  until  after  the  surrender. 
February  2,  1864,  he  married  Caldonia  Tennessee  Burke,  who  was  born  in  Wilson  County 
December,  1814,  and  the  fruits  r>f  this  union  were  six  children:  Sallie  A.,  William  J., 
Lucy  J.,  Laura  L.,  Freddie  and  Nannie  A.  In  I860  Mr.  Lanom  bought  160  acres  in  the 
Twenty-third  District,  where  he  now  lives,  lie  has  been  a hard-working  and  industrious 
man,  and  now  owns  600  acres  of  land.  In  1884  he  purchased  a saw  mill,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  added  a grist-mill,  both  of  which  he  runs  in  connection  with  his  farm.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  casting  his  first  vote  for  John  Bell  in  1860.  He  and  wife  are  worthy 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  A.  LESTER,  merchant,  miller  and  farmer,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born  on  the 
21st  of  April.  1827.  in  Wilson  County,  and  is  a sou  of  Henry  D.  and  Malinda  (Jones) 
Lester.  The  father  is  a native  of  Virginia,  born  in  1800.  He  came  with  his  parents  to 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1105 


Tennessee  when  he  was  about  nine  years  old  and  located  in  Wilson  County.  lie  became 
a wealthy  farmer  and  an  influential  citizen  and  held  several  county  offices.  He  died  in 
1875.  The  mother  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1805,  and  died  in  1874.  Our  subject  was  edu- 
cated in  the  Campbell  Academy  of  Lebanon,  and  in  1855  formed  a partnership  with  his 
father  in  the  grocery  business,  continuing  two  years.  In  1858  he  and  Mr.  S.  A.  Carter  be- 
came partners  in  the  grocery  business,  continuing  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In- 
1S63  he  began  milling  and  formed  partnerships  with  the  following  gentlemen  : W.  Ilal- 
lum,  William  Carter  aud  J.  D.  Lester.  Mr.  Lester  is  the  oldest  and  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful merchants  and  millers  in  the  State.  He  owns  a farm  of  800  acres  and  resides  in  a 
beautiful  and  substantial  dwelling-house.  June  12.  I860,  he  wedded  Martha  (Dillon) 
Williams,  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Harriet  (Roane)  Dillon.  The  mother’s  uncle.  Archi- 
bald Roane,  was  the  second  governor  of  Tennessee.  Her  brother,  John  Seldou  Roane, 
was  governor  of  Arkansas,  and  her  brother,  Samuel  C.  Roane,  was  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Bench  of  Arkansas.  Mrs.  Lester  was  born  September  9,  1833,  and  had  two  children  by 
her  former  marriage,  Seldon  R.  and  Dixon  C.  Seldon  is  president  of  the  Second  National 
Bank  of  Lebanon,  and  Dixon  is  the  noted  evangelist  of  Tennessee  and  is  at  present  in 
California.  Mr.  Lester  and  family  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

WILLIAM  J.  LESTER  was  born  in  1825  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  the  eldest  son  of 
Henry  D.  and  Malinda  (Jones)  Lester.  (See  J.  A.  Lester  f >r  parents’  sketch.)  William  was 
educated  in  the  Campbell  Academy  of  Lebanon,  aud  after  residing  with  his  parents  until 
twenty -one  years  old  he  worked  at  the  blacksmith’s  trade  and  the  following  three  years 
tilled  his  father’s  farm.  December  18,  1851,  he  was  married  to  Or.helda  Haney,  daughter 
of  Elijah  and  Clarkey  Haney.  Mrs.  Lester  was  born  in  1833  in  Smith  County,  Tenn.,  and 
bore  her  husband  one  child,  Matilda  E.,  who  wedded  Anderson  Crookshankes  and  died 
in  1885.  Mr.  Lester  purchased  237  acres  of  land  near  Lebanon,  where  he  now  resides. 
His  wife  died  in  1853  and  in  1856  he  took  for  his  second  wife.  Sarah  F.  (Seay)  Belcher, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Elizabeth  Seay.  Mrs.  Lester  was  born  in  1835  and  died  in  1885, 
having  borne  one  child,  Daniel  R.  who  is  a farmer  in  Smith  County.  Mr.  Lester  joined 
Company  F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Murfreesboro,  Wartraee, 
Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Marietta,  Ga.,  and  many  minor  engagements.  He 
was  so  severely  wounded  in  the  left  leg  at  the  last  named  engagement  that  amputation  was 
performed  June  22,  1864.  He  kept  a grocery  in  Georgia  for  some  time  but  returned  home 
in  June.  1865.  He  has  been  a prosperous  farmer  of  Wilson  County  for  many  years  and 
previous  to  the  war  speculated  in  mules.  He  is  a Democrat  in  polities,  formerly  a Whig, 
and  belongs  to  the  order  of  Good  Templars  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

J.  R.  LESTER,  M.  D.,  was  born  November  1,  1836,  and  is  one  of  nine  children  of 
Henry  D.  and  Malinda  (Jones)  Lester;  the  family  is  of  English  descent.  Our  subject  re- 
sided with  his  parents  until  he  reached  man’s  estate.  He  received  his  education  in  the 
Cumberland  University,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  began  studying  medicine  and  gradu- 
ated, in  1860,  from  Jefferson  University,  Philadelphia.  Penn.  He  then  returned  to  his 
birth-place,  where  he  has  ever  since  practiced  his  profession.  May  20,  1 SO  1 , he  enlisted  in 
the  Seventh  Tennessee,  Hatton’s  regiment  and  was  appointed  assistant  surgeon.  After  the 
battle  of  Seven  Pines,  Va.,  he  became  commander  of  a company  of  cavalry  in  Col-.  Bax- 
ter Smith’s  regiment  and  served  in  this  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  August  16. 
1865,  he  wedded  Miss  Sallie,  daughter  of  William  Williamson,  of  Wilson  County,  and  be- 
came the  father  of  five  children:  Nellie,  Jennie,  Jimmie,  Marie  and  John  Dr.  Lester  is 
a stanch  Democrat  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Buchanau.  The  Doctor  and 
his  wife  are  leading  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  is  one  of 
the  leading  physicians  of  the  county. 

J.  D.  LESTER’S  birth  occurred  near  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  in  1839;  son  oc  Henry  D.  and 
Malinda  (Jones)  Lester.  He  received  his  education  in  Cumberland  University  and  Jeffer- 
son College,  aud  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  North  and  South  he  enlLted  in 
Company  D,  Seventh  Regiment  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  during  his  service  took  au  active 


. 


1100 


biographical  appendix. 


part  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  war.  He  returned  home  May 
‘20.  1805.  June  IS.  1862,  he  was  married  to  Marcella  Henderson,  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  Henderson,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  nine  children:  Henry  D.,  Gertrude. 
Robert  E.,  Albert  D.,  Floyd  II..  Jessie  F.,  Blanche,  Wade  H.  and  Joseph  A.  In  1867  Mr. 
Lester  began  working  in  the  flouring-mill  of  Carter  & Lester,  as  book-keeper,  remaining 
with  them  in  this  capacity  eight  years.  In  1875  Mr.  Lester  purchased  a one-fourth  inter- 
est in  the  mill,  but  in  August,  18T7,  sold  his  interest  and  purchased  200  acres  of  land  near 
Lebanon,  which  he  has  since  increased  to  330  acres.  He  uses  modern  methods  of  cul- 
tivating the  soil  and  his  land  yields  him  rich  returns.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat  and 
is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church  and  his  wife  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church- 
X.  LAWRENCE  LIXDSLEY.  LL.  L>.  (deceased),  one  of  Tennessee’s  most  prom- 
inent and  influential  educators,  was  born  September  11.  1816,  in  Princeton.  X.  J.,  and  is  a 
son  of  Philip  Lindslev,  who  was  also  a leading  educator  of  Xew  Jersey  and  Tennessee. 
In  1817  he  was  elected  as  vice-president  of  the  college  of  Xew  Jersey,  and  in  1822  was 
acting  president  of  the  same.  The  following  year  he  was  chosen  president  of  the  Uni* 
versity  of  Tennessee,  but  declined  the  honor.  In  1S24  he  was  again  elected,  and  Janu- 
rary,  12,  1825,  he  assumed  control  and  was  president  of  that  institution  until  1850.  In  May 
of  the  hitter  year  he  was  elected  professor  of  ecclesiastical  polity  and  Biblical  archaeo- 
logy in  the  Xew  Albany  (Ind.)  Theological  Seminary.  In  1853  he  resigned,  and  from  that 
date  until  his  career  ended,  in  18-55,  his  time  was  spent  in  study  and  devotion  to  his  friends- 
Lawrence  Lindslev  left  his  native  State  in  1825  and  came  to  Xashville,  Tenn.  with  his 
parents.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  was  nominated  to  a cadetship  at  West  Poiut.  being  ap* 


pointed  by  President  »*ackson,  who  v 


ml  frieni 


L?  father’s,  but  remain* 


two  years,  owing  to  the  severity  of  the  climate.  He  entered  the  University  of  Xashville. 
graduating  with  honors  in  1836.  In  1841  he  wedded  Julia  M.,  daughter  of  Moses  B.,  and 
Sarali  (Bedford)  Stephens,  the  father  being  a prominent  educator  of  his  day.  Mrs.  Liuds- 
ley  was  born  July  30.  1823,  in  the  building  now  known  as  the  Xicholson  House,  in  Xash- 
ville. To  Dr.  aud  Mrs.  Lindslev  were  bom  these  children:  Philip,  a lawyer  of  Dallas, 
Tex.;  Henry  S.  (deceased);  X.  Lawrence  (deceased);  John  B.,  a stock  trader  of  Lebanon; 
Joseph  W.,  a farmer  of  Wilson  County,  and  Kale  S.  (wife  of  Edgar  Waters).  The  ma- 
ternal grandfather  was  a student  in  Princeton  (X.  J.)  College  and  was  a soldier  in  the 
Revolutionary  war  from  Xorth  Carolina,  receiving  for  his  braver}*  the  “Lawrence  Grant” 
of  2,640  acres  of  land  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.  of  which  our  subject  received  500  acres. 
In  1844  Lawrence  Lindsley  was  elected  professor  of  Latin  and  Greek  in  the  Cumberland 
University,  and  in  1852  established  the  Greenwood  Seminary  for  young  ladies,  which  be- 
came a model  of  its  kind.  The  degree  of  LL.  D.  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the  Cum 
berland  University.  He  died  October,  10,  1888  and  it  may  be  truly  said  of  him  that  he 
was  an  accomplished  and  profound  scholar.  At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  engaged  on 
the  production  of  a work  called  “An  Encyclolexicon  of  the  English  Language,  ” which 
was  intended  to  be  a complete  dictionary  of  the  English  Language.  He  was  the  soul  of 
honor  and  manliness,  a philanthropist  and  Christian.  At  his  desire  his  wife  became 
principal  of  the  school  he  had  founded,  and  conducted  it  successfully  until  her  death 
July  8,1883.  She  was  a lady  of  more  than  ordinary  accomplishments  and  energy,  and 
her  object  and  aim  was  to  give  to  young  ladies  a grand  conception  of  real  life,  and  while  her 
death  occurred  in  the  midst  of  a prosperous  work,  her  life  was  such  that  its  good  influences 
have  not  ended,  and  her  name  is  a house  hold  word  in  many  Southern  families. 
Both  husband  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

FRAXK  LIXDSLEY,  farmer  of  Twenty-First  District,  was  born  in  Davidson  County. 
October  13,  18-56,  son  of  Hon.  Adrian  V.  S.  and  Eliza  (Trimble)  Lindslev.  The  father 
was  born  in  Princeton,  X.  J.,  September,  14,1814, and  immigrated  to  Davidson  County  when 
but  a boy.  and  soon  after  entered  the  University  of  Xashville  where  he  graduated  at  the 
very  early  age  of  seventeen.  lie  then  commenced  the  practice  of  law  in  which  lie  was 
quite  successful,  During  the  war  he  was  postmaster  at  Xashville  after  which  he  was  for 
' some  time  president  and  secretary  of  the  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  and  also  had  an  im- 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1107 


portant  railroad  position.  In  1867  he  represented  Davidson  County  in  the  State  Senate, 
and  was  for  forty-six  years  president  and  secretary  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Nashville 
University.  In  1834  he  married  Miss  Eliza  Trimble,  by  whom  he  became  the  father  of 
twelve  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  His  father,  Philip  Lindsley,  was  president  of 
Princeton  College,  but  resigned  that  position  to  accept  the  presidency  of  the  University  of 
Nashville.  Our  subject  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty  four  years  of  age.  receiv- 
ing his  education  at  the  University  of  Nashville,  and  graduated  from  that  institution  when 
but  eighteen  years  of  age.  He  then  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  Nashville  and 
and  Vanderbilt  University,  where  he  remained  two  years.  About  seven  years  subsequent 
to  his  leaving  school  he  was  engaged  in  assisting  his  father  in  his  railroad  business.  In 
18S1  he  purchased  530  acres  of  land  in  District  No.  21,  Wilson  County,  a part  of 
a tract  which  was  donated  to  his  great-grandfather,  Nathaniel  Lindsley,  for  services  ren- 
dered during  the  war  of  Independence.  October,  13,  1880,  he  wedded  Lucy  Brutton.  of 
Cincinnati,  Ohio,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  two  children:  Eliza  V.  and  Lucy.  Mr. 
Lindsle}'  is  one  of  the  most  substantial  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

T.  G.  LOGUE,  deceased,  was  a farmer  and  the  proprietor  of  a tanner}',  and  was  one 
of  six  children  born  to  C.  and  M.  (Randels)  Logue.  His  birth  occurred  March  11,  1820. 
The  father  was  born  June  29,  1778,  and  was  of  English  descent.  He  was  a tiller  of  the 
soil  and  after  reaching  a good  old  age  died  March.  1863.  The  mother  was  born  in  Rob- 
ertson County  and  died  in  Wilson  County,  Teun,  in  1843.  Our  subject  received  a fair 
practical  education  in  the  country  schools  and  for  some  time  carried  on  the  tannery  busi- 
ness for  his  father.  July  11,  1844,  his  marriage  with  Nancy  Bass,  was  solemnized.  To 
this  union  were  born  eleven  children:  Margaret  E.  Mary  E.  James  R.,  Tapicy  G.,  Cath- 
arine B.,  Robert  H.,  Tennessee,  Joshua  C.,  Lucy  A.  Martha  and  Franklin  L.  Mr.  Logue 
had  accumulated  considerable  land  and  at  his  death,  which  occurred  July  28,  1882,  was 
the  owner  of  about  1,200  acres.  He  had  an  unsullied  reputation  and  was  much  esteemed 
by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a supporter  of  the  principles  of  Democracy,  a member  of 
the  I.  O.  G.  T.  and  belonged  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Logue,  is 
a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

ANDREW  B.  MARTIN  LL.  D.,  attorney  at  law  and  professor  of  law  in  Cumberland 
University  was  born  in  Smith  County,  Tenn.,  in  1836,  son  of  Matthew  and  Matilda  (Crow) 
Martin,  both  born  in  Virginia  and  Ireland,  respectively.  The  father  was  born  about  1800 
and  was  married  about  1822.  He  was  a physician  and  was  educated  at  Clinton  College. 
At  the  time  of  liis  death  in  1849  he  was  a resident  of  Paris,  Texas.  The  mother  was  born  in 
1804  and  came  to  the  United  States  with  her  mother  in  1812.  Soon  after  her  husband’s  death 
she  returned  to  Tennessee  with  her  family  of  twelve  children.  She  devoted  her  life  to 
their  welfare  and  died  in  1876.  Our  subject  early  cherished  the  idea  of  becoming  a law- 
yer. but  owing  to  the  untimely  death  of  his  parents  and  other  adverse  circumstances,  he 
was  compelled  to  abandon  the  idea  for  some  time.  At  the  age  of  eleven  years  he  worked 
In  a brick-yard  all  summer  for  $13  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  he  left  home 
.and  began  earning  his  own  living.  Iu  April,  1852,  he  reached  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  an  cmire 
at  ranger,  without  money  and  eighty -five  miles  from  home.  He  secured  a position  in  the 
drug  store  of  Allison  A Cook  with  whom  lie  remained  five  years.  His  leisure  hours  were 
spent  iu  study  and  in  1857  he  began  reading  Blackstone.  He  was  aided  by  the  faculty 
of  Cumberland  University  and  was  made  their  book-keeper  for  his  tuition.  I u 1858  he 
graduated  from  the  same  and  immediately  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession 
and  was  regarded  as  a successful,  earnest  advocate  and  safe  counselor.  He  formed  a 
partnership  with  W.  II.  Williamson,  but  at  the  breaking  out  of  war  he  enlisted  in  Company 
II,  Seventh  Tennessee  Volunteer  Infantry  and  fought  in  many  bloody  battles.  He 
served  as  third  lieutenant  of  his  company  for  some  time  and  was  then  made  adjutant-gen- 
eral upon  the  staffs  of  Gen.  G.  G.Dribrell  and  Gen.  Wheeler.  He  served  about  four  years  and 
returned  home  May  20,1805.  He  immediately  resumed  his  practice  and  May  6,  186S,  wed- 
ded Alice  Ready,  daughter  of  Hon.  Charles  Ready,  of  Murfreesboro.  She  was  born  in  1842 
iind  has  borne  her  husband  five  children:  Mary,  Martha,  Andrew,  Helen  and  Bennett. 


' 


110S 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX.- 


In  1ST6  he  was  elected  professor  of  law  in  his  old  alma  mater  and  has  since  held  the  posi- 
tion. In  1871-72  he  was  a member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature,  being 
chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee.  In  1880  he  was  elector  of  the  State  at  large  in  the 
election  of  Hancock  and  English  and  canvassed  the  State  in  their  behalf.  He  has  been 
special  judge  of  the  circuit  and  chancery  courts  numerous  times  and  is  in  ever}”  sense 
of  the  "word  a self-made  man. and  from  his  childhood  has  displayed  qualities  of  head  and 
heart  w hich  have  enabled  him  to  surmount  obstacles  which  would  have  discouraged  many 
men. 

J.  B.  MARTIN  isone  of  six  children  born  to  George  W.  and  Judith  (Bradley)  Martin. 
The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1796  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents  when  but 
two  years  of  age.  In  1820  he  married  and  located  on  a farm  in  Wilson  County,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death.  The  mother  was  born  March  8,  1S03.  Our  subject  w’as  born  August 
23,  1823,  and  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  remained  at  home  looking  after  the  in- 
terests of  his  father's  farm  until  October  31,  1S50,  when  he  married  Lucinda  R.,  daughter 
of  J.  and  Mary  Holmes.  She  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  in  1833,  and  died 
June  19,  1879,  leaving  two  daughters:  Mary  (wife  of  A.  B.  McKnight),  and  Annie  (wife  of 
R.  G.  Byrn).  November  6,  1884,  Mr.  Martin  married  Mrs.  Thompson  of  the  Fifteenth. 
District,  born  in  Wilson  County,  in  November,  1836.  Since  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Martin 
has  resided  on  the  home  place,  where  lie  owTns  169  acres  of  land.  He  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 

W.  D.  MARTIN,  one  of  the  old  citizens  and  farmers  of  the  Twenty-first  District,  was 
born  September  28,  1826,  in  Wilson  County.  He  is  the  son  of  Lindsey  C.  and  Nancy 
)-Stacy)  Martin.  The  father. was  born  about  1791,  in  Virginia,  and  was  a farmer  by  occu- 
pation; he  moved  to  the  Twenty-second  District  near  Gladesville,  where  he  settled  and 
remained  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  December,  18S4.  He  was  ninety  years  of  age. 
The  mother  w as  born  August,  1791,  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Wilson  County  when 
quite  young.  They  crossed  the  mountains  by  team.  She  died  in  1877  at  the  advanced 
age  of  eighty-six.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  county  schools  aud  October 
2,  1851,  he  wadded  Mary  J.  Shannon,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  April,  1836,  and  the  daugh- 
ter of  James  and  Mary  Shannon.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  two  children:  Mary  D., 
wife  of  Dr.  Finis  Shannon.  Jr.,  and  James  L.,  who  married  Fanny  Steed,  to  this  last  union 
were  born  four  children:  John  A.,  Elsie  M.,  Marcus  W.  aud  Mary  O.  After  marriage  our 
subject  bought  150  acres  in  the  Twenty-third  District,  where  he  lived  sixteen  years.  He 
then  sold  out  and  bought  273  acres  in  the  Twenty-first  District,  where  he  has  since  re- 
sided. He  is  one  of  Wilson  County’s  old  citizens  and  is  highly  spoken  of  as  an  honest 
citizen  and  good  neighbor.  In  politics  he  has  been  a life-long  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife 
members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  1876  he  was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Twenty-first 
District,  which  office  he  held  in  an  able  manner  for  six  years. 

HON.  R.  P.  McCLAIN,  attorney  at  law,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  John  A.  and 
Minerva  (Ross)  McClain,  and  one  of  their  ten  children.  He  wras  born  February,  1838,  in 
Wilson  County,  and  received  his  rudimentary  education  in  the  academies  of  his  native 
county,  and  afterward  entered  the  Cumberland  University  as  a junior  at  the  age  of  twenty, 
graduating  in  June,  1860.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  Seventh  Regiment  Tennes- 
see Infantry,  aud  in  1862  was  given  a position  in  the  quartermaster's  department.  In  1362 
he  w as  made  paymaster  in  A.  P.  Hill’s  division,  and  held  the  position  until  the  close  of 
the  war.  From  1866  to  1867  he  studied  lawT  in  Cumberland  University,  graduating  at  the 
latter  date.  February  26  of  the  same  year  he  married  Hettie  McKenzie,  daughter  of 
Alexander  McKenzie.  Mrs.  McClain  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1842,  and  is  the  mother  of 
four  children:  Jennie,  Minnie,  Alexander  and  llettie.  Mr.  McClain  first  practiced  his 
profession  with  A.  Vick  as  partner,  continuing  until  1870,  when  he  was  appointed  deputy 
clerk  of  the  county  court,  succeeding  his  uncle,  J.  S.  McClain,  who  had  been  clerk  for 
forty  years  in  succession.  He  held  the  position,  by  re-election,  for  eight  years.  In  1875 
he  was  elected  to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  from  1876  to  1883  v/as 
clerk  and  master  of  the  Chancery  Court  of  Wilson  County.  Since  then  he  has  practiced 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1109 


law.  In  1875  he  and  his  brother.  J.  T.,  became  proprietors  of  a drygoods  store,  ar.d  since 
1884  the  firm  has  been  known  as  McClain  Bros.  A Co.  They  keep  a general  line  of  goods 
and  occupy  eight  rooms  100  feet  long.  Mr.  McClain  has  been  a leading  man  of  Lebanon 
for  the  past  twenty  years,  and  is  a shrewd  business  manager  and  successful  financier.  The 
father,  John  McClain,  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent  and  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1807.  He 
was  a farmer  and  the  possessor  of  400  acres  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1867.  The  mother 
was  of  Scotch  descent,  born  in  Wilson  County  in  1809. 

JOHN  B.  McCLAIN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  April  26,  1842,  and 
is  the  son  of  Anson  and  Minerva  (Rocks)  McClain.  Our  subject  received  his  education  at 
Silver  Spring  High  School,  of  Wilson  Count}',  and  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until 
hostilities  broke  out  between  the  North  and  South,  when  he  became  one  of  the  boys  in 
gray.  He  enlisted  May,  1861,  in  Company  B,  Forty-fifth  Regiment  of  Tennessee  Infantry. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  numerous  other  engagements.  The  last 
two  years  of  the  war  he  was  in  the  quartermaster  department,  being  stationed  most  of 
the  time  at  Petersburg.  He  returned  home  in  the  spring  of  1865  after  an  absence  of 
nearly  four  years.  August  9,  1877,  he  married  Sue  Brent,  daughter  of  Joe  and  Amanda 
Brent.  Mrs.  McClain  was  born  August  23,  1849,  in  Davidson  Count}',  Tenn.,  and  by  her 
union  with  Mr.  McClain  became  the  mother  of  two  children:  Anson  Brent  and  Lollie 
Bell.  After  marriage  Mr.  McClain  remained  on  the  old  home  place  and  cared  for  and 
looked  after  the  interest  of  his  father  and  mother.  In  1881  he  bought  125  acres  in  the 
Third  District,  six  miles  west  of  Lebanon,  where  he  settled  and  has  since  resided.  Mr. 
McClain  bears  the  reputation  of  being  an  industrious  and  conscientious  citizen.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  his  wife  is  a member  uf  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

ROBINSON  McMILLAN,  attorney  at  law,  is  a son  of  Frank  P.  and  Jane  F.  (Robin- 
son) McMillan,  and  was  born  March  25,  1857.  The  parents  were  both  native  Tennessee, 
ans,  the  father  having  been  born  in  1829,  and  the  mother  in  1832.  Of  their  seven  children 
but  three  are  living:  Robinson,  Edward  E.  and  Frank  P.,  Jr.  Frank  P.  McMillan  was  a 
farmer  in  Giles  County  before  the  war.  Having  lost  all  his  property  he  moved  to  Ruther- 
ford County  in  1870  to  begin  life  anew.  It  was  then  that  he  took  Robinson  from  school, 
and  put  him  in  the  cotton  field,  where  he  worked  with  the  negroes  till  his  twenty-first 
year.  At  this  age  young  Robinson  was  a pretty  fair  scholar,  notwithstanding  his  lack  of 
opportunities.  He  had  improved  every  spare  moment  by  studying  standard  works  of 
various  kinds,  especially  works  of  mathematics,  history  and  poetry.  On  obtaining  his 
majority  he  came  to  Wilson  County  to  try  his  luck  at  pedagogy.  After  teaching  a school 
in  the  Seventeenth  District  he  went  to  the  Twenty-fifth,  to  Hamilton  Academy,  where  he 
began  with  sixteen  pupils.  At  the  end  of  four  years  he  ended  his  school  at  that  point 
with  115  pupils  present.  He  afterward  taught  at  Gladeville  with  similar  success.  His 
precarious  state  of  health  continually  interfering  with  his  duties  as  a teacher,  he  entered 
Cumberland  University  to  study  law.  In  1885  he  graduated  with  honor,  representing  the 
entire  senior  class  by  their  unanimous  choice.  In  the  year  1885  he  was  elected  superin- 
intendent  of  public  schools  for  the  county  of  Wilson.  As  county  superintendent  he  has 
exerted  himself  to  disentangle  the  county  finances,  to  raise  the  standard  among  teachers, 
and  to  rouse  the  people  on  the  subject  of  education.  At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1886  he 
associated  himself  with  Rufus  P.  McClain,  of  the  Lebanon  bar.  with  whom  he  has  since 
been  practicing  his  profession..  In  April,  1883.  he  was  married  to  Josephine  Hewgley, 
daughter  of  C.  W.  Hewgley,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  Mrs.  McMillan  was  born  January  13, 
1861.  They  have  one  son — Murray.  Mr.  McMillan  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  a liberal 
Methodist  in  religion.  He  is  a Good  Templar,  a Pythian  knight  and  a Free  Mason. 

MRS.  E.  C.  McMURRY  was  born  December  25,  1809.  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  and 
is  a daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (McCorde;  Anderson,  born  in  North  Carolina  and 
Kentucky,  in  1779  and  1791,  and  died  in  1852  and  1870,  respectively.  They  were  married 
in  1809.  He  was  quite  successful  as  a farmer,  owning  upward  of  400  acres  of  land.  The 
mother  came  to  Tennessee  with  her  maternal  grandparents,  and  resided  in  a fort  a number 
of  years  to  protect  themselves  against  the  Indians.  After  her  husband’s  death  she  lived 


1110 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX, 


with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  E.  C.  McMurry.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  female  depart- 
ment of  a college  at  Gallatin,  and  December  27.  1S38,  was  married  to  Rev.  John  M.  Mc- 
Murry, son  of  David  and  Anna  McMurry.  Rev.  McMurry  was  born  in  Wilson  County  in 
1804,  and  atiended  school  in  Gallatin.  He  entered  the  ministry  in  1833.  being  a circuit 
rider  for  a short  time,  and  then  was  given  local  work.  In  1847  he  became  agent  of  the 
endowment  fund  for  the  Cumberland  University,  serving  eight  years.  During  that  time 
he  was  very  successful,  raising  about  860,000.  In  1856  he  became  pastor  of  the  church  at 
McMinnville.  Tenn..  remaining  seventeen  years,  with  the  exception  of  a few  years  during 
the  war.  Owing  to  ill  health  he  gave  up  ministerial  work  in  1869.  and  retired  to  his  farm, 
where  he  died  in  April,  1875.  He  was  very  public  spirited,  and  was  a man  of  talent  and 
influence  in  the  county.  His  wife  and  daughter  reside  in  Lebanon,  both  being  earnest 
workers  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

JAMES  NELSON  is  a native  of  Fayette  County,  Ky.,  and  is  a son  of  James  and 
Theodica  (Bush)  Nelson,  born  in  Virginia  and  Kentucky  in  1799  and  1803.  and  died  in 
1864  and  1834,  respectively.  The  father  was  a teacher  in  early  life,  and  at  a later  period 
became  a tiller  of  the  soil,  and  owned  425  acres  of  land.  He  became  the  father  of  twelve 
•children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject  was  born  in  1828,  aBd  received  his  rudi- 
mentary education  in  his  native  county,  and  later  attended  Bacon  College,  Harrodsburg, 
Ky.,  for  two  years.  In  September.  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  E.  Eighth  Kentucky 
Cavalry,  Gen.  Morgan’s  command,  and  was  with  him  on  his  raid  through  Kentucky,  In- 
diana and  Ohio.  He  was  captured  at  Buffington,  Ohio,  and  sent  to  Chicago,  where  he  was 
retained  until  spring.  He  returned  home  in  March.  1865.  Before  the  war  (1859)  he  pur- 
chased 117  acres  of  land  in  Wilson  County,  on  which  he  located  and  where  be  has  since 
lived.  He  is  a man  of  good  business  capacity,  and  is  at  the  present  time  the  possessor  of 
470  acres  of  fertile  and  well  cultivated  land.  He  has  been  a life-long  Democrat  in  poli- 
tics, and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  F.  Pierce  in  1852.  In  1S76  he  was  elected  mag- 
istrate of  his  district,  and  has  held  the  office  to  the  present  time,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all 
concerned. 

JOHN  D.  OWEN,  M.  D.,  is  a son  of  John  Owen  and  Mary  A.  (Goodwin)  and  was 
horn  in  Smith  County,  Tenn.,  June  21,  1825.  The  father  was  of  Welsh  descent,  and  his 
ancestors  first  located  in  Maryland  and  Virginia.  He  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1787. 
and  was  a physician  and  surgeon  by  profession.  lie  married  and  came  to  Tennessee  in 
1812,  locating  in  Smith  County,  where  he  practiced  medicine.  He  and  his  wife  organ- 
ized and  established  the  first  Sabbath-school  ever  taught  in  Smith  County.  He  died  Sep- 
tember 5.  1826.  He  was  a stockholder  and  president  of  a branch  of  the  old  Bauk  of  Ten- 
nessee at  Carthage,  and  was  a member  of  the  town  board  for  several  years.  The  mother 
was  born  in  1787  iti  North  Carolina.  She  was  a devout  church-member,  and  a life  mem- 
ber of  the  American  Bible  Society.  She  died  at  our  subject’s  home,  in  Lebanon.  January 
2,  1879.  John  D.  was  educated  in  the  Cumberland  University,  of  Lebanon,  and  the  Nash- 
ville University.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  direc- 
tion of  his  brother,  Dr.  B.  R.  Owen,  and  in  the  fall  of  1846  went  to  Philadelphia,  Penn., 
and  entered  the  same  institution  from  which  his  father  graduated.  He  graduated  in 
1848.  He  has  always  practiced  in  Smith  County,  and  has  met  with  well-deserved  suc- 
cess. In  1853  he  moved  to  Lebanon,  and  November  1,  of  the  same  year,  married  Fannie 
Jamison,  daughter  of  J.  and  A.  (Porter)  Jamison.  Mrs.  Owen  was  born  April  9.  1835. 
Dr.  Owen  and  another  gentleman  established  a drug  store  in  Lebanon,  but  was  soon  com- 
pelled to  abandon  the  business  owing  to  ill  health.  In  1870  he  was  the  prime  mover  and 
stock  holder  of  the  Bank  of  Wilson  County,  and  was  made  its  president,  continuing  such 
after  it  became  the  Second  National  Bank.  He  resigned  in  1882,  and  has  since  lived  a 
retired  life.  lie  has  in  his  possession  a copy  of  the  old  stamp  paper  which  was  issued  by 
the  British  Government  in  17G5.  compelling  the  colonies  to  use  stamped  paper,  it  being 
the  only  original  copy  on  record;  its  value  is  5 shillings.  The  Doctor  i/ an  enterprising 
man  of  Lebanon.  His  wife  died  January  6.  1886.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  as  were  all  the  Owen  family  of  his  branch. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1111 


J.  HARRISON  OZMEXT,  an  enterprising  farmer,  was  born  September  11,  1S53,  in 
"Wilson  County.  Tenn..  and  is  one  of  three  children  born  to  John  C.  and  Amanda  (Wright) 
Ozment.  The  father  was  born  October  5,  1833.  in  Wilson  County,  and  is  a farmer  by  oc- 
cupation. He  is  the  owner  of  about  100  acres  of  laDd.  and  is  now  living  in  the  Twenty  - 
fifth  District.  The  mother  was  born  March  4,  1S34.  and  is  the  daughter  of  Hollis  and 
Elizabeth  Wright.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Wilson  Count}*,  and  received  a practical 
education  in  the  country  schools.  In  1877  he  began  farming  for  himself,  and  December 
‘20, 1876.  Emma  A.  Clemmons  became  his  wife.  She  is  the  daughter  of  William  L.  and  Eliz- 
abeth (Carver)  Clemmons.  aud  was  born  March  12,  1857.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ozment  are  the 
parents  of  three  children:  Clara,  Lenna  and  Horace.  Mr.  Ozment  has  a fine  farm  of  200 
4ieresin  the  Twenty-fifth  District,  aud  is  a gentleman  in  every  respect.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics,  and  a consistent  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Ozment  is 
4i  member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  PALMER,  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  was  born  in  that 
•State  April  13.  1804,  and  is  the  eldest  of  thirteen  children  born  to  William  and  Sarah 
(Rankins)  Palmer.  The  father  was  of  English  extraction,  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1777. 
-and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  in  1804.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  was  living  in  Sum- 
ner County,  Tenn.,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer  during  his  entire  life.  He 
•died  in  Wilson  County  in  1858.  The  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1782,  and 
died. in  Wilson  County.  Tenn.,  in  1859.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  passed  his  early  life  in 
-assisting  on  the  farm  and  in  securing  an  education.  In  1826  he  was  married  to  Mary 
Ree»e,  daughter  of  Thomas  B.  and  Margaret  Reese.  Mrs.  Palmer  was  born  in  Wilson 
•County  in  1803,  and  by  her  union  with  Mr  Pnlmpr  hpcame  the  mother  of  fivp  children: 
Margaret  A.  (wife  of  H.  W.  Robb),  Louisa  (wife  of  J.  S.  Chambers),  Richard  H..  Henry 
Clay  aud  Ella.  In  1828  he  bought  154  acres  of  land  in  Wilson  Count}*,  where  he  com- 
menced the  occupation  of  farming,  and  is  at  present  the  owner  of  1.600  acres  of  land,  the 
principal  part  being  in  Wilson  County.  Mr.  Palmer  is  one  of  Wilson  County’s  oldest  cit- 
izens. By  his  energy,  industry  and  close  application  to  business  he  has  accumulated 
gradually  from  year  to  year  and  at  present  is  one  of  the  wealthiest  farmers  in  the  county. 
He  is  always  obliging  and  kind  to  the  poor,  and  is  highly  esteemed  as  an  honest  and  use- 
ful citizen.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Christian  Church. 

THOMAS  A.  PARTLOW,  chairman  of  the  Wilson  County  Court,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 5,  1825.  He  received  his  education  in  the  Gladesville  school,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  until  twenty-two  years  old.  May  19,  1847,  he  wedded  Margaret  Williamson,  a 
native  of  Wilson  County,  horn  in  August.  bs25.  and  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Williamson. 
To  our  subject  and  wife  was  born  one  child,  Cloe.  After  marriage  Mr.  Partlow  located 
.near  the  old  home  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  January  20,  1859,  his  wife  died,  and 
in  1863  our  subject  married  May  Ann  Robins,  who  lived  only  eighteen  months  after  mar- 
riage. In  September,  1866,  our  subject  was  again  married  to  Martha  E.  Wray,  a native 
•of  Wilson  County,  born  April  2,  1836,  and  the  daughter  of  William  Wray.  To  Mr  aud 
Mrs.  Partlow  were  born  four  children:  William  A..  James  R.,  Natlie  M.  and  Haywood  R. 
In  1865  Mr.  Partlow  moved  to  the  Twenty-second  District,  and  previous  to  this,  in  1840. 
he  had  learned  the  tanner  and  currier’s  trade,  which  he  carried  on  for  some  years.  In 
1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  State  guards.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of 
Lexington,  Oak  Hill  and  Springfield.  In  1865  he  came  home,  aud  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  enlisted  again,  and  was  with  Gen.  Morgan  until  he  made  his  famous  raid  through 
Kentucky,  Indiana  and  Ohio,  after  which  he  returned  home.  Our  subject  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  and  Cloe  (Hooker)  Partlow.  The  father  was  of  French  descent,  born  in  1796  in 
South  Carolina,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  owning  at  one  time  513  acres.  lie  was 
a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  “The  Horse  Shoe  Bend.”  The 
mother  was  of  German  descent,  born  in  1797  in  North  Carolina,  and  died  in  November, 
1876.  Mr.  Partlow  has  always  taken  a very  active  part  in  public  education.  He  is  a 
Democrat,  and  he  aud  wife  arc  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

THOMAS  PHILLIPS,  a farmer  of  the  Eighteenth  District  of  Wilson  County,  Term., 


1112 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


was  one  of  nine  children  and  born  June  10, 1826.  He  was  educated  in  the  district  schools, 
and  reared  on  a farm.  November  15,  1848,  he  wedded  Miss  Henrietta  Henderson,  daughter 
of  Preston  and  Dorothea  (Teague)  Henderson.  Mrs.  Phillips  was  born  January  11,  1832, 
and  became  the  mother  of  the  following  children  : II.  A.,  William  P.,  David  B.,  Bettie 
(wife  of  John  Bass).  Mary  D.  (wife  of  Samuel  Ashworth),  Sally  E.  (wife  of  Andrew 
Short),  Laura  J.,  Minnie.  T.  W.,  John  M.  (deceased),  Ada,  Mattie  and  Eugene.  Mr. 
Phillips  resided  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  then  pur- 
chased 105  acres  of  land  which  he  has  since  increased  to  165  acres,  and  also  owns  112 
acres  of  land  in  the  Seventeenth  District.  He  served  as  constable  two  years,  and  six  years- 
as  magistrate.  He  is  conservative  in  politics  and  was  strongly  opposed  to  secession.  He- 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  His  parents  were  David  and  Mary  (Waters) 
Phillips,  who  were  born  in  Wilson  County  in  1794  and  1802,  and  died  in  1846  and  1873 
respectively.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 

HARDIN  PHILLIPS,  merchant,  of  Cherry  Valley.  Tenn.,  was  born  in  Wilson  County 
May  11,  1848,  one  of  nine  children  of  Josiah  and  Malinda  (Bass)  Phillips.  The  father 
was  of  English  descent,  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1800  and  followed  farming  through  life. 
His  death  occurred  in  Wilson  County  November  15.  1868.  The  mother  was  born  about 
1818  and  died  December  23,  1882.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and 
October  15,  1868,  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  Pendleton,  daughter  of  Lewis  and  Nancy  (Moore) 
Pendleton.  Mrs.  Phillips  was  born  April  22,  1851,  and  to  her  and  her  husband  were  born 
three  children,  two  now  living  : Josiah,  Hattie  and  Bessie  (deceased.)  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  Hardin  began  working  for  himself,  and  in  1869  was  elected  constable,  an  office 
which  he  held  for  six  successive  years,  and  then  became  associated  with  Henderson  ifcCo.> 
merchants,  of  Cherry  Valley,  continuing  until  1877,  when  he  and  Dr.  Grantstaff  became 
partners,  but  in  about  one  year  their  building  and  goods  was  consumed  by  fire.  A short 
time  after  Mr.  Phillips  began  business  for  himself  and  has  met  with  flattering  success. 
He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

HON.  S.  S.  PRESTON,  an  old  citizen  and  farmer  of  the  Twentieth  District,  was 
born  November  22,  1827,  in  Bedford  County,  Va.,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Martha 
(Early)  Preston.  The  father  was  born  about  1793.  in  Bedford  County,  Va.,  and  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  was  living  in  the  Old  Dominion, 
but  in  1835  he  immigrated  to  Wilson  Countv,  Tenn.,  where  lie  died  in  1853.  He  was  a 
soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  the  father  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living. 
The  mother  was  born  in  1799.  in  Bedford  County,  Va.,  and  died  in  1850  in  Wilson  County. 
Our  subject  was  educated  in  his  native  county  and  in  Wilson  County.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  left  home  and  went  to  Huntsville,  Ala.,  and  hired  as  a clerk  in  a dry  goods 
store,  where  he  remained  for  nearly  three  years.  January  i2,  1853,  he  married  Ann  M. 
Keyes,  a native  of  Alabama,  born  June,  1835,  and  the  daughter  of  James  H.  Keyes,  of 
Mississippi.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  seven  children:  James  II.,  John  F., 
Laura  (wife  of  William  T.  Watson,  of  Texas),  S.  S.,  Jr.,  Ella,  Alice  and  Mattie.  During 
the  late  war  our  subject  enlisted  in  Company  G.  Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  was 
made  captain  of  his  company.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  but  soon 
after,  on  account  of  ill  health,  was  discharged  and  returned  home.  Mr.  Preston  owns  260 
acres,  and  is  one  of  Wilson  County’s  much  respected  citizens.  January,  1872,  he  was- 
elected  as  chairman  of  the  county £ourt,  and  in  November  of  the  same  year  he  was  elected 
to  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature.  In  October.  18.82,  he  was  again  elected  chair- 
man of  the  county  court,  which  position  he  held  for  three  successive  years.  During  the 
years  1884-85  he  was  a resident  of  Lebanon,  where  he  lived  for  the  purpose  of  educating 
his  children. 

G.  A.  PURSLEY  is  a son  of  William  B.  and  Sophia  (Rutherford)  Pursley.  and  was 
born  September  13,  1837,  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.  The  father  was  of  Irish  descent,  and 
was  bom  in  Tennessee  in  1802,  and  was  a tanner  and  currier  by  trade,  but  later  devoted, 
his  time  to  agricultural  pursuits.  lie  came  to  Wilson  County  in  1839,  where  he  became- 
quite  a prosperous  farmer,  owning  500  acres  of  land  at  one  time.  He  died  May  16,  1880. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1113 


He  was  twice  married,  his  first  wife  being  Harriet  Johnston.  The  mother  was  of  Scotch - 
Irish  descent,  born  in  1814  and  died  in  1885.  Our  subject  came  to  Wilson  County  when 
only  two  years  old.  He  attended  Irving  College  in  Warren  Count}',  and  the  Cumberland 
Universit}'  in  Lebanon.  September  22,  1857,  he  married  Ann  Vance,  daughter  of  Ed  It 
and  Mary  Vance.  Mrs.  Pursley  was  born  November  11.  1840,  and  became  the  mother  of 
seven  children:  Hattie  (wife  of  J.  R.  Gollitliau),  Minnie  (wife  of  J.  M.  Hannah),  Lizzie 
A.,  Alice  M..  Brice  B.,  Edwin  V.  and  Philip  H.  Mr.  Pursley  was  first  the  owner  of  sixty 
acres  of  land,  but  by  industry  and  economy  is  now  the  possessor  of  305  acres.  He  lias 
been  a life-long  Democrat,  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Stephen  A.  Douglas. 
September  10,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B.  Fourth  Regiment  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
after  the  reorganization  of  the  army  was  appointed  second  lieutenant  of  his  company,  but 
returned  home  in  the  summer  of  1S62.  owing  to  ill  health.  He  was  arrested  and  kept  a 
prisoner  at  Murfreesboro  for  about  three  months.  He  belongs  to  the  Good  Templars,  and 
he  and  wife  are  church  members. 

JAMES  II.  RAGLAND,  resident  of  Lebanon,  Tenn..  born  in  1845.  and  is  a son  of 
Dr.  Hardin  and  Amelia  A.  (Jones)  Ragland.  Hardin  Ragland  was  born  iu  Tennessee  in 
1812,  son  of  Pettis  Ragland,  of  Virginia.  Hardin  was  educated  in  Campbell  Academy 
and  received  his  medical  education  in  the  University  of  Lexington,  Ky.  After  his  mar- 
riage he  located  iu  Cherry  Valley,  where  he  continued  to  practice  until  1S7S,  when  he 
gave  up  active  work  and  came  to  Lebanon.  He  had  a thorough  knowledge  of  his  pro- 
fession and  for  many  years  was  the  leading  physician  in  his  section  of  the  country,  and 
was  a much  respected  citizen.  He  died  February  6,  1882.  The  mother  was  of  Scotch  de- 
scent, born  in  Wilson  County  in  1806.  She  died  December  13.  1385.  They  were  ihe 
parents  of  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living:  Mrs.  Hattie  Page  and  our  subject,  who 
was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  county  and  White  Springs,  Davidson  County.  Wheu 
sixteen  years  of  age  lie  enlisted  in  Company  C.  Fourth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  was  in  the 
battles  of  Chickamauga,  Bentonville,  Knoxville,  Perryville,  and  numerous  lesser  engage- 
ments. After  the  surrender  of  Richmond  he  returned  home,  and  August  10.  1870,  he 
married  Agues  A.  Clark,  daughter  of  L.  J.  Clark.  Mrs.  Ragland  was  born  in  1852,  and 
is  the  mother  of  two  children:  Hardin  and  Clark.  Soon  after  returning  from  the  war  he. 
his  father  and  W.  S.  Phillips  kept  a general  merchandise  store  at  Cherry  Valley  for 
three  years.  He  then  sold  goods  at  Tucker’s  Cross  Roads  for  two  years,  and  about  1870 
be  and  W.  G.  Page  established  a family  grocery  and  hardware  store  in  Lebanon.  Our 
subject  has  since  sold  his  interest  to  P.  Y.  Hill,  and  has  been  speculating  iu  notes  and 
securities-  He  is  a Democrat.  His  wife  died  in  1878  and  his  sister  has  since  been  keep- 
ing house  for  him. 

JOHN  H.  RAMSAY,  farmer,  was  born  in  1828  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn..  and  is  a 
son  of  William  and  Diana  (Austin)  Ramsay.  The  father  was  a native  of  the  State  of 
Virginia,  and  in  early  life  worked  at  the  hatter’s  trade.  In  late  years  he  followed  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  having  purchased  upward  of  100  acres  in  Sumner  County,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1850.  The  mother  was  born  in  Sumner  County 
about  1816.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  lived  on  the  old  place  for  some  time,  but 
at  present  she  is  living  with  her  daughter,  Polly  Hobson,  who  is  a resident  of  the  Fifth 
District.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  county  schools,  and  at  the  age  of 
fifteen  left  the  parental  roof  and  served  as  am  apprentice  to  a house  carpenter,  working  thus 
for  two  and  a half  years:  after  which  he  worked  on  his  own  responsibility.  In  1853  he 
bought  188  acres  in  the  Third  District  of  Wilson  County,  where  he  located  and  where  he 
has  since  resided.  The  same  year  Lucinda  Tarver  became  his  wife,  but  died  the  following 
year.  In  1855  he  married  Roxana  Tompkins,  who  died  February  5,  1880,  and  in  October, 
1881,  he  married  Mary  C.  Ramsay,  a native  of  Indiana,  born  January  2,  1858,  and  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Rebecca  Isom.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ramsay  were  born  two  children: 
William  H.  and  Ella  Myrtle.  Mrs.  Ramsay  has  one  child,  John  I.,  by  her  first  husband. 
Mr.  Ram-ay  has  been  a hard  working  and  an  industrious  man.  By  his  energy  and  good 
management  he  now  owns  336  acres  of  good  land.  During  the  late  war  he  was  agent. 


1114 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


assisting  the  Commissary  Department  in  supplying  food  and  clothing  to  the  boys  in  gray. 
In  politics  he  advocates  the  principles  of  Democracy.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic- 
fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

J.  M.  RICE,  an  enterprising  farmer,  was  born  September  19,  1859,  in  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  eight  children,  born  to  J.  H.  and  T.  A.  (Welsh) 
Rice.  The  father  was  born  June,  1S37,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn..  and  was  a merchant, 
which  occupation  he  followed  for  twenty-five  years.  About  this  time  he  felt  a strong  de- 
sire to  preach  the  gospel,  which  inclination  he  followed.  At  the  same  time  he  carried  on 
the  merchandising  business.  The  mother  was  born  in  April,  1838,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn., 
and  is  the  daughter  of  Mitchell  Welsh.  Our  subject  was  reared  iu  Rutherford  Count}*, 
and  received  a good  practical  education  in  the  country  schools.  February  9,  1882,  he  led 
to  the  altar  Jeffella  Brett,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  May  16,  1862,  and  the  daughter 
of  Alexander  Brett.  Our  subject  and  wife’s  married  life  was  happily  blessed  by  the  birth 
of  one  child,  Clide  Alexander.  Mr.  Rice  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South,  and  is  a Democrat  iu  politics.  Mrs.  Rice  is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

G.  L.  ROBINSON,  M.  D.,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born  Octobers,  1821,  in  Smith 
County,  one  of  eight  children  of  Stephen  and  Mary  (Lancaster)  Robinson,  who  were  of 
English  origin.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1778,  and  was  a farmer  by  occupa- 
tion. He  came  to  Tennessee  in  his  youth  and  his  parents  were  among  the  very  first  set- 
tlers of  Middle  Tennessee.  He  died  in  January,  1846.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of 
1812,  aud  was  twice  married,  being  the  father  of  nine  children.  The  mother  was  born 
June  6,  1798,  in  Tennessee,  and  died  the  same  year  as  her  husband.  Our  subject’s  early 
education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools,  and  served  in  the  Mexican  war  in  Joseph 
E.  Thomas’  Tennessee  Cavalry,  serving  twelve  months.  After  his  return  he  began  study- 
ing under  Dr.  G.  M.  Alsop.  of  Statesville,  and  in  1848  entered  the  medical  department  of  the 
Louisville  (Ky.)  University  and  graduated  as  an  M.  D.  in  1850.  He  practiced  his  pro- 
fession in  Statesville,  Alexandria,  and  in  1854came  to  Lebanon,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
September  7,  1851,  he  married  Emily  D.  Anderson,  daughter  of  Frank  Anderson;  she  died 
June  7,  1875,  leaving  one  child,  Churchwell,  who  died  in  1877.  In  1878  the  Doctor  married 
Valeria  Huddleston,  daughter  of  Winston  and  Mary  B.  Huddleston.  She  was  horn  Jan- 
uary 21,  1839,  and  she  and  the  Doctor  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

HON.  R.  C.  SANDERS,  clerk  and  master  of  the  Chancery  Court  of  Wilson  County, 
Tenn.,  was  born  July  23,  1826,  iu  Sumner  County,  and  is  one  of  three  children  of  James 
and  Letitia  (Carey)  Sanders.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1779,  and  in 
youth  came  with  his  parents  to  Sumner,  Tenn. ; where  he  followed  the  occupation  of  farming. 
He  was  married  to  Letitia  Carey  in  1825,  and  died  in  1861.  He  was  twice  married  and 
was  the  father  of  ten  children.  The  mother  was  born  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  in  1800, 
and  died  April  16,  1871.  Our  subject  graduated  from  Enon  College  and  for  one  session 
was  a student  in  the  law  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon.  In  1847 
he  began  teaching  school  and  continued  that  and  farming  until  1849,  when  he  became 
principal  of  the  Smithfield  (Tenn.)  High  School,  continuing  until  1853.  December  23  of 
that  year  he  wedded  Rhoda  A.  Reeves,  daughter  of  John  and  Sarah  Reeves.  Mrs.  San- 
ders was  born  February  17,  1836,  in  Smith  County.  Tenn.,  and  became  the  mother  of  the 
following  children;  Nora,  John  C.  and  Nat.  In  1854  Mr.  Sanders  was  chosen  superinten- 
dent of  the  high  school  at  Carthage.  Tenn.,  and  in  1857  was  elected  to  represent  Smith 
County  in  the  State  Legislature.  After  his  return  to  Carthage  upon  the  adjournment  of 
the  Legislature,  he  agaiu  begau  the  study  of  law,  and  in  1859  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and 
practiced  his  profession  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  June,  1861.  he  enlisted  in 
Company  F,  Twenty-fifth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  was  immediately  appointed 
its  adjutant  and  served  until  the  re  organization  of  the  army  at  Corinth,  when  he  was 
elected  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  same  regiment.  He  had  commaud  of  the  regiment  for 
several  months,  the  colonel,  S.  S.  Stanton,  being  absent.  He  and  Col.  Stanton,  owing  to 
trouble  with  the  brigadier-general  in  command,  resigned,  and  returned  to  Middle  Tennes- 
see and  raised  another  regiment  (infantry),  the  Eighty-fourth  Tennessee;  this  was  consoli- 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1115 


dated  with  the  Twenty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry.  Col.  Sanders  was  appointed  quarter- 
master and  acted  as  such  until  the  close  of  the  war,  receiving  his  parole  at  Washington,  Ga., 
June  9. 1865.  Col.  Sanders,  although  quartermaster,  went  into  the  ranks  as  a private,  and 
took  part  iu  the  capture  of  Daltou,  Ga.,  in  the  battle  of  Spring  Hill  and  Franklin,  and  iu 
the  engagements  around  Nashville.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  resumed  the  practice  of 
law  and  formed  a partnership  with  Judge  Cantrell,  of  Lebanon,  with  whom  he  remained 
eight  years.  In  1874  Col.  Sanders  moved  to  Louisville,  Ky.,  but  after  a two-years  resi- 
dence, returned  to  Tennessee  and  resided  one  year  iu  Gallatin  and  then  came  to  Lebanon. 
He  and  his  son.  John  C.,  are  partners  in  the  practice  of  law,  the  latter  being  a graduate 
of  the  law  department  of  the  University  of  Louisville,  Ivy.,  and  of  the  same  department 
of  the  Cumberland  University  of  Lebanon,  Teun.  In  1881  Col.  Sanders  represented  Wil- 
son County  in  the  lower  house  of  the  State  Legislature.  He  was  made  chairman  of  the 
Committee  of  Claims  and  in  1883  was  appointed  to  his  present  position.  He  is  a member 
of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  he  and  his  son  constitute  one  of  the  leading  law  firms  of 
the  county. 

ERVIN  K.  SHANNON  is  a farmer  of  the  Nineteenth  District,  of  Wilson  County, 
Tenn.,  and  son  of  J.  II.  and  Isabella  (Braden)  Shannon.  He  was  born  March  22.  1841,  iu 
the  county  where  he  now  resides.  His  father  was  of  Irish  descent  and  was  born  Decem- 
ber 19,  1803.  When  he  was  about  twenty-five  years  of  age  he  came  to  Tennessee.  His 
parents  died  when  he  was  quite  young  and  he  was  reared  by  a man  by  the  name  of  Sha- 
ker. with  whom  he  learned  the  tanner’s  trade,  and  followed  this  occupation  in  Tennessee 
for  about  ten  years.  He  then  moved  to  a farm  belonging  to  his  wife.  He  was  married 
about  183-1,  and  became  the  father  of  seven  children,  five  now  living.  He  was  a soldier 
in  the  late  war  and  his  death  occurred  in  June,  1870.  His  widow  died  in  1876.  Our  sub- 
ject resided  with  his  parents  until  their  respective  deaths.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood,  and  in  1862,  in  company  with  his  brother,  as- 
sumed control  of  the  tanning  business,  continuing  about  eight  years.  Since  that  time 
our  subject  has  been  engaged  in  farming,  and  owns  the  old  homestead.  He  enlisted  in 
the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee,  Company  C.  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh  and  Perryville. 
Ky.,  and  was  wounded  in  the  latter  engagement  and  returned  home.  In  politics  he  is  a 
Democrat,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

ALEX  SHANNON,  proprietor  of  a grocery  and  hardware  store  in  Lebanon.  Tenn.. 
is  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  in  1844.  and  is  one  of  five  children  of  J.  H.  and  Isa- 
bella (Braden)  Shannon.  Alex  Shannon  was  reared  on  his  father’s  180-acre  farm.  He 
was  educated  in  the  country  schools,  and  December  22.  1870,  was  married  to  Maggie  Hol- 
loway, daughter  of  Richard  and  Eunice  (Shannon)  Holloway.  She  was  born  in  1847  and 
is  the  mother  of  two  living  children:  James  R.  and  Nebar.  In  1872  Mr.  Shannon  bought 
146  acres  of  land  and  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1882,  when  he  sold  out  and  re- 
moved to  Lebanon  and  clerked  iu  the  hardware  store  of  McClain  Bros,  for  two  year.-. 
Since  November,  1885,  he  has  been  connected  with  J.  Iv.  Buchanan  in  the  grocery  and 
hardware  business,  and  is  doing  well.  Mr.  Shannon  is  conservative  in  politics,  and  lie 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

FINIS  E.  SHANNON.  Sit.,  one  of  the  oldest  citizens  of  District  No.  22,  and  a 
prominent  farmer,  was  born  November  20,  1814,  in  Wilson  County.  He  is  the  youngest 
child  of  Henry  and  Jane  (Hayes)  Shannon.  The  father  was  of  Irish  descent,  born  Janu- 
ary 10,  1766,  in  Virginia  and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  About  1795  he  came  to  David- 
son County  but  afterward  removed  to  Wilson  County  where  lie  died  September  25,  1841 
The  mother  was  born  March  22,  1772, in  Virginia,  and  died  December  10,  1832.  in  Wilson 
County.  .The  subject  oPour  sketch  received  his  education  mostly  outside  of  the  school- 
room. July  31, 1838, he  married  Nancy  Hearn,  daughter  of  Milbry  Hearn.  Mrs.  Shannon  was 
born  February  6, 1818,  in  Wilson  Count}'  and  by  her  marriage  became  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren: Norman  P.,  who  is  a farmer,  and  Mary  C..  wife  of  James  Doughty.  After  our  subject’s 
marriage  he  located  on  the  old  home  place.  In  1856  his  wifedied.andin  the  following  year  he 
married  Rosanna  A.  Hunt,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  born  in  1820,  and  the  daughter  of 


' 


1116 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Samuel  Hunt.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shannon  were  born  three  children:  Finis  E.,  Texanuali 
and  Frusey.  .In  1861  he  sold  the  old  home  place  and  bought  land  in  District  No.  22,  where 
he  is  now  living.  He  lost  his  second  wife  in  1862,  and  in  1867  he  married  E.  J.  O’Neal; 
she  lived  but  a. short  time  after  marriage  and  December,  1868.  he  married  Elizabeth  J.  Eth- 
erley,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  in  1829.  Mr.  Shannon  is  one  of  Wilson  County’s 
-old  citizens  and  has  been  quite  successful,  owning  at  the  present  time  500  acres  of  land. 
He  has  been  a life-long  Democrat  casting  his  first  vote  for  Martin  Van  Buren.  He  has 
also  been  an  active  business  man.  is  obliging  and  courteous  and  is  a good  neighbor. 

REV.  S.  G.  SHEPARD,  an  enterprising  farmer,  was  born  in  1830  in  Wilson  Count}'  ; 
son  of  John  and  Frances  G.  (Graves)  Shepard.  The  father  was  of  Scotch  descent,  and 
was  born  about  1785  in  Prince  Edward  County,  Va.  He  was  a teacher  by  profession,  and 
in  connection  with  this  did  farming.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in 
1807,  he  was  living  in  Wilson  County.  He  was  not  permitted  to  live  the  time  allotted  to 
man.  but  was  cut  down  in  the  prime  of  life;  He  died  in  1835  with  the  cholera.  The  mother 
was  of  French  origin,  and  was  born  in  Virginia  about  1800;  she  died  in  1860.  There  were 
eight  children  born  to  them,  four  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject's  grandfather,  Samuel 
Shepard,  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of 
Cornwallis,  at  Yorktown.  About  1800  he.  immigrated  to  Wilson  County,  Tenu..  where  he 
settled  and  lived  to  an  advanced  age.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  George  Washington,  aud 
his  last  for  Henry  Clay.  Our  subject  received  bis  education  in  the  county  schools,  and  at 
the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  be  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Seventh  Tennessee  Infantry, 
-Confederate  States  Army,  and  was  made  captain  of  his  company.  After  the  death  of  Gen. 
Hatton.  May  31,  1862,  our  subject  ^as  appointed  lieutenant- colonel  of  his  re  gimenl.  lie 
led  his  men  in  twenty  battles,  the  leading  ones  being  Seven  Pines,  seven  days  around 
Richmond,  second  Manassas,  Sharpsburg,  etc.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home, 
and  August  3,  1865,  married  Mattie  Major,  a native  of  Wilson  County;  born  in  1S45,  aud 
the  daughter  of  Samuel  and  Fanny  (Chambers)  Maj or.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were 
born  four  children:  Samuel  G.,  Alice,  John  and  Agnes.  After  marriage  our  subject  began 
farming,  and  now  owns  300  acres,  and  is  a well-to-do  farmer.  He  is  a Democrat  in  poli- 
tics aud  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  In  1870  he  was  elected  as  one  of  two  rep- 
resentatives from  Wilson  County  to  assist  in  revising  the  constitution  of  the  State  of  Ten- 
nessee. In  1872  he  was  elected  as  member  to  the  State  Legislature,  and  in  the  same  year 
he  was  ordained  as  a Missionary  Baptist  minister.  His  ministerial  duties  have  been  prin- 
cipally confined  to  Wilson  and  Rutherford  Counties.  At  present  he  has  charge  of  four 
churches,  three  in  Rutherford  and  one  in  Cannon  County  at  Woodbury. 

J.  R.  SHORTER,  proprietor  of  a livery  and  feed  stable,  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born 
in  Wilson  County  in  1845,  and  is  a son  of  Janies  and  Martha  P.  (Wyoone)  Shorter,  who 
were  of  Irish  descent,  born  in  Tennessee  in  1815  and  1819,  respectively.  They  were  mar- 
ried about  1836,  and  tilled  a farm  of  200  acres  until  1858,  when  they  purchased  a 150-acre 
farm.  Here  the  father  died  in  1860,  and  the  mother  in  August,  1884.  Our  subject  only 
attended  school  about  three  months  during  his  life.  September  19,  1867,  he  lead  to  Hy- 
men’s altar  Easter  C.  Graves,  daughter  of  Lorenzo  J.  and  Mary  Graves.  Mr.  aud  Mrs. 
Shorter  have  three  children:  Lorenzo  .1.,  Susie  and  Robert.  In  J869  Mr.  Shorter  came  to 
Lebanon  and  established  a retail  liquor  store,  but  in  1871  bought  a family  grocery  store, 
continuing  three  years.  He  then  farmed  three  years,  and  in  1877  returned  to  Lebauon, 
and  with  W.  G.  Swindell  began  keeping  a livery  and  feed  stable.  A year  later  Samuel 
Golliday  purchased  Mr.  Swindell’s  interest,  and  he  in  turn  was  bought  out  by  J.  W.  Ham- 
ilton. Since  1883  Mr.  Shorter  has  carried  on  the  business  alone.  He  keeps  ten  horses, 
nine  single  and  six  double  vehicles,  and  runs  a buss  to  each  train,  aud  has  met  with  mer- 
ited success,  lie  is  a member  of  the  lv.  of  H.  and  K.  of  P.,  and  he  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church. 

W.  II.  SMITH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  May  29,  1834,  and  is  one 
of  fifteen  children  born  to  James  and  Martha  (Johnson)  Smith.  The  father  was  a native 
of  Virginia,  born  in  1796.  He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  during  his  lifetime.  He  died 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1117 


iin  Wilson  County  in  1874.  The  mother  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1800,  and  died  iu  Wilson 
County  in  1833.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the 
schools  of  the  county.  In  1858  he  wedded  Lucy  J.  Johnson,  daughter  of  Berry  and 
Miranda  Johnson.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1S3G,  aud  by  her 
•union  with  Mr.  Smith  became  the  mother  of  seven  children:  Martha  J.,. James  B.,  Miranda 

E. ,  William  H.,  Eddie  W.,  Emma  and  Bubie.  In  1862  our  subject  bought  141  acres  of 
land,  and  began  tilling  the  soil;  he  added  to  his  farm  quite  often,  aud  is  at  present  the 
owner  of  240  acres  of  good  land.  In  1S81  Mrs.  Smith  died,  and  in  1883  he  married  Mary 

F.  Williams,  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Polly  Williams.  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  Wilson 
County.  Tenn.,  in  1849,  and  by  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Smith  she  became  the  mother  of 
Iwo  children:  Winfield  and  Lelia.  In  politics  Mr.  Smith  is  a Democrat. 

J.  E.  STRATTON,  dry  goods  merchant  of  Lebanon.  Tenn.,  was  born  February  27. 
1842,  sou  of  Thomas  J.  and  Caroline  M.  (Golladay)  Stratton.  J.  E.  Stratton  was  reared 
at  home  and  was  educated  in  the  Cumberland  University.  In  May,  1861.  he  enlisted  iu 
•Company  D,  Seventh  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry  Volunteers,  and  participated  in  all 
the  battles  of  the  Virginia  campaign  in  1861-62.  He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Seven  Pines.  He  was  cared  for  ’ in  the  house  of  the  Misses  Forbes,  sisters  of  Col. 
Forbes,  of  Clarksville,  Tenn.  He  resided  for  some  time  with  his  uncle,  in  Granada, 
Miss.  In  1862,  while  iu  Kentucky,  he  was  arrested  by  Federal  troops,  but  after  taking 
the  oath  of  allegiance  was  released  and  remained  in  Kentucky  until  the  fall  of  Richmond. 
March  24,  1864,  he  married  Mary  Grimes,  who  was  born  in  1843,  in  Kentucky,  daughter  of 
James  and  Fannie  Grimes.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stratton  were  born  these  children:  James 

G. ,  Thomas  E.  G.  aud  Caroline  May.  Iu  1866  Mr.  Stratton  returned  to  Lebanon,  where 
he  was  engaged  in  the  general  merchandise  business  with  his  father  and  brothers.  He 
soon  after  went  to  Todd  County,  Ky.,  where  he  engaged  iu  the  same  business  three  years 
and  farmed  six  years.  From  1873  to  1876  he  was  a druggist  in  Allensville,  and  at  the  lat- 
ter date  went  to  Nashville  and  established  a merchant  and  tailor’s  establishment.  In  the 
fall  of  1879  he  returned  to  Lebanon,  clerking  until  1881,  when  he  engaged  in  the  dry 
goods  business  in  the  same  room  as  that  occupied  by'  his  father  in  1865-66.  In  1881  the 
building  burned,  and  a year  later  he  erected  his  present  fine  building.  He  is  one  of  Leb- 
anon’s first  merchants  and  citizens  and  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.,  and  he  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

S.  G.  STRATTON.  The  Bank  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  organized  in  August,  1884. 
with  a capital  stock  of  825,000,  James  Hamilton,  president,  and  Thomas  J.  Stratton  as 
■cashier.  In  January,  1885,  Mr.  Stratton  died,  and  S.  G.  Stratton,  our  subject,  was  chosen 
as  his  successor.  He  was  born  January  30,  1844,  in  Lebanon,  and  is  one  of  five  children 
of  Thoma3  J.  and  Caroline  M.  (Golladay)  Stratton.  The  father  was  born  August  5,  1818, 
in  Sumner  County,  Tenn..  and  was  a resident  of  Lebanon  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  iu 
May,  1838.  He  established  a general  merchandise  store  in  Lebanon,  but  a few  years  later 
began  dealing  in  dry  goods  only.  He  was  engaged  in  the  Florida  war.  His  partners  at 
different  periods  were  Benjamin  Ireland.  Maj.  Andrew  Allison  and  lastly,  before  the  war, 
Samuel  Golladay.  Mr.  Stratton  was  a leading  business  man  of  Lebanon  and  an  influen- 
tial citizen.  In  1870  he  was  elected  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Wilson  County',  and  he  contin- 
ued its  cashier  after  it  became  the  Secoud  National  Bank,  continuing  as  such  until  August, 
1884.  when  he  was  chosen  cashier  pf  the  Bank  of  Lebanon,  continuing  until  his  death,  in 
January,  1885.  He  was  twice  married  and  became  the  father  of  six  children,  his  second 
wife  being  Fannie  (Watkins)  Helm.  Our  subject’s  mother  died  August  15,  1805.  S.  G. 
Stratton  was  educated  in  the  Cumberland  University'.  During  the  war  he  first  attached 
himself  to  the  Thirty-eighth  Tenuessee  Infantry,  under  Col.  Looney,  of  Memphis,  and 
afterward  enlisted  in  Capt.  J.  W.  Britton’s  company,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was 
in  the  service  until  the  fall  of  1864.  November  9,  1865,  he  married  Alice  Fisher,  who  was 
born  October  10,  1844,  who  bore  him  two  children:  Houston  F.  and  Franceway  C.  Mr. 
Stratton  was  first  after  the  war  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  with  his  father,  aud 
afterward  with  R.  Green.  In  1872  he  was  appointed  clerk  of  the  circuit  court,  to  fill  an 


ms 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


imexpired  term,  and  was  twice  afterward  elected  and  held  the  office  until  18S2.  In  1881 
he  became  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business,  in  the  firm  of  J.  E.  Stratton  & Co.,  and  at 
present  is  one  of  the  firm  of  J.  T.  Odum  tfc  Co.  October  22,  1ST7,  Mrs.  Stratton  died,  and 
December  1,  1881,  he  married  Leila  M.  Owen,  born  in  1861,  in  Talbot  County.  Ga.,  daugh- 
ter of  Sidney^  Owen.  By  this  marriage  he  has  one  daughter,  Mildred  Owen,  born  Febru- 
ary 2,  1S83.  Our  subject  succeeded  his  father  as  cashier  of  the  Bank  of  Lebanon.  In 
1873  he  was  elected  mayor  of  Lebanon,  having  served  several  years,  before  and  after,  in 
the  city  council.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  Lebanon  Lodge,  No.  98,  and 
has  filled,  among  other  offices,  that  of  Worshipful  Master,  Most  Excellent  High  Priest  of 
the  Chapter,  Eminent  Commander  of  the  Commandery,  and  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  II- 
and  K.  of  P.  He  and  wife  belong  to  the  [Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

L.  D.  STROUD  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  Oct.  7,  1842,  is  one  of  eight  chil- 
dren of  O.  B.  and  Lucie  (Lester)  Stroud  who  were  born  in  Halifax  County.Va.,  and  Wilson 
County,  Tenn.,  [May  2,  1S03  and  June  29,  1824,  and  died  April  14,  1863,  and  March  11,  1875, 
respectively.  They  were  married  November  11,  1841.  The  mother  was  a daughter  of  Joshua 
Lester,  founder  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  Smithfork,  Tenn.,  and  its  pastor  for  thirty-seven 
years.  Our  subject  receivedhis  education  at  what  was  known  as  the  “Three  Forks  Insti- 
tute'’ and  afterward'attended  the  Mount  Vernon  Institute.  When  sixteen  he  entered  the 
teachers’  profession  continuing  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  when  he  enlisted  in  Hol- 
ton’s Seventh  Tennessee  Infantry  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Seven  Pines  and  Cedar 
Bun:  was  wounded  in  the  arm  at  the  former  battle  and  yet  carries  the  ball  in  his  shoulder. 
He  was  severely  wounded  at  the  latter  battle  and  has  never  entirely  recovered  from  its 
effects.  After  his  return  home  he  resumed  teaching  and  paid  off  a debt  of  $300  which 
his  father  had  contracted  for  his  schooling.  In  1877  he  accepted  the  presidency  of  the 
Woodbury  College  fora  period  of  two  years,  but  ill  health  obliged  him  to  abandon  the  pro- 
fession entirely.  March  13,  1865,  he  wedded  Leathy  A.,  daughter  of  John  and  Anna 
Sneed,  born  December  22,  1841,  and  has  borne  six  children:  Cornelia  (Mrs.  A.  G.  Penuel), 
Minnie  (Mrs  R.  B.  Penuel),  Angie,  Nettie,  Bernice  and  Garland.  In  February,  1884, 
Mr.  Stroud  took  a trip  to  Mexico  for  a business  house  at  Nashville,  and  while  there  ac- 
quired a thorough  knowledge  of  the  Spanish  language.  Mr.  Stroud  is  the  owner  of  250 
acres  of  fine  land  and  his  home  is  pleasantly  and  picturesquel}'  situated.  He  is  a Demo- 
crat in  his  political  views  and  took  an  active  part  in  State  politics  in  1879.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Baptist  Church. 

A.  SULLIVAN,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  the  Twenty-fourth  District, 
was  born  March  22,  1815,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  nine  chil- 
dren born  to  A.  and  S.  Sullivan.  The  father  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C..  and  was 
a farmer  by  occupation.  He  married  in  his  native  State  and  immigrated  to  Wilson  County 
and  settled  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  where  he  purchased  141  acres  of  land.  He  died 
in  March,  1835.  The  mother  was  born  in  Guilford  County,  N.  C.,  in  1775,  and  came  to  this 
county  with  her  husband,  where  she  remained  until  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1855.  Our 
subject  was  reared  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  like  the  average  country  boy,  received 
his  education  in  the  common  schools.  June  16,  1839,  he  wedded  Clerky  Patterson,  daugh- 
ter of  Elijah  Patterson.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  three  sons,  only  one  of  whom  is 
living.  One  son  was  killed  at  Richmond  and  another  at  Corinth.  Miss.  Mr.  Sullivan  is 
the  owner  of  300  acres  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  and  by  his  affable  and  courteous  man- 
ner has  made  many  friends.  • He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

B.  J.  TARVER,  attorney  at  law  of  Lebanon,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  N.  C.,  and 
is  one  of  two  sons  of  Silas  and  Nancy  (Harris)  Tarver.  The  father  was  a Welshman  by 
descent,  and  was  born  in  1794  or  1795  in  North  Carolina.  He  was  a farmer,  and  came  to 
Tennessee  in  1808  with  his  father,  Benjamin  Tarver,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  county. 
After  his  marriage,  in  1823,  Silas  located  on  a farm  where  Tucker’s  Gap  is  now  situated, 
and  there  remained  until  his  career  ended  in  1862.  The  mother  was  of  English  birth, 
born  in  North  Carolina,  and  died  in  1845.  Our  subject  secured  an  academical  education, 
and  afterward  entered  the  law  department  of  Cumberland  University,  graduating  in  18*51. 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1119 


He  has  since  practiced  his  profession,  and  lias  met  with  marked  success.  He  commenced 
at  the  bottom  round  of  the  ladder,  hut  by  perseverance  and  knowledge  of  his  profession 
he  has  steadily  climbed  upward  in  his  profession  until  be  ranks  among  the  first  of  the 
Wilson  County  bar.  In  1878  he  was  appointed  judge  of  the  chancery  court  of  Tennessee, 
and  held  the  office  for  one  year.  In  1875  he  wedded  Susan  White,  who  was  born  in  1S29, 
and  a daughter  of  James  D.  White.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tarver  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South. 

J.  B.  TARVER,  farmer  and  resident  of  Tucker’s  Gap,  was  born  June  14.  1835,  in  the 
house  where  he  is  now’  residing.  He  is  the  youngest  son  of  a family  of  seven  children, 
only  two  of  whom  are  now’  living:  our  subject,  and  Judge  B.  J.  Tarver,  of  Lebanon. 
Silas  and  Nancy  (Harris)  Tarver  were  their  father  and  mother.  Our  subject  received  his 
education  in  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon  in  the  literary  department.  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1850,  he  married  Lucy  Hobson,  daughter  of  Henry  and  Lucy  (Tarver)  Hobson. 
Mrs.  Tarver  was  born  August  2, 1837,  in  Wilson  County,  and  by  her  union  with  Mr.  Tarver 
she  became  the  mother  of  six  children:  Mattie  E.,  A.  Benjamin,  John  E.,  Walter  A., 
Nannie  and  George.  In  1853  our  subject  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Cumberland 
University,  attending  two  sessions.  In  185G  he  went  to  Arkadelphia,  Ark.,  and  com- 
menced his  law  practice,  which  he  continued  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In 
Februar}’,  1862,  he  returned  to  his  birth-place,  where  he  has  since  lived  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  Mr.  Tarver  now  owns  440  acres,  and  is  an  honest,  enterprising  and 
successful  farmer.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  but  was  at  one  time  a Whig.  He  is  a 
Good  Templar,  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South . 

WILLIAM  B.  TATUM,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  the  Twenty -second  Dis- 
trict, was  born  in  1821,  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  sou  of  Ira  and  Martha  (Ed- 
dins)  Tatum.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina  and  a teacher  by  profession  in 
his  younger  days,  and  later  in  life  he  followed  farming.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  w’ar  of 
1812,  and  died  in  1825.  The  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  about  1800,  and  died 
about  1872.  Our  subject  at  the  age  of  seventeen  commenced  wrorking  at  the  tanner's 
trade,  w’liich  he  continued  for  four  years.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  went  to  Macon, 
Tenn.,  and  bought  130  acres  and  commenced  fanning  on  his  owrn  responsibility.  In  three 
years  he  returned  to  Wilson  County,  and  in  March,  1846,  he  wedded  Sarah  A.  Goldston, 
a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  in  1823,  and  a daughter  of  Eli  and  Elizabeth  Goldston. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tatum  were  born  eight  children:  Martha  E.,  A.  Frank,  Mary  E..  Will- 
iam A.,  Emily  A..  Thomas  E.,  Edward  L.  and  Ira  J.  About  1851  our  subject  bought  111 
acres  in  the  Twenty-second  District,  where  he  located  and  is  now  living.  In  connection 
with  farming  he  carried  on  the  tannery  business  for  a period  of  twenty  five  years.  Mr. 
Tatum  started  in  life  as  a poor  boy,  but  by  energy,  economy  and  good  management  he 
now  owns  440  acres.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Christian  Church. 

JAMES  H.  TAYLOR,  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  Wilson  County,  was  born  in  Tennes- 
see, August  24,  1807,  and  is  one  of  ten  children  born  to  Perrygan  and  Sarah  (Wilson) 
Taylor.  The  father  was  of  English  descent,  born  in  North  Carolina  in  17G1.  and  came 
to  Sumner  County  about  1800.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
marriage  was  living  in  Nortlv Carolina.  He  died  in  Wilson  County.  Term.,  in  1826.  The 
mother  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  was  born  in  Maryland  in  1764.  She  died  in  Wilson 
County.  Tenn.,  in  1822.  At  the  age  of  twenty  our  subject  [left  home;  lie  had  received 
a fair  education  at  the  county  schools,  and  in  1827  Martha  Hunter  became  his  wife.  She 
was  horn  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  iu  1810,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Selina 
Hunter.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  seven  children:  Caroline,  Evaline,  Lasbo- 
phine,  Leona  (wife  of  R.  C.  Morris),  Isaac.  John  and  William.  In  1832  Mr.  Tavlor 
bought  150  acres  of  land,  and  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  added  to  his  land  from 
time  to  time,  and  now  owns  262  acres,  upon  which  he  is  at  present  living.  In  politics  be 
is  a Democrat,  and  lie  and  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  Cumberland  Church. 


. 


1120 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 

<COL.  R.  E.  THOMPSON,  a citizen  of  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  descended  from  the 
old  Thompson,  Cockrell,  MeXairy  and  Robertson  families  of  Tennessee.  Gen.  James 
Robertson  and  John  Cockrell  were  the  first  white  men  that  ever  stood  on  Capitol  Hill. 
Col.  Thompson  was  born  at  Cockrell’s  Springs,  near  Nashville,  in  1822.  He  was  partly 
-educated  in  Nashville,  and  in  1840  came  to  Lebanon  and  finished  his  education  at  Cum- 
berland University.  He  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Tolliver,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Col.  Zach 
'Tolliver,  of  Lebanon.  Tenn..  by  whom  he  has  six  living  children — two  sous  and  four 
daughters — all  of  whom  are  doing  remarkably  well,  nis  youngest  son.  Lillord.  is  attor- 
ney-general  of  the  Seventh  Judicial  Circuit.  Col.  Thompson  is  a lawyer  and  farmer,  and 
is  noted  as  a criminal  lawyer,  and  defends  nearlv  all  the  criminals  in  his  section  of  the 
■count}',  but  refuses  to  prosecute,  never  having  prosecuted  a man.  although  offered  large 
fees  to  do  so.  In  politics  he  is  a low-tax  Democrat,  and  is  opposed  to  taxing  the  people  to 
pay  the  railroad  debt.  He  has  been  seven  or  eight  times  elected  to  the  State  Legislature, 
three  or  four  times  to  each  branch,  aud  look  a very  active  part  in  common  school  education 
and  in  the  cause  of  temperance.  He  is  not  a very  zealous  advocate  of  the  four-mile  law, 
and  offered  a bill,  and  got  it  passed,  excluding  intoxicating  liquors  from  every  place  in  the 
State,  excepting  Nashville,  Knoxville  aud  Memphis,  but  the  supreme  court  decided  it 
was  unconstitutional.  He  is  a bold  and  fearless  advocate  of  the  rights  of  the  masses  of 
the  people,  and  zealous  of  encroachments  upon  their  rights  by  the  monied  corporations, 
consequently  is  often  before  the  people,  securing  large  majorities  over  very  popular  men. 
He  still  practices  his  profession,  iu  which,  together  with  other  resources,  yield  him  a 
competency  in  his  old  age.  He  is  a Missionary  Baptist  iu  faith. 

WILLIAM  T.  THOMPSON,  an  enterprising  tarmer,  was  born  August  18,  1846,  in  Wil- 
son County,  and  is  the  son  of  George  aud  Martha  (Baird)  Thompson.  The  father  was  of 
Irish  descent,  born  October  17,  1822,  iu  Wilson  County,  and  is  a farmer  by  occupation. 
His  father,  Moses  Thompson,  was  born  in  1782,  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina,  and  came 
Jo  Wilson  County  at  a very  early  date.  He  died  in  1842.  George  Thompson  lived  in  his 
mative  county  at  the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  occurred  November  11,  1845.  He  set- 
died  in  the  Nineteenth  District,  where  he  has  since  resided,  moving  only  once  since  that 
dime.  He  has  lived  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  since  1851,  and  has  been  quite  suc- 
• cessful  as  a tiller  of  the  soil,  owning  at  the  present  time  upward  of  550  acres.  The  mother 
was  born  July  4,  1826,  in  Wilson  County,  and  died  July  12,  1878.  Our  subject  is  one  of 
.eight  children  who  are  living.  He  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools  and 
February  6,  1868.  wedded  Fanny  Martin,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  March  19, 
1849,  and  the  daughter  of  John  Martin.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  four  children, 
:three  of  whom  are  living:  Emma,  John  B.  and  Fannie  E.  In  1869  he  bought  forty-five 
acres  in  the  Twenty-first  District,  where  he  resided  until  1877,  when  he  bought  200  acres 
•where  he  now  resides.  Mr.  Thompson  lost  his  wife  August  5,  1876,  and  September  12  of 
the  following  year  he  married  Lucy  Logue,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  December  20. 
1852.  To  this  union  were  born  four  children:  Samuel,  Mattie.  Nannie  and  Spurgen.  Mr. 
Thompson  is  an  enterprising  business  man,  and  now  owns  882  acres.  His  wife  has  120 
acres  in  Davidson  County.  In  politics  our  subject  is  very  conservative,  voting  for  princi- 
ple and  not  for  party.  In  connection  with  farming  he  has  speculated  in  timber:  ha*  been 
employed  several  years  by  the  Western  Uniou  Telegraph  Company  to  furnish  poles  to 
them.  He  has  also  furnished  Nashville  with  many  telegraph  poles. 

ED.  L.  VANCE.  Jk.,  junior  member  of  the  livery  and  feed  stable  of  Johnson  & 
Vance,  of  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  Edward  R.  and  Drucilla  (Hearn)  Vance,  and 
was  born  in  Wilson  County  November  28.  1859.  The  father  is  of  Irish  extraction,  born 
in  1817,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  a farmer  by  occupation.  Iu  1837  he  came  to 
Wilson  County,  where  he  purchased  300  acres  of  land,  and  was  married  in  1839.  He  has 
been  twice  married  and  is  the  father  of  fifteen  children.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the 
schools  near  his  home  and  in  the  Big  Spring  Seminary.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he 
left  home  and  leased  396  acres  of  land,  which  he  farmed  two  years,  and  the  following 
three  years  worked  on  a tract  of  400  acres  of  land  in  Davidson  County.  In  1884  he  and 


1121 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


bis  brother,  Joseph  T.,  purchased  the  livery  and  feed  stable  of  Orgain  & Ragland,  in 
Lebanon,  but  at  the  end  of  six  months  M.  House  became  one  of  the  proprietors.  In 
October,  1885,  Mr.  W.  A.  Johnson  bought  Mr.  M.  House’s  interest,  and  siuce  then  the 
firm  has  been  Johnson  & Vance.  They  keep  about  fifteen  horses  aud  twelve  single  and 
eight  double  vehicles,  and  are  doing  a good  business. 

B;  J.  VANHOOK,  superintendent  of  county  poor  of  Wilson  County,  was  born  in  1S49 
in  Wilson  County, Tenn.  He  is  the  sou  of  Joel  N.  and  Mary  T.  (Hickman)  Vauhook.  The 
father  was  of  German  lineage,  born  in  1822,  on  the  line  between  North  Carolina  and  Vir- 
ginia, and  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  He  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  mother,  and  at 
the  time  of  his  marriage,  which  occurred  in  1841,  was  living  in  Wilson  County.  He  bought 
land  in  Barton’s  Creek,  in  the  Twenty-first  District,  where  he  lived  for  forty  years.  In 
1885  he  moved  to  the  Twenty-second  District,  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  the  father  of 
six  children,  all  of  whom  are  living.  The  mother  was  born  about  1824,  in  Wilson  Count}', 
Tenn.,  and  is  also  living.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  county  schools.  De- 
cember 31,  1869,  he  wedded  Virginia  Ligon,  a native  of  Wilson  County,  born  March  31, 
1850.  and  the  daughter  of  Richard  L.  and  Roseline  Ligon.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vanhook 
were  born  six  children:  Riley  C.,  Orrie,  Bettie  V.,  Carrie,  Huston  and  Howard.  Our 
subject  settled  on  Barton  Creek,  and  in  1877  he  was  elected  to  the  position  he  now  occu- 
pies. The  county  farm  contains  220  acres  and  is  located  five  miles  west  of  Lebanon.  The 
average  number  of  poor  is  about  thirty,  and  they  are  properly  fed,  clothed  and  cared  for  by 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vanhook.  In  politics  Mr. Vanhook  is  a Democrat.  In  1882  he  was  nominated 
and  elected  as  magistrate  of  District  No.  22,  and  is  at  present  holding  the  office.  In  the 
same  year  he  bought  130  acres  in  the  Twenty-second  District.  Mrs.  Vanhook  is  a worthy 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

W.  C.  WALKER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  January  S,  1838.  and 
is  the  son  of  Janies  D.  and  Celia  L.  (Hamilton)  Walker.  The  father  was  born  in  North 
Carolina  in  1777,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer.  At  the  time  of  his  marriage 
he  was  living  in  Wilson  County,  where  he  died  May  29,  1819.  The  mother  was  born  in 
Sunnier  County,  Tenn.,  in  1795,  and  died  in  Wilson  County  January  18,  1884.  Our  sub- 
ject was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  county.  In 

1820  he  was  married  to  Katie,  daughter  of  James  and  Eliza . Mrs.  Walker  was 

born  in  AVilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1844,  and  the  fruits  of  her  marriage  to  Mr.  AValker  are 
an  interesting  family  of  eight  children:  Edwin  L.,  Munroe  V.,  Cornelia  L.,  Edna  E.,  Lil- 
lia,  Addie,  William  C.  and  Washington  B.  II.  Mr.  Walker  is  the  present  owner  of  315 
acres  of  good  land  in  the  Fourth  District,  where  he  is  now  living.  He  is  a successful  farm- 
er and  has  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

AV.  II.  AYALLACE,  a dealer  in  lumber,  was  bora  April  6,  1852,  in  AVilson  County.. 
Tenn.,  and  is  a son  of  J.  F.  and  Catherine  AVallace.  The  father  was  born  in  1836.  it. 
Sumner  County,  and  in  1849  he  moved  to  AA'ilson  County  and  settled  in  the  Second  District. 
He  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  and  in  1883  moved  to  Davidson  County.  The  mother 
was  born  in  1834,  AATilsou  County,  and  lived  there  until  her  death,  which  occurred  in  1867. 
Our  subject  received  a fair  education  in  the  country  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen 
began  working  for  himself.  September  22,  1870,  he  married  Martha  J.  Gibson,  a native* 
of  AATlson  County,  Tenn.,  born  September,  1852*  and  the  daughter  of  Thomas  AY.  Gibson. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  AVallace  were  born  six  children:  James  AV.,  Lillie,  Lizzie,  Daisie,  Harvey 
AV.  aud  Alvin.  Mr.  AA’ allace,  by  his  industry  and  energy,  has  accumulated  a considerable- 
amount  of  this  world’s  goods  and  is  respected  by  all  who  know  him. 

J.  S.  AVAMACK  is  a native  of  AVilson  County,  Tenn.,  born  October  14.  1818.  and  is 
one  of  five  children  of  Richard  and  Agnes  (Smith)  AVamack.  The  father  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia about  1790,  and  came  to  Tennessee,  when  about  twelve  years  of  age.  lie  was  a 
farmer,  and  married  when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  about  thirty  years  afterward, 
his  wife  died,  and  he  then  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Puckct)  Bailey.  J.  S.  AVamack  was 
educated  in  the  district  schools,  aud  Augusts,  1839,  he  married  Miss  Dorcis.Hall.  daugh- 
ter of  Samuel  Ilall.  She  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  in  1821.  and  died  A igust  24,  1857,- 


1122 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


leaving  five  children:  John  K.,  a theological  student  at  Louisville.  Ky.;  America  (wife  of 
H.  C.  Patton),  Josephine  (wife  of  Eli  Vaught).  James  R.  and  A.  P.  Mr.  Wamack  began 
doing  business  for  himself  after  attaining  his  majority,  and  became  the  possessor  of  100 
acres  of  land  near  Cherry  Valley,  which  he  has  increased  to  325  acres  of  valuable  farming 
land.  In  November,  1857.  Mr.  Wamack  wedded  Mrs.  E.  E.  (Thomas)  Boyle,  but  about  a 
year  after  her  marriage,  she  died,  leaving  one  child — E.  E.  (wife  of  James  M.  Berry). 
April  13,  1859,  Mr.  Wamack  lead  to  Hymen’s  altar,  Mary  (Anderson)  Vick;  she  was  born 
m Wilson  County  October  11,  1832,  and  bore  her  husband  four  children:  California, 
Jourdan  (deceased),  Agnes  (wife  of  8.  Henderson),  and  an  infant  (deceased).  Our  subject 
and  family  reside  on  a farm  of  100  acres  near  Cherry  Valley,  and  in  connection  with  farm- 
ing, has  kept  a nursery  for  about  ten  years.  _He  has  been  quite  an  extensive  traveler,  and 
has  always  contributed  liberally  to  all  public  and  private  enterprises.  He  is  a Democrat 
and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Harrison.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist 
Church. 

J.  M.  WATKINS,  proprietor  of  the  Watkins  Hotel,  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.,  was  born 
April  3,  1841,  and  is  one  of  eight  children  of  Moses  and  Jane  (Scoby)  Watkins.  The  father 
v\as  born  in  1812  in  Virginia,  and  was  a farmer  through  life.  He  came  to  Tennessee  with 
his  parents  when  about  six  3'ears  of  age,  and  resided  on  different  farms  up  to  1876.  when 
he  moved  to  Lebanon,  where  he  died  in  the  fall  of  1884.  The  mother  was  born  in  Smith 
County,  Tenn.,  and  since  the  death  of  her  husband  has  lived  with  her  daughter  Mary  (Mrs. 
D.  W.  King).  Our  subject  attended  the  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  in  1862  enlisted 
in  Company  B,  Forty-fourth  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  took  an  active  part  in 
the  battle  of  Shiloh.  He  returned  home  in  iSGi.  and  after  farming  two  years  became 
clerk  in  the  Sweeney  House,  in  Nashville.  December  22.  1868,  he  married  Dora  Cart- 
wright, daughter  of  Wilson  T.  and  Elizabeth  Cartwright.  Mrs.  Watkins  was  born  in  1852 
in  Nashville.  She  and  her  husband  have  three  children:  Archie  Wilson,  Emma  Bell  (de- 
ceased) and  Lena  May.  In  1877  Mr.  Watkins  came  to  Lebanon,  and  lie  and  W.  M.  Organ 
purchased  a livery  and  feed  stable,  which  they  managed  for  eighteen  months,  and  for  the 
following  year  Mr.  Watkins  conducted  the  business  on  his  own  responsibility.  In  1879  he 
and  Mr.  D.  C.  Williams  became  partners,  continuing  one  year.  In  1831-82  Mr.  Watkins 
kept  a grocery  and  restaurant,  and  in  18S3  established  himself  in  the  hotel  business,  and  is 
an  obliging  and  courteous  landlord.  Iu  politics  he  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

DR.  R.  L.  C.  WHITE,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Lebanon  Herald , was  born  June 
11,  1844,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  the  only  living  child  of  Capt.  John  W.  and  Sally 
C.  (Cannon)  White,  who  were  of  English  descent,  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee 
in  1804  and  1807, respectively.  The  father  died  in  1871.  He  was  a merchant  iu  early  life, 
but  later  became  engaged  also  in  manufacturing  interests.  He  came  to  Tennessee  in  1821, 
and  in  1831  became  a resident  of  Lebanon,  and  was  always  an  active  worker  for  the  old 
Whig  party.  He  was  clerk  of  the  circuit  court  a number  of  years,  and  was  married  in  1841. 
The  mother  resides  with  our  subject,  who  was  educated  in  the  Cumberland  University,  of 
Lebanon.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Perry ville,  Chickamauga,  Murfreesboro.  Atlanta,  and  numerous  minor 
engagements.  He  remained  in  the  field  until  the  surrender  of  Johnston’s  arm)',  when  he 
returned  home  and  entered  upou<he  study  of  medicine  in  the  Nashville  Medical  College, 
remaining  one  year.  In  1867  he  attended  the  Jefferson  Medical  College,  at  Philadelphia, 
and  graduated  in  1868.  In  1869  he  purchased  a one-half  interest  in  the  Lebanon  Herald, 
and  since  1871  lias  been  sole  proprietor  and  editor.  Previous  to  1872  the  Doctor  practiced 
his  profession,  but  since  that  time  has  given  his  time  and  attention  to  his  paper,  which  is 
very  newsy  and  instructive,  aud  is  quoted  throughout  the  State  as  one  of  the  leading  jour- 
nals. The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  (Lebanon  Lodge.  No.  98,  F.  A 
A.  M.),  of  Baldwin  Commandery,  No.  7.  Knights  Templar;  Magnolia  Lodge,  No.  30.  I.  O 
O.  F ; Lotus  Lodge,  No.  20,  K.  of  P. ; Lee  Lodge,  No.  22,  K.  of  II.  In  1878  he  was  elected 
Grand  Chancellor  of  the  State  of  Tennessee  of  K.  of  P.,  and  held  the  position  nearly  two 


, 

■ 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1123 


years.  In  1883  be  was  elected  Grand  Keeper  of  Records  and  Seal  of  the  State  of  Tennessee 
•of  the  same  order,  and  now  holds  the  position.  Since  1S80  he  has  been  one  of  the  two 
Supreme  Representatives  of  Tennessee  of  the  Supreme  Lodge  of  the  World,  K.  of  P.  He 
has  also  been  Grand  Treasurer  of  K.  of  H.  of  Tennessee  since  1S80.  Until  1882  the  Doctor 
was  a Democrat,  but  at  that  time,  owing  to  a controversy  on  the  State  debt,  the  part}'  was 
split,  the  Dr.  taking  sides  with  that  faction  which  favored  the  payment  of  the  debt.  He 
was  secretary  of  the  State  Executive  Committee  of  the  State  credit  wing  of  the  Democratic 
party  during  that  canvass.  His  faction  was  disastrously  defeated,  and  since  that  time  he 
has  affilliated  with  no  party.  Since  1S82  he  has  been  magistrate,  and  has  held  the  position 
of  notary  pilblic.  and  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Lebauon.  May  23.  1860,  Dr. 
White  married  Ella  M.  Wade,  daughter  of  M.  B.  and  Elizabeth  Wade,  of  Rutherford 
County-  She  was  born  in  1851,  and  is  the  mother  of  five  children:  Ethel,  Opal,  Coral, 
Mabel  and  Kenneth. 

J.  H.  WILLIAMS  is  a native  of  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  born  March  6.  1841,  son  of  J. 
H.  and  Margaret  (Coson)  Williams,  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1794  and  1802,  respectively. 
The  father  came  to  Tennessee  when  about  twenty  years  of  age,  and  was  married  some 
three  years  later.  He  soon  purchased  a small  tract  of  land,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death 
had  acquired  2,000  acres  of  valuable  land.  He  died  April  13,  1862.  The  mother  yet 
resides  in  the  old  home  place.  Our  subject  was  educated  at  Cold  Spring  Academy,  and 
June  10,  1862,  was  married  to  Miss  S.  C.  Owen,  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  (Robertson) 
Owen.  Mrs.  Williams  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  June  29,  1844,  and  has  borne 
her  husband  nine  children:  Bettie,  R.  B.,  Mahala  C.,  Mattie  M.,  William  H.,  J.  H.,  Mar- 
garet I.,  Alex  and  Earnest.  In  1862  Mr.  Williams  purchased  200  acres  of  his  father’s 
estate,  and  is  very  comfortably  situated.  After  the  war  he  met  with  some  financial  em- 
barrassments, but  by  his  industry  and  business  ability  has  overcome  these  difficulties.  In 
1882  he  was  elected  magistrate,  and  still  holds  the  office.  He  is  a Democrat  and  belongs 
to  the  Masons  and  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church.  In  1861 
he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Eighteenth  Tennessee  Infantry,  aud  was  in  the  battles  of  Fort 
Donelson  (where  he  was  wounded  and  disabled  for  six  months)  and  Chickamauga.  He 
was  in  cavalry  service,  and  was  engaged  in  numerous  cavalry  fights.  He  returned  home 
in  May,  1865. 

W.  W.  WILSON  is  one  of  the  firm  of  Wilson  & Waters,  proprietors  of  a dry  goods 
house  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  He  was  born  October  9.  1858,  in  Mississippi,  and  is  the  son  of 
Eaton  G.  and  Margaret  L.  (Roberts)  Wilson.  The  father  was  born  in  Alabama  and  was  a 
farmer.  His  death  occurred  in  1884.  The  mother  was  born  about  1832  in  Alabama,  and 
is  now  residing  with  her  son,  W.  W.,  in  Lebanon.  The  latter  was  educated  in  Selma, 
Ala.,  but  his  school  days  were  previous  to  his  fifteenth  year.  He  then  began  the  battle  of 
life  for  himself,  and  came  to  Lebanon  and  began  clerking  in  the  dr}*  goods  store  of  Price 
■&  Paty.  About  a year  later  heliiredout  to  J.  T.  McClain  &Co.,  with  whom  he  remained 
seven  years.  During  these  years  he  was  improving  his  education  by  study  during  his 
leisure  moments,  and  is  now  a well  educated  man.  In  1881  he  owned  a one-half  interest 
in  a jewelry  store,  his  partner  being  B.  J.  Dillard,  aud  for  about  a year  owned  a one-half 
interest  in  a livery  and  feed  stable,  the  firm  being  styled  Murphy  & Wilson.  In  January, 
1882,  Mr.  Wilson  and  Edgar  Waters  formed  a partnership  in  the  dry  goods  business,  and 
have  continued  successfully  in  thesame  up  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Wilson  is  a good  busi- 
ness man  and  a skilled  financier,  and  bears  the  reputation  of  being  one  of  the  finest  sales- 
men in  the  city. 

R.  Q.  WORD,  a trader  aud  farmer,  was  born  in  Wilson  County  June  6,  1840.  and  is 
one  of  seven  children  of  John  aud  Elizabeth  (Quarles)  Word.  The  father  was  of  Irish 
extraction,  and  was  born  in  Virginia  about  1798.  He  is  a farmer,  and  came  to  Tennessee 
when  but  six  years  of  age.  lie  was  married  three  times,  and  is  now  living  in  the  Fifth 
District.  The  mother  was  of  Irish  extraction  also,  and  was  born  in  1798  and  died  in  1S70. 
Our  subject  was  reared  at  home,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  H,  of  the  Seventh  Tennessee  In- 


1124 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


fantry,  Confederate  States  Army,  and  was  captured  at  tlie  second  battle  of  Manassas.  lie- 
remained  a prisoner  about  thirty  days,  when  he  was  returned  to  the  Confederate  States 
Army  authorities.  He  w\ns  in  all  the  principal  battles,  and  at  one  time  was  the  only  man* 
in  his  company  (officer  or  private)  able  to  report  for  duty.  After  the  war  he  was  engaged 
for  some  time  with  the  Louisville  Oil  Company,  for  which  he  traveled.  February  21.  1867,. 
he  wedded  Pemelia  Freeman,  a native  of  Tennessee,  who  died  March  13,  1871.  To  this 
union  were  born  two  children,  Charles  and  Elizabeth.  He  contracted  a second  marriage 
May  31,  1872,  with  Rachel  Patton,  a native  of  Kentucky,  and  the  daughter  of  James  H. 
and  Sallie  Patton.  In  1871  Mr.  Word  went  to  Lawson,  Ray  Co.,  Mo.,  and  at  different 
times  was  in  a grocery,  furniture  and  hardware  store.  In  1S73  he  returned  to  Tennessee 
and  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of  the  Silver  Springs  Mills.  This  occupied  his  attention 
for  five  years,  since  which  time  he  has  followed  trading  in  live-stock.  He  has  lately 
become  a candidate  for  county  trustee,  subject  to  the  county  election  August  5,  18S6.  He 
holds  to  the  true  principles  of  Democracy.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  No.  98, 
and  of  the  Royal  Arch  lodge  and  the  K.  of  P.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church  South,  and  his  wife  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

GEORGE  W.  WRIGHT,  an  enterprising  farmer  and  merchant,  was  born  November 
21,  1833,  in  Wilson  Count}',  Tenn.,  and  is  one  of  a family  of  eleven  children  born  to  Lewis 
and  Tempie  (Eddings)  Wright.  The  father  was  born  in  1794  in  the  State  of  Virginia,  and 
when  only  fifteen  years  of  age  immigrated  to  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  and  located  in  the 
Twenty-fifth  District.  He  was  married  in  the  year  1820,  and  by  industry  and  perseverance 
soon  purchased  about  220  acres.  Death  called  him  away  March  10,  1872.  The  mother 
was  born  in  1800  in  Wilson  County  Our  subject  received  a practical  education  in  ine 
county  schools,  and  June  18,  1862,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lucy  (Guill)  Wright.  She 
was  born  September  26,  1843,  and  is  the  daughter  of  James  Guill.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wright  were  born  two  children:  Monroe  A.  and  Tempie  E.  Mrs.  Wright’s  death  occurred. 
January  28,  1868.  June  20,  1869,  Mr.  Wright  married  Mar}r  Robison,  daughter  of  John 
Drennan.  She  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  and  by  her  union  with  Mr.  Wright  became- 
tbe  mother  of  five  children:  John,  Lee,  Cora,  Lena  and  Annie.  Mr.  Wright  is  a good 
man,  and  one  of  the  most  energetic  farmers  of  the  Twenty-fourth  District. 

J.  K.  WRIGHT,  an  enterprising  merchant  and  farmer  of  the  Fourth  District,  was 
born  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  October  24,  1847,  and  is  one  of  six  children  born  to  Will- 
iam and  Margaret  J.  Wright.  The  father  was  born  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  in  1314, 
.and  followed  the  occupation  of  a merchant  aud  farmer,  and  at  one  time  was  owner  and 
proprietor  of  the  first  woolen  factory  that  was  operated  in  the  State  of  Tennessee.  He 
was  married  in  his  native  county,  and  died  there  in  1S70.  The  mother  was  born  iu  Mont- 
gomery County,  Tenn.,  in  1819,  and  died  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  in  1859.  Oursubject 
passed  his  youthful  days  at  home,  and  when  twenty  years  of  age  received  the  rudiments- 
of  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  county,  aud  subsequently  attended  Boyd’s  Commer- 
cial College  at  Louisville,  Ky.  In  1869  he  was  married  to  Eliza  G.,  daughter  of  Dr.  Henry 
B.  and  Susan  Vaughn.  Mrs.  Wright  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1850,  and  by 
her  union  with  Mr.  Wright  became  the  mother  of  five  children:  Maggie  S.,  Alice  B., 
James  K.,  William  H.  aud  Graham  C.  In  1873  he  bought  eighty-five  acres  of  land  in 
Williamson  County,  where  he  commenced  farming  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  at  the 
present  owns  145  acres  of  land,  all  lying  in  the  Fourth  District,  where  he  still  continues 
to  farm.^  In  1867  Mr.  Wright  opened  a grocery  and  dry  goods  store  in  La  Guardo,  and 
followed  this  business  until  1873,  when  he  sold  out  his  store  and  continued  farming  until 
1880,  when  he  purchased  his  present  store.  He  is  postmaster  at  La  Guardo,  a Democrat 
aud  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

ROBERT  YOUNG  (deceased),  a successful  farmer,  was  born  May  7,  1822,  iu  Wilson 
County,  Tenn.,  and  was  one  of  twelve  children  born  to  James  and  Nancy  (Branch)  Young. 
The  father  was  born  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1797,  and  is  of  Irish  descent.  He  was 
a farmer  b}' occupation,  and  lived  to  a good  old  age,  his  death  occurring  June  7,  1831. 
The  mother  was  born  in  the  year  1800  in  Wilson  County,  and  died  April  17,  1875.  Our 


WILSON  COUNTY. 


1125 


subject  was  educated  in  his  native  county,  and  December  1,  1842,  was  married  to  Nancy 
Neal,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  eight  children:  James  W.,  Mary  E.  (wife  of  George 
Sullivan),  George,  Pallas,  David,  Nannie  (wife  of  T.  Hamilton),  William  F.  and  Effie  L. 
In  the  year  186(5  he  moved  and  settled  in  the  Twenty-fourth  District,  where  he  purchased 
325  acres  of  land,  and  carried  on  farming  and  stock  raising  until  his  death,  which  occurred 
June  22,  1885.  lie  was  a good  man,  and  had  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  held  to  the  principles  of  Democracy,  and 
was  a worthy  member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Young  survives  her  hus- 
band, and  manages  the  farm  in  a skillful  manner.  She  is  a consistent  Christian  and  a 
member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

G.  D.  YOUNG,  a farmer  of  the  Fifteenth  District  of  Wilson  County,  Tenn.,  was  born 
October  23,  1823,  and  is  a son  of  Joseph  D.  and  Margaret  (Stewart)  Young,  who  were  born 
in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  in  1785  and  1796,  and  died  in  Tennessee  in  1873  and  1875. 
respectively.  They  were  married  in  1S12.  G.  D.  Young,  our  subject,  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  schools  of  his  native  county.  January  8,  1846,  he  married  Miss  Miranda, 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Ritter  (Kelly)  Thompson,  by  whom  he  had  six  children:  A.  R., 
wife  of  J.  D.  Pemberton;  Joseph  D.,  A.  T.,  Margaret  E.,  J.  M.  and  William  B.  After 
attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Young  began  farming  on  his  own  responsibility.  After  his 
marriage  he  purchased  135  acres  of  land  which  he  has  since  increased  to  185  acres.  Mr. 
Young  has  been  quite  successful  as  a farmer  and  business  man,  and  in  addition  to  his 
farming  has  given  some  attention  to  the  shoe-maker’s  trade  and  stone-masonry.  He  was  a 
Whig  as  long  as  that  party  existed,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  He  belongs  to  the  I.  O.  O.  F. 


xA  V. , 


• fr\  o 


rc  mi 


ibers 


► 'Ur.fhrwti. 


JOSEPH  YOUNG  was  born  near  Big  Springs,  Wilson  Co,.  Tenn.,  August  1,  1826, 
son  of  D.  and  Sarah  Young,  who  were  of  Irish  descent,  and  born  in  Tennessee  and  Vir- 
ginia, respectively.  The  father  was  born  in  1804,  and  resided  in  Wilson  County  until  his 
death  in  1874.  He  was  married  about  1825.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  district 
schools,  and  December  20,  1849,  was  married  to  Nancy  Marks,  who  w as  born  in  Wilson 
County,  Tenn.,  March  3,  1827,  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  Marks.  She  died  April  19, 
1858,  having  borne  three  children,  one — Laura— is  now  living.  November  23,  I860,  he 
wedded  Emily  Sneed,  born  December  30,  1839,  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Elizabeth  Sneed. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  were  born  these  children:  Sarah  E.,  Mary,  James,  William,  H.. 
Holly  and  Joseph.  Soon  after  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Young  purchased  a grist-mill  and 
has  carried  on  that  and  farming  to  the  present  time.  He  owns  about  200  acres  of  laud. 
He  was  involved  to  the  extent  of  §3,600  during  the  war,  but  by  indomitable  and  persever- 
ing will  has  overcome  these  difficulties,  and  has  since  purchased  and  paid  for  120  acres  of 
excellent  land.  He  is  a Democrat  politically  and  has  held  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace 
a number  of  years.  He  and  Mrs.  Young  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

J.  W.  YOUNG,  a farmer,  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  (Neal)  Young,  and  graudson 
of  James  Young,  who  were  of  Irish  descent.  Robert  Young  was  born  in  1822,  in  "Wilson 
County,  Tenn.,  and  followed  the  occupation  of  farming,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
in  1885,  325  acres  of  land.  The  mother  was  born  in  1824,  and  is  yet  residing  on  the  old 
home  place.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living; 
Mary,  George,  Palace,  David,  Foster,  Nannie,  Eftie  and  J.  W.,  our  subject,  who  was  born 
in  Wilson  County,  in  1842,  was  reared  at  home  and  educated  in  his  native  county.  At  tho 
breaking  out  of  hostilities  between  the  North  and  the  South  in  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany C,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was  in  many  of  the  principal  battles  and  skir- 
mishes of  the  war.  At  the  battle  of  Stone  Mountain  he  was  shot  in  the  left  hand  and  was 
released  from  duty  sixty  days.  He  served  until  the  fall  of  Richmond,  and  then  returned 
home  after  an  absence  of  nearly  four  years.  October  22,  186S,  he  married  Mary  L.  Luck, 
born  in  1846,  and  daughter  of  W.  W.  and  Fannie  Luck.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Young  have  four 
children:  Robert,  Elbert  W.,  James  and  Omar  A.  From  1866  to  1880  our  subject  resided 
with  his  grandfather,  James  Young.  He  now  has  a good  farm  and  a comfortable  home. 
He  is  a Democrat  and  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Horace  Greeley.  lie  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church. 


112G 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


APPENDIX. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


JOHN  W.  ADAMS  is  a son  of  Archibald  Adams,  who  was  born  September  30,  1811, 
in  Tennessee.  He  was  married  to  Jane  Ramsey,  who  was  born  July  21.  1810,  and  our  sub- 
ject, John  W.,  was  born  to  their  union  December  26,  1836.  The  father  died  in  1850  and 
the  mother  in  1854.  Our  subject  was  their  second  child,  and  assisted  in  tilling  his  father’s 
farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  For  two  }’ears  he  followed  photography  in  Tennessee 
and  Arkansas,  and  then  joined  the.  Confederate  Army,  Company  H,  Seventeenth  Tennes- 
see Infantry.  He  was  wounded  at  Murfreesboro,  and  was  disabled  from  work  two  months, 
and  was  wounded  in  the  foot  at  Petersburg,  Ya.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned 
home  and  was  engaged  by  R.  L.  Adams,  of  Lewisburg,  Marshall  County,  as  assistant 
county  court  clerk,  and  continued  about  two  j^ears.  He  then  (in  1868),  engaged  in  farming, 
in  which  he  has  been  fairly  prosperous.  He  was  elected  magistrate  in  April,  1884,  to  fill 
an  unexpired  term.  December  10.  1866,  Mary  H.  Glenn,  of  Marshall  County,  became  his 
wife.  She  is  a daughter  of  Hugh  K.  and  Lucretia  E.  Glenn,  and  has  borne  her  husband 
three  children,  all  of  who  are  dead.  Mr.  Adams  is  a worthy  citizen  of  the  county  and  is  a 
Democrat,  and  taught  school  in  1865-66. 

J.  C.  AKIN,  proprietor  of  the  Evans  Hotel,  was  born  July  2,  1827,  in  Granville  County, 
N.  C.  His  father,  Thomas  Akin,  moved  with  his  family  from  North  Carolina  to  Maury 
County.  Tenn.,  about  1830,  and  lived  there  till  his  death.  He  was  a farmer  and  raised  a 
large  family.  The  genial  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm.  He  came  to  Shel- 
by ville  in  1854,  married  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  trade  for  a short  time.  He  then 
farmed  till  1857,  having  bought  a farm  near  Shelbyville.  He  then  removed  to  McMinville, 
Warren  Co.,  Tenn.,  and  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  there  a short  time,  and  then  at 
farming  till  the  war,  in  the  meantime  having  bought  two  farms  and  stocked  them. 
During  the  war  he  was  in  the  drug  business  till  early  in  1865.  He  then  went  to  Maury 
-County  and  raised  a crop  of  cotton;  thence  he  returned  to  McMinnville,  and  remained  till 
1873,  when  he  again  moved  to  Shelbyville,  and  for  six  years  ran  the  Barksdale  House. 
•Since  then  he  has  been  running  the  Evans  Hotel,  the  only  first-class  hotel  in  the  city.  He 
-also  runs  a fruit  evaporator  in  Shelbyville.  He  was  married,  September  18,  1854,  to  Mrs. 
America  Lane,  the  widow  of  Robert  Lane,  of  Marshall  County.  Her  father  was  Isaac 
Holman,  who  was  once  a member  of  the  Legislature.  Mr.  Akin  and  wife  have  been 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  for  many  years,  and  are  among  the  leading 
members  of  the  church  at  Shelbyville.  Mr.  Akin  has  been  chairman  and  treasurer  of 
the  executive  board  of  the  Duck  River  Baptist  Association  for  many  years,  and  at  one 
time  was  president  of  the  Baptist  Sunday-school  Association,  and  of  the  Bedford  County 
Sunday-school  Association.  He  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  II.  Politically  he  was  for- 
merly an  old-line  Whig,  but  is  now  a conservative  Democrat.  He  is  justly  regarded  as  an 
-enterprising  and  influential  citizen  of  the  county,  who  has  always  taken  special  and  active 
interest  in  all  charitable,  religioils  and  moral  enterprises.  The  wife  was  the  mother  of 
four  children  by  her  former  marriage,  two  of  whom  are  now  living. 

D.  M.  ALFORD,  publisher  of  the  Bedford  County  Times,  was  born  November  30, 
1861,  and  is  the  son  of  A.  J.  and  Margaret  (Russell)  Alford,  both  of  whom  are  natives  of 
Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  though  now  living  in  Shelbyville,  Tenn.  Our  subject  is  a prac- 
tical printer,  and  as  such  has  filled  responsible  positions  on  the  Fayetteville  Express,  Sliel- 
byvillc  Gazette,  Chattanooga  Times  and  Murfreesboro  Hexes.  In  February,  1886,  he  en- 
gaged with  William  Russell  in  the  publication  of  the  Bedford  County  of  Times,  which 
paper  he  is  publisher,  and  has  succeeded  in  building  up  a good  newspaper. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1127 


JOHN  H.  ALLEN,  superintendent  of  public  instruction  of  Bedford  County,  was 
born  November  19.  1848,  sou  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Ray)  Allen.  The  parents  were 
born  in  1S24  and  1S27,  respectively.  The  ancestors  of  our  subject  emigrated  from  Smith 
■County,  Tenn.,  to  Illinois,  and  after  remaining  there  some  time  moved  to  Bedford 
County,  where  our  subject  was  born.  William  Allen  was  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  the 
father  of  five  children— four  of  whom  were  reared  to  maturity.  These  are  Isaac  S.,  Sarah, 
James  E.  and  John  H.  The  father  was  a pious  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  a respected  citizen  of  the  county  in  which  he  lived.  His  death,  which 
occurred  in  1874.  was  universal!}”  regretted  by  all  who  knew  him.  Since  the  death  of  her 
husband  Mrs.  Allen  has  been  living  with  the  subject  of  this  sketch.  She  is  also  a member 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Our  subject,  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  left  the 
farm  and,  having  had  the  advantage  .of  a good  English  education,  chose  school-teaching 
as  his  profession.  He  has  given  the  best  of  satisfaction  where  he  has  taught,  and  is 
•considered  quite  a success  as  an  educator.  In  1S85  he  was  elected  superintendent  of  public 
schools  of  Bedford  Count}’,  and  by  his  energy  and  untiring  zeal  has  done  much  to  further 
•the  advancement  of  the  schools  of  the  county.  November  10,  1881,  he  married  Miss  Susan 
E.  Hobbs,  and  two  children  have  blessed  this  union:  Lora  V.  and  Ewitt  P.  Mr.  Allen  is  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  of  which  he  has  been  a steward  for 
eight  or  ten  years. 

A.  E.  ATKINSON  was  bora  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  January  23,  1817.  His 
father,  John  Atkinson,  was  born  in  Virginia  about  1774,  and  first  married  a Miss  Dunn, 
who  bore  him  seven  children.  His  second  wife  was  Nancy  McClaren.  and  our  subject  is 


fci 


icir  eisrbt  children. 


nnessce  atx 


,,«•  -isjnn 


•one  of  the  first  pioneers  of  the  country,  and  was  elected  magistrate  soon  after  his  arrival. 
There  being  no  other  magistrate  in  the  county,  he  was  obliged  to  swear  himself  into  office, 
mid  held  the  position  until  his  death  in  1820,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  when  he  was 
a member  of  the  State  Legislature.  He  also  served  as  chairman  of  the  county  court  sev- 
eral terms.  Our  subject  has  been  a school-teacher  for  thirty-five  or  thirty-six  years, 
teaching  twelve  months  in  the  year  a portion  of  the  time.  He  also  farmed,  and  June  5, 
4838,  he  wedded  Elizabeth  C.  Stem,  and  the  following  children  are  the  result  of  their 
union:  F.  M.,  Mary  A.  (Mrs.  A.  S.  Turrentine),  Christina  C.  (Mrs.  W.  H.  Clark),  W.  E. 
and  J.  R.  Mrs.  Atkinson  died  November  2,  1867,  a worthy  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Atkinson  married  his  second  wife,  Jane  Edwards.  April  C,  1870. 
Mr.  Atkinson  has  a fair  education,  which  he  has  obtained  mainly  through  his  own  exer- 
tions. Up  to  the  date  of  the  late  war  he  was  an  old-line  Whig.  Since  that  time  he  has 
been  a Democrat. 

JOHN  A.  BARRETT,  fanner  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  July  11,  1843,  son  of  Leroy 
W.  and  Lucy  B.  (Knight)  Barrett.  The  father  was  born  in  Bedford  County  March  29, 
18l8,  and  lias  been  a merchant  and  farmer  all  his  life.  March  11,  1841,  he  was  united  in 
marriage,  and  is  the  father  of  three  children,  all  dead  with  the  exception  of  our  subject. 
The  mother  was  born  March  20,  1824,  and  had  been  a worthy  member  of  the  Christian 
•Church  for  a period  of  thirty  years.  She  died  March  22.  1875.  The  father,  Leroy  W. 
Barrett,  is  living  at  the  present  time  in  Rome,  Ga.,  and  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife 
married  Mrs.  Mary  Dolby,  a native  of  Wheeling,  Va.  lie  is  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness. Our  subject  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  was  given  a fair  education  in  the  town  of 
Shelbyville,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  the  Forty-first 
Tennessee,  InfaDtry,  Regiment.  He  was  in  the  battles  of  Vicksburg,  Fort  Hudson,  Ray- 
mond, Jackson,  Chickamauga,  Lookout  Mountain.  Missionary  Ridge,  and  numerous 
other  important  battles.  After  the  war  he  came  back  to  this  county,  and  February  21, 
1865.  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  B.  Holt,  of  this  county.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth 
of  three  children:  James  L.t  Eugene  A.  and  Charlie.  Mr.  Barrett  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful in  business,  and  owns  650  acres  of  fine  land.  He  is  considered  one  of  the  leading 
farmers  of  the  county. 

A.  P.  (DOCK)  BAXTER,  a native  of  Tennessee,  was  born  September  1,  1844,  son  of 


1123 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX., 


James  M.  and  Sarah  R.  (Grant)  Baxter,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  Our  subject’s  mater- 
nal grandfather  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  for  services  rendered  received  a pen- 
sion for  a number  of  years  prior  to  his  death.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  on 
the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-one,  and  received  a limited  education  on  account  of  the  late 
civil  war,  which  broke  into  his  schooling.  He  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  in  which 
he  has  been  moderately  successful,  the  principal  part  of  his  life.  August*  26,  1866,  he  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Lucinda  C.  Stephenson,  of  this  county,  and  to  this  union  were  born 
four  children:  William  G.,  Effie,  Mollie  and  Joseph  C.  He  and  family  are  leading  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics. 

WALTER  S.  BEARDEN,  a prominent  attorne}”  of  Shelbyville,  was  born  in  Lincoln 
County,  Tenn.,  January  10.  1S43,  being  one  of  two  children  (twins)  born  to  the  marriage 
of  Dr.  B.  F.  Bearden  and  Susan  M.  Blake.  The  father  was  a native  of  South  Carolina, 
but  lived  and  died  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.  He  was  a man  of  great  learning  and  breadth, 
and  was  eminent  in  the  profession  of  medicine.  lie  died  in  1870  and  five  years  afterward 
the  mother  died.  He  received  a good  early  education  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  began  teach- 
ing as  an  assistant  in  an  academy.  He  entered  the  Emory  and  Henry  College  of  Virginia 
and  was  iD  that  school  when  the  war  broke  out.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company  E.  Forty- 
first  Tennessee  as  second  lieutenant,  and  remained  in  the  service  throughout  the  war.  He 
was  elected  second  lieuteuant  of  the  company  upon  its  second  organization,  and  com- 
manded the  company  the  last  year  of  the  war.  He  received  three  wounds,  one  of  which 
was  serious.  Returning  from  the  service  he  began  the  study  of  law,  and  in  1860  began 
the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Shelbyville,  where  he  has  made  himself  a leading  member 
of  the  bar.  He  has  never  aspired  to  political  honor  till  this  year  (1886),  when  he  was  an- 
nounced. as  candidate  for  chancellor  of  his  district.  He  was  married.  February  17,  1874, 
to  Maggie  C.  Whiteside,  daughter  of  Col.  T.  C.  Whiteside.  He  has  a family  of  four  chil- 
dren by  this  marriage.  Politically,  he  was  reared  a Whig,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  Him- 
self and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a Knight  Templar  Mason 
and  at  one  time  was  the  youngest  High  Priest  in  Royal.  Arch  Masonry  of  the  State.  As  a 
citizen  he  is  well  known  and  highly  respected. 

ROBERT  B.  BIGHAM,  farmer  and  trader,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Teun., 
July  4.  1828,  son  of  Elihu  H.  aud  Mary  (Lisenby)  Bigham,  and  of  Irish  descent.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1799,  and  his  mother  in  Anson 
County,  N.  C.,  in  1805.  They  were  married  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  about  1823, 
jind  became  the  parents  of  five  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  third.  The  Bigham 
family  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  Tennessee,  having  come  to  the  State  when  the 
father  of  our  subject  was  a small  boy  and  settled  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  Elihu  II. 
Bigham  died  on  the  old  homestead  in  1873,  and  the  mother,  who  is  eighty-one  years  old, 
is  still  living  aud  enjoying  good  health  and  an  unusual  amount  of  activity  for  a person  of 
her  age.  Our  subject  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools  and  remained  with 
his  parents  until  he  reached  his  majority.  Since  then  he  has  followed  the  business  of 
farming.  During  the  civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  and  was  assigned  a 
position  in  the  commissary  department  under  Maj.-Gen.  James  F.  Cummings,  where  he 
served  throughout  the  war.  Our  subject  has  been  married  twice,  the  first  time,  January 
21,  1851,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Hoover,  who  was  boru  October  6,  1833,  and  who  is  the  daughter 
of  William  Hoover.  To  this  union  were  born  five  children:  William  L.,  Granville  II. 
Samuel  B..  Robert  L.  and  Sallie  A.*  Mr.  Bigham  was  married  the  last  time,  February  15, 
18S3,  to  Miss  Sue  F.  Burks,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  boru  April  13,  1853.  To  this  un- 
ion was  born  one  son.  Roy  IL  Mr.  Bigham  is  a Democrat,  a Mason,  and  he  and  his  wife 
arc  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject,  Samuel  Bigham, 
was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  participated  in  the  battle  of  Camden,  under 
command  of  Gen.  Gates,  where  the  American  forces  were  totally  defeated.  There  is  a 
$2  bill  of  the  old  Continental  issue  still  in  possession  of  the  family  and  in  a good  state  of 
preservation,  which  he  received  from  the  government  in  payment  for  services  in  that  war. 

WILLIAM  BLACKBURN,  a well-to-do  citizen  of  this  county,  was  born  in  Teunes- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1129 


see  May  30,  1831.  His  parents.  Robert  and  Lucy  (Ferguson)  Blackburn,  were  born  iu 
the  Old  Dominion  February  5,  1706.  and  June  ‘25.  1799,  and  died  December  28.  1874.  and 
September  6,  1865,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  1818,  and  to  their  union  were 
born  five  daughters  and  two  sons.  Three  of  the  children  are  yet  living.  Our  subject  has 
spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  on  a farm  and  has  followed  farming  from  early  boyhood. 
In  1859  his  marriage  to  Mary  M.  Sutton  was  celebrated.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee  De- 
cember 1,  1840,  and  is  the  daughter  of  John  and  Jane(Marr)  Sutton.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Black- 
burn have  four  children  born  to  their  union,  as  follows:  Lucy  J.,  born  March  4.  1860;  Eliz- 
abeth. born  December  20,  1861;  John,  born  June  13,  1864,  died  May  5,  1SS3;  and  Martha, 
born  November  28,  1866.  Our  subject’s  farm  consists  of  270  acres  of  good  land.  He  deals 
quite  extensively  in  tobacco,  and  although  he  began  life  a poor  boy,  lie  has  accumulated 
considerable  property.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church  for  twenty  years 
and  his  wife  for  over  thirty'  years.  In  politics  Mr.  Blackburn  is  neutral. 

JOHN  X.  BLACKWELL  is  a sou  of  James  Blackwell,  and  both  are  native  Tennes- 
seeans. The  former  was  born  October  5,  1828.  The  mother’s  maiden  name  was  Delilia 
Darnall;  she  was  a native  of  Illinois.  John  N.  has  farmed  for  himself  since  attaining  his 
twenty-first  year.  He  is  a self-made  man,  and  has  accumulated  a comfortable  competen- 
cy by  his  unaided  efforts.  In  1853  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  Wood,  a na- 
tive of  Bedford  County,  and  daughter  of  W.  M.  aud  E.  Wood.  This  union  resulted  in 
eleven  children.  The  following  are  those  who  are  living:  William  X.,  John  A..  Thomas 
J.,  Samantha  A.  (Mrs.  C.  A.  Shaw),  Samuel  J.  and  Charley  D.  Mr.  Blackwell  is  an  honest 
and  respected  citizen.  He  has  uever  been  before  a court  of  justice  or  was  in  a law-suit  in 
his  life,  lie  was  a soldier  in  the  late  war,  enlisting  in  Company  G,  Thirty-second  Regi- 
ment Tennessee  Infantry,  in  1862.  He  was  captured  at  Tullahoma  in  1864  and  took  the 
oath  of  allegiance  aud  gave  bond  for  his  appearance.  He  is,  politically,  a Democrat. 

BENJAMIN  W.  BLANTON,  a leading  merchant  of  AVartrace.  was  born  November 
22,  1835,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  He  is  the  fifth  of  ten  children  born  to  Benjamin 
and  Martba  (Farmer)  Blanton,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Tennessee,  and  both 
of  English  descent.  In  1818  the  father  of  our  subject  immigrated  to  Rutherford  County. 
Tenn..  and  partly  on  his  farm  was  fought  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro.  During  the  battle 
liis  dwelling-house  and  other  buildings  were  used  as  a hospital  for  the  Federal  Army,  and 
the  farm  was  completely  devastated.  In  1865  he  sold  this  farm  and  moved  to  Unionville. 
Bedford  County,  where  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  iu  1885.  The  mother  of 
our  subject  died  in  1869.  Our  subject  was  educated  at  Asbury  Academy,  near  Murfrees- 
boro, and  at  the  high  school  in  the  latter  place.  He  remained  with  his  parents  until 
reaching  his  majority,  and  then  followed  railroad  bridge  building  until  1873,  when  lie 
Avent  into  the  mercantile  business  at  Wartrace,  where  he  still  remains.  He  carries  a large 
stock  of  goods  and  does  a very  successful  business.  In  1871  he  married  Miss  F.  E.  Brav, 
of  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  and  the  fruits  of  this  union  were  three  children:  Lula,  Annie 
and  Robert  Lee.  Mr.  Blanton  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows’  fraternities, 
and,  with  the  exception  of  three  years  prior  to  the  present  year,  he  held  the  office  of 
mayor  of  Wartrace  ever  since  1873.  He  is  now  president  of  the  Wartrace  Male  and  Fe- 
male Institute,  also  of  the  Wartrace  Hollywood  Cemetery,  aud  a member  of  the  board  of 
education,  of  Wartrace.  He  is  secretary  of  the  Democratic  Executive  Committee,  of 
Bedford  County,  and  he  and  farnjly  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

EUGENE  BLAKEMORE.  the  genial  postmaster  of  Shelbyville.  was  born  July  28. 
1852,  at  Lewisburg,  Tenn..  being  a son  of  George  F.  Blakemore,  a native  of  Lincoln 
County,  Tenn.  The  father  read  medicine  in  his  native  county,  and  commenced  the  prac- 
tice of  his  profession  at  Flat  Creek,  Bedford  County.  He  afterward  practiced  in  Shelby- 
ville for  a time,  and  then  removed  to  Lewisburg.  He  then  again  returned  to  Shelbyville, 
where  he  died  in  1874.  The  mother  of  Eugene  was  Cassie  E.  Winston,  a native  of  Mar- 
shall County.  The  father  was  married  three  times;  his  last  wife  is  now  living  in  Tulla- 
homa. Tenn.  Eugene  was  reared  in  Shelbyville,  and  had  the  advantages  of  the  schools 
here.  He  married  at  the  age  of  twenty,  and  engaged  in  farming  near  Shelbyville  for  four 


1130 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


years.  He  then  removed  to  Shelby ville,  and  for  two  years  ran  a dray  line;  he  then 
farmed  another  year,  and  then  bought  and  ran  a grist-mill  at  Shelby  ville  for  six  months. 
After  this  he  engaged  in  the  livery  and  mule-trading  business  for  three  years,  doing  the 
leading  livery  business  of  the  place.  He  sold  out  that  business  in  1884,  and  has  since 
been  farming  and  trading.  He  was  appointed  postmaster  March  29,  1886,  and  has  filled 
the  office  with  efficiency.  He  was  married,  in  1872,  to  Miss  Ludie  P.  Newtou,  a daughter 
of  James  S.  Newton,  deceased,  a farmer  of  this  count}'.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
this  union,  viz.;  Frank  N.  and  Eugene  W.  Mr.  Blakemore  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  one  of  the  en- 
terprising aod  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 

COL.  GEORGE  W.  BOUNDS  was  born  in  Scott  County,  Va.,  September  25,  1818. 
His  parents  and  grandparents  were  natives  of  the  same  State,  and  his  maternal  grand- 
father was  a Revolutionary  soldier.  Our  subject  learned  the  saddler's  trade,  serving  an 
apprenticeship  from  thirteen  to  twenty  years  of  age.  He  then  worked  at  his  trade  in 
Estill ville  a short  time,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  order  to  vote  for  Gen.  Harrison,  as  the 
right  of  suffrage  was  extended  only  to  those  who  were  householders  or  freeholders  in 
their  native  State.  He  worked  at  his  trade  about  six  years,  and  then  joined  Col.  Has- 
kell’s regiment,  and  served  in  the  Mexican  war  as  orderly  sergeaut  and  then  as  second  lieu- 
tenant. participating  in  many  of  its  bloodiest  battles.  He  was  mustered  out  of  service, 
but  at  the  call  for  more  troops  he  again  joined,  and  was  elected  lieutenant-colonel  of  the 
Fifth  Tennessee  Regiment,  which  was  independent,  George  B.  McClellan  being  colonel. 
During  a short  time  while  the  latter  was  sick  our  subject  acted  as  colonel  in  his  place.  He 
was  discharged  at  Memphis  in  July,  1848.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  civil  war  he  was 
not  in  sympathy  with  the  Southern  cause,  and,  although  he  was  forced  to  join  a company 
of  militia,  he  was.honorably  discharged  at  the  reorganization  of  the  army.  He  then  held 
aloof  from  the  army  as  far  as  it  was  in  his  power  to  do,  it  being  wholly  against  his  will  or 
desire  lo  take  up  arms  against  the  Government.  Since  the  war  he  has  voted  the  Repub- 
lican ticket  exclusively.  He  was  married,  November  18,  1853,  to  Mary  A.  Pope.  Their 
union  has  resulted  in  six  children:  James  C.,  born  September  23,  1854,  and  died  3 larch 
23,  1876;  Bettie,  born  April  30,  1856,  wife  of  Thomas  Joyce;  John,  horn  November  14. 
1857;  Fannie,  born  June  21,  1859;  Ann,  born  July  3.  I860,  and  died  April  23.  1878,  and 
June,  born  July  6,  1863,  and  died  July  13,  1863.  Our  subject  has  been  a successful  man 
throughout  life,  and  was  considered  a brave  and  faithful  officer  and  soldier  in  the  Mexican 
war.  He  is  a substantial  citizen  of  Bedford  County  and  a man  of  influence. 

F.  M.  BOWLING,  son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  Bowling,  was  born  eight  miles  east  of 
Murfreesboro,  Rutherford  Co.,  Tenn.,  September  23,  1847.  He  resided  with  his  parents 
near  Bradyville,  in  the  same  county,  till  ten  years  old,  then  removed  with  them  near 
Murfreesboro,  where  they  are  (1886)  living.  The  first  twenty  years  of  our  subject’s  life 
were  spent  upon  the  farm,  devoting  his  leisure  time  to  study,  and  caring  for  his  disabled 
father  and  four  brothers  and  one  sister.  In  January,  1868,  he  entered  Union  University 
at  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.,  and  remained  there  until  June  12.  1873,  receiving  the  degree  of 
A.  M.  Previous  to  this  he  had  chosen  teaching  as  his  profession,  and  in  August,  1873.  he 
took  charge  of  a large  school  at  Leeville,  Tenn.,  and  after  successfully  conducting  it  to 
its  close  he  accepted  a position  with  Prof.  J.  E.  Nowlin  in  the  Masonic  Institute,  Harts- 
ville,  Tenn.,  and  afterward  became  a partner  with  him  in  the  school.  While  in  this 
school,  August  26,  1874,  he  wedded  Miss  Susan  E.  Sanders,  daughter  of  Jesse  B.  and 
Mary  A.  Sanders,  whoresided  near  Murfreesboro.  To  them  were  born  three  children:  Her- 
bert Manly,  horn  July  9,  1875;  Edna  Frank,  born  June  29,  1877,  and  Mary  Myrtle,  born 
May  23, 18S2.  Mr.  Bowling  and  Prof.  Nowlin  dissolved  partnership  by  mutual  consent,  and 
in  January,  1876,  he  took  charge  of  Unionville  High  School,  where  he  is  now  (1886)  liv- 
ing. He  has  been  principal  of  the  school  ever  since,  with  the  exception  of  the  spring 
term  of  1881,  when  he  was  associated  with  Prof.  B.  F.  Hooker,  as  joint-principal  of  Milan 
College,  Milan,  Tenn.  He  has  devoted  himself  earnestly  and  faithfully  to  the  cause  of 
education,  and  hits  taken  part  in  many  educational  enterprises  in  the  hope  of  elevating 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1131 


his  chosen  profession,  and  has  been  called  upon  to  fill  prominent  positions  in  different  ed- 
ucational institutions  in  the  county.  He  follows  no  text-book  in  particular,  but  selects 
the  best  methods  from  different  books.  He  joined  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  in  the 
fall  of  1865,  and  takes  a deep  interest  in  Sunday-school  work,  and  is  now  superintendent 
of  the  Unionville  Sunday-school,  which  has  an  average  attendance  of  ninety-five.  He  is 
also  a strong  supporter  of  temperance. 

JOHN  A.  BRAMBLETT  was  born  August  13,  1813,  in  Georgia.  His  father.  John 
Bramblett,  was  a native  of  South  Carolina,  and  of  Irish  descent.  He  immigrated  to 
Georgia  when  young,  and  there  married  Miss  Jennie  Couch,  a native  of  Georgia.  To  this 
union  were  born  twelve  children,  our  subject  being  the  ninth.  About  1832  John  Bramblett 
moved  from  Georgia  to  this  State,  locating  in  this  county,  near  Wartrace.  He  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  and  died  in  1861.  The  mother  died  in  the  same  year.  Our  subject 
was  educated  in  the  country  schools  of  Bedford  County,  and  on  reaching  his  majority 
was  married  to  Miss  L.  C.  Culley,  a native  of  this  county.  To  them  were  born  these 
children:  William  E.  (deceased),  Mary  J..  Elizabeth  F.,  James  31.,  Newton  A.,  George 
D.  (deceased),  Ada  B.  (deceased),  AY alter  T.  and  Idella.  3Ir.  Bramblett  is  a farmer  by 
occupation,  and  has  255  acres  in  District  No.  2.  In  1863'he  was  conscripted  by  the  Con- 
federate Government  and  held  as  a soldier  six  months  against  his  will.  He  then  left  them 
and  returned  home  inside  the  Federal  lines.  He  was  a strong  Union  man  during  the  war, 
and  full}*  believed  and  still  believes  that  the  best  friends  of  the  South  were  those  who  ad- 
hered to  the  union  of  the  States.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church. 

JA3IES  P.  BROWN  is  one  of  the  family  of  children  who  were  born  to  the  marriage 
of  William  Brown  and  Jane  G.  Goodrum.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in 
1803,  and  about  1824  came  to  Shelbyville  where  he  lived  and  died.  He  was  a trader  in 
live-stock,  lands,  etc.,  and  became  a well-to-do  and  prominent  citizen  of  the  county.  He 
died  in  1880.  The  mother  wras  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1809,  and  died  in  1882.  The 
subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  July  30,  1833,  in  Bedford  County.  He  was  educated  in 
Shelbyville,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  the  war.  He  then  enlisted  in  Company 
B,  Forty-first  Tennessee,  and  "was  in  the  service  throughout  the  war.  Returning  from  the 
war  he  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  farming,  in  which  he  continued  very  successfully  till 
1875.  From  1868  to  1871  he  lived  in  Texas,  returning  from  there  to  Bedford  County.  In 
1874  he  went  to  Columbus,  3Iiss.,  and  engaged  there  in  the  brick-making  and  contracting 
business,  and  he  yet  continues  that  business  here.  In  October,  1885,  he  opened  his  cloth- 
ing trade,  and  carries  a stock  of  about  $8,000.  He  was  married,  in  1831,  to  3Iis-  Kate 
Goodrum,  a native  of  Forsyth,  Ga.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  viz.: 
Paul  31.  and  Annie  L.  3Ir.  Brown  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Politically  he  is  a firm  Democrat. 
He  has  never  aspired  to  office,  but  is  a worthy  and  respected  citizen  of  the  county. 

3IRS.  31  ARY  A.  (CLARY)  BROWN  was  born  September  14,  1816,  in  North  Caro- 
lina, daughter  of  AVilliam  and  Nancy  (Wright)  Clary,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina. 
Our  subject  is  the  elder  of  two  children  born  to  her  parents.  3Iay  23,  1834.  she  married 
J.  R.  Brown,  a native  of  East  Tennessee,  born  May  ilO.  1S11.  He  was  a tailor  by  trade, 
and  worked  at  this  profession  about  twelve  years.  He  was  married  in  Madison  County, 
Ala.,  and  while  in  that  State  was  engaged  io  these  different  occupations:  tailoring,  mer- 
chandising and  farming.  In  1850  lie  immigrated  to  Tennessee,  und  engaged  in  the  mer- 
chandise business  at  Unionville,  and  continued  there  several  years.  He  then  engaged  in 
the  saw  mill  business,  but  at  the  same  time  continuing  his  farming  interests,  and  was  en- 
gaged in  the  latter  business  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  January  22,  1875.  He 
was  an  exemplary  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  To  our  subject  and  hus- 
band were  born  thirteen  children,  seven  of  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are  Nancy  J., 
AVilliam  C.,  Lucinda  C.,  James  P.,  Thomas  D.  and  Joseph  E.  Our  subject  is  a woman  of 
considerable  influence  in  this  section.  Her  son,  Thomas  D.,  is  living  with  her,  superin- 
tending the  farm.  He  is  a local  minister  of  the  3Iethodi$t  Episcopal  Church. 


1132 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


JAMES  B.  BROWN  is  a son  of  Henry  Brown,  a native  of  Wake  County,  N.  C.  The 
father  received  a limited  education,  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1S33,  locating  in  Bedford 
County  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  married  in  1830  to  Miss  Sarah  K.  Alston, 
whose  ancestors  were  from  North  Carolina.  To  Mr:  and  Mrs.  Brown  were  born  the  fol- 
lowing family  of  children:  Alev  A.,  Comer  N.,  S.  L.,  L.  S.,  J.  J.,  A.  S.,  J.  B.,  Lucy  F.  and 
G.  A.  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  Brown  died  at  his  residence  near  Shelbyvilie  in 
1875.  He  was  a member  of  the  order  of  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  he  and  his  wife,  who 
-died  in  1ST3,  were  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  James  B..  our  subject, 
was  born  May  1,  1848,  aud  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  a farm.  He  entered  the  United 
States  Military  Academy  at  West  Point  when  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  aud  remained 
there  about  one  year.  He  finished  his  education  at  the  Union  University  at  Murfreesboro, 
Tenn.,  after  which  he  served  an  apprenticeship  at  photography,  and  followed  that  oc- 
cupation three  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  farming  aud  horticulture,  and  his 
farm  is  known  as  the  “Home  Nursery  Farm.”  He  was  married  December  15,  1875,  to 
Sarah  J.  Hix,  daughter  of  John  C.  and  Emily  Hix,  and  by  her  is  the  father  of  five  chil- 
dren: Cora  E.,  Abbie  P.,  Maud  M.,  Alice  E.  and  Lula  S.,  who  is  deceased.  Mr.  Brown  is 
& member  of  the  Masonic  and  K.  of  H.  fraternities,  and  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

T.  G.  BUCHANAN,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Buchanan  & Woods,  was  born 
March  25,  1852.  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.  His  father  was  T.  W.  Buchanan,  who  moved 
to  this  county  before  the  war  aud  to  Shelbyvilie  about  tbe  close  of  the  war.  He  was  an 
extensive  merchant  of  Shelbyvilie.  In  1878  he  was  joined  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
and  tbe  firm  was  then  known  as  T.  W.  Buchanan  & Son.  He  died  November  4.  1884, 
leaving  a family  of  five  children  and  their  mother,  Sarah  (Davis)  Buchanan.  T.  W.  Bu- 
chanan was  a very  prominent  citizen  of  this  county.  He  was  a director  of  the  National 
Bank,  a director  of  the  Sylvan  Mills,  and  was  prominently  connected  with  the  school  in- 
terests of  Bedford  County.  He  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  a liberal  supporter  of  all  charitable  and  benign  institutions.  The  immediate  subject 
of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  received  a good  early  education.  He  clerked  iu 
his  father’s  store  five  years  previous  to  entering  the  firm  (1S78).  Since  then  lie  has  been 
very  successfully  engaged  iu  merchandising.  The  firm  now  do  a yearly  business  of  about 
$50,000  and  carry  about  $25,000  stock  of  dry  goods,  clothing,  hats,  caps,  boots  and  shoes, 
gents  furnishing  goods,  etc.  Mr.  Buchanan  is  a director  in  the  Sylvan  Mills,  and  owns 
about  1,000  acres  of  land.  He  married,  in  1878,  C.  S.  White,  born  in  this  county.  She  is  a 
member  of  the  Presl)3’tcrian  Church.  Mr.  Buchanan  is  an  enterprising  aud  influential  busi- 
ness man  of  Shelbyvilie.  J.  A.  W'oods,  junior  member  and  buyer  in  the  firm  of  Buchan- 
an <fc  Woods,  was  born  November  8,  1861,  near  Wartrace,  Bedford  County,  being  a son  of 
George  B.  Woods,  who  was  a merchant  of  Shelbyvilie.  The  father  was  born  in  Coffee 
County,  and  in  his  childhood  moved  to  Bedford  County,  near  Wartrace,  where  he  lived 
till  1863  when  became  to  Shelbyvilie.  He  was  president  of  the  Bedford  Count}'  Temper- 
ance Association;  he  was  also  identified  with  the  school  interests  of  the  county.  He  mar- 
ried Miss  Margaret  Clark.  who  became  the  mother  of  three  children,  J.  A.  being  the  eldest. 
The  father  died  August  12,  1880.  and  the  mother  is  now  living.  J.  A.  was  reared  in 
Shelbyvilie,  and  clerked  in  his  father's  store.  After  his  father’s  death  he  engaged  with 
T.  W.  Buchanan  A:  Son  as  salesman  and  bhyer,  continuing  in  that  capacity  till  Jan- 
uary 1,  1884,  when  he  entered  the  firm  of  Buchanan  & Woods.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  and  of  the  [loyal  Arcanum.  He  is  a member  of  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.,  and 
takes  an  active  interest  in  Sunday-school  work;  he  is  now  assistant  superintendent  of 
the  Presbyterian  Sunday-school  here. 

JOHN  S.  BUTLER,  clerk  and  master  of  the  chancery  court  of  Bedford  County,  was 
born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  March  13,  1832,  being  one  of  nine  children  raised  by 
William  S.  and  Nancy  E.  (Campbell)  Butler.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina 
and  came  to  Shelbyvilie  in  1816,  and  till  1830  pursued  tbe  carpenter’s  trade.  In  1819  he 
removed  to  Rutherford  County,  where  he  married  the  mother,  and  followed  farming  after 
1830.  He  died  iu  1873;  the  mother  is  still  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  engaged  at 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1133 


the  age  of  eighteen  on  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad,  occupying  various  posi- 
tions, among  which  were,  conductor,  telegraph  operator,  ticket  and  express  agent,  re- 
maining in  that  employ  for  eleven  years.  He  enlisted  in  Maney’s  First  Tennessee  Regi- 
ment, Confederate  States  Army,  and  was  captain  on  the  first  and  second  organization  of 
Company  F.  He  was  appointed  military  superintendent  of  telegraph  lines  in  1863,  of 
Bragg’s  division,  and  served  in  that  capacity  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war.  Af- 
ter the  war  he  lived  one  year  in  Nashville  as  agent  of  the  Nashville  & Northwestern  Rail- 
road. In  I860  he  came  to  Shelbvville  and  engaged  at  farming  and  saw-milling  and  still 
-continues  farming.  lie  was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Twenty-first  District  about  1876, 
tmd  September  5,  1883,  was  appointed  to  his  present  office.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat. 
In  I860  he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Sims,  a native  of  this  county.  Four  children  have 
been  born  to  this  union,  viz.  : Nancy  J.,  Laura,  Mary  and  John  S. 

CH  ARLES  L.  CANNON  was  born  February  14,  1813.  in  Shelbyville,  Bedford  Co., 
'Tenn.,  and  is  now  the  oldest  living  person  born  in  that  town.  His  father,  Clement  Can- 
non. was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  the  latter  part  of  the  last  century.  He  was 
of  English  descent  and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  with  his  parents,  locating  in  Williamson 
•County,  where  he  was  reared  and  became  a surveyor  of  lands.  He  afterward  purchased 
-a  large  tract  of  land  in  Bedford  County,  and  in  1806  he  donated  100  acres  of  this  to  the 
-county  where  Shelbyville  now  stands  for  a county  seat.  He  married  Miss  Susan  Lock,  a 
native  of  Virginia  and  a resident  of  Rutherford  County.  To  this  union  were  born  six 
•children.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812  and  died  January  19,  1860.  Our 
subject  was  educated  at  Shelbyville  and  upon  reaching  his  majority  began  the  business 
of  farming,  which  he  has  always  followed.  December,  1842,  Miss  Mary  A.  Hooser,  a na- 
tive of  this  county  and  a daughter  of  William  and  Rebecca  (Coots)  Hooser,  became  his 
wife.  To  this  union  the  following  children  were  born:  Susan  R.  (deceased),  Maria  L. 
{deceased),  William  H.,  Thomas  C.  (deceased),  Lettie  C.  (now  Mrs.  Phillip  Wilhoite), 
John  II.  (deceased),  Mary  R.  (now*  Mrs.  William  H.  Tilferd),  Charles  L.  (deceased), 
Macon  B.  and  Charles  B.  Our  subject  owns  a farm  of  550  acres  about  five  miles  east 
of  Shelbyville,  where  he  now  resides.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  he  and  family 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mr.  Cannon  is  a nephew  of  Gov. 
Cannon  and  also  a nephew  of  Gen.  Robert  Cannon. 

JOHN  T.  CANNON,  the  genial  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Bedford  County,  is  a 
.grandson  of  Clement  Cannon,  Sr.,  one  of  five  brothers,  who  came  from  North  Carolina  to 
Williamson  County.  Tenn.,  in  the  first  decade  of  this  century.  Clement  Cannon,  Sr.,  had 
five  sons,  the  father  of  our  subject,  Henry  Cannon,  being  one  of  them.  Henry  Cannon 
was  born  in  1812.  He  lived  in  this  county  till  1852,  when  he  moved  to  Shelby  County, 
Tenn.,  where  he  died  in  1873,  having  been  a farmer  all  his  life.  Of  those  five  brothers, 
who  came  to  Williamson  County,  four  soon  afterward  came  to  Bedford  County.  Their 
father’s  name  was  Minos  Cannon  and  their  mother  was  a Thompson,  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent. The  mother  of  John  T.  was  Sallie  C.  M.  Tillman,  a descendant  of  the  Martin 
family,  so  numerously  represented  in  the  county,  and  a descendant  of  the  Clay  family  of 
Kentucky.  She  died  when  John  T.  was  but  two  weeks  old,  and  be  was  then  reared  with 
•Col.  Lewis  Tillman  and  other  relatives.  At  fourteen  he  began  his  own  support  and  at- 
tended school  on  money  earned  by  himself.  He  clerked  in  a store  three  years  and  then 
taught  school  about  four  years,  having  married  at  twenty-two.  He  then  settled  down  to 
farming.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in  Company  K,  Twenty-third  Tennessee,  as  first  lieutenant, 
and  served  eighteen  months.  He  has  been  farming  ver}r  successfully  since  the  war,  aud 
now  owns  nearly  400  acres  of  good  land.  He  was  elected  to  his  office  in  187S  and  has  efii- 
•ciently  served  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  constituents.  His  birth  was  December  7,  1*35. 
He  was  married  in  1857  to  Narcissa  Sutton,  a native  of  Bedford  County.  Mr.  Cannon 
has  a family  of  four  children,  viz.:  Sallie  C.  M.  (the  wife  of  C.  J.  Moody),  Walter  S., 
Lizzie  H.  and  Narcissa  W.  All  the  famil}*  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason.  Ilis  ancestors  were  old-line  Whigs  and  he  is 
.a  Democrat. 


71 


1134 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ALEXANDER  CORTXER  is  a native  Tennesseean,  born  December  20,  1827,  and  of 
Swedish  lineage.  He  has  always  resided  on  a farm  and  by  his  energy  has  accumulated  145 
acres  of  land  on  which  is  erected  a neat  residence,  and  also  has  two  other  tracts  of  land, 
containing  seventy-five  acres.  November  16.  1852,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  E. 
Landers,  who  was  born  December  22,  1836.  daughter  of  Robert  and  Susan  (Carter)  Lan- 
ders. To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cartner  were  born  the  following  children:  Susan  M.,  born  March 
23,  1854.  and  died  April  4, 1878;  Henry,  born  November  15, 1855,  and  died  August  21.  1857; 
George  R.,  born  March  23,  1858;  Letitia  C.,  born  January  24,  1860;  Alexander  F.,  bom 
June  3,  1863;  William  L.,  born  March  11.  18G6;  Victor  H.,  born  October  27,  1867;  Roy  E., 
born  October  21,  1871;  Albert  E.,  born  July  1,  1876,  and  Sarah  E.,  born  March  24.  1879, 
and  died  July  13,  1879.  Mrs.  Cortner  died  May  11,  1879.  In  1862  Mr.  Cortner  enlisted  in 
the  Confederate  service  under  Gen.  Forrest’s  escort  and  was  in  many  hotly  contested  bat- 
tles. He  is  a Democrat,  and  his  parents,  George  and  Delilah  (Troxler)  Cortner,  were  born 
in  North  Carolina  November  15.  1801,  and  October  6,  1807,  respectively.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  1823  and  became  the  parents  of  four  sons  and  seven  daughters.  The  father  died 
October  7,  1884,  and  the  mother  in  1871. 

JOSEPH  H.  CATES,  son  of  John  S.  and  Elizabeth  (Himes)  Cates,  was  born  March 
22,  1837.  His  fatherwas  born  in  1808,  near  Knoxville,  Tenn.,  and  was  given  a limited 
education  in  the  country  schools.  He  chose  farming  for  his  occupation.  He  was  also  as 
stone-mason  and  worked  at  this  trade  for  a number  of  years  in  Bedford  Count}’.  He  was 
the  father  of  eleven  children,  viz.:  Mary  A.,  John  R.,  Martha  J.,  Daniel  E.,  Joseph  H.* 
.Tames  P..  Giles  P.,  Phenettie  F..  Sadie  R..  Jestinie  E.  and  Caldonia  C.  James  and  Giles- 
P.  are  dead.  The  father,  John  S.  Cates,  died  June  1.  1880.  He  was  a consistent  member 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  was  highly  respected  by  the  community,  be- 
ing a man  of  high  integrity.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  was  educated  in 
the  country  schools  and  is  a farmer  and  stone-mason.  In  1879  he  was  married  to  Miss- 
Levina  Oakley,  and  two  children  blessed  the  union:  John  S.  and  Wiliam  P.,  both  living. 
Mr.  Cates  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  family 
are  well  respected  in  the  county. 

JOHN  CATNER  is  a native  Tennesseean,  born  in  1805,  son  of  Lewis  and  Polly  (Smith) 
Catner,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina.  The  father’s  birth  occurred  about  1795.  He 
came  to  Tennessee  in  1813  and  located  in  Bedford  County,  where  he  lived  until  liis  death. 
Our  subject  was  his  second  child  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  twenty-two 
years  of  age.  He  then  worked  as  a farm  laborer  seven  years  and  then  purchased  a small 
tract  of  land  to  which  he  has  since  added  until  he  nows  owns  about  1,200  acres,  which  he 
has  secured  by  his  own  exertions.  He  is  worth  about  .$75,000,  and  was  married,  in  1839, 
to  Polly  Ray,  who  bore  him  one  child,  Martha  (wife  of  Samuel  Wood),  and  died  at  her 
birth.  In  1861  Mr.  Catner  married  Mrs.  Margaret  (Smith)  Hall.  He  is  a man  of  limited 
education,  but  is  abounding  in  common  sense  and  wholesome  doctrines.  In  politics  he  is 
a member  of  the  Democratic  party,  and  is  a strictly  honest  and  upright  man. 

PETER  CATNER,  born  in  1819,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  was  reared  on  a farm,, 
and  assisted  his  father  until  he  was  about  twenty-four  years  of  age.  He,  at  that  time,  be- 
gan relying  on  his  own  resources  for  a livelihood,  and  has  prospered  beyond  his  expecta- 
tions. Through  his  own  energy  and  economy  he  is  at  present  worth  about  $6,000.  He 
has  been  twice  married — the  first  time  to  Sarah  Ray  in  1848.  She  died  in  1850,  leaving 
one  child — Mary  C.,  wife  of  Frank  Johnson.  In  1854  Mr.  Catner  wedded  Susanna  Helton, 
who  has  borne  him  nine  children,  three  of  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are  John.  Will- 
iam, Hannah  M.,  Lewis,  James  and  Thomas.  Mr.  Catner  is  one  of  the  honest  and  worthy 
citizens  of  the  county.  His  early  advantages  were  very  limited,  but  he  is  a strong  advo- 
cate of  the  promotion  of  education.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  his  wife 
to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat. 

J.  W.  CLARY,  M.  I).,  is  a North  Carolinian  by  birth,  hern  July  28,  1821.  His  occupa- 
tions while  in  that  State  were  school  teaching.deputy  county  sherilf, deputy  county  clerk  and 
hotel-keeping.  In  1848  he  became  a disciple  of  vEsculapius,  studying  under  Dr.  Scroggs- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1135 


In  the  spring  of  1849  he  entered  the  Medical  College,  of  Castleton,  Vt..  from  which  insti- 
tution he  was  graduated  as  an  M.  D.  the  same  year.  In  the  spring  of  1850  he  immigrated 
to  Tennessee,  and  located  at  Union ville,  where  he  successfully  practiced  his  profession 
until  1S70,  and  then  took  up  the  mill  and  merchandise  business.  The  Doctor  was  married 
December  15.  1852,  to  Ann  McCord,  who  died  May  21,  1859,  leaving  two  children:  Allan 
and  Thomas.  Dr.  Clary  took  for  his  second  wife  Mattie  Ogilvie,  and  their  union  has  re- 
sulted in  these  children:  James  D.,  Charley  B.,  George,  Emma  and  Irvin.  Dr.  Clary  is  a 
Democrat.  His  parents,  Benjamin  and  Alla  D.  (Barnard)  Clary,  were  born  in  1778  and 
1802,  and  died  in  1860  and  1884  respectively. 

J.  C.  CLANTON’S  birth  occurred  April  12,  1830,  in  Tennessee.  He  is  a son  of  James 
and  Temperance  (Ratler)  Claxton,  born  in  1802  and  1812,  and  died  about  1866  and  1877, 
respectively.  Oiir  subject  was  the  sixth  of  thirteen  children.  He  assisted  his  father  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  up  to  the  present  time  has  followed  farming.  Annie  E. 
Jones,  who  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  September  16,  1836,  became  his  wife 
August  16,  1854.  Their  union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  nine  children:  Temperance  Ma- 
liala,  Amanda  Tennessee.  Philander  Priestly,  Elizabeth  Allen  (who  died  in  1S63),  James 
Jonas,  Minerva  Jane.  Melvina  Jones,  Ophelia  Adaline  and  Alice  Casander.  Mr.  Claxton 
is  an  enterprising  farmer,  and  a man  who  wields  much  influence  in  the  community  in 
which  he  resides.  Although  his  early  education  was  somewhat  limited,  he  has  alwaj's 
taken  considerable  interest  in  the  education  of  the  rising  generation.  He  has  given  ali 
his  children  liberal  educations,  and  his  eldest  son  is  completing  his  education  in  Europe — 
Leipzig  College,  Germany.  Mr.  Claxton  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  up  to  the  date  of 
the  late  war  was  an  old-line  YvTiig. 

THOMAS  S.  CLEVELAND  was  born  April  25,  1840,  iu  Bedford  County,  Tenn.  His 
father,  Jeremiah  Cleveland,  was  a native  of  Greenville,  S.  C.,  born  March,  1S06,  and  of 
English  and  German  descent.  About  1833  he  immigrated  to  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  and 
located  on  the  farm  where  our  subject  is  now  living.  He  married  Miss  Sallie  E.  Stone,  a 
native  of  Maury  County,  born  about  1815,  and  of  English  descent.  To  this  union  were 
born  six  children.  Jeremiah  Cleveland  was  a merchant  before  his  coming  to  this  State, 
and  a farmer  afterward.  He  owned  about  1,500  acres  of  land  on  Duck  River,  in  this 
county,  besides  a large  tract  of  3,000  acres  on  the  Mississippi  River.  He  had  about  850,000 
of  stock  in  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad,  and  was  one  of  the  first  board  of  direct- 
ors to  locate  the  road.  He  died  in  1878.  The  mother  of  our  subject  died  in  1S40. 
Thomas  S.  Cleveland  was  educated  at  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  and  lived 
with  his  father  until  May,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  in  Company  G,  Seventeenth  Tennessee 
Infantry,  and  was  elected  as  third  lieutenant  or  his  company,  and  as  such  served  twelve 
months.  He  then  joined  the  artillery  of  Gen.  John  H.  Morgan’s  commaud,  and  was  capt- 
ured in  Ohio  in  July,  1863,  and  retained  until  1865.  He  then  returned  to  Wartrace,  Bed- 
ford County,  where  he  has  ever  since  remained  engaged  in  farming.  In  1867  he  married 
Miss  Annie  E.  Wright,  a native  of  Floyd  County,  Ga.t  and  a daughter  of  Moses  R. 
Wright,  and  a niece  of  Judge  Wright,  who  was  a member  of  the  United  States  Congress. 
To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  five  children:  Sallie  S.,  Lizzie  II.,  Hattie  D.,  Annie 
L.  and  Carrie  C.  Mr.  Cleveland  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  also  of  the  R.  A. 
He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Church,  aud  live  on  the  old  homestead,  consist- 
ing of  000  acres  of  land.  Mr.  Cleveland  is  a grandson  of  Capt.  Robert  Cleveland,  and  a 
grandnephew  of  Col.  Benjamin  Cleveland,  both  of  whom  served  with  distinction  iu  the 
Revolutionaiy  war. 

B.  F.  CLEVELAND  was  born  August  11,  1848,  in  Georgia.  His  father,  Robert  M. 
Cleveland,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  married  Miss  Fannie  L.  Wight,  a native 
of  Rhode  Island.  To  this  union  were  born  the  following  children:  William  C..  Jeremiah, 
Vannoy,  Caroline,  Harriet  D.,  B.  F.  (our  subject),  Georgia  A.  and  Robert  M.,  Jr.  The 
father  of  these  children  was  a manufacturer  and  capitalist,  and  moved  to  this  State  in 
1866,  locating  at  Wartrace.  where  he  died  in  1876.  The  mother  is  now  in  Marietta,  Ga. 
Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  high  school  of  Greenville,  S.  C.  In  1864  he  eulisted  in 


1136 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


the  Second  South  Carolina  Cavalry,  and  served  with  the  command  until  the  close  of  the 
war.  He  then  returned  home  to  this  count}’  and  engaged  in  the  business  of  farming, 
which  he  followed  until  1882.  He  then  opened  a private  bank  in  Wartrace,  which  he  still 
continues  to  manage  in  a very  successful  way.  In  1872  he  married  Miss  Lizzie  Pepper,  a 
native  of  this  county.  The  result  of  this  union  is  a family  of  four  children:  Mattie  W.. 

William  P..  Jesse  F.  and  Eliza  P.  Mr.  Cleveland  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  H..  a Demo- 
crat in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  membersof  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

THOMAS  H.  COLD  WELL  was  born  in  Shelbyviile  August  29.  1822.  His  father, 
John  Campbell  Coldwell,  was  born  January  S,  1791,  in  Hawkins  County,  Tenn.,  and  re- 
moved with  his  father,  Ballard  Coldwell,  and  family  to  Bedford  County,  January  1,  1807. 
John  Campbell  Coldw  ell  served  two  campaigns  under  Gen.  Jackson,  one  against  the  Creek 
Indians,  in  which  he  participated  in  the  battle  at  Horse  Shoe,  and  the  other  against  the 
British,  in  which  he  was  a participant  at  New  Orleans,  January  8.  1815.  After  this  cam- 
paign he  settled  at  Shelbyviile,  and  was  a merchant  from  ISIS  to  1843,  at  which  time  lie 
retired  to  his  farm,  where  he  died  July  17,  1867.  Thomas  H.  Coldwell's  mother  was  Jane 
Northcott,  born  in  Fleming  County,  Ivy.,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Benjamin  Northcott. 
Thomas  was  the  eldest  of  tw*o  boys  and  two  girls  in  this  family.  He  was  educated  at 
Dixon  Academy,  Shelbyviile,  and  studied  law  -with  Irwin  J.  Frierson.  Esq.  He  w'as  li- 
censed to  practice  in  January,  1844,  and  has  ever  since  been  in  his  profession  at  Shelby- 
viile, and  is  one  of  the  leading  members  of  that  bar.  He  first  married  Alary  J.  Hodge,  at 
Murfreesboro,  November  24,  1844.  After  her  death  he  married  Sarah  E.  Goling,  in  Cin- 
cinnati, May  6.  1851.  After  her  death  he  married  Mrs.  Mary  H.  Bosw’ortli,  in  Shelbyviile, 


Sent  ernb^r  20  1351.  nnci  jiftcr  IiL*r 


led  Carrie  Hopkins,  in  Cincinnati,  No- 


vember 11,  1875.  The  last  wife  died  December  4,  1884.  For  many  years  Judge  Coldwell 
was  an  active  worker  in  the  Sons  of  Temperance,  and  was  elected  Grand  Worthy  Patri- 
arch for  the  State  of  Tennessee  in  1851.  He  was  an  unflinching  Union  man  through- 
out the  w ar.  In  1864  he  was  commissioned  by  Gov.  Andrew  Johnson  chancellor  of  the 
Fourth  Chancery  Division  of  Tennessee,  but  resigned  in  a short  time.  In  October,  1865, 
he  .was  commissioned  attornev-geueral  of  the  State  and  reporter  of  the  supreme  court, 
and  in  May,  1867,  was  elected  by  the  people  to  that  office  without  opposition.  While 
serving  in  this  capacity  he  reported  seven  volumes  of  the  decisions  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  Tennessee,  aud  considers  this  the  most  pleasant  part  of  his  professional  career.  While 
attorney-general  he  entered  a nolle  prosequi  in  all  cases  that  came  to  the  supreme  court, 
when  persons  were  iudicted  for  treason  against  the  State — a class  of  indictments  which 
grewr  out  of  the  late  civil  war.  the  disposal  of  which  in  this  manner  won  for  him  the  earn- 
est gratitude  of  his  fellow  -citizens.  In  1868  he  was  the  Grant  and  Colfax  elector  for  the 
Fifth  Congressional  District  of  Tennessee.  From  1865  to  1871  he  served  as  one  of  the  di- 
rectors of  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad.  He  was  a lay  member  of  the  General 
Conference  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  its  session,  held  at  Brooklyn,  in  1872, 
aud  while  there  was  the  author  of  the  resolution  sending  fraternal  delegates  from  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  has  always 
been  a zealous  worker  in  the  church,  giving  most  liberally  to  all  of  its  enterprises,  and  lias 
always  been  an  active  Sunday-school  worker.  During  1ST  1—72  he  was  president  of  the 
Bedford  County  Agricultural  Society.  He  was  instrumental,  in  1869,  in  securing  the 
building  of  the  Bedford  County  Court  House,  and  was  chairman  of  the  building  commit- 
tee. He  has  been  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Shelbyviile  Savings  Bank  ever  since  its  or 
ganization,  and  w as  president  of  that  hank  three  years.  He  has  been  a member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Central  Tennessee  College,  in  Nashville,  ever  since  its  organiza- 
tion, and  for  thirteen  years  has  been  president  of  the  board.  He  is  a fearless  advocate  of 
the  education  and  Christianizing  of  the  negro.  For  fifteen  years  he  has  been  president  of 
the  board  of  school  directors  of  the  Seventh  District,  aud  at  his  last  election  he  re- 
ceived every  vote  cast.  In  1871  he  was  appointed  by  President  Grant,  at  the  recommen- 
dation of  Gov.  DeWitt  C.  Senter,  as  commissioner  for  the  State  of  Tennessee  to  the  Cen- 
tennial Exposition,  at  Philadelphia,  in  1871.  He  served  till  1877.  He  was  on  many  of 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1137 


the  important  committees  and  was  elected  first  vice-president  of  the  commission,  being 
one  of  the  most  active  participants  in  those  measures  that  made  the  exhibition  so  great  a 
success.  Judge  Coldwell  has  two  children:  Gen.  Ernest  Coldwell,  the  child  of  the  third 
wife,  who  is  his  partner  in  law,  and  Carrie  (“Sunshine”)  Coldwell,  the  child  of  his  last 
wife.  Judge  Coldwell  is  an  outspoken  Republican.  He  is  a frieud  to  the  poor  and  op- 
pressed. a liberal  supporter  and  patron  of  education  and  religion,  and  a leading  and  en- 
thusiastic member  of  his  party. 

GEN.  ERNEST  COLDWELL  was  born  at  Shelbyville,  November  12,  1S58.  He  was 
educated  at  Shelbyville  and  at  Carbondale,  111.  After  reading  law  two  years  iu  his  father's 
office  he  was  licensed,  by  Judges  Robert  Cantrell  and  Peter  Turney,  to  practice.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1882.  he  was  appointed  special  revenue  collector,  under  A.  M.  Hughes,  Jr.  While 
a law  student  he  was  secretary  of  the  Middle  Tennessee  and  Bedford  County  Sunday- 
school  Associations.  He  is  a director  in  the  Bedford  County  Agricultural  Society,  a di- 
rector and  secretary  of  the  Bedford  County  Stock  Breeders’  Society  and  Register  and  a 
director  and  secretary  of  the  Eakin  Library  Society.  He  was  appointed,  May  21,  1881,  on 
Gov.  Alvin  Hawkins’  staff,  with  the  rank  of  brigadier-general.  In  1884  he  was  elected 
Representative  from  Bedford  County  to  the  Forty-fourth  General  Assembly  of  Tennessee, 
overcoming  a Democratic  majority  of  600  by  226  majority,  he  being  a firm  and  outspoken 
Republican.  His  mother,  nee  Mary  Henderson,  was  a lady  of  versatile  accomplishments 
and  of  marked  firmness  of  character.  She  was  born  in  New  York,  was  raised  in  Ohio 
and  died  in  Tennessee  in  1874.  fifty-three  years  of  age. 

WILLIAM  COLLIER  is  a son  of  Lockey  Collier,  who  was  born  iu  Virginia  about 
1770  and  died  about  1810.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  about  1780.  Our  subject  was 
his  only  child  and  resided  with  his  father  until  twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  afterward 
followed  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  is  a self-made  man  and  is  worth  between  88.000 
and  $10,000,  which  he  has  made  by  his  own  exertions.  He  was  married,  in  1820,  to  Mary 
B.  Garrett,  who  bore  him  twelve  children,  six  of  whom  are  dead.  Those  living  are 
Martha  (Mrs.  W.  W.  Pennington),  Nancy  J.  (Mrs.  L.  Madison),  Don,  Eliza  F.,  Mary  A. 
(widow  of  Morgan  Drydaw)  and  Richard  R.  Our  subject’s  son.  Don,  was  born  August 
' 21,  1832  and  was  married  March  28,  1854,  to  Martha  Billington,  who  bore  him  one  child 
that  died  in  infancy.  In  1854  he  moved  to  Arkansas,  where  he  lived  until  18S1,  when  he 
returned  to  the  old  homestead  to  provide  for  his  father  until  his  death.  Both  father  and 
son  are  influential  citizens  and  Republicans.  Don  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  South. 

MRS.  IDA  J.  COLLINS  was  born  October  6,  1837,  daughter  of  David  and  Sarah 
(Harris)  Williams,  who  were  born  in  Tennessee  in  1814  and  181S.  respectively.  Mrs 
Collins’  paternal  ancestiy  were  originally  from  the  State  of  Virginia,  and  her  mother’s 
people  were  North  Carolinians.  Our  subject  was  united  in  marriage.  xYpril  29.  1858,  to 
W.  J.  Collins,  who  was  born  October  25,  1835.  He  was  a merchant  at  Unionville  up  to 
the  date  of  the  late  war.  He  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  at  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  July  21,  1S66.  His  union  with  our  subject  resulted  in 
the  birth  of  six  children:  Spcucer  D.,  born  March  19,  1859;  Edward  E.  and  John  B.  were 
twins,  born  October  25,  i860;  Lvcurgus  F.,  born  January  11,  1863;  Emmet  C.,  born  De- 
cember 15,  1S<’>4:  Ellen  J.,  born  December  29,  1866.  Mrs.  Collins  is  an  earnest  member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  is  a woman  wffio  has  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of 
all.  She  has  managed  her  farm  successfully  and  is  a credit  to  the  couDty  in  w hich  she 
lives. 

JOHN  JACKSON  COMER.  Samuel  Comer  was  a native  of  England  and  came  to 
the  United  States  with  his  wife  (formerly  a Miss  Randolph),  a short  time  before  the 
Revolutionary  war  and  settled  in  Virginia.  He  served  in  the  war  against  the  mother 
country,  and  was  subsequently  killed  by  the  Tories.  Reuben  I).  Comer,  son  of  Samuel 
Comer,  was  raised  by  a man  named  Abner  Lea,  of  Johnson  County,  N.  C.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  Wright,  who  came  from  England  to  South  Carolina.  Her  parents 
died  when  she  was  an  infant,  and  she  was  raised  by  Col.  Elliott  Lee.  After  her  marriage 


' 


, 


1133 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


with  Mr.  Comer  they  came  to  Wilson  County.  Tenn..  and  became  the  parents  of  five  sons 
and  two  daughters.  John  Jackson  Comer,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  the  fourth  of 
their  children  and  was  reared  on  a farm  and  had  charge  of  his  father’s  mill  and  cotton- 
gin.  His  early  education  was  limited,  never  having  attended  school  after  attaining  his  fif- 
teenth year.  About  this  time  he  professed  religion.  A short  time  after  he  began  learning 
the  blacksmith  business  of  the  Rev.  D.  B.  Moore,  with  whom  he  lived  three  years.  His 
father  at  this  time  moved  to  Warren  County.  Tenn..  and  there  our  subject  worked  at  his 
trade.  He  was  happily  married  to  Miss  Martha  P.  Parker.  In  184.5  he  was  licensed  to 
preach,  and  in  1853  was  received  into  the  Tennessee  Annual  Conference,  and  he  has  fol- 
lowed Ms  calling  in  Hickory  Creek,  Bedford,  Smith  Fork,  Mill  Creek,  Harpeth,  Wesley 
and  Cartilage.  He  was  appointed  presiding  elder  of  the  following  districts:  Carthage, 
McMinnville,  Savannah  and  Centerville.  At  the  last  conference  he  was  appointed  to  the 
Unionville  Circuit.  In  1880  Mrs.  Comer  died,  and  after  liviug  a lonely  life  two  years, 
Rev.  Comer  married  Miss  Ella  Lacre.  His  first  marriage  resulted  in  four  children: 
Sophronia  A.  (Mrs.  J.  P.  Walton),  Nannie  J.  (Mrs.  Prof.  S.  V.  Wall),  John  B.,  Moltie  P. 
(died  in  I6S0,  wife  of  J.  S.  Iveton).  Rev.  Comer  is  now  past  sixty  years  of  age,  but  hopes 
to  continue  his  good  work  many  years.  He  is  much  loved  and  respected  by  all  who 
know  him  and  is  an  influential  man  where  he  resides. 

J.  K-  COOPER.  Esq.,  was  born  January  25.  1831,  in  Bedford  County,  son  of  George 
and  SalUe  (Rutlege)  Cooper.  The  father  was  born  about  1796.  and  the  mother  about  1798. 
They  both  died  when  our  subject  was  an  infant  and  he  was  reared  by  his  aunt,  Matilda 
Rutlege,  whom  he  assisted  on  the  farm  until  her  death,  which  occurred  about  1871.  He 
has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  ever  since.  Tn  1870  be  "'as  elected  to  the  office 
of  magistrate  and  filled  that  position  in  an  able  and  efficient  manner.  He  then  began  the 
study  of  law,  and  about  1876  the  county  court  granted  him  license  to  practice  law  before 
the  county  court  and  before  magistrate  courts.  He  has  been  quite  successful  and  has 
made  quite  a reputation  as  a lawyer.  May  15.  1856,  he  wedded  Rebecca  F.  Landers,  of 
tills  county,  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  thirteen  children:  Cicero  W.,  Alice  A. 
(deceased).  Lula  S..  Ella  L..  Callie  T.  (deceased),  Maggie  M.,  Eddie  A.  (deceased).  Rebecca 
J-,  Algie  B.,  America  L.,  Johnnie  E.,  Lattie  B.  and  William  E.  Mr.  Cooper  received  a 
n common  district  school  education  in  his  early  days,  but  having  cultivated  a taste  for  good 
reading  while  young,  he  acquired  the  major  part  of  his  education  from  the  perusal  of 
good  books  after  having  grown  to  maturity.  In  politics  Mr.  Cooper  is  a Democrat. 

ALEXANDER  A.  COOPER  was  born  January  12, 1832,  in  Rutherford  Count}',  Tenn.. 
son  of  Mica  j ah  T.  and  Sarah  (Vincent)  Cooper.  The  father  was  a native  of  Rowan  County, 
X.  C.,  born  December  28,  180G.  When  nine  years  of  age  he  moved  with  his  par- 
ents to  Cannon  County,  this  State,  and  in  1829  he  was  married.  To  this  union  were 
born  twelve  children,  our  subject  being  the  second.  The  father  of  our  subject  died  Feb- 
ruary 16*  1874,  and  the  mother  in  May,  1864.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  country 
schools  ajnd  at  Union  University  at  Murfreesboro.  After  reaching  his  majority  he  followed 
various  occupations,  such  as  teacher,  merchant  and  trader  up  to  the  late  war,  when  he 
was  appointed  by  the  commissary -general  and  permanently  detailed  by  the  Secretary  of 
War  as  geeeral  purchasing  agent  of  the  commissary  department  for  the  Confederate  Army, 
which  position  he  held  during  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  resumed  merchan- 
dising at  Wartrace,  which  he  continued  for  two  years.  He  then  located  on  the  farm  where 
he  now  lives.  He  also  served  as  deputy  clerk  of  the  county  court  of  this  county  for  ten 
years.  He  has  held  several  minor  offices  and  has  been  magistrate  of  his  civil  district  six 
years.  October,  1862,  he  married  Miss  Mary  E.  Singleton,  daughter  of  Dr.  Robert  L. 
Singleton,  of  Fairfield,  now  deceased.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  the  following 
children:  Robert  S.,  Henry  V.,  Constance.  Alexander  A.  and  Sarah  A.,  all  living.  Mr. 
Cooper  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows’  order*,  and  owns  a farm  of  100  acres 
near  Fairfield  on  the  Wartrace  & Beech  Grove  Turnpike.  He  is  a member  of  the  board, 
of  trustees  of  the  Duck  River  Academy,  and  takes  an  active  part  in  educational  matters. 

REV.  G.  W.  COOK  was  boru  near  Shclbyville,  Tenn.,  November  14.  1833,  son  of 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1139 


William  and  Nancy  (Lentz)  Cook,  who  were  born  in  1802  and  1810,  in  North  Carolina 
and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father  died  of  cholera  in  June,  1854.  Our  subject  is 
the  third  of  eight  children.  At  the  age  of  twenty  years  he  became  overseer  for  Thomas 
Shearren  and  then  began  farming  for  himself.  He  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
when  a boy,  and  when  about  twenty-six  years  old  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  1870  he  was 
ordained  deacon  at  Pulaski.  Tenn.,  and  in  1874  he  was  ordained  elder.  He  has  had  regu- 
lar work  since  1870,  and  has  conscientiously  fulfilled  the  duties  of  his  calling.  He  was 
married  December  20,  1855  to  5 1 ary  E.  Pickle,  daughter  of  Major  and  Catharine  Pickle. 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  Cook  became  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are  dead: 
William  T.  S.,  a minister  of  the  gospel;  Mary  E.  (Mrs.  C.  M.  Spruce),  Emily  51.  (Mrs. 
William  Darnell),  Rosanna  (Mrs.  E.  Stalling),  Henry  C.,  Eliza  and  Nora  A.  Our  subject 
acquired  the  most  of  his  education  by  dint  of  hard  study  after  acquiring  his  growth.  He 
is  a Democrat,  but  up  to  the  date  of  the  late  war  was  an  old-line  Whig. 

J.  P.  COTHRAN,  a successful  farmer,  was  born  in  Person  County,  N.  C.,  July  8,  1S28, 
son  of  Samuel  and  Polly  (Burton)  Cothran,  who  immigrated  to  Tennessee  in  1844,  and 
settled  m Williamson  County.  Our  subject  was  the  fourth  child  born  to  his  parents.  His 
educational  advantages  were  limited,  but  notwithstanding  this  fact  he  has  always  mani- 
fested a willingness  and  a desire  to  aid  in  any  enterprise  pertaining  to  the  advancement  of 
education.  December  18,  1851,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  51  ary  R.  Cothran,  of  Will 
iamson  County.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  eleven  children,  seven  of  whom  are  still 
living.  5Ir.  Cothran  is  a self-made  man,  having  accumulated  his  property  by  his  own 
exertions.  Politically  he  is  a Republican,  but  up  to  the  late  war  was  a Democrat. 

DR.  ROBERT  W.  COUCH  was  born  5Iarch  13,  1834,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  and  is 
the  son  of  Joseph  and  Catharine  Patton  Couch.  (For  further  particulars  of  parents  see 
sketch  of  R.  C.  Couch.)  Our  subject  received  a practical  education  in  the  Duck  River 
Academy  at  Fairfield,  in  this  county,  and  his  medical  education  at  the  University  of  Nash- 
ville, from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1855.  He  then  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession, and  was  surgeon  of  the  Tennessee  Iron  Works  in  Wayne  County  until  the  begin- 
ning of  the  late  war.  He  then  joined  the  Ninth  Tennessee  Confederate  Cavalry  as  a lieu- 
tenant, and  was  afterward  appointed  surgeon  of  the  regiment.  He  was  captured  at  Fort 
Donelson  and  held  as  a prisoner  until  May,  1862,  when  he  made  his  escape  fiom  5Iound 
City,  111.,  and  walked  to  Corinth,  5Iiss.,  and  from  there  to  his  relatives  in  the  count}*. 
Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  51ay,  1860,  he  married 
Miss  Lucy  Tucker,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  and  daughter  of  5Iaj.  Lewis  and  Har- 
riet Tucker.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  the  following  children  : Robert,  John  R., 
Kittie,  AVilliarn,  Lizzie  and  5Iary,  all  living  but  John  R.  5Ir.  Couch  owns  a farm  of  315 
acres  in  District  No.  2,  all  well  cultivated  and  in  a flourishing  condition.  He  is  an  Inde- 
pendent Democrat  in  politics,  a 5Iason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian 
Church. 

HON.  REUBEN  C.  COUCH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  January 
13,  1830,  son  of  Joseph  and  Catherine  (Patton)  Couch,  and  of  Scotch  Irish  descent.  The 
father  was  born  in  South  Carolina  October  9.  1787,  and  the  mother  in  Buncomb  County, 
N.  G\,  July  10,  1796.  They  were  married  in  1813,  and  to  them  were  born  twelve  children. 
The  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812  under  Gen.  Jackson.  He  was  a farmer  by  oc- 
cupation, and  died  5larch  19,  1861.  The  mother  followed  5Iarch  10,  1S86.  Our  subject’s 
maternal  grandmother  was  a daughter  of  Ilhoda  Cunningham,  who  came  from  Ireland. 
She  is  living  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  in  her  ninety  third  year.  She  has  at  this 
time  306  living  descendants,  children,  grandchildren  and  great-grandchildren,  even  to  the 
fourth  generation.  What  is  most  consoling  to  the  declining  years  of  this  most  venerable 
matron,  is  that  out  of  this  long  line  of  descendants  none  have  yet  done  aught  to  detract 
from  the  character  of  an  honest  family.  Our  subject  received  his  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  followed  farming  up  to  the  time  of  the  war.  He  enlisted  with  the  boys  in 
blue  in  the  Fiftli  Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  was  commissioned  as  lieutenant,  and  afterward 
promoted  to  captain,  in  which  capacity  he  served  through  the  war.  He  participated  in 


1140 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


the  battle  of  Stone  River,  and  various  skirmishes.  After  the  war  he  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  county  court,  and  served  several  years  in  the  revenue  department.  He 
was  a member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  Thirty-eighth  General  Assembly.  November 
23,  1865,  he  wedded  Miss  Mary  J.  Dyer,  daughter  of  William  H.  Dyer,  and  to  them 
were  born  three  children:  Ruben  C.,  Lester  and  Emily  G.  James  Patton,  our  subject’s 
maternal  grandfather,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  Tennessee.  He  reared  a family  of 
twelve  children— eleven  daughters  and  one  son.  All  lived  to  be  married.  Among  the 
daughters  there  were  seven  living  at  one  time,  all  widows,  and  the  youngest  over  seventy 
years  of  age.  The  mother  of  our  subject,  just  before  her  death,  had  descendants  to  the 
number  of  266,  children,  grandchildren,  great-grandchildren  and  great-great-grandchil- 
dren. Mr.  Couch  is  a Republican,  a Mason,  and  he  and  wife  and  daughters  are  members 
of  the  Baptist  Church.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  275  acres  in  a fine  state  of  cultivation. 

OLIVER  COWAN  & CO.,  dealers  in  hardware  and  farming  implements,  is  com- 
posed of  Oliver  and  Robert  Cowan,  brothers.  Oliver  Cowan  was  born  February  13,  1831, 
in  Londonderry,  Ireland.  The  father,  Alexander  Cowan,  died  in  Ireland,  having  been  a 
farmer.  The  mother  and  six  children  came  to  Shelbyville  in  1851,  and  the  mother  died  in 
lb’6S.  There  are  five  of  the  lamily  now  living.  Oliver  being  the  youngest.  He  was 
reared  on  a farm,  and  received  his  education  in  an  agricultural  college  in  Ireland..  Upon» 
coming  to  Shelbyville  he  engaged  as  clerk  in  the  dry  goods  trade  for  three  years.  He 
then  entered  a dry  goods  business  with  a brother,  and  continued  successfulljr  till  1874, 
when  he  sold  out  that  business  and  entered  the  hardware  business  with  his  brother,  Rob- 
ert. The  firm  carries  about  a $10,000  stock,  and  transacts  about  a $20,000  business  annu- 
ally. Mr.  Cowan  was  married,  in  1869.  to  Miss  Sarah  Bryson,  of  Lincoln  County,  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Henry  Bryson,  lie  has  a family  of  two  sons  and  two  daughters,  viz.: 
Henry  B.,  William  G.,  Jennie  and  Olive.  Himself,  his  wife  and  two  sons  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a Knight  Templar  Mason.  Politically  he  adheres  to  no 
party  rigidly,  but  supports  the  man  who  he  thinks  is  best  qualified  to  fill  public  office. 
Robert  Cowan  was  born  September  24,  1813,  in  Londonderry,  Ireland.  He  came  from  his 
native  land  to  this  county  in  1851.  He  clerked  in  a store  till  1874,  at  which  time  he  en- 
tered the  firm  of  Oliver  Cowan  & Co.  In  Ireland  he  followed  farming.  He  was  married, 
in  1836,  to  Miss  Esther  Buchanan,  who  bore  him  two  sons,  viz.:  Alexander,  who  was 
killed  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  1863,  and  William  B.,  who  is  now  a farmer  of  this- 
county.  Mr.  Cowan  has  for  many  years  lived  a widower,  his  wife  having  died  in  Ireland 
in  1841.  He  is  a devout  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  one  of  Shelby  ville’s 
oldest  and  most  highly  respected  citizens. 

DR.  THOMAS  CHAPMAN  McCRORY,  an  eminent  physician,  was  born  in  Bedford 
County,  November  13,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  John  and  Annie  (Wilson)  McCrory.  He  is 
of  Scotch-lrish  extraction.  The  father  was  born  in  Mechlenhurg  County,  N.  C.,  February 
5,  1788,  and  the  mother  in  Georgia,  October  11,  1791.  They  were  married  iu  Marshall 
County,  Team,  and  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children.  The  father  died  October  15, 
1874,  and  the  mother  January  22,  1864.  Our  subject  had  the  advantage  of  a good  common 
school  education,  and  afterward  read  medicine  with  Dr.  Smith  Bowlin.  lie  then  attended 
the  Ohio  Medical  College  at  Cincinnati  and  completed  his  studies,  receiving  his  diploma 
from  the  Medical  University  at  Nashville,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1867.  He 
enlisted  in  Company  I),  Second  Tennessee  Regiment,  Confederate  States  Army,  and 
served  as  lieutenant  of  the  regiment  under  Col.  (now  Gov.)  Bate.  I)r.  McCrory  was  made 
assistant  surgeon,  but  preferred  a more  active  part  and  took  his  place  in  the  regiment. 
He  participated  in  the  battle  of  the:  first  Manassas,  Murfreesboro,  Shiloh,  Chickarnauga 
and  the  various  battles  between  Chattanooga  and  Atlanta.  He  was  captured  during 
Hood's  advance  in  Tennessee,  and  taken  a prisoner  to  Fort  Delaware,  where  he  remained  until 
Lee’s  surrender.  Since  the  war  he  has  followed  his  chosen  profession,  and  has  at  this 
time  a very  large  and  lucrative  practice.  February  28,  1860,  he  wedded  Miss  Sallie  J. 
Knott,  daughter  of  Iverson  Knott.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  eight  children,, 
only  three  of  whom  are  living:  Thomas  F.,  Eugene  aud  Alva.  The  Doctor  is  a Democrat 
and  a Mason.  Mrs.  McCrory  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1141 


J.  M.  CROAYEL  was  born  November  5,  1847,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  aud  is  the 
son  of  Benjamin  and  Margaret  (Anderson)  Crowel.  The  father  was  born  in  the  year  1815, 
in  Bedford  County,  and  diedjin  the  year  1865.  The  mother  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
about  1S17.  and  died  September,  1885.  Our  subject  was  the  youngest  child  and  only  son 
of  his  parents.  He  passed  his  youthful  days  on  the  farm,  and  after  reaching  the  years  of 
manhood  began  farming  for  himself.  November  16.  1873,  he  wedded  Susan  A.  Molder,  of 
this  county,  who  was  born  in  1857.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  three  children:  Thomas 
L.,  Jennie  L.,  and  Edwin  Harper.  Mr.  Crowel  is  a self-made  man,  and  is  now  worth 
about  $5,000,  which  he  has  made  in  the  last  twelve  years.  He  was  never  sued  or  had  a 
lawsuit  in  his  life.  He  is  upright,  honest  and  law  abiding.  His  educational  advan- 
tages were  rather  limited,  but  sufficient  for  all  practical  purposes.  In  politics  he  is  a Dem- 
ocrat. 

CYRUS  AY.  CUNNINGHAM,  dealer  in  books,  stationery,  wall  paper,  jewelry,  etc., 
was  born  in  Bedford  County,  January  28,  1S50,  being  one  of  five  children  of  Joseph  A. 
and  Elizabeth  AY.  (AYilliams)  Cunningham.  The  father  was  a native  of  Bedford  County, 
his  father  having  come  here  from  North  Carolina  in  the  very  early  settlement  of  the  coun- 
ty. The  father  was  a farmer;  his  death  occurred  in  1880.  The  mother  is  a descendant  of 
Virginia  parentage,  is  a native  of  this  county,  and  is  now  living.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  on  a farm  to  the  age  of  twenty-three,  receiving  a common  school  edu- 
cation. He  taught  school  and  clerked  in  a store  for  two  years  before  leaving  home.  He 
then  came  to  Shelbyville,  and  purchased  a one-third  interest  in  a book  store,  and  in  1S75 
became  sole  proprietor.  In  1876  he  failed,  but  has  paid  out  fully,  and  now  does  a thriving 
business,  and  owns  a desirable  and  beautiful  home  in  Shelbyville  He  now  holds  the 
appointment  of  deputy  iuterual  revenue  collector  of  the  Fifth  Revenue  District  of  Tennes- 
see. He  was  married,  March  9, 1875,  to  Miss  Susan  A.  Cannon,  grandniece  of  Gov.  Newton 
Cannon.  This  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  four  children,  viz:  Kate  T.,  Eliza- 
beth, Jennie  C.  and  Mary  J.  Mr.  Cunningham  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian- 
Church.  He  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  II.  and  R.  A.,  being  a member  of  the  Grand  Lodge 
of  the  K.  of  H.  Pie  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  an  enterprising  citizen  of  the  county. 

J.  M.  CUNNINGHAM,  M.  D..  is  a native  of  Marshall  County.  Term.,  born  June  17, 
1S49,  and  is  the  second  of  six  children  of  S.  D.  and  Elizabeth  (Armstrong)  Cunning- 
ham, who  are  now  living  in  Marshall  County.  Our  subject  spent  his  early  days  in  tilling 
his  father’s  farm,  remaining  until  eighteen  years  old,  at  which  time  he  entered  the  high 
school  at  Lewisburg,  then  under  the  supervision  of  Calvin  Dornal,  and  paid  his  own  way 
for  about  three  years,  his  father  refusing  to  pay  bis  tuition.  He  entered  the  Medical  Col- 
lege of  Nashville  in  1871,  and  during  the  vacation  in  the  summer  of  1872  he  taught  school 
to  enable  him  to  take  the  course  of  lectures  in  the  fall,  which  he  did.  and  graduated  in  the 
spring  of  1873.  He  began  practicing  his  profession  in  April  of  that  year  at  Bedford  postoffice, 
seven  miles  west  of  Shelbyville,  where  he  has  successfully  continued  up  to  the  present  date. 
June  14.  1876,  he  married  Lizzie  T.  Lock,  daughter  of  James  Lock.  This  union  has  re- 
sulted in  six  children:  Vera  C.,  Clare  G.  (deceased),  Ewing  B.,  Hattie  S.,  Lillie  R.  (de- 
ceased) and  Horace  L.  Dr.  Cunningham  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  aud  he  aud  wife  are 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

B.  M.  CURTISS  is  a native  of  Bedford  County,  born  July  7,  1859.  His  father,  J.  H. 
Curtiss,  was  born  November  12,  1803.  in  Connecticut,  aud  died  in  August,  I860.  The 
mother  was  Teressa  (Moseley)  Curtiss,  who  was  born  November  22,  1824,  in  Georgia.  She 
is  yet  living.  Our  subject  aided  his  mother  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  and 
since  that  time  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits  for  himself,  and  is  a prosperous  farmer. 
In  connection  with  his  farming  he  carried  on  merchandising  about  three  years.  November 
17, 1872,  be  wedded  Sallie  E.  Dysart,  who  was  born  July  6.  1859.  and  is  the  mother  of 
seven  children:  Alex,  Nola  T.p  R.  Dennie,  James  R..  Fannie.  Polk  and  Tint.  Mrs.  Curtiss, 
died  June  3,  188*),  an  earnest  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Our  subject  was  elected 
magistrate  of  his  district  in  August,  1882,  and  has  served  as  such  up  t<>  the  present  date. 
He  is  a well  educated  man,  and  one  who  supports  all  enterprises  for  the  public  welfare. 
He  is  a Democrat  politically. 


' 

" 


1142 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


I.  S.  DAVIDSON,  M.  D.,  was  born  near  Fairfield.  Bedford  Co..  Tenn.,  April  25, 1816, 
son  of  Andrew  D.  and  Sarah  (31  use)  Davidson,  who  were  natives  of  Wales,  England.  The 
paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  born  in  the  “ Emerald  Isle."  Andrew  D.  and 
his  first  wife  came  to  America  at  an  early  day.  During  his  absence  from  home  atone 
time  the  Indians,  which  were  very  numerous  at  that  time,  seized  his  wife  and  two  chil- 
dren, and  a young  man  and  woman  living  with  them,  and  made  their  escape  to  their 
camp.  After  a long  and  seemingly  fruitless  search  he  found  his  wife,  but  his  children 
were  both  dead,  and  his  wife  shortly  afterward  died  from  fright  and  exposure.  Our  sub- 
ject assisted  his  father  in  clearing  their  farm,  and  labored  under  many  disadvantages. 
His  education  was  limited,  owing  to  poor  school  facilities,  at  that  time,  but  after  he  began 
earning  his  own  living  he  attended  school  several  sessions,  and  in  this  manner  acquired  a 
very  good  education.  For  over  two  years  he  was  a medical  student  of  Dr.  Barkesdal,  of 
Shelby ville,  and  attended  lectures  at  Louisville.  Ky.,  in  1841—12.  March  27, 1843,  he  located 
at  Richmond,  Tenn.,  where  he  successfully  practiced  his  profession  up  to  the  present  time. 
May  16.  1844,  he  wedded  Martha  R.  Smith,  daughter  of  Reason  and  Sarah  Smith.  To 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Davidson  were  born  eight  children,  two  dying  in  infancy  and  one  (Barkes- 
•dal)  was  killed  in  the  late  war.  Those  living  are  John  R.,  George  H.,  Sarah  A.,  Alice, 
Mary  A.  and  Maud.  Dr.  Davidson  has  accumulated  all  his  property  since  he  began  his 
practice,  and  deserves  much  credit  for  the  same,  as  he  started  in  life  for  himself  with  noth- 
ing. The  family  are  church  members.  The  Doctor  is  a Democrat,  and  previous  to  the 
war  was  an  old-line  Whig. 

ELNATHAN  G.  DAVIS,  farmer  and  trader  in  live-stock,  was  born  in  Bedford  Coun- 
ty. Tenn.,  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living.  December  29.  1825.  His  father,  Elnathan 
Davis,  was  born  in  South  Carolina  in  1795,  and  in  1817  was  married  to  Rebecca  (Sivley) 
Davis,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1797.  Of  this  union  there  were  eight  children  reared 
to  maturity.  The  father  died  August  12,  1856,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  and  the  mother 
November  6,  1885.  Our  subject  received  a practical  education  in  the  common  schools,  and 
has  followed  farming  as  his  chief  occupation.  He  has  been  married  twice,  the  first  time 
February  20,  1851,  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Wilson,  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.  The  fruits  of  this 
Onion  were  two  children:  John  W.  aud  Cleopatra.  January  13.  1870,  he  took  for  his 
second  wife  Miss  Jeffie  E.  Norton,  daughter  of  H.  W.  Norton.  To  this  union  was  born 
one  child,  Eugene  G.  Our  subject,  from  physical  disability,  was  exempt  from  the  army, 
but  the  Davis  family  was  represented  by  other  members.  Mr.  Davis  is  an  old-line  Dem- 
ocrat. and  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  has  300  acres  of  as  fiue  land  as  the  country 
affords,  all  well  cultivated,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

WILLIAM  G.  DAVIS,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  November  12, 
1837,  son  of  Elnathan  and  Rebecca  (Sivley)  Davis,  and  of  Irish-German  descent.  (For 
further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  Elnathan  G.  Davis.)  Our  subject  was  reared 
on  the  farm  and  received  a rudimentary  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  subse- 
quently attended  Fairfield  College,  at  Fairfield,  Tenn.,  and  October  28,  185S,  he  wedded 
Miss  Mollie  J.  Norvell,  daughter  of  Dr.  A.  S.  Norvell,  of  Coffee  County,  Tenn.  The 
fruits  of  this  union  were  five  children:  Charles  E..  born  October  1,  1861;  Willie  J.,  born 
February  13,  1864;  Frank  P.,  born  July  8,  1867;  Emma  Smith,  born  November  18, 
I860,  and  Lena  Bell,  born  October  28,  1871.  Mrs.  Davis  was  born  in  Shelby  ville,  Bedford 
Co.,  Tenn.,  March  22,  1842.  Her  father,  Dr.  A.  S.  Norvell,  was  born  June  8,  1813,  and 
her  mother  was  born  July  13,  1819.  The  former  died  in  Coffee  County,  Tenn.,  February 
2 j,  1876,  and  the  latter  died  in  the  same  county  April  28,  1886.  They  were  married  in  the 
year  1839.  Mr.  Davis  has  a farm  of  140  acres  in  a fine  state  of  cultivation.  He  is  a Dem- 
ocrat in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South. 

J.  B.  DICKENS  is  a sou  of  Daniel  and  Matilda  (Putnam)  Dickens,  who  were  born  in 
1814.  The  father  died  October  13,  1874.  The  mother  was  drowned  June  20,  1870,  while 
•crossing  Duck  River  in  a canoe.  Our  subject  was  the  youngest  of  their  eight  children. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1148 


lie  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  October  13,  1S52.  The  names  of  the  children  are 
Jasper  X..  Andrew  J.,  Nellie  F.,  William  C.,  Nancy  J.,  Elizabeth  C..  Newton  and  our 
subject,  who  was  married  December  12,  1872,  to  Jeunie  Foster,  who  was  born  November 
21,  1852.  To  them  were  born  a family  of  four  children:  Malcolm  A.,  born  in  1873;  Clara 
A.,  born  in  1876;  Matilda  F.,  born  in  1880,  and  Sarah  G.,  born  in  1884.  The  mother  was 
the  youngest  of  seven  children,  their  uames  being  Eliza  J.,  Almira  M.,  Malcolm  A.,  Sarah 
* G .,  Caldonia  T..  Mary  A.  and  Jennie.  Our  subject  has  been  a fairly  successful  financier, 
.and  is  one  of  the  few  men  who  have  made  their  property  through  their  own  exertions.  He 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  he  is  a Republican. 

HENRY  C.  DICKERSON  was  born  June  13,  1854,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.  His 
father,  Capt.  James  W.  Dickerson,  a native  also  of  Bedford  County,  was  born  October  15, 
1815.  He  married  Miss  Nancy  Yeung,  a native  also  of  Bedford  County,  born  in  1822. 
To  this  union  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  sixth.  Capt.  James  W. 
Dickerson,  our  subject’s  father,  held  several  count)'  offices,  and  since  the  war  has  followed 
agricultural  pursuits,  and  now  lives  near  Wartrace.  The  mother  died  October  12,  1871. 
Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  country  schools,  and  lived  with  and  assisted  his  parents 
on  the  farm  until  he  reached  his  majority,  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  constable 
of  his  civil  district,  and  served  four  years.  In  1884  he  was  the  Democratic  nominee  for 
-sheriff  of  his  county,  but  was  defeated  by  a very  few  votes.  July  11,  1885,  he  was  ap- 
pointed deputy  internal  revenue  collector  by  Col.  John  T.  Hillsman  for  the  Fifth  Collec- 
tion District  of  Tennessee,  which  .office  he  now  holds.  On  December  30,  1885,  he  married 
Miss  Mary  E.  Shofner,  a native  of  Bedford  County,  and  a daughter  of  P.  W.  and  Nancy 
tshofnpr  hnrn  January  A 1860  He  is  a member  of  Shelbvvillc  Bodge  of  U A.  \ M 
His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Our  subject  has  two 
brothers,  William  J.,  a prominent  business  man  of  Union  City,  Obion  Co.,  Tenn.,  and 
John  W.  Dickerson,  a prominent  farmer  of  this  county.  This  is  one  of  the  prominent 
families  of  Bedford  County. 

REV.  A.  G.  DIXWIDDIE,  D.D.,  was  born  July  12,  1840,  in  Montgomery  County, 
Tenn.  His  father,  William  Dinwiddie,  was  born  October  15,  1810,  in  Kentucky.  He  was 
by  profession  a local  minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  was  also  a 
farmer.  He  died  April  4,  1872.  The  mother,  nee  Mary  Cole  Alexander,  was  born  in  Ken- 
tucky, June  15,  1814,  and  is  yet  living  in  Montgomery  County,  Tenn.  The  subject  of 
this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm  and  received  fair  early  educational  advantages.  He  was 
principally  educated  under  Prof.  L.  E.  Duke,  of  Chapel  Hill.  N.  C.,  then  conducting  an 
academy  at  Asbury.  Montgomery  Co.,  Tenn.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  engaged  in 
the  ministry  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  has  since  been  so  engaged. 
He  joined  the  Tennessee  Annual  Conference  in  October,  1859,  and  was  appointed  junior 
preacher  to  the  Wesley  Circuit,  where  he  remained  one  year.  Thence  in  1860  he  was  ap- 
pointed junior  preacher  to  the  Dover  Circuit,  and  at  the  close  of  that  year  he  was  ordained 
deacon  by  Bishop  Early.  His  third  year’s  work  was  on  the  Bellefonte  Circuit  in  north- 
ern Alabama  and  on  November  19,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rachael  Odil,  of  Colum- 
bia, Tenn.  In  1862  he  was  appointed  to  the  Trinity  Station,  Alabama.  After  the  war, 
in  1865,  he  was  appointed  to  the  Santa  Fe  Circuit,  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.  Thence,  in 
1866,  he  was  appointed  to  the  Duck  River  Circuit,  which  pastorate  he  held  two  years. 
Cu  1808  he  organized  the  Culleoka  Institute  and  was  appointed  principal  of  the  same,  also 
retaining  the  appointment  of  junior  preacher  on  the  Duck  River  Circuit.  In  1869  lie  was 
relieved  of  the  pastoral  charge  and  appointed  to  the  full  prlucipalship  of  the  Culleoka  In- 
stitute which  he  held  until  May,  1870.  In  October  following  he  was  appointed  to  the 
Savannah  District  and  remained  there  four  consecutive  years.  He  then  took  pastoral 
charge  of  Pulaski  Station  for  four  years.  Thence  he  was  appointed  to  Cedar  Hill.  Rob- 
ertson Co.,  Tenn.,  for  one  year.  In  1879  he  was  appointed  to  the  Lebanon  Station,  which 
he  held  until  1882,  when  he  was  appointed  to  the  Murfreesboro  Station,  and  June  7,  1885, 
received  the  honorary  degree  of  1).  D..,  from  the  Soule  College  of  Murfreesboro.  In  Octo 
her,  1885,  he  was  appointed  to  the  Shelbyville  Station,  where,  as  elsewhere,  lie  has  enjoyed 


' 


1144 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


great  success  in  bis  work,  lie  has  a family  of  five  children:  Emma,  'Willie  H.,  Mary  B. 

Maggie  L.  and  Frank  G. 

JAMES  X.  DRYDEN,  a native  of  Tennessee,  was  born  January  6,  1835.  son  of  David 
and  Malinda  (Guest)  Dryden,  natives,  respectively,  of  Tennessee  and  Georgia.  The 
father  was  born  in  1S00  and  was  by  occupation  a farmer.  The  mother  was  born  August 
27,  1806,  and  is  still  living  with  our  subject  at  the  extreme  old  age  of  eighty.  Our  subject 
like  the  average  country  boy,  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  district 
school.  At  the  age  of  twentj7-one  he  began  farming  for  himself  on  the  farm  where  he  is 
now  living.  September  27,  1S55,  he  married  Nancy  C.  Stephenson,  of  this  county,  and 
this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  four  children:  William  J.,  Martha  31.  B.,  Lucinda  E. 
M.  and  David  0.  Mr.  Dryden  is  a very  influential  man  in  this  section  of  the  country. 
He  is  also  a man  of  strong  religious  sentiments  although  he  is  not  a member  of  any  church. 
Mrs.  Dryden  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  Mr.  Dryden  is 
a Republican.  » 

NATHANIEL  L.  DRYDEN  was  born  January  22.  1839.  and  is  one  of  three  children 
born  to  the  uuion  of  Thomas  and  Mary  II.  (Dickson)  Dryden.  The  father  was  born  in 
Virginia  in  1796,  and  when  a youth  he,  with  his  father,  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  set- 
tled in  Bedford  County.  He  was  married  in  1824  and  became  the  father  of  eleven  chil- 
dren. The  father  aud  mother  of  our  subject  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian ChuFch.  The  former  died  in  1863  and  the  latter  in  1876.  Our  subject  was  born  in 
Bedford  County.  Tenu.,  and  was  given  an  education  in  the  country  schools  of  the  day. 
In  1867  he  wedded  Miss  Sarah  J.  Lleweltyn,  a native  of  Indiana.  To  this  union  were 
born  eight,  children:  Hubert  E , John  W.,  Mary  I...  Annie,  Maggie  II..  Daniel  D..  Thomas 
F.  and  Nathaniel  L..  Jr.  Daniel  D.  died  March  31,  1881.  Mr.  Dryden  owns  375  acres  of 
land  in  the  Twentieth  District,  and  deals  in  cattle,  sheep,  etc.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  a leading  man  in  the  county.  The  family  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent. 

BENJAMIN  F.  DUGGAN,  M.  1).,  is  a son  of  John  and  Sarah  A.  (Burroughs)  Dug- 
gan, and  is  of  Scotch  English  descent.  The  father  died  a few  weeks  before  our  subject 
was  born.  Benjamin  F.  was  born  January  22,  1820,  in  Martin  County,  N.  C.,  and  was 
apprenticed  to  learn  the  tailor’s  trade  at  the  age  of  ten  years.  Six  years  later  he  began 
business  as  a journeyman,  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  he  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  be- 
gan working  at  his  trade  at  Beech  Grove,  and  while  here  was  ordained  as  itinerant  min- 
ister of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  In  1883  he  received  the  degree  of  D.  D.  from 
the  college  located  at  Westminster,  Md.,  and  was  one  of  the  commissioners  that  formed 
the  basis  of  union  of  the  Methodist  and  Methodist  Protestaut  Church  in  1875-77  at  Balti- 
more, Md.,  and  has  been  a member  of  the  general  conferences  of  his  church  at  Balti- 
more in  1850;  Lynchburg,  Ya.,  in  1858,  and  Montgomery,  Ala.,  in  1867.  About  1850  he 
began  the  study  of  medicine,  aud  entered  the  Nashville  University,  in  the  fall  of  1853  and 
graduated  in  1877,  and  located  in  Unionville.  He  was  married,  October  23.  1S33,  to  Nan- 
cy A.  Elliott,  who  has  borne  him  five  children:  Benjamin  F.,  Solon  S.,  Algie  A.,  Sarah 
A.  and  Salome  J.  Our  subject  has  been  successful  in  life,  but  1ms  also  met  with  many 
adversities.  In  December.  1861.  he  became  commander  of  Company  A.  Fifty-fifth  Ten- 
nessee Ipfantry,  aud  was  acting  colonel  from  February  until  the  fall  of  Fort  Donelson. 
When  the  regiment  was  organized  our  subject  was  made  surgeon,  and  continued  iu  this 
capacity  until  the  battle  of  Shiloh. 

li.  C.  DW1GGINS  was  born  October  8,  1844,  iu  Alabama.  Ilis  father.  R.  S.  Dwig- 
gins  was  born  in  this  State  about  1820  and  died  about  1880.  The  mother  was  Auu  (Wad- 
kius)  Dwiggins.  Our  subject  was  the  eldest  of  two  children  horn  to  their  union.  When 
about  fifteeu  years  old  he  began  milling  for  his  father  at  Shelbyville.  His  father  built 
the  first  three  steam-mills  ever  erected  iu  Tennessee.  In  the  fall  of  1862  he  enlisted  in 
Company  D,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  lie  was 
in  several  noted  battles,  but  was  not  wounded  or  captured  during  service.  After  his  re- 
turn he  followed  ihe  milling  business  for  his  father  until  1871,  when  he  erected  a mill  at 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1145 


B ranch  ville,  which  ho  has  conducted  in  connection  with  merchandising  ever  since.  He 
was  the  founder  of  the  village  of  Branchville,  and  succeeded  in  getting  a postoffice  in 
1876.  He  has  done  much  to  assist  in  the  prosperity  of  the  county,  and  is  a man  of  influ- 
ence and  a highly  honorable  gentleman.  October  8.  1873,  he  wedded  Mary  Curtiss,  of 
Richmond,  Tenu.  She  is  a daughter  of  James  H.  and  Teresa  Curtiss,  and  was  born  in 
1854.  They  have  six  children:  Cassie  C..  Ethel  E.,  Robbie  E.,  Mamie  L.,  Harry  C.  and 
one  unnamed.  Mr.  Dwiggins  is  a Mason,  an  Odd  Fellow  and  a Democrat.  He  has  been 
school  director  for  twelve  years,  and  is  still  holding  the  same  office. 

JAMES  H.  DYER,  son  of  William  and  Harriet  (Brown)  Dyer,  was  boru  April  8.  1841, 
in  Bedford  County.  He  received  a good,  practical  education  in  the  schools  of  the  county, 
and  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1872  he  was  married  to  Miss  Belle  Arnold,  who 
bore  him  seven  children:  Annie  H.,  James  H.,  Thomas.  Roy.  Grace  B.,  Harry  and  Ernest 
G.  Harry  died  April  2G.  1873.  and  Ernest  G.  died  June  4,  1S80.  Mrs.  Dyer  is  the  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  and  Nancy  A.  Arnold.  Mr.  Dyer  owns  600  acres  of  fine  land  in  the  Twen- 
tieth District  of  Bedford  County.  He  is  respected  as  a man  of  sound  judgment  and  good 
sense.  He  is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  farm- 
ers and  stock  raisers  of  the  county.  His  farm  is  well  adapted  to  the  raising  of  corn, 
wheat,  hay  and  clover. 

HENRY  C.  DYER  was  born  October  25,  1S44,  and  is  the  son  of  William  H.  and  Har- 
riet (Brown)  Dyer.  The  father  was  born  in  Bedford  County  in  1817.  He  was  a farmer 
and  stock  raiser  and  a successful  man  in  business.  He  was  the  father  of  seven  children, 
four  of  which  are  living:  James  II.,  Mary  J.,  Henry  C.  and  Emily.  Mrs.  Harriet  Dyer 
died  in  1856.  and  in  1874  Mr.  Dyer  was  married  the  second  time.  Mr.  Dyer  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  died  October  1.  1880.  Our  subject  was  born 
in  Bedford  County,  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  His  flrst  employment  was 
farming,  and  this,  in  connection  with  stock  raising,  lie  has  always  followed.  In  1871  he 
was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza  Evans,  daughter  of  Nathan  Evans,  of  this  county, 
and  one  child  has  blessed  their  union,  Mary  B.  Mr.  Dyer  owns  705  acres  of  good  land, 
and  is  a leading  farmer  of  the  county.  He  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Mission- 
ary Baptist  Church. 

/ J.  F.  ELLIOTT,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  April  24,  1824,  son 
of  B.  and  R.  (Freeman)  Elliott.  The  father  was  born  about  1784,  in  Virginia,  and  immi- 
grated to  Tennessee  in  about  1804.  Ill’s  death  occurred  in  i860.  The  mother  was  also  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  lived  to  be  very  old.  Our  subject  worked  for  his  father  on  the 
farm  till  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  He  soon  went  to  West  Tennessee  and  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits.  He  remained  there  about  ten  years,  after  which  he  returned  to  Middle 
Tennessee  and  engaged  in  the  same  business.  In  1861  he  entered  the  Confederate  Army, 
Forty-fifth  Tennessee  Infantry,  under  Capt.  Lytle,  and  was  discharged  at  Shiloh  on  ac- 
count of  bad  health.  After  returning  home  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  again.  In 
1867  or  1868  he  moved  to  Kentucky  and  remained  there  but  one  year,  after  which  he 
moved  back  to  Tennessee  and  has  lived  there  ever  since.  In  1846  he  wedded  Harriet  C. 
Daniel,  of  Rutherford  County.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  seven  children:  Ten- 
nessee, Rebecca  C.,  James  M.,  Sarah  K.,  Josie,  Albert  J.  and  Harriet  L.  Our  subject  is  a 
good,  substantial  citizen  and  is  so  considered  by  his  neighbors.  He  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal. Church  South.  Mr.  Elliott  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

REV.  ASA  IV.  ELKINS  was  born  July  10,  1821,  sou  of  Eli  and  Nancy  (Riggins) 
Elkins.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  when  a young  man  immigrated  to 
Tennessee  and  settled  in  Bedford  County  in  about  1816.  He  was  a fanner  by  occupation 
and  in  early  life  was  married  to  Miss  Nancy  Riggins,  a native  of  North  Carolina.  The 
fruits  of  this  union  were  ten  children:  Deletha,  William  S.,  Mary,  Asa  W.,  James,  Sarah, 
Nancy  K.,  Kvaline,  Eli  and  Richard,  who  died  during  the  late  war.  Eli  Elkins  immi- 
grated to  Alabama  in  1833  and  settled  in  Jackson  County,  where  he  died  in  1835.  After 
his  death  Mrs.  Elkins  married  Lewis  Page,  and  to  them  were  born  one  child,  Nancy  W., 
who  died  during  the  war.  Mrs.  Page  died  about  1*76.  The  Elkins  family  is  of  English 


1140 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


descent.  The  grandfather  of  our  subject  was  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  was 
a gallant  soldier.  Our  subject  was  born  in  the  present  limits  of  Coffee  County.  The  edu- 
cational advantages  at  that  early  day  were  not  what  they  are  uow,  consequently  the  edu- 
cation that  he  acquired  at  school  was  rather  limited.  By  his  own  efforts  he  has  gained 
considerable  information,  and  is  considered  a man  of  sound  judgment  and  good  sense. 
In  1846  he  married  Miss  Lucinda  Stafford,  a native  of  this  State,  and  one  child  blessed  the 
union,  Mary  A.  Mrs.  Lucinda  Elkins  died  in  1848,  and  in  1849  Mr.  Elkins  married  Miss- 
Amreline  Hufman.  The  results  of  this  union  were  eight  children:  Sarah  J.,  Nancy  V., 
John  AY.,  Martha  E.,  Margaret  A.,  Lafayette.  Robert  E.  and  George  T.  Sarah  J.  died  July 
26  1850;  Nancy  V.  died  June  12,  1875:  Lafayette  died  March  19,  1885,  and  one  died  in 
infancy  without  being  named.  Mr.  Elkins  was  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel  in  1868  and 
has  since  been  a local  preacher.  He  was  ordained  deacon  by  the  annual  conference.  He 
and  familv  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

MARTIN  EULES,  a worthy  citizen  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  Adam  and 
Dorothea  (Shofner)  Eules,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1775  and  1778,  respect- 
ively. They  were  married  about  1808  and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  in  1810.  To  them 
were  born  eleven  children,  four  of  whom  are  living.  The  father  died  in  1843,  and  the 
mother  in  1872.  On  the  8th  of  November,  1843,  our  subject  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Casander  Bobo,  who  was  born  December  10,  1825,  and  a daughter  of  Elisha  and  Lucy 
(Dean)  Bobo,  natives  of  South  Carolina,  and  who  died  in  I860  and  1830,  respectively.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eules  were  boru  eleven  children:  Eli  S.,  born  in  1845  (deceased);  Mary 
E.  born  in  1846  (deceased);  Elisha  A.,  born  in  1848;  Allen  F.,  born  in  1850;  John  M.,  born 
in  1852  /deceased):  Harriet  E , born  in  1855;  Ella  J.,  born  in  1857  (deceased);  Minnie  A., 
born  in  i860;  Lula  B.,  born  in  1862;  Della  C.,  born  in  1865,  and  Lucy  T.,  born  in  1867. 
Martin  Eules  started  iu  life  for  himself  almost  penniless,  but  by  energy  and  persevereuce 
has  accumulated  considerable  property.  His  farm,  consisting  of  500  acres,  is  about  eight 
miles  from  Shelbyville,  besides  this  he  owns  seventy  acres  in  Coffee  County  and  forty 
acres  in  this  county.  He  and  wife  are  nYembers  of  the  Lutheran  Church  and  their  chil- 
dren belon,r  to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  In  politics  Air.  Eules  is  neutral. 

DR.  ROBERT  F.  EVANS,  a prominent  and  leading  physician  of  Shelbyville,  was 
born  August  24,  1821,  iu  Caroline  County,  Va.,  being  the  only  son  of  a family  of  eight 
children  born  to  the  marriage  of  David  S.  Evans  and  Judith  Bowl  ware,  both  natives  of 
Virginia,  of  Welsh  and  English  descent,  respectively.  The  father  came  with  his  family 
to  Bedford  County  in  1832;  and  followed  farming  until  1840,  when  he  bought  the  Evans 
House  and  began  the  hotel  business,  which  he  continued  till  the  war.  He  died  in  1869, 
the  mother  surviving  him  one  year.  Dr.  Evans  was  eleven  years  old  when  coming  to  this 
county,  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  hotel  business  a short 
time  and  then  studied  medicine  for  several  years.  He  graduated  in  the  University  of 
Pennsylvania  iu  1847,  and  then  returned  to  Shelbyville.  where  he  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  ever  since,  except  iu  1850-51,  when  he  was  on  a 
' western  tour.  He  was  married.  December  24,  1867,  to  Mrs.  Mary  C.  Fite,  who  was  the 
mother  of  two  children  by  her  former  marriage,  viz. : Dr.  C.  C.  Fite,  assistant  physician 
at  the  East  Tennessee  Insane  Asylum,  Knoxville,  Tenn.;  and  Jennie  M.  Fite,  now  the 
wife  of  Sunf.  A.  M.  Moore,  of  the  United  States  Naval  Service,  Washington,  D.  C.  The 
marriage  of  Dr.  Evans  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  two  children,  Stella  and  Mary  F. 
lie  his  wife  and  youngest  daughter  are  members  of  the  Episcopal  Churc  h,  and  his  eldest 
daughter  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  He  has  been  senior  warden  of  the  church  ever  since 
its  organization.  He  is  a Knight  Templar  Mason.  He  is  a member  of  the  Tennessee 
Medical  Society,  and  was  elected  president  of  that  body  in  187S.  Politically  he  was  reared 
a Whig,  but  is  uow  a conservative  Democrat. 

W\  L.  FARIS,  a native  of  Franklin  County,  Tenn  , was  born  June  17,  1864,  sou  of  G. 
W and  Eliza  (Tucker)  Faris.  The  father  was  also  a native  of  Franklin  County,  and  died 
June  5 1882.  The  mother  was  born  about  1838  in  Bedford  County.  Our  subject  assisted 
his  parents  on  the  farm  until  he  was  about  twenty-two  years  of  age,  after  which  he 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1147 


worked  for  himself  at  farming.  At  the  end  of  three  years  he  began  the  mechanics  trade 
in  connection  with  farming  and  still  follows  that  business  up  to  the  present  date.  De- 
cember 21,  1S75,  he  wedded  Amanda  R.  Kirk,  of  this  county,  who  was  born  August  3, 
1856.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Edwin  Kirk,  who  was  born  in  1809,  aud  died  November 
22,  1883.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  five  children:  E.  E.,  Julian  L.,  Lee  G.,  S.  I. 
and  Cassie  B.  Mr.  Faris  is  a self-made  man,  having  made  his  property  by  his  own 
unaided  efforts,  and  is  consequently  a good  substantial  citizen.  He  and  wife  are  worthy 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

J.  C.  FISHER’S  ancestors  were  from  North  Carolina.  His  father,  George  W.  Fisher, 
was  born  in  August,  181*3,  and  was  brought  to  Tennessee  by  his  parents  when  only  four  years 
old.  George  W.  Fisher  married  Elizabeth  Helm  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in 
1814,  and  died  in  Tennesse  in  1846.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  Janu- 
ary 16,  1838,  and  is  the  third  of  seven  children  and  of  Irish  descent.  At  the  age  of  twenty 
years  he  began  clerking  for  W.  S.  Hurst,  at  Hurst’s  Cross  Roads,  Murray  Count}*,  continu- 
ing two  years.  "When  the  war  broke  out  he  joined  the  Confederate  Army,  Company  D, 
Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  but  after  serving  faithfully  for  some  time  was  compelled  to 
abandon  the  service  to  some  extent.  For  about  two  years  after  the  war  he  farmed  and 
stock-traded  and  then  engaged  in  the  merchandise  business  in  Verona  and  followed  that 
business  four  years  with  good  results,  the  style  of  the  firm  being  Fisher  <fc  Robinson. 
In  1871  he  sold  his  interest  and  moved  to  Fayetteville  where  he  was  a partner  of  V.  S. 
Hurst  in  the  merchandise  business  two  years.  The  firm  then  divided  their  stock,  and  for 
three  years  longer  Mr.  Fisher  followed  that  occupation  in  that  place  and  in  1877  moved  to 
Shelbyville.  Since  1885  he  has  been  exclusively  engaged  in  farming.  May  1,  ls72,  he 
wedded  Mattie  Bell  (daughter  of  G.  W.  and  E.  Bell),  who  has  borne  him  six  children: 
Oscar  B.,  Stella  (deceased),  Elbert  H.,  James  D.,  Hugh  C.  and  George  B.  Mr.  Fisher 
has  accumulated  his  property  by  his  own  exertions  and  is  perhaps  the  most  thoroughly 
self-made  man  in  this  section  of  the  county.  The  greater  part  of  his  education  has  been 
acquired  through  self-exertion.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South,  and  his  wife  of  the  Christian  Church,  politically  he  is  a Democrat. 

B.  F.  FOSTER,  Esq.,  was  born  Janurary  10.  1829,  in  Rutherford  County,  and  was  the 
son  of  James  and  Celia  (Gentry)  Foster.  The  father  was  bom  April  22,  1800,  and  was  a 
very  successful  farmer  for  bis  day.  The  mother  was  born  in  1803,  in  Georgia.  Our  sub- 
ject received  a practical  education  in  the  district  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  en- 
gaged in  the  saw-mill  business.  This  he  continued  for  about  two  years  and  then  began 
teaching  school.  At  the  end  of  fifteen  months  he  gave  this  up  and  engaged  iu  farming. 
In  1870  he  was  elected  magistrate,  and  served  in  this  capacity  for  twelve  years.  January, 
1877,  he  was  elected  chairman  of  the  county  court  and  held  this  position  for  about  six 
years.  Prior  to  this,  in  1851,  he  wedded  Nancy  A.  McBride,  of  this  county,  and  the  fruits 
of  this  union  were  three  children:  James  J..  Charles  R.  and  the  eldest,  Harriet  M.,  who  died 
in  infancy.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  June  11.  1862.  Mr.  Foster  was  married  to 
Frances  Hoover,  nee  Rankin,  August  27,  1871.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  one 
child.  LelaG.  Mrs.  Foster  was  the  mother  of  two  children  by  her  former  husband:  they 
were  named  Thomas  R.  and  H.  C Hoover.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  are  members  in  good 
standing  in  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  he  is  also  a member  of  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  also  a Chapter* member  of  the  same.  He  represented  his  lodge  in  the 
Grand  Lodge  in  Nashville  five  years  in  succession.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

II.  R.  FREEMAN  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  December  25,  1835.  From 
twenty-one  years  of  age  until  1861  he  farmed  for  himself,  and  at  the  latter  date  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  fought  in  many  of  the  most  noted 
battles.  He  was  commissary  sergeant  during  the  latter  part  of  the  war.  After  his  return 
he  farmed  until  1874,  and  then  began  merchandising  in  Unionville.  He  has  been  very 
successful.  October  13,  1867,  he  wedded  Salome  Duggan,  who  died  November  28.  1878. 
March  9.  1882,  he  murried  Emma  Barker.  They  have  one  child,  Enid  Freeman.  Mr. 
Freeman  is  a Democrat  and  Prohibitionist.  II is  parents,  Hartwell  aud  Nancy  (Harris) 


1148 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Freeman,  were  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1797  and  1801,  respectively.  The  father  was  a 
well-to-do  farmer,  and  died  in  1S71.  The  mother  is  yet  living,  and  is  eighty- five  years  of 
age. 

JOHN  G.  FROST  is  a son  of  John  E.  Frost,  a minister  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
•Church,  who  was  born  April  7,  1825,  in  Alabama.  His  mother  was  Alsie  D.  Hicks,  daugh- 
ter of  D.  D.  and  Malinda  Hicks.  John  G.  Frost  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  October  13, 
1859,  and  was  the  eighth  of  nine  children.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  then  began  tilling  the  soil  on  his  own  responsibility.  In 
1882  he  went  to  Missouri,  where  he  farmed  one  year,  but  the  same  year  traveled  over  the 
State  of  Kansas  and  the  Indian  Territory.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
farming  interests  in  Tennessee.  November  30,  1882,  he  was  married  to  Mattie  J.  Cole- 
man, daughter  of  N.  A.  Coleman.  She  was  born  January  12.  1861.  They  became  the 
parents  of  three  children,  two  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  Joshua  Wright  is  the  child  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Frost  has  been  a church  member  since  the  fall  of  1878.  lie  belongs  to  the  Dem- 
ocratic party,  and  is  worth  about  $2,500. 

WILLIAM  D.  FROST,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Madison  County,  Ala.,  August  12,  18.0, 
and  is  one  of  six  children  born  to  Ebenezer  and  Nancy  (Wright)  Frost.  The  father  was 
born  in  North  Carolina,  and  in  1827  immigrated  to  Alabama  where  he  remained  until 
1835,  and  then  removed  to  Bedford  Count}',  Teun.  He  was  one  of  the  successful  farmers, 
of  the  county.  In  1837  he  was  employed  by  the  Government  to  aid  in  removing  the  In- 
dians to  the  territory  to  which  they  were  assigned,  and  during  one  of  these  trips  he  died. 
He  reared  a family  of  which  the  county  is  proud.  All  of  them  are  prominent  citizens  of 
the  county.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  passed  his  boyhood  on  the  farm,  and  received  a 
fair  education  in  the  county  schools.  In  1850  he  began  the  study  of  medicine,  and  in  the 
same  year  entered  the  Ohio  Medical  School  of  Cincinnati,  where  he  remained  one  term. 
He  then  went  to  Obion  County,  Tenn.,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession,  remain- 
ing there  eight  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Mississippi,  where  he  remained  nine  years. 
He  then  came  back  to  Tennessee,  and  has  since  that  time  been  a faithful  practitioner  of 
Bedford  County.  In  1S54  he  wedded  Miss  Martha  L.  Brown,  of  Obion  County,  Teun.,  a 
member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  who  died  in  1874.  Mr.  Frost  was  a soldier  iu 
the  late  war;  was  in  the  Thirtieth  Mississippi  Regiment,  and  was  severely  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  which  rendered  him  unfit  for  general  service.  After  this  he 
-acted  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  regiment  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Mr.  Frost  has  a 
' family  of  four  children : William  A.,  who  is  editor  of  the  Shdbyville  Gazette,  Walter  C. 
who  is  editing  a paper  at  Murfreesboro,  Clarinda  E.  and  John  W. 

WILLIAM  A.  FROST,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Shelbyville  Gazette,  was  born 
"September  30,  1855,  in  Troy,  Obion  Co.,  Tenn.,  being  the  eldest  of  five  children  of  Will- 
iam D.  and  Martha  L.  (Brown)  Frost.  The  father  is  a physician  and  resides  at  Flat 
■Creek  in  this  county.  The  mother  died  September  24,  1874.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a farm  in  Moore  County,  Tenn.,  and  in  Mississippi.  He  remained  with  his 
parents  to  the  age  of  nineteen,  when  he  entered  Mulberry  Institute,  Lincoln  County, 
Tenn.,  iu  which  he  took  a two  years’  course.  He  then  was  appointed  deputy  clerk  of 
the  Circuit  Court  of  Moore  County.  After  one  year  as  deputy  he  was  appointed  clerk  of 
the  same  court  and  held  the  ollice  three  years.  In  December,  1878,  he  bought  the  Lynch- 
burg Sentinel,  and  published  that  .paper  till  December  4,  1884,  at  which  time  he  was 
burned  out.  In  1880,  June  30,  he  was  appointed  clerk  and  master  of  the  Chancery  Court 
of  Moore  County,  and  served  four  years.  January  1,  1884,  he  took  charge  of  his  present 
enterprise.  He  lias  refitted  the  office  with  an  entirely  new  outfit  and  made  his  the  lead- 
ing paper  of  the  country,  and  he  is  regarded  as  the  most  successful  county  newspaper 
man  in  the  State,  lie  was  elected  alderman  of  the  Second  Ward  of  Shelbyville  iu 
October,  1885,  and  is  chairman  of  the  finance  committee.  He  is  justly  regarded  as  a 
prominent  and  enterprising  citizen.  He  was  married,  May,  4,  1880,  to  Miss  Katie 
Whitaker,  of  Lincoln  County.  This  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  oue  son,  Will- 
iam W.  Politically  Mr.  Frost  is  a firm  Democrat. 


■ 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1149 


ALFRED  D.  FUGITT.  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  November 
6,  1813,  son  of  Townsend  and  Jane  (Campbell)  Fugitt,  and  of  Irisli-French  descent.  The 
father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1780,  and  the  mother  was  born  about 
1784.  They  were  married  in  North  Carolina  about  1799.  and  to  them  were  born  eight 
children.  The  father  emigrated  from  North  Carolina  to  Kentucky  in  1804,  and  owned 
t the  land  where  Danville,  Ky.,  now  stands,  but  concluding  the  land  was  too  poor  for  suc- 
cessful farming,  moved  to  Tennessee  in  1806.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1S12,  and 
died  November,  187S,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-eight,  the  mother  died  in  1837.  Our 
subject  received  a fair  education  and  followed  farming  and  merchandising  ever  since.  He 
was  married,  January  10,  1837,  to  Miss  Jane  M.  Norvell;  of  this  alliance  there  were  born 
ten  children — three  sons:  Glodolplius  C.,  John  N.  and  Alfred  T..  and  seven  daughters: 
Sallie  E.,  Mattie  J..  Maggie  N.,  Cassie  M.,  Mollie  B.,  Ada  J.  and  Annie  N.  Mr.  Fugitt 
was  formerly  an  old-line  Whig,  and  while  he  entertains  no  particular  love  for  the  name 
of  Democracy  he  votes  that  ticket.  He  has  600  acres  of  good  land,  winch  he  devotes 
almost  exclusively  to  stock  raising.  Mrs.  Fugitt,  wife  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Bed- 
ford County,  Tenn.,  September  5.  1814.  Her  father,  John  Norvell,  emigrated  from 
North  Carolina  about  1806,  and  was  among  the  pioneers  of  the  State.  Our  subject  had 
twTo  sons  in  the  late  war,  Glodolphus  C.,  who  was  a captain  in  the  Second  Tennessee 
Regiment  under  Col.  Bate,  was  killed  at  Shiloh.  The  second  son  was  a member  of  the 
same  regiment  and  was  killed  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  in  1863.  While  our  subject  was 
too  old  to  partake  of  active  service  in  the  arm}',  he  displayed  his  liberality  and  State  pride 
in  contributing  the  amount  of  $1,000  a month  to  Capt.  Fugitt’s  company.  The  grand- 
father of  our  subject,  Benjamin  Fugitt,  w’as  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  served 
seven  years. 

JOHN  A.  GANNAWAY  was  boru  in  Tennessee  May  17,  1824,  son  of  John  and  Mary 
Wr.  (Robertson)  Gannaway,  of  Virginia.  The  father  w'as  born  in  1788,  married  in  1811  and 
came  to  Tennessee  in  1814.  He  was  a farmer  and  mechanic,  and  died  July  12,  1851.  Our 
subject's  ancestors  on  both  sides  were  from  England.  He  was  the  fifth  of  eleven  children 
and  resided  with  his  parents  on  the  farm  until  twenty  years  of  age.  He  then  became  over- 
seer of  a cotton  factory  at  Murfreesboro,  and  worked  the  first  year  for  $50,  the  second  for 
$100,  the  third  for  $200.  At  the  expiration  of  this  time  he  started  to  school,  attending  about 
five  months.  He  clerked  for  a short  time  in  Murfreesboro,  and  then  sold  goods  for  A.  J. 
Wood.  He  then  began  traveling  for  a saddle  and  dry  goods  firm,  continuing  five  years, 
and  then  began  the  mercantile  business  at  Wartrace.Tenn.,  withavery  small  capital.  At  the 
end  of  eight  years  he  had  accumulated  considerable  money  and  in  the  fall  of  1858  sold  out 
and  purchased  a farm  near  Bellbuckle,  which  he  managed  about  seven  years.  Since  the 
war  he  has  been  postmaster  of  Unionville,  and  was  a merchant  of  that  place  for  some 
time.  In  1877  he  retired  from  active  business  life.  September  14,  1853,  he  married  M.  R. 
Tarpley,  of  Bedford  County,  and  daughter  of  Edward  Tarpley;  she  was  born  October  25, 
1832,  and  has  borne  her  husband  twelve  children:  Emma  D.,  Maggie  E.,  John  E.,  James 
W.,  Josephus,  Nannie  R.,  Mary  C.,  Elijah  T.,  Cora  L.,  Clarence  E.,  Horace  B.  C.  and 
Cornelius  V.  Mr.  Gannaway  was  elected  magistrate  of  his  district  November  8,  1870,  and 
held  the  office  about  six  years.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

BRADLEY  GAMBILL  was  born  April  17,  1820,  in  Tennessee,  son  of  Aaron  and  Eliza- 
beth (Caunady)  Gambill,  natives  of  Tennessee  and  Maryland,  respectively.  Our  subject 
was  the  youngest  of  twelve  children  born  to  his  parents,  all  dead  but  three.  The  father 
w’as  a farmer  and  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  received  land  warrants  for  serv- 
ices rendered  during  that  war.  Our  subject  worked  on  the  same  farm  with  his  brother 
till  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  is  a successful  farmer  and  has  followed  that 
occupation  the  principal  part  of  his  life.  December  24.  1840,  he  wedded  Sarah  C.  Ander- 
son, of  Tennessee,  and  this  union  has  been  happily  blessed  by  the  birth  of  a large  family 
of  children.  In  1848  our  subject  was  elected  to  the  office  of  constable  and  served  the  peo- 
ple in  that  capacity  for  six  years.  In  1854  he  moved  to  Mississippi  and  engaged  in  the 


72 


1150 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


cottoD  business,  but  the  late  Rebellion  swept  the  greater  part  of  his  property  away.  He 
moved  back  to  Tennessee  during  the  war  and  was  elected  to  the  office  of  magistrate  in 
1866,  and  was  elected  the  two  following  terms,  making  a total  of  sixteen  years  in  all  that 
he  served  the  people  in  that  capacity.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  he  is  also  a member  of  the  Masonic  order.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 
He  was  a major  in  the  militia  before  the  war. 

TnOMAS  J.  GAMBILL,  an  excellent  farmer  and  the  son  of  Bradley  and  Sarah  C. 
(Anderson)  Gambill,  whose  sketch  appears  above  in  this  volume,  was  born  December 
14,  1832.  He  assisted  his  parents  on  the  farm  and  secured  a fair  practical  education  in  the 
district  schools.  In  1S74  he  began  to  fight  life’s  battles  for  himself  as  a farmer.  In  1877 
he  led  to  the  altar  Lucy  Templeton,  daughter  of  Newton  Templeton,  and  the  fruit  of  this 
union  was  an  interesting  family  of  four  children:  Minnie  E.,  Marvin  E.,  Joshua  Cleveland 
and  Newton  E.  Mr.  Gambill  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  successful  citizens  of  the 
Twenty-third  District.  He  has  a farm  well  watered  and  in  a fine  state  of  cultivation  in 
Coffee  Count}',  and  an  interest  in  a tract  in  this  county.  He  and  wife  are  exemplary 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

N.  C.  GAMBILL,  Jr.,  was  born  May  28,  1846,  iu  Tennessee,  son  of  N.  C.  and  Miner- 
va (Phillips)  Gambill,  both  natives  of  this  State.  The  father  was  born  in  1812  and  was 
a tiller  of  the  soil;  his  death  occurred  in  1861.  The  mother  was  born  in  1815,  and  died  in 
1866  or  1867.  Our  subject  remained  on  the  farm  with  his  parents  until  their  death.  He 
then  began  farming  for  himself  in  1867,  and  has  successfully  continued  that  occupation 
up  to  the  present  date.  November  29,  1866,  he  wedded  Nancy  L.  Ladd,  of  Williamson 
County.  The  result  of  this  union  was  five  children:  Saiiie  J.,  Jesse  C.,  James  B.,  Nannie 
E.,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gambill  are  leading  members  in  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  and  Mr.  Gambill  is  a Master  Mason.  His  education  was  rather  limited,  but 
he  has  always  manifested  a willingness  to  aid  in  any  or  all  enterprises  pertaining  to  the 
advancement  of  education.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a strong  temperance  man 
and  an  advocate  of  Christianity  in  all  its  phases,  sects  and  denominations. 

R.  C.  GARRETT  was  born  February  11,  1844,  in  Bedford  County,  and  is  the  son  of 
Darington  and  Nancy  (Gentry)  Garrett,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  and  both  died  when 
our  subject  was  quite  small.  R.  C.  Garrett,  our  subject,  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army 
in  the  fall  of  1862.  He  entered  as  Gen.  Forrest’s  escort,  and  sustained  this  relation  to  the 
army  throughout  the  entire  war.  He  was  wounded  in  the  right  arm  just  above  the  elbow 
during  the  battle  of  Chickamauga,  which  disabled  him  from  active  duty  for  about  six 
months.  He  was  again  wrounded  at  Plantersville,  Ala.,  was  hit  by  a spent  ball  on  the 
left  jaw,  but  this  disabled  him  for  only  a short  time.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  came 
home  and  began  tilling  the  soil  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living.  November  80,  1865, 
he  led  to  the  altar  Martha  L.  Jackson,  of  this  county.  She  was  the  daughter  of  John  and 
Rebecca  (Lytle)  Jackson,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  and  of 
Irish  and  English  lineage.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Garrett  were  born  ten  children:  Ella  N., 
William  T.,  John  J.,  Robert  C.,  Robecca  G.,  Lizzie  L.,  Fannie  C.,  Darlington  J..  Fane  S. 
and  the  tenth,  a daughter,  died  unnamed.  Mr.  Garrett  received  rather  a limited  educa- 
tion, but  enough  for  all  practical  purposes.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  Mrs.  Gar- 
rett is  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church. 

L.  T.  GAUNT  was  born. March  15,  18*52,  in  this  State,  son  of  Lewis  and  Mary  S. 
(Shearen)  Gaunt,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  The  father  was  born  December  28.  1803, 
and  died  February  20,  1860.  The  mother  was  born  May  2.  1816,  and  died  in  1873.  Our 
subject  assisted  his  mother  on  the  farm  and  received  a rather  limited  education  in  the 
common  schools.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  began  farming  on  his  own  responsibility 
and  continued  this  occupation  until  the  fall  of  1884.  September  29,  1869,  he  wedded  Mar- 
garet M.  E.  Stallings,  of  this  county,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  six  children:  Mol- 
lie  E.,  Mattie  E.,  James  L.,  John  T.,  Joe  U.  and  Dan  S.  In  1882  Mr.  Gaunt  was  elected 
constable  in  the  Eighteenth  District,  and  served  two  years.  In  1884  he  was  appointed 
deputy  sheriff  under  the  present  sheriff,  which  position  he  now  holds.  Iu  188-5  he  on- 


' 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1151 


gaged  in  the  merchandise  business  at  this  place,  and  is  at  present  engaged  in  that  occupa- 
tion. In  the  fall  of  1885  he  was  appointed  United  States  deputy  marshal,  which  office  he 
now  holds.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

JOHN  J.  GILL,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  May  26,  1841,  and  is  one  of  five 
children  born  to  the  union  of  Winston  W.  and  Sarah  A.  (Whitaker)  Gill.  The  father  was 
born  in  Kentucky  March  10,  1809.  In  1S31  or  1832  he  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  set- 
tled in  Lincoln  County.  He  was  for  the  greater  part  of  his  life  a merchant,  and  sold 
goods  at  Gill’s  Store.  In  1840  he  was  married,  and  became  the  father  of  these  children: 
John  J.,  Mary  R.,  Martha  C.,  Sallie  J.  and  Winston  W.  Martha  Gill  died  in  1851;  Sallie 
J.,  in  1860,  and  Winston  W.,  in  1S78.  In  1846  our  subject's  father  moved  to  this  county  and 
bought  a tract  of  land  in  the  Twenty-second  District.  Mrs.  Gill  died  in  1855,  and  Mr.  Gill 
married  a Miss  Moore,  and  after  her  death  he  married  a Miss  Wiley,  of  Alabama.  The 
Gill  family  were  originally  from  Maryland,  and  are  of  English  descent.  Our  subject  was 
born  in  Lincoln  County,  and  was  given  an  education  in  the  county  schools.  In  1870  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Susan  S.  Riggs,  a native  of  Maury  County  and  a daughter  of  Adam 
S.  Riggs.  To  this  union  were  born  two  children:  Sallie  R.  and  Winston  W.  Sallie  R. 
died  in  1874,  and  Winston  W.  February  11,  1879.  Mr.  Gill  owns  one  of  the  finest  farms 
of  Bedford  County.  It  contains  650  acres  lying  five  miles  south  of  Shelbyville.  He  is 
president  of  the  agricultural  society  of  Bedford  County. 

J.  S.  GILLIS,  a leading  merchant  and  enterprising  citizen  of  Shelbyville,  was  born 
April  12,  1840,  in  New  York  State.  He  was  the  younger  of  two  children  born  to  the 
marriage  of  James  Gillis  and  Isabella  Stalker,  natives  of  Scotland.  His  parents  removed 
to  Canada  Horn  New  York,  and  he  was  reared  there,  receiving  a common  school  education. 
In  1859  he  went  to  Trenton.  Ky.,  and  engaged  in  the  pursuit  of  farming  till  1871.  He  then 
removed  to  Shelbyville  and  opened  his  merchandising  establishment, which  he  has  continued 
ver}r  successfully.  lie  now  carries  a stock  of  about  $20,000  and  does  an  annual  business 
of  about  $35,000  to  $40,000.  He  was  married  September  25,  1864,  to  Eliza  Bradley,  the  re- 
sult of  this  union  is  one  son — George  D.  Mr.  Gillis  is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist 
Church,  and  has  been  superintendent  of  the  Sunday-schools  for  about  twelve  years.  His 
wife  is  also  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Gillis  is  of  old-line  Whig 
ancestry,  but  he  is  now  a Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Shelbyville,  and 
bears  the  highest  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens. 

JAMES  B.  GREEN,  of  the  firm  of  Green  A McGill,  dealers  in  groceries  and  provisions, 
was  born  in  Bedford  County.  Tenn.,  January  20,  1856,  being  a son  of  Blount  G.  and  Salina 
F.  (Stewart)  Green.  Blount  G.  Green  was  born  October  14,  1815.  His  father,  William 
Green,  came  to  Bedford  County  in  1808  with  his  parents.  William  Green  was  mar- 
ried in  1811  to  Miss  Sarah  Phillips.  Blouut  G.  has  always  been  a farmer  and  has 
been  very  successful,  now  owning  1,121  acres  of  land  in  Bedford  County.  He  was 
married,  in  1841,  to  Miss  Salina  F.  Stewart,  the  result  of  this  union  being  eleven  chil- 
dren, viz.:  Canzada  P.,  Mar}'  E.,  Nancy  C.,  Susan  C.  E.,  Emily  J.,  Lewis  D.,  Samuel 
E.,  James  B.,  Harriet  F.,  Tennessee  A.  and  Thomas  B.  Three  of  the  family  have  died, 
viz.:  Canzada  P.,  Thomas  B.  and  Emily  J.  Mr.  Blount  Green  is  one  of  the  prominent 
farmers  of  the  county,  and  has  been  identified  with  the  public  offices  of  the  county. 
James  B.  was  reared  on  a farm  and  secured  a common  school  education.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  began  farming  for  himself,  and  continued  till  1881,  when  he  engaged  at 
clerking  in  a grocery  store  for  a short  time.  He  then  went  back  to  farming.  In  Decem- 
ber, 1885,  he  began  his  present  occupation,  and  has  since  done  a good  business  in  the  grocery 
line.  He  was  married,  May  10,  1883,  to  Mrs.  Teunie  (McGill)  Gallaher,  daughter  of  W.  M. 
McGill,  Esq.,  of  this  county.  The  wife  is  the  mother  of  one  child,  Mary  Gallagher,  by  her 
former  marriage,  and  has  borne  two  children  to  her  union  with  Mr.  Green,  viz.:  Jessie 
B.  and  James  F.  Mr.  Green  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  takes 
no  very  active  interest  in  political  affairs,  but  is  an  energetic  and  respected  business  man. 

B.  T.  GREGORY,  the  photographer  of  Shelbyville,  was  born  August  17,  1847,  in 
Shelbyville,  being  one  of  a family  born  to  the  union  of  Joseph  P.  Gregory  and  Elivira 


1152 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Jones,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Alabama.  Joseph  P.  was  brought  to  Bed- 
ford County  when  young  by  his  father,  Thomas  Gregory.  He  was  a dentist  by  profes- 
sion. He  practiced  his  profession  in  Shelby ville,  and  thence  removed  to  Stevenson.  Ala., 
which  place  he  named  in  honor  of  V.  K.  Stevenson,  a prominent  railroad  man.  He  (the 
father)  returned  to  Shelbyville,  where  he  died  in  1881.  The  mother  died  at  Stevenson, 
Ala.,  when  our  subject  was  young.  B.  T.  received  a common  school  education.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-two  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself,  having  learned  and  practiced  dentistry 
prior  to  this  time.  He  then  learned  the  photographer's  art,  and  has  ever  since  been 
engaged  in  that  art.  He  permanently  located  in  Shelbyville  in  1S76.  since  which  time  he 
has  done  a good  business  in  his  line.  He  was  married,  December  26,  1881.  to  Miss  Annie 
Calhoun,  daughter  of  2s.  J.  and  Elizabeth  Calhoun.  Her  father  was  a stone-cutter  and 
marble  dealer.  One  son  has  been  born  to  this  marriage — Benjamin  T.  Mr.  Gregory  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

JOHN  H.  GRIDER  was  born  December  27,  1844,  in  Jackson  County,  Ala.  His 
father,  Ananias  A.  Grider,  was  born  in  Putnam  County,  Tenu.,  in  1812.  He  married  Miss 
G.  Bullington,  a native  of  the  same  county.  To  this  union  seven  children  were  born,  our 
subject  being  the  fifth.  Ananias  A.  Grider  died  August,  1856,  and  his  wife  died  in  the 
same  month.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  country  schools  of  his  native  county.  In 
May,  1861,  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  with 
this  command  up  to  and  including  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  During  this  time  he 
never  was  absent  from  his  command  a single  day.  The  principal  battles  were  Wild  Cat 
Mountain,  Fishing  Creek,  Perry  ville,  Stone  River  and  Chickamauga.  At  the  latter  place 
he  was  captured  and  taken  to  Camp  Douglas,  at  Chicago,  111.,  where  he  remained  until 
March  23,  1865.  He  was  then  taken  to  Point  Lookout,  Md.,  where  he  took  the  oath  of 
allegiance,  was  released  and  returned  home.  He  then  worked  two  years  on  the  Nashville 
& Chattanooga  Railroad,  and  ever  since  then  has  followed  farming  in  Bedford  County, 
where  he  now  resides.  On  July  l,  1866,  he  married  Mrs.  Sarah  J.  Mooney,  and  to  this 
union  were  born  five  children.  Mr.  Grider  owns  a farm  of  135  acres  m District  No.  3, 
and  he  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

SAMUEL  B.  GORDON,  one  of  Bedford  County’s  old  and  respected  citizens,  was  born 
February  14,  1813,  in  Bedford  County.  He  is  one  of  seven  children,  the  fruits  of  the  mar- 
riage of  David  Gordon  and  Mary  Reynolds,  natives  of  South  Carolina.  The  parents  came 
to  this  county  about  1809  and  the  father  followed  farming  all  his  life.  He  died  when 
Samuel  B.  was  quite  small.  The  mother  died  in  1836;  she  was  a member  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  Mr.  Gordon,  our  subject,  was  reared  on  a farm  and  secured  a common 
school  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three  he  married  and  settled  to  farming  four 
miles  east  of  Shelbyville.  He  afterward  moved  to  Flat  Creek,  in  this  county,  and  lived 
there  eighteen  years;  thence  lie  moved  to  where  he  now  lives.  He  owns  about  190  acres 
of  fine  land,  having  been  successful  as  a lifetime  farmer.  He  was  married,  October  20. 
1835,  to  Amelia  Eules,  a native  of  this  county,  born  in  1817.  Twelve  children  have  becu 
born  to  this  union,  all  of  whom  have  lived  to  be  grown,  but  four  of  whom  have  since  died, 
viz.-  Mary  C.  (wife  of  Thomas  Hutton,  a fanner  of  Marshall  County);  George  W.  (de- 
ceased); Harriet  E.  (wife  of  J.  R.  Burrow,  a farmer  of  this  county);  Adam  E.  (deceased); 
Amzi  C.  (deceased);  William  J.,  a labor  superintendent  in  Alabama;  Mitchell  S.,  a merchant 
in  Texas;  Martin  L.  (deceased);  John  A.,  a States  district  attorney  in  Texas;  Samuel  B., 
Jr.;  Margaret  E.  and  Amelia  ft.  (wife  of  G.  S.  Sanders).  Mr.  Gordon,  his  wife  and  sev- 
eral of  the  family  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  Church.  He  is  a Master  Mason  in  Blue 
Lodge  Masonry,  and  a Republican  in  politics.  He  was  trustee  of  Bedford  Count}*  for 
about  three  terms  about  the  close  of  the  war. 

RICHARD  I).  GORDON  was  born  February  8,  1834,  and  is  the  son  of  Dr.  William  3. 
and  Louisa  B.  (Hix)  Gordon.  The  father  of  cur  subject  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
February  16,  1813,  and  when  a young  man  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Bed- 
ford County.  He  received  his  medical  education  at  the  medical  school  of  Gainesville, 
Ala.,  and  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Bedford  County.  He  was  very  success 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1153 


ful  as  a physician,  and  won  distinction  in  the  county  where  he  resided.  In  1846  he  was 
married  to  Miss  Louisa  B.  Hix,  and  to  this  union  were  born  four  children:  Dosia,  Richard 
D.,  and  two  who  died  in  infancy  that  were  not  uamed.  Dr.  Gordon  died  at  his  home  in 
Bedford  County  August  ‘20,  1875,  beloved  by  all.  Our  subject  had  the  advantage  of  a good 
practical  education  in  his  native  county.  In  1875  he  was  married  to  Miss  Callie  Burrow, 
and  five  children  blessed  this  union:  Euphus  A.,  William  F.,  Clawson  R.,  Albert  P.  and 
Anna  B.,  all  living.  Mr.  Gordon  has  made  farming  a success.  He  owns  160  acres  of  land 
in  the  Twenty-third  District,  and  is  esteemed  by  all  his  acquaintances. 

N.  W.  HALEY  is  a son  of  E.  T.  and  Susanna  (Pratt)  Haley,  natives  of  Virginia  and 
North  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  was  born  in  1779.  and  received  a fair  education. 
When  about  seventeen  j'ears  of  age  he  went  to  North  Carolina  and  engaged  iu  farming, 
and  was  there  married  in  1804.  and  became  the  father  of  these  nine  children:  Anderson, 
James,  Mary  B.,  Nancy,  Martha,  William  S.,  George,  E.  T.  (Jr.),  and  N.  W.  Mr.  Haley 
came  to  Tennessee  in  1806,  and  located  iu  Rutherford  County,  but  in  1829  came  to  Bedford 
County,  and  in  1841  moved  to  the  farm  known  as  “Oak  Grove,”  where  he  died  March  23, 
1858.  He  was  an  1812  soldier.  Mrs.  Haley  died  March  26, 1844.  Our  subject  was  born  in 
Bedford  County  February  1. 1824,  and  his  early  days  were  passed  in  laboring  on  his  father’s 
farm.  His  educational  opportunities  were  limited,  owing  to  his  services  being  required 
at  home,  but  by  contact  with  business  life  he  has  gained  a fair  business  education.  He  is 
a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  a Democrat  in  his  political  views.  He  belongs  to  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  V.  HALL  was  born  March  31,  1841,  iii  Bedford  County,  Tenu.,  and  is  the  el- 
der of  two  children  born  to  Joshua  and  Margaret  (Swift)  Hall,  both  natives  of  Bedford 
County.  The  father  was  born  about  1804,  and  died  in  1S54.  The  mother  was  born  Sep- 
tember 14,  1815,  and  is  still  living.  Flower  Swift,  our  subject’s  maternal  grandfather, 
was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  June  3,  17S7.  and  died  in  January,  1851.  His  wife, 
Catherine  Swift,  was  also  born  in  North  Carolina,  October  16,  1791,  and  died  in  1861.  The 
paternal  grandparents  of  our  subject  were  born  about  1775  or  1776.  in  the  State  of  North 
Carolina,  and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  at  a very  early  date.  Our  subject  was  reared  on 
the  farm,  and  remained  on  the  same  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  He  then  entered 
the  Confederate  service  in  Company  F,  Forty-first  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  was  captured 
together  with  the  entire  regiment  at  Fort  Donclson.  He  was  taken  first  to  Lafayette, 
and  after  remaining  there  about  three  weeks  was  taken  to  Camp  Morton,  Indianapolis. 
Ind.,  where  they  remained  about  seven  months.  They  were  then  exchanged  at  Vicks- 
burg, Miss.  Mr.  Hall  was  in  but  two  battles  in  Tennessee:  Chickamauga  and  Missionary 
Ridge.  After  these  battles  his  regiment  was  ordered  to  Georgia  and  Mississippi.  lie  was 
discharged  at  Dalton,  Ga.,  in  1864,  on  account  of  his  health.  He  then  came  home  and 
bought  a half  interest  in  the  mill  property  that  he  now  owns,  known  as  ‘‘Hall’s  Mills.” 
In  1874  he  bought  the  entire  interest  of  the  mill,  and  since  that  time  he  has  operated  the 
mill  on  bis  own  responsibility.  April  6,  1871.  he  wedded  Ella  F.  Turrentine,  of  this 
county.  Sbc  was  born  November  24,  1854.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  chil- 
dren: William  J..  Emmett  E.,  John  T.,  Joseph  E.  and  Sammy  R.  Mr.  Hall  was  elected  to 
the  office  of  magistrate  in  the  year  1871,  and  has  served  in  that  capacity  for  the  last  fif- 
teen years.  He  is  magistrate  at  the  present  time,  and  fills  the  office  in  au  able  manner, 
lie  received  a comparatively  good  education,  and  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

HIRAM  HARRIS,  Esq.,  was  born  September  17,  1814,  in  Roane  County,  N.  C.,  and 
is  the  son  of  John  Harris,  a native  of  Harrisburg.  Penn.,  born  about  1775.  That  city  de- 
rived its  name  from  our  subject’s  great-great-grandfather,  John  Harris,  who  donated  the 
property  where  Harrisburg  now  stands  to  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  for  the  purpose  of 
building  that  city.  Our  subject  passed  his  early  days  on  the  farm,  and  after  reaching 
years  of  discretion  began  farming  for  himself.  He  also  partially  educated  himself,  and 
chose  school-teaching  as  his  profession.  May  5.  1842,  lie  wedded  Lucy  A.  Tillford.  of  this 
county.  In  1850  he  taught  ten  months  in  Texas,  and  in  1862  taught  five  mouths  in  the 
State  of  Mississippi.  Since  then  lie  has  been  teaching  exclusively  in  this  State.  Iu  1844 


1154 


BIOGR  AFRICA  L APPENDIX. 


be  was  elected  to  the  office  of  magistrate  in  the  Sixth  District,  but  resigned  the  office  at 
the  end  of  two  years,  and  was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Eighteenth  District  in  187:3  and 
re-elected  the  following  term.  In  1SS0  Mr.  Harris  was  one  of  the  delegates  to  the  conven- 
tion in  Nashville,  to  nominate  a candidate  for  governor.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  in  good  standing  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  HART  is  a son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Fossett)  Hart,  who  were  born  in  North 
Carolina,  and  became  the  parents  of  nine  children:  Stephen,  Thomas.  Susan.  Rachel, 
John,  Lucretia,  Nathaniel  B..  Mary  A.  and  William  G.  Mr.  Hart  came  to  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn.,  in  1S1G,  and  in  1827  moved  to  Bedford  County,  where  he  died  December 
10,  1856.  Mrs.  Hart  died  August  30,  1860.  She  was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Church.  Our  subject  was  born  April  20,  1819,  in  Rutherford  County,  and  the  major 
part  of  his  life  has  been  spent  on  a farm.  He  began  doiug  for  himself  as  a merchant,  and 
clerked  in  the  store  of  William  G.  Cowan,  of  Shelbyville.  He  was  married  in  December, 
1842,  to  Virginia  Holder,  daughter  of  John  W.  Holder,  and  by  her  is  the  father  of  four 
children:  James  H.,  Catherine  E.,  John  W.  and  Carrie  B.,  all  of  whom  are  dead  save  one. 
For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Hart  took  Narcbsa  (Phillips)  Jennings,  daughter  of  Garrett 
Phillips.  They  have  one  child,  Lillian  C.  In  1847  he  removed  to  his  present  place  of 
abode,  on  the  Murfreesboro  Pike,  five  miles  from  Shelbyville.  Mr.  Hart  served  in  the 
United  States  Army  for  about  one  year  in  the  late  war.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics, 
and  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Hart  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

W.  R.  HAYNES,  furniture  dealer  and  undertaker,  was  born  June  29,  1844,  in  Will- 
iamson County,  Tenn.,  being  a son  of  R.  R.  and  Sarah  A.  (Merritt)  Haynes.  The  father 
was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  about  1808,  was  a cabinet-maker  by  trade  and  died 
in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  in  1867.  The  mother  was  born  about  1810 and  is  yet  living. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  at  Triune,  Williamson  Couuty,  and  learned  his 
father’s  trade.  He  served  throughout  the  war  in  Company  F,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
and  received  a wound  at  Wartrace  in  a skirmish.  He  was  in  all  the  important  battles  of 
the  southwest  with  Forrest’s  brigade.  For  a time  be  theu  earned  his  living  at  manual 
employment  and  then  for  two  years  he  conducted  a furniture  and  undertaking  business  at 
Triune.  In  October,  1872,  he  came  to  Shelbyville  and  opened  up  his  business  and  has 
been  very  successful  ever  since.  He  was  married  May  31,  1876,  to  Mollie  E.  Summers, 
the  result  of  this  union  being  four  children:  Mary  B.,  Kate  S.,  Sadie  and  William  R.,  Jr. 
All  the  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  Mr.  Haynes  being 
a steward  in  the  church.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat,  and  he  is  an  enterprising  citizen  of 
this  county. 

W.  G.  HIGHT.  proprietor  of  the  National  Livery  Stable,  was  born  March  27,  1845,  in 
Bedford  Count}*,  being  a son  of  W.  G.  and  Naomi  (Patterson)  Hight.  both  natives  of 
Bedford  County.  The  father  was  a farmer;  he  was  born  in  1818.  He  was  a successful 
farmer  and  trader,  and  was  prominently  connected  with  public  affairs  of  the  county.  He 
died  in  1881  in  Arkansas,  where  he  had  moved  in  1867.  The  mother  died  about  1875:  now 
but  two  of  the  family  are  living  in  the  county.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm;  at  the 
age  of  twenty  he  married  and  began  farming,  and  continued  to  farm  till  1871.  lie  then 
engaged-in  merchandising  at  Rover.  Bedford  C’o.,  Tenn.,  till  1878,  and  alsoowned  an  inter- 
est.in  a mercantile  trade  at  Wartrace  from  1876  till  1878.  He  then  ran  a mill  and  stock 
business  at  Rover  till  1884,  wheh  he  went  to  Bellbuckle,  and  for  a short  time  soid  goods 
there.  He  then  engaged  in  the  livery  business  in  Shelbyville,  now  doing  an  extensive 
trade.  He  also  owns  a farm  of  140  acres  and  a saw-mill.  He  was  married  in  1865  to  Miss 
Lucy  J.  Taylor,  the  result  of  this  union  being  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living, 
viz.:  Eula  1L,  Naomi  E.,  Mary  N.,  William  E.  J.,  Alice  (the  one  who  died)  and  Nola  P. 
Mr.  Hight  and  family  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  lie  is  a member  of 
the  F.  A A.  M.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  citizens  of 
Shelbyville,  and  takes  special  interest  in  securing  to  his  children  good  educational  advan- 
tages. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1155 


WILLIAM  S.  HIX.  farmer,  was  born  May  14.  18*35,  and  is  the  son  of  Deinarcus  D. 
and  Malinda  (Stewart)  Hix.  The  father  of  our  subject  was  born  in  Halifax  County.  Va., 
in  1801.  and  when  only  five  years  of  age  he.  with  his  father,  immigrated  to  Tennessee 
and  settled  in  Bedford  County.  He  was  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  was  married 
when  quite  young.  He  was  the  father  of  twelve  children,  all  of  whom  were  reared  to 
maturity.  He  died  September  19.  18T3,  a pious  member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church.  His  wife  followed  him  April  30,  1ST4.  and  was  a member  of  the  same  church. 
Our  subject  has  always  been  a farmer,  and  in  1847  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  A.  Word, 
a native  of  Bedford  County.  The  result  of  this  union  was  twelve  children,  viz.:  John  A. 
(deceased).  James  H.  (deceased),  Benjamin  F..  Asenith  M.  (deceased),  Demarcus  D..  Will- 
iam W.,  Martha  W.  J.  (deceased),  Ailsey  C..  Louisa  F.  (deceased).  Mary  E.,  Joseph  J.  and 
Lillie  A.  Mr.  Hix  owns  474  acres  of  land  in  the  Twenty-third  District  of  Bedford 
County,  is  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church  and  a leading  citizen. 

J.  H.  HIX  was  born  August  15,  1855,  in  Bedford  County,  being  a son  of  J.  L.  Hix.  a 
retired  fanner,  living  in  Shelbyville.  The  father  was  born  and  raised  in  Bedford  County, 
as  was  the  mother,  nee  Hulda  Holt,  also.  She  died  in  1883.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  reared  on  a farm  to  the  age  of  fifteen,  when  he  beg*an  clerking  in  the  grocery  busi- 
ness. In  1880  he  opened  up  the  bar  and  confeetiouery  business,  which  he  has  ever  since 
very  successfully  continued,  hie  was  married,  January  27,  1881,  to  Miss  Ada  Harmon,  a 
native  of  Warren  County,  Tenn.,  then  living  in  Xashville.  One  son,  John,  has  been  born 
to  this  union.  Mr.  Hix  is  a member  of  the  Republican  party.  He  has  never  aspired  to 
any  public  office,  but  he  does  a thriving  business  in  his  line. 

BERRY  I).  HOLT  was  born  March  4,  1824.  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  on  a farm  ad- 
joining the  one  where  he  now  resides.  Ilis  father,  Henry  Holt,  was  a native  of  Orange 
County,  N.  C.,  and  immigrated  with  his  parents  to  Tennessee  when  a small  boy.  He  was 
born  in  1792,  and  married  Miss  Elizabeth  McGuire,  a native  of  Kentucky,  who  came  to 
this  State  when  a child,  and  who  was  of  Irish  descent.  Henry  Holt  was  of  German  de- 
scent, and  a farmer  by  occupation.  He  died  in  1864.  The  mother  still  survives.  Our 
subject  was  educated  in  the  country  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  lived  with  his  par- 
ents until  reaching  his  majority.  For  a number  of  years  after  this  he  followed  farming 
and  trading  in  stock.  About  1860  he  began  railroading  as  a train  conductor  on  the  Xash- 
ville & Chattanooga  Railroad,  and  on  the  accommodation  train  between  Xashville  and 
Wartrace  for  about  fifteen  years.  After  that,  and  up  to  the  year  1885,  he  ran  a through 
train  between  Hickman  and  Chattanooga,  and  superintended  his  farm.  In  1885  he  quit 
railroading  on  account  of  failing  health,  and  now  devotes  his  attention  principally  to 
farming.  In  1848  he  married  Miss  Lucretia  Hart,  a native  of  this  county,  and  to  them 
were  born  five  children:  Bettie,  William  T.,  John  W.,  Mattie  and  James  B.  The  mother 
of  these  children  died  May,  1863,  and  in  1869  their  father  married  Mrs.  Mary  Roundtree, 
formerly  Mary  Kublev,  a native  of  Switzerland.  She  is  the  mother  of  one  child — Maggie 
— by  her  first  husband,  Maj.  William  Roundtree.  Our  subject  was  a colonel  of  the  militia 
during  the  fifties,  and  during  the  late  war,  while  acting  as  railroad  conductor,  his  railroad 
was  held  by  the  Federal  Army.  He  is  one  of  the  trustees  of  the  Wartrace  Male  and  Fe- 
male Institute,  and  owns  a fine  farm  of  290  acres.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JOHN  W.  HOLT  was  born  February  22,  1855,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.  ; son  of  B. 
D.  and  Lucretia  (Hart)  Holt,  natives  also  of  this  county.  The  father  is  one  of  the  promi- 
nent farmers  of  the  county.  The  mother  died  in  1863.  Our  subject  was  educated  at  the 
Wartrace  High  School,  and  lived  with  and  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm  until  he  was 
about  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  then  took  a course  in  the  telegraphing  department  of 
the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  In  1875  he  took  charge  of  the  telegraph 
office  at  McEwen,  Tenn.,  and  remained  there  seven  months.  He  was  then  assigned  the 
office  at  Johnsonville,  which  he  declined,  and  in  1877  took  charge  of  the  office  at  Chris- 
tiana and  remained  there  three  years.  He  then  took  charge  of  the  agency  of  the  railroad 
and  telegraph  office  at  McMinnville,  where  he  remained  but  a short  time.  He  then  went 


1156 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


to  Nashville  ami  entered  the  general  book-keeping  office,  where  he  remained  eight  months. 
He  then  took  charge  of  the  Western  Union  telegraph  office  at  Bowling  Green,  Ivy.:  in  five 
months  he  left,  and  in  1S80  took  charge  of  the  ticket,  telegraph  and  Southern  Express 
office  at  Wartrace,  where  he  now  resides.  In  1882  he  married  Miss  Blanch  Halbach,  a 
native  of  Virginia,  and  this  union  was  blessed  by  two  children:  Cecil  R.  and  Herbert  F. 
Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Royal  Arcanum,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

JAMES  HOOVER  was  born  July  29,  1814,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  son  of 
Christopher  and  Elizabeth  (Lotspeech)  Hoover.  The  father  was  born  about  1776,  in  Ger- 
many, as  also  was  the  mother  of  our  subject.  James  Hoover  was  the  eleventh  of  thirteen 
children  born  to  his  parents.  He  worked  on  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of 
age  after  which  he  engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  He  has  lived  in  this  and  the  two  ad- 
joining counties  (Rutherford  and  Coffee)  all  his  life.  December  26, 1837,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Susan  Moore,  a native  of  Virginia,  born  about  1820.  This  union  resulted  in 
the  birth  of  nine  children:  Robert  W.,  Clementine  F.,  Calladona  J.,  Martha  A,,  Mary  E., 
Elizabeth  E.,  Susan  O.,  Charles  M.  and  Hugh  L.  The  mother  died  about  1859  in  the  full 
fruition  of  the  Christian’s  hope.  In  February,  1862,  Mr.  Hoover  was  married  toM.  J.Winn. 
of  this  county.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  eleven  children:  Alice  D.,  Effie  M., 
George  C-,  Edward  O.,  Harvey  F.,  Cleopatra,  James  F.,  Benjamin,  Nancy  E.,  Albert  A. 
and  Anna  M.  Mr.  Hoover  was  elected  to  the  office  of  magistrate  several  years  ago,  but 
only  served  a short  time.  He  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  is- 
politically  a Democrat. 

SYD  HOUSTON,  mayor  of  Wartrace,  was  born  January  18,  1850,  in  Bedford  County, 
Tcnn.  His  father,  C.  F.  Houston,  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born  in  1809,  and  im- 
migrated to  this  State  when  about  twenty  years  of  age.  Here  he  married  Miss  Jane 
Worke,  who  was  also  a native  of  North  Carolina.  Tojhis  union  nine  children  were  born, 
of  whom  our  subject  is  the  sixth.  The  parents  of  our  subject  are  still  living,  and  his 
father  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  county.  Our  subject  lived  with  his  parents 
until  he  was  sixteen  years  old,  and  then  went  to  Shelbyville  and  clerked  in  the  store  of 
his  brother,  C.  P.  Houston,  Jr.  He  attended  school  at  this  place  for  three  years,  and  then 
taught  school  for  twenty  months.  He  then  read  medicine  and  took  a full  course  of  lect- 
ures in  Louisville,  Ky.  In  April,  1878,  he  opened  a drug  store  in  Wartrace,  where  he  still 
continues  the  business,  and  has  a large  and  successful  trade.  In  1S31  he  married  Miss 
Lilian  Shealey,  a native  of  Georgia.  Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Iv.  of  H.,  and  is  serv- 
‘ ing  his  first  term  as  mayor  of  Wartrace.  In  politics  he  is  a stanch  Republican. 

JAMES  B.  HUNTER,  farmer  and  teacher,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  E. 
W.  Hunter,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  father  when 
a mere  lad.  He  was  married  in  1830  to  Susanna  Wilson,  and  by  her  is  the  father  of  six 
children:  Sarah  M.,  Robert  P.,  Emily,  Margaret  M.,  Thomas  H.  M.  and  J.  B.  Mrs.  Hun- 
ter’s death  occurred  in  1848,  and  in  1849  Air.  Hunter  wedded  Margaret  B.  Jones,  and  to 
them  were  born  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Mr.  Hunter  died  in  1876  at 
his  residence  in  Marshall  Couutjr.  James  B.  Huuter  was  born  April  27,  1838,  and  was 
’•eared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  began  teaching  when  quite 
young,  and  then  clerked  in  a dry  goods  store  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  Rebellion, 
when  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  lieutenant  of 
his  company  and  acted  about  half  the  time  as  adjutant  of  the  regiment.  In  1862,  when 
the  army  was  reorganized;  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-second  Tennessee  Cavalry  and 
was  captured  near  Montgomery,  Ala.  lie  was  a participant  in  the  battles  of  Murfrees- 
boro, Chickamauga,  Chattanooga,  Knoxville,  Franklin  and  numerous  lesser  engagements. 
At  the  close  of  the  war  he  returned  home  and  in  1867  was  married  to  Mary  C.  Cooper, 
who  bore  him  the  following  family  of  children:  Ida  L.,  Sarah  E.,  Frank  W.  and  Charles 
P.  Mr.  Hunter  resides  near  Bellbuckle,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  members  cf  the  Method- 
ist Episcopal  Church  South. 

GEORGE  C.  HUFFMAN,  farmer,  born  April  13,  1830,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.;  son 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1157 


of  John  and  Mary  (Cortner)  Huffman,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  born  in 
1800  and  moved  to  Tennessee  in  1819.  He  was  of  German  descent  and  one  of  the  best 
farmers  of  the  county.  He  died  in  1877,  aud  his  wife  preceded  him  in  1875.  Our  sub- 
ject received  the  rudiments  of  his  education  in  the  county  schools,  and  subsequently  at 
Fairfield.  He  began  teaching  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  and  taught  two  sessions.  He  then 
bought  a farm  near  where  he  is  at  present  living.  In  18-58  he  married  Miss  Eliza  Phillips, 
a native  of  Bedford  County,  and  the  fruits  of  this  union  were  Mary  A.,  Mattie  J.,  Sallie 
A.,  Thomas  L.  and  Alice,  all  living  The  eldest,  Mary  A.,  is  now  Mrs.  William  Bennett, 
and  they  reside  in  California.  He  owns  a large  farm  of  480  acres  of  as  good  land  as  lies 
in  the  county.  It  is  in  a most  excellent  state  of  cultivation  and  is  known  as  Adams’  Bot- 
tom. He  has  most  excellent  buildings,  well  located,  and  his  house,  lawn  and  premises 
are  kept  in  a neat  and  tasteful  manner.  He  is  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  faith  and 
his  wife  is  a member  of  that  church.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

A.  J.  JARRELL,  one  of  Shelbyville’s  best  business  men,  was  born  March  15,  1845, 
in  I>a  vklson  Count}',  Teun.,  being  a son  of  Wesley  and  Martha  (Lovell)  Jarrell.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Kentaekjx  He  died  about  1854.  The  mother  was  born  in  1812, 
aud  is  now  living.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm.  In  1880  he  came* 
with  his  mother  to  Slielbyville.  and  farmed  a short  time,  and  then  worked  about  in  differ- 
ent vocations  till  1866.  He  then  learned  the  tinner’s  trade,  and  in  1868  opened  up  his 
business,  dealing  in  stoves  and  tinware.  He  has  been  quite  successful,  and  carries  on 
farming  also,  now  owning  a fine  farm  adjoining  Slielbyville.  He  carries  about  £5,000 
stock,  and  does  the  leading  business  of  the  kind  in  the  county.  In  1867  he  married  Miss 
Helen  Givens,  who  bore  him  six  children.  This  wife  died  in  1881,  and  in  1882  he  married 
Miss  Lina  Givens,  a sister  of  the  former  ■wife.  One  child  has  been  born  to  this  union. 
Mr.  Jarrell,  his  wife  and  eldest  daughter  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 
Mr.  Jarrell  is  a Blue  Lodge  Mason  and  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  Politically  he  is  a 
Republican.  He  served  one  year  in  Company  A,  Fourth  Tennessee  Mounted  Infantry, 
United  States  Army.  He  is  thoroughly  a self-made  man,  and  one  of  the  very'  prominent 
citizens  of  the  county. 


JAMES  D.  JEFFRESS  was  born  August  18,  1841,  in  Bedford  County.  His  father. 
Thomas  B.  Jeffress,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1803  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  about  1836. 
While  in  Virginia  he  wedded  Pollie  II.  Carter,  who  was  born  about  1805.  They  died  in 
1876  and  1856,  respectively.  James  was  the  fifth  of  their  seven  children.  He  entered  the 
Confederate  Army  in  1861,  in  Company  C,  Twenty-third  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  was 
through  the  entire  war,  but  was  not  wounded.  He  was  in  many  of  the  principal  battles, 
Shiloh,  Perryville,  Murfreesboro  and  Knoxville  being  examples.  Since  the  war  he  has 
farmed,  and  since  1878  has  tilled  the  old  homestead,  which  he  purchased.  March  7,  1807, 
he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Frances  A.  Clay,  born  in  Bedford  County,  February  16, 
1846.  Three  children  were  born  to  this  union:  Annie  Lee,  Sallie  H.  and  Thomas  Ewing. 
Mr.  Jeffress  has  a comfortable  competency  and  is  a man  of  intelligence  and  education. 
II 3 and  wife  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat 
politically. 

L.  K.  JONES  is  a native  of  Tennessee,  and  was  born  in  the  year  1816.  His  parents 
were  North  Carolinians  by  birth,  and  his  maternal  grandfather  served  his  country  faith- 
fully in  the  Revolutionary  war.  < The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm  by  one 
of  his  uncles,  Isaiah  Hammond,  and  lived  with  him  until  after  attaining  his  twenty  first 
birthday,  and  then  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself,  and  has  been  a tiller  of  the  soil  up 
to  the  present  time.  In  January,  1840,  he  united  his  fortunes  with  Miss  Nancy  Bryant, 
of  Bedford  County,  and  their  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  twelve  children,  seven  of 
whom  are  now  living,  Our  subject  has  been  quite  prosperous  in  bis  farming  enterprises, 
and  is  now  living  in  sight  of  the  first  house  that  was  ever  built  in  Bedford  County.  He 


received  limited  educational  advantages,  hut  has  always  manifested  a willing  ness  to  aid  in 
any  and  all  enterprises  pertaining  to  the  advancement  of  educational  interests.  His 
political  views  are  Democratic,  and  lie  gives  his  support  to  that  party.  He  has  always 


1158 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


been  scrupulously  honest  in  all  his  business  transactions,  and  is  considered  one  of  Bedford 
•County’s  most  substantial  citizens. 

THOMAS  J.  JONES  was  born  November  2,  1842,  in  Lincoln  County,  Teun..  near 
Petersburg,  being  one  of  the  family  of  children  born  to  the  union  of  Minos  C.  Jones  aud 
Fannie  Melson.  The  father  was  born  and  raised  in  Bedford  County.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  went  to  Lincoln  County,  where  he  married,  lived  and  died,  being  a farmer  by 
^occupation.  Thomas  J.  was  reared  on  a farm  with  his  parents  to  the  age  of  twenty-one. 
when  he  married  and  moved  to  Bedford  County  and  farmed  a short  time.  In  February. 
1867,  he  came  to  Shelby  ville  and  opened  a bar  and  confectionery  business.  He  removed 
to  Richmond,  Bedford  County,  in  a short  time,  and  in  1870  he  returned  to  Shelbyville. 
-where  he  has  remained  ever  since  in  the  bar  and  confectionery  business.  He  was  married 
April  1-L  1864,  to  Mary  E.  Harrison,  a native  of  this  county,  who  has  borne  to  him  eight 
children,  five  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  William  H..  Fannie  E.,  Katie  E.,  Samuel  R. 
aud  Albert  B.  Politically  Mr.  Jones  has  always  been  a Democrat.  His  wife  is  a member 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  his  eldest  daughter  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  He  has  been  very  successful  in  his  business,  and  is  a substantial 
business  man  of  Shelbyville. 

THOMAS  J.  JOYCE  was  born  August  20,  1847,  in  Bedford  County,  and  was  the  eld- 
est of  twelve  children  born  to  Anderson  and  Elizabeth  Joj'ce.  The  father  was  born 
December  24,  1820,  and  died  November  17,  1881.  He  was  a successful  farmer  aud  at  the 
time  of  his  death  was  worth  about  88,400  that  he  had  accumulated  by  his  own  unaided 
efforts.  The  mother  was  born  about  1830  and  is  still  living.  Our  subject  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  Company 
A,  Col.  Hill’s  cavalry  regiment.  He  was  in  but  one  battle  before  the  surrender — the  bat- 
tle of  Franklin.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  and  his  eldest  brother  engaged  in  the  stock 
business,  buying  and  selling  horses  and  cattle,  and  this  they  continued  very  successfully 
up  to  1883.  September  24,  1874,  he  wedded  Bettie  Bounds,  of  this  county.  The  results  of 
this  union  were  two  children:  C.  A.,  born  February  7.  1876,  and  L.  P.,  born  December 
12,  1879.  Mr.  Joyce  is  a good  citizen  and  is  scrupulously  honest  in  ever}’  particular.  He 
is  a law-abiding  man;  never  was  sued  or  had  a lawsuit  in  his  life.  He  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  politically  a Democrat  and  a mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  lodge,  which  bod}'  he  joined  about  1870. 

SAMUEL  F.  KNOTT,  a genial  and  enterprising  citizen  of  Shelbyville,  is  a son  of 
Anderson  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Tune)  Knott.  The  father  is  now  residing  in  Chattanooga, 
where  he  follows  the  carpenter’s  trade.  He  came  to  Shelbyville  in  his  childhood  and  re- 
mained here  till  about  1876,  when  he  removed  to  Chattanooga.  The  mother  died  in  1871. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  September  3.  1848,  in  this  county.  He  secured  only 
a common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began  clerking  in  a drug  store  and 
continued  in  that  vocation  for  fourteen  years.  He  then  went  to  Nashville  and  traveled 
fer  William  Lit terer  A Co.,  wholesale  druggists,  for  nearly  five  years.  He  then  returned  to 
Shelbyrolie,  and  established  the  drug  trade,  in  which  he  has  met  with  well  deserved  suc- 
cess. He?  carries  a stock  of  about  87,000  and  does  a large  business.  He  was  married  in 
1870  to  Julia  B.  Steele,  a native  of  this  county.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union,  two  of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Willie  and  Auuie.  He  is  an  elder  in  the  Presbyte- 
rian Church,  and  his  wife  and  daughter  are  also  members  of  that  church.  For  four  years 
he  has  been  an  elder  of  the  church,  aud  was  a deacon  for  ten  years  previous.  Politically 
he  is  a Republican.  He  is  one  of  the  highly  respected,  energetic  business  men  of  the 
county.. 

C.  M.  KINCAID  was  born  December  24,  1830,  in  Anderson  County  Tenn.  II is  fa- 
ther, Cliaigau  Kincaid,  was  also  a native  of  that,  county.  His  paternal  grandparents  were 
both  natives  of  Ireland  and  his  maternal  grandparents  were  natives  of  England,  the 
.grand father  serving  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  when  peace  was  declared  took  the  oatb 
of  allegiance  to  the  United  States.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  aud  worked  on 
(the  same  till  lie  was  twenty  years  of  age.  after  which  he  began  working  for  himself  at  the 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1159 


same  business  until  the  beginning  of  the  late  war.  He  entered  the  Confederate  Army  in 
1S63,  enlisting  in  Company  B.  Fifth  Tennessee  Cavalry.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  re- 
turned home  without  a wound  or  without  ever  having  been  captured  during  the  time  lie 
was  in  service.  Up  to  the  time  of  the  war  he  had  been  quite  prosperous  but  that  fearful 
catastrophe  swept  away  nearly  all  his  property.  Since  that  time  he  has  met  with  many 
reverses  but  the  scale  of  fortune  finally  turned  in  his  favor,  and  lie  is  now  in  compara- 
tively good  circumstances.  Previous  to  the  war.  iu  1850,  he  wedded  Elizabeth  Barnard, of 
Tennessee.  Her  father  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Barnardsville,  the  town  deriving  its 
name  from  him.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  eight  children:  Louisa.  Syrene, 
Sarah  G.,  C'lingan,  Alta,  Erie,  Cilena  and  Albert  J.  Mr.  Kincaid  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

WILLIAM  L.  KIMBRO,  a merchant  of  Singleton.  Tenn..  was  born  February  8,  1S-56, 
and  is  one  of  three  children  born  to  Riley  J.  and  Martha  A.  (Span)  Kimbro.  The  father 
was  born  and  reared  in  this  State,  and  was  by  occupation  a farmer  and  mechanic.  He 
was  married  twice,  our  subject’s  mother  being  his  first  wife.  She  was  the  mother  of 
these  children:  William  L.,  James  and  Frederick  D..and  died  in  1801.  Mr.  Kimbro  took  for 
his  second  wife  Mrs.  Margaret  Raney  {nee  Robertson),  and  six  children  blessed  this  union: 
Charles  H.,  Ilenry.  Minnie,  Walter,  Ira  and  Zannie.  Riley  Kimbro  was  a member  of  the 
Lutherau  Church,  and  died  October  4,  188-5.  Our  subject  had  the  advantage  of  a good 
practical  education,  and  in  1S79  was  joined  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matrimony  to  Miss  Ten- 
nie  J.  Coleman.  The  result  of  this  union  was  four  children:  Marvin  L.,  Roy  E.,  Argie 
L.  and  Hoyt.  Roy  E.  died  in  1883.  In  1882  Mr.  Kimbro  engaged  in  the  mercantile  busi- 
ness at  Singleton,  Tenn.,  and  lias  since  that  time  continued  the  business  at  that  place. 
He  carries  a stock  of  $1,500,  and  is  doing  a business  of  $3,500,  and  also  runs  a black- 
smith shop  in  the  same  town.  He  is  a member  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  is  a leading 
and  highly  respected  citizen. 

JACKSOX  G.  KIMERY,  a prominent  farmer  of  the  Twenty-third  District  of  Bedford 
County,  was  born  January  30,  1854,  son  of  Edwin  and  Caroline  (Greer)  Kirnery.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Xorth  Carolina,  and  in  1828  he,  in  company  with  his  father,  immi- 
grated to  Tennessee,  settling  on  the  place  where  they  now  reside.  Edwin  Kirnery  was  the 
father  of  nine  children,  having  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was  Miss  Bettie  Kiser, 
and  there  were  four  children  born  to  this  union.  After  her  death,  which  occurred  some 
time  in  1840,  Mr.  Kirnery  married  Miss  Caroline  Greer,  our  subject’s  mother,  and  five 
children  were  born  to  them.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-two  he  w*as  married  to  Miss  Harriet  Parks,  daughter  of  Dr.  Parks,  and  five  chil- 
dren blessed  their  union:  Edward  L.,  Alice,  Joseph  W.,  Leona  and  Frederick.  Leona  and 
Alice  died  in  1880  and  1884.  rcspectivel)*.  Mr.  Kirnery  has  always  been  a farmer,  and  has 
been  quite  successful  in  this  occupation.  He  owns  100  acres  of  good  land  in  a fine  state 
of  cultivation. 

HENRY  II.  LANDESS  is  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  July  22,  1818.  He  resided 
in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  uutil  1851,  when  he  moved  to  Bedford  County,  nc  traveled 
considerably  in  Missouri  and  Arkansas  in  early  life,  being  absent  about  six  years.  Shortly 
after  moving  to  Bedford  County  he  located  on  his  present  farm,  consisting  of  212  acres  of 
fertile  land,  furnished  with  a neat  cottage.  December  3.  1850,  he  was  married  to  Lucinda 
S.  Hix,  who  was  born  October  G,  1832,  and  died  July  8,  1852,  leaving  one  child — Henry  1).. 
born  in  1851  and  died  July  10.  1852.  May  24,  1853,  Mr.  Landess  wedded  Susan  C.  Camp- 
bell, daughter  of  Alfred  and  Sallie  (Reeves)  Campbell.  Mrs.  Landess  was  born  May  10, 
1835,  and  has  borne  her  husband  the  following  children:  Sarah  M..  born  in  1854:  Alfred 
G.,  born  in  1850;  George  YV.,  born  in  1800;  Mary  F.,  born  in  1862;  Grace  C..  born  in  1805; 
William  G.,  born  in  1867:  Mittie  M.,  born  in  1872,  and  Henry  II.  born  in  1875.  Mr.  Lan- 
dess is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  church  members.  His  parents,  Henry 
and  Grace  (Thompson)  Landess,  were  born  in  Xorth  Carolina  and  Kentucky  in  1777  and 
1778,  rcspectivel)*.  The  father  moved  to  Kentucky  in  1789,  and  there  married  our  subject’s 
mother  in  1798,  and  became  the  father  of  thirteen  children.  They  came  to  Tennessee  at 
an  early  period,  and  died  in  Lincoln  County  in  18G3  and  1801,  respectively. 


1100 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


GEORGE  L.  LANDIS,  M.  D..  was  born  in  Bedford  County  March,  31,  1847,  son  of 
Bryant  and  Margaret  (Ogilvie)  Landis.  His  early  days  were  spent  in  laboring  on  his  fa- 
ther's farm  and  in  attending  the  common  schools.  October  5.  1865,  he  began  the  study 
of  medicine  with  his  brother.  Dr.  J.  A.  Landis,  of  Kentucky,  and  in  September,  1869,  he 
entered  the  Medical  University  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  He  practiced  a short  time  and  con- 
tinued to  read  under  Dr.  W.  F.  Clary,  and  in  the  fall  of  1S70  again  entered  the  University 
of  Nashville,  and  graduated  in  March  of  the  following  year.  Since  that  time  he  has  prac- 
ticed in  Marshall  and  Bedford  Counties,  and  since  May  7,  1SS3,  has  been  a resident  of  Un- 
ionville,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  the  place.  He  attended  the  New  York 
Polyclinic  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  in  the  fall  of  1885.  He  was  married,  November  4, 
1875,  to  Mrs.  Carrie  Locke,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  five  children,  two  of  whom 
are  dead.  Those  living  are  Alice,  Florence  and  Robbie.  Since  eleven  years  of  age  the 
Doctor  has  been  a church  member,  and  is  now  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

CHARLES  W.  LEFTWICH,  although  not  long  a resident  of  Bedford  County,  is  one 
of  the  enterprising  dry  goods  merchants  of  Shelbyville.  He  was  born  in  Moore  County, 
Tenn.,  April  16,  1S50.  His  father.  Littleberry  Leftwich,  was  born  in  this  State.  He  has 
been  a farmer  and  merchant  most  of  his  lifetime,  and  is  now  conducting  a mercantile 
trade  for  Charles  W.  at  Talley,  Marshall  Co.,  Tenn.  The  mother  died  in  1854.  The  sub- 
ject of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm.  He  received  his  education  mainly  in  Mulberry 
Academy  of  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.  He  then  taught  school  about  four  years.  In  1879  he 
engaged  in  merchandising  in  Moore  County,  Tenn.,  and  continued  successfully  until  *he 
spring  of  1885,  when  he  established  his  business  at  Talley,  which  is  now  conducted  by  bis 
father.  In  December,  1885,  lie  began  his  business  here  and  has  continued  successfully 
ever  since,  with  a stock  of  810.090  or  812,000  of  dry  goods  and  notions,  boot  and  shoes, 
hats  and  caps,  clothing,  etc.  He  was  married,  in  1875,  to  Miss  Maggie  Morring,  of  Ala- 
bama. This  union  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth  of  five  children,  four  of  whom  are  now 
living,  viz.:  Clayton  W.,  Thomas  E.  Nina  P.  and  Littleberry.  Mr.  Leftwich  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Politically  he  has  always  been  a Democrat. 

JAMES  M.  LENTZ  was  born  in  Bedford  County  February  15,  1828.  His  father, 
Benjamin  Lentz,  was  born  in  1800  in  North  Carolina,  and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  in 
1818,  settling  five  and  a half  miles  southwest  of  Shelbyville,  and  lived  there  to  the  date  of 
his  death,  which  occurred  in  1878.  Our  subject’s  mother,  Penelope  (Bussy)  Lentz,  was 
born  about  180S,  and  is  still  living.  Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and  re- 
ceived his  education  in  the  common  district  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  went  to 
New  Orleans,  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  remaining  there  about  six  or  seven 
years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  carpenter’s  trade,  and  continued  this  business  about  six  or 
seven  years,  after  which  he  began  farming,  and  has  successfully  continued  this  occupation 
up  to  the  present  time.  He  was  married,  February  14,  1861,  to  Elizabeth  Lawell,  a na- 
tive of  Tennessee,  born  April  15,  1837,  and  to  them  were  born  nine  children:  John  II., 
Samuel  J..  Robert  M.,  Ethan  A.,  Babe,  Mary  L.  A.,  Necy,  Eddie  E.,  and  one  died  un- 
named. Mr.  Lentz  is  politically  a Democrat.  He  is  a self-made  man,  having  accumu- 
lated his  wealth  by  his  own  unaided  efforts. 

DR.  THOMAS  LIPSCOMB,  one  of  Bedford  County’s  oldest  and  best  citizens,  was 
born  in  Louisa  County,  Ya.,  July  ‘22,*  1808,  to  the  marriage  of  William  Lipscomb  and  Ann 
Day  Cook,  natives  of  Spottsylvania  and  Louisa  Counties,  Ya.,  respectively.  The  father 
was  killed  by  a falling  tree  in  January,  1829,  having  been  a farmer.  The  mother  attained 
the  ripe  age  of  ninety  years,  and  her  old  age  was  marked  with  great  vitality.  "With  her 
own  hands  she  knit  over  100  pairs  of  socks  for  the  Confederate  soldiers  after  she  had 
passed  eighty  years  of  age.  She  lived  nearly  forty  years  a widow.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  reared  with  his  parents  on  a farm,  and  received  a common  school  education. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  went  to  Winchester,  Tenn.,  and  began  the  study  o?  medicine. 
Thence  he  attended  the  Medical  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  whither  he 
proceeded  and  returned  the  most  of  the  way  on  horseback.  After  one  course  of  lectures 


■ 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1101 


he  returned  to  Franklin  County,  Tenn.,  where  his  parents  had  moved  in  1826.  In  1831 
he  came  to  Shelbyville,  where  he  has  speut  a lifetime  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  sur- 
gery and  obstetrics,  and  has  attained  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  has  been  president 
of  the  Medical  Society  of  Tennessee,  of  the  Bedford  County  Medical  Society  and  of  the 
Female  Institute  at  Shelbyville.  Since  entering  into  the  practice  of  his  profession  the 
honorary  title  of  M.  D.  has  been  conferred  upon  him  by  the  University  of  Louisville  and 
by  the  University  of  Tennessee.  He  has  been  successful  financially.  Since  1855  he  has 
carried  on  farming.  He  is  the  president  and  largest  stockholder  of  the  Victor  Mills,  of 
Shelbyville,  and  was  the  president  of  the  Branch  Bank  of  Tennessee  at  Shelbyville  at  the 
opening  of  the  war.  The  advancement  of  the  schools  and  churches  is  due  greatly  to  him. 
For  two  years  he  held  the  Shelbyville  postoffice,  the  emoluments  of  which  he  allowed  to 
the  widow  of  a former  postmaster.  He  is  not  now*  actively  engaged  in  the  practice,  but 
at  the  age  of  seventy-three  he  successfully  performed  the  difficult  ovariotomy  operation 
for  the  first  time  in  his  life.  He  was  married.  May  22,  1832.  to  Rebecca  Stevenson,  who 
bore  him  ten  children,  all  of  whom  were  raised.  This  wife  died  December  6.  1880,  and 
he  then  wedded,  October  26,  1882,  Miss  Mary  A.  Cowan.  Dr.  Lipscomb  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  as  was  his  first  wife.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat, 
and  wields  large  influence  as  a worth}*  citizen  of  the  county. 

JACOB  LYNX,  farmer,  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Tenn.,  December  23,  1827,  son 
of  Andrew*  J.  and  Isabella  (Hawes)  Lynn,  and  of  English  extraction.  The  father  of  our 
subject  was  born  in  Warren  County,  Tenn..  in  1805,  and  the  mother  in  Virginia  about 


1808.  They  were  married  about  the  year  1826,  and  reared  a family  of  seven  children. 
The  father  died  in  Coffee  County,  Tenn.,  Februaiy  13,  iSoO,  and  the  mother  died  in 
Arkansas  in  1865.  Jacob  Lynn,  Sr.,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject,  and  Benjamin  Stin- 
nett, the  grandfather  of  the  la>t  Mrs.  Lynn,  the  wife  of  our  subject,  were  both  in  the  war 
of  1812,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  Our  subject  received  a practical 
education  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began  business  for  him- 
self. During  the  civil  w*ar  he  enlisted  in  the  Twenty-third  Tennessee  Regiment  Infantrv, 
and  served  eighteen  months,  participating  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  and  was  discharged  at 
Tupelo,  Miss.,  on  account  of  his  age.  He  has  been  married  four  times.  The  first  mar- 
riage occurred  in  1847  to  Miss  Sarah  Stroud,  of  Coffee  County,  Tenn.,  and  resulted  in  the 
birth  of  one  sou,  John  A.,  w*ho  was  a soldier  in  the  late  war.  Our  subject  was  married 
the  second  time.  October  13.  1859,  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  L.  Giles,  daughter  of  Noble  L. 
Majors.  Of  this  alliance  there  were  two  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter,  named, 
respectively,  Joseph  T.  and  Louise  Jane.  Mrs.  Lynn  was  bom  July  4,  1820,  and  died  in 
the  same  county  October  15,  1876.  Mr.  Lynn  w*as  married  the  third  time,  September  14. 
1877,  to  Mrs.  Mary  A.  Moses,  a native  of  Tennessee,  born  March  2,  1832,  and  died  January 
26,  1884.  His  last  marriage  occurred  April  23,  1885,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  to  Miss 
Rebecca  Hill,  daughter  of  Jacob  Hill.  This  lady  was  born  November  24,  1841.  Mr. 
Lynn  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church. 

LEVI  MADISON'S  birth  occurred  July  1,  1322.  in  the  State  of  Kentucky.  His  par- 


ents dames  and  Minnie  (Loyd)  Madison,  were  also  born  in  Kentucky,  and  died  when  our 
subject  was  quite  young.  He  made  his  home  with  Samuel  Thompson  until  he  was  four- 
teen years  old  and  in  1839  went  to  Texas,  where  he  lived  one  year  and  then  returned.  He 
worked  at  the  blacksmith’s  trade  in  Shelbyville  four  years  and  then  farmed  one  year,  and 
then  continued  his  trade  seven  years.  In  1852,  he  purchased  the  Ransom  Stephens  farm, 
where  he  lived  up  to  1883.  He  then  moved  to  his  present  place  of  residence.  Will- 
iam D.  W.  is  a son  born  to  his  union  with  Nancy  J.  Collier,  which  took  place  March  22. 
1849.  She  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  and  is  a daughter  of  William  and  Polly  Collier. 
Our  subject  lias  accumulated  a comfortable  competency  by  his  own  unaided  efforts,  and 
he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  lie  is  a Republican, 
and  up  to  the  date  of  the  late  war  was  an  old-line  Whig. 

GABRIEL  MAUPIN  is  a native  Virginian,  born  September  7,  1810,  and  son  of  Blan 
and  Sallie  (Brown)  Maupin,  who  were  born  in  the  “Old  Dominion”  in  1770  and  1772. 


1162 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


respectively.  They  were  married  about  1700.  and  became  the  parents  of  five  sons  and 
five  daughters,  our  subject  being  the  only  one  living.  The  family  came  to  Tennessee 
about  1811,  and  here  the  father  died  in  18*20  and  the  mother  in  1832.  Our  subject  has  fol- 
lowed farming  from  boyhood,  and  in  early  life  was  engaged  in  stock  trading.  He  owns  a 
farm  of  500  acres  on  Duck  River,  also  some  valuable  property  near  Shelbyville.  His  bus- 
iness career  has  made  him  well  known  throughout  the  county,  and  he  is  considered  one  of 
its  worthy  citizens.  He  was  married,  September  1,  1S44,  to  Miss  Sallie  Hickerson,  who 
was  born  January  2,  1820,  daughter  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Russeau)  Hickerson.  Mrs. 
Maupin  died  July  27,  1884,  having  borne  these  children:  Nanc}r  R.,  born  September  5, 
18-16;  Blan,  born  November  22,  1847,  and  died  September  7,  1884;  Sarah  Ann,  born  March 
10,  1849;  Joseph  H.,  born  August  21,  1851;  Gabriel,  born  September  12,  1853,  and  died 
April  15,  1879;  Thomas  H.,  born  December  18,  1855;  Marietta,  born  Dcember  23,  1858,  and 
Thornton  P.,  born  December  23,  1861.  Mr.  Maupin  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Church, 
and  is  a life-long  Democrat. 

T.  S.  MAYES.  James  Mayes  was  born  about  1788  in  Georgia,  and  came  to  Tennes- 
see in  1816.  He  married  Polly  Sparks,  who  was  a native  of  Georgia,  and  our  subject  was 
born  to  them  December  16.  1814.  He  resided  on  his  parents’  farm  until  twenty-one  years 
of  age  and  then  began  farming  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  has  continued  very  suc- 
cessfully up- to  the  present  date.  He  served  the  people  of  his  district  in  the  capacity  of 
constable  for  six  years,  being  first  elected  in  1840,  and  in  1852  was  elected  to  the  same 
office  for  two  years.  Since  that  time  he  has  farmed  exclusivel}r  and  has  accumulated  a 
good  property  through  his  own  exertions.  Anna  Catner  became  his  wife,  January  4.  1848, 
and  this  union  has  resulted  iu  ten  children,  seven  ol  whom  are  living:  Mary  E.  (Mrs.  J.  D. 
Blackwell),  Eliza  J.  (Mrs.  W.  R.  Woodard),  William  W.,  John  A.,  Martha  A.  (Mrs.  J.  A. 
Woodard),  James  L.  and  Harriett  F.  Mr.  Mayes  is  a man  of  great  decision  of  character 
and  is  strictljr  honest  and  exact  in  his  business  transactions.  He  and  Mrs.  Mayes  are 
members  of  the  Christian  Church  and  he  supports  the  Democratic  party. 

WILLIAM  McGILL,  a prominent  farmer  and  stock  raiser  of  Bedford  County,  was 
born  May  14,  1820.  He  is  the  son  of  James  and  Sallie  (Parker)  McGill.  The  father  of 
our  subject  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  in  1787,  and  at  an  early  day  immigrated  with  his 
father  to  the  United  States  and  settled  in  Virginia,  where  he  remained  several  years.  He 
then  moved  to  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was 
in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  He  was  married  in  1816,  and  was  the  father  of  seven  chil- 
dren: Nancy,  William,  Lucy,  Elizabeth,  Sallie,  Priscilla  and  James.  The  father  died  in 
1860  and  the  mother  in  1884.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm,  educated  in  the  coun- 
try schools,  and  in  1840  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Gardner.  Eight  children  were  the  re- 
sult of  this  union:  John  A.,  Sarah  J.,  Robert  P.,  Thomas  B.,  Franklin,  Lewis  Cass  (who 
died  September  28, 1874).  Bedford  and  Tennessee.  In  1874  Mr.  McGill  was  elected  trustee 
of  Bedford  County,  which  office  he  held  for  two  terms  in  a very  able  manner.  He  is  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  Church,  owns  a fine  tract  of  land  in  the  Twenty-third  District,  and  is 
one  of  the  representative  men  of  the  county. 

JOHN  A.  McGILL  is  the  oldest  child  born  to  William  and  Mary  (Gardner)  McGill- 
(For  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  William  McGill).  Our  subject  was  born  Novem- 
ber 1, 1841,  and  had  the  advantage  of  a practical  education  in  the  common  schools.  When 
the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  the  Seventeenth  Tennessee 
Regiment  under  Col.  Newman,  and  participated  in  most  of  the  battles  of  the  war.  Dur 
ing  the  battle  at  Drury’s  Bluff  he  was  wounded,  and  this  disabled  him  for  service.  He 
was  given  a furlough  and  went  to  Alabama,  where  lie  remained  oue  year.  He  then  came 
back  to  Tennessee,  and  in  1867  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Terry.  To  this  union  one 
child  was  born,  viz.:  Ida  I.,  born  January  23,  1870.  Mr.  McGill  and  family  are  consist- 
ent members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  are  oue  of  the  leading  families  of  the  county. 

THOMAS  B.  McGILL,  son  of  W.  McGill,  whose  sketch  appears  in  this  work,  was 
born  December  15,  1848,  in  Bedford  County.  He  was  reared  on  a farm  and  remained  with 
Ids  parents  to  the  age  of  eighteen.  lie  then  engaged  as  a clerk  in  a dry  goods  store  iu 


" 


BEDFOED  COUNTY. 


11GS 


Shelby  villc  till  1875.  He  then  went  to  Nashville  and  clerked  in  a wholesale  dry  goods  store 
for  about  a year.  He  then  traveled  in  Kentucky  for  the  Nashville  Nursery  one  year.  He 
then  returned  to  Shelbyville  and  dealt  in  live-stock,  etc.,  till  1881,  when  he  established 
a mercantile  trade  in  the  Twenty-third  District  and  secured  the  establishment  of  the  post- 
office  at  Singleton,  and  held  the  office  in  connection  with  his  store  three  years.  In  Sep- 
tember, 18S3,  he  sold  out  and  farmed  for  one  year.  In  December,  1885,  in  connection 
with  James  B.  Green,  he  opened  the  grocer}*  and  provision  trade  in  Shelbyville,  and  the 
firm  does  a thriving  business.  He  was  married,  June  4.  1884,  to  Miss  Ivittie  Elliott,  the 
result  of  this  union  being  one  son,  Robert  S.  Mr.  McGill  is  a member  of  the  Christian 
Church,  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Politically  he- 
is  a Democrat.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  respected  citizens  of  Shelbyville. 

E.  H.  McGOWAN  was  born  and  reared  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  His  birth  oc- 
curred September  26,  1842.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  Confederate  service, 
enlisting  in  Company  C,  Twenty-third  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  served  out  his  term  of 
enlistment  (twelve  months).  From  that  time  up  to  1869  he  farmed,  and  then  engaged  in- 
the  merchandise  business  at  Poplins’  Cross  Roads,  where  he  has  done  well,  from  a financial 
standpoint.  November  8, 1863,  Nancy  A.  Crowell  became  his  wife  and  the  mother  of  niDe- 
children:  Robert  F.,  Henry  C.,  William  C.,  Margaret  J.,  Nancy  F.,  Rebecca  W.,  Flor- 
ence, Isabella  and  Eddie.  Mrs.  McGowan  was  born  in  1844  and  died  August  30,  1885.. 
Mr.  McGowan  is  a Democrat  and  is' a son  of  Samuel  G.  McGowan,  who  was  born  in  Ten- 
nessee. and  who  married  Rebecca  Balts.  They  died,  respectively,  in  1853  and  1852. 

DR.  JOSEPH  H.  McGREW  was  born  February  13,  1826,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn., 
being  the  youngest  of  eleven  children  of  William  McGrow.  The  father  was  a native  of 
Kentucky,  and  w*hen  young  went  to  South  Carolina,  where  he  married  Nancy  Goodwin. 
In  1811  they  came  to  Bedford  County,  where  they  lived  and  died,  the  father  being  a 
farmer.  The  father’s  death  occurred  in  1852,  and  the  mother’s  in  1860.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a farm.  When  seventeen  years  of  age  he  came  to  Shelbyville,  and  began  the 
study  of  medicine  in  1844.  He  attended  lectures  in  Louisville  in  1845-46,  and  in  Phila- 
delphia in  1846-47,  graduating  in  March,  1847.  He  then  returned  to  Shelbyville,  and  has 
since  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  successfully.  He  was  married,  in  1851,  to 
Letitia  Cannon,  who  bore  him  two  children:  James  H.  and  Samuel  J.  The  wife  died  in 
1857,  and  January  31,  1866,  he  was  married  to  Mary  B.  Evans.  Himself  and  wife  are- 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a member  of  the  F.  & A.  M.  and  I.  O. 
0.  F.  fraternities.  Politically  he  is  a firm  Republican.  Dr.  McGrew  is  examining  surgeon 
in  the  pension  service,  and  ranks  among  the  able  practitioners  of  the  county.  He  is  now 
practicing  with  his  younger  son.  Samuel  J.,  who  was  born  December  11,  1854.  He  (S.  J.) 
studied  medicine  with  his  father.  He  attended  lectures  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania, 
graduating  in  1881,  and  has  proven  himself  well-informed  in  his  profession.  He  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Politically  he  is  a Republican. 

JAMES  W.  C.  MITCHELL,  a merchant  of  the  Twenty-fourth  District  of  this  county, 
was  born  January  29,  1842,  son  of  T.  F.  and  Margaret  (Binkley)  Mitchell.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  North  Carolina,  and  in  early  life  immigrated  to  Alabama  and  settled  in  Hunts- 
ville, where  he  was  married.  He  was  the  father  of  eleven  children:  Sarah  A.  (deceased), 
John  (deceased),  Mary,  Martha,  James  W.  C.,  Joseph  (deceased),  Robert  H.,  Bates,  Nancy, 
Logan  and  Elizabeth.  Joseph  Mitchell  was  killed  in  the  battle  of  Franklin  and  was  buried? 
at  Columbia.  Our  subject’s  father  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-six.  James 
W.  C.  Mitchell  was  reared  on  the  farm,  given  an  education  in  the  country  schools  and 
when  in  his  eighteenth  year  entered  the  Confederate  Army  in  the  Thirty-seventh  Ten- 
nessee Infantry;  was  in  the  battles  of  Perryville,  Chickamauga,  Atlanta,  Murfreesboro, 
Franklin  and  others,  and  was  wounded  twice.  After  the  war  he  came  back  to  this  county 
and  has  since  that  time  resided  here.  In  1873  Miss  Catharine  Bomar  became  his  wife. 
The  results  of  this  union  were  four  children:  Oscar  L.,  James  W.,  Bibbie  B.  and  one  not 
named.  In  1875  Mr.  Mitchell  went  into  the  mercantile  business  in  the  Twenty -fourth 
District,  and  in  1881  went  into  the  distillery  business  at  the  same  place,  making  about 
sixty-five  gallons  of  whisky  per  day,  and  is  doing  a £3,000  business. 


1164 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ROBERT  S.  MONTGOMERY  was  born  November  30, 1829,  in  South  Carolina,  and  is 
a son  of  Thomas  Montgomery,  who  was  born  in  1808  and  is  of  Irish  parentage.  He  came 
to  Tennessee  in  1844.  locating  near  Palmetto  and  in  1854  erected  a dwelling-house,  in 
which  our  subject  now  lives.  Robert  S.  began  to  reside  permanently  in  the  State  in  1855. 
and  the  same  year  engaged  in  merchandise  business  with  Samuel  Carpenter,  continuing 
up  to  the  date  of  the  late  war.  After  its  close  they  again  resumed  business  aud.  in  1874. 
T.  S.  Montgomery  purchased  Mr.  Carpenter’s  interest,  the  style  of  the  firm  being  then 
changed  to  Montgomery  Bros.  . In  18S5  they  sold  out  to  J.  O.  Montgomery,  a cousin. 
March  13,  1855,  he  married  Miss  Susan  Dysart,  daughter  of  James  P.  aud  Leah  Dysart. 
To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Montgomery  were  born  eight  children:  Alice  E.  (Mrs.  J.  F.  Tillman), 
Mary  (deceased),  Jimmie  (deceased),  Thomas  A.,  Lillie  (wife  of  Dr.  AY.  C.  Ransom), 
Denny,  Gertrude  Inez  and  Robert  II.  Mrs.  Montgomery  died  April  19,  1881.  He  is  a 
Republican  and  a strict  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

T.  S.  MONTGOMERY  was  born  March  30,  1843,  in  the  “Palmetto  State/’  At  the 
age  of  fifteen  he  left  home  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business,  clerking  for  liis  brother 
Robert  S.  at  Palmetto,  lie  entered  Union  Academy  at  the  end  of  eighteen  months,  where 
he  remained  about  ten  months.  He  then  returned  and  remained  with  his  brother  until 
the  war.  At  its  close  he  again  resumed  liis  clerkship  and  at  the  end  of  two  years  com- 
menced farming.  From  1868  to  1874  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business  at  Farmington, 
but  then  returned  to  Palmetto,  and  in  1885  he  and  his  brother  sold  out  to  their  cousin. 
Since  1882  he  has  served  as  magistrate  of  his  district.  September  27,  1866,  he  wedded 
Magic  L.  Hagle,  daughter  of  Peter  aud  Esther  Hagle.  They  have  five  children  : Flora 
Esther,  T.  Clarence.  Ethel.  Susie  and  Hoyle.  Mr.  Montgomery  is  a Republican  and  a 
member  of  the  United  Presbj'terian  Church. 

DR.  GEORGE  AY.  MOODY,  a leading  physician  of  Shelbyville,  was  born  November 
5,  184S,  being  a sou  of  Samuel  S.  Moody  (see  sketch  of  C,  J.  Moody)-  He  was  reared 
with  his  parents  to  the  age  ol'  twenty-one,  and  had  begun  the  stud}'  of  medicine.  In 
1869  he  graduated  in  the  University  of  Pennsylvania  at  Philadelphia.  He  then  located 
in  Shelby yille,  where  he  has  met  with  justly-deserved  success  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. He  was  married,  March  16,  1861,  to  Miss  Georgie  Strong,  a native  of  this 
county.  Her  parents  were  from  northern  Alabama,  and  her  mother  is  the  daughter  of 
Gen.  Moore,  of  Tullahoma,  Tenn.  Dr.  Moody’s  married  life  has  been  blessed  in  the  birth 
of  two  children,  viz.:  AYinston  G.  and  Samuel  S.  Himself  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  is  steward  and  trustee  of  the  same.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Medical  Society  of  Tennessee,  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  a worthy  aiid 
highly  respected  citizen  of  the  county. 

CLEMENT  J.  MOODY,  one  of  Bedford  County’s  prominent  attorneys  is  a son  of 
Samuel  S.  aud  Letitia  (Cannon)  Moody.  The  father  was  born  in  Henry  County,  Tenu. 
lie  was  a minister  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  was  a member  of  the  general 
conference  of  1844.  when  the  churches  divided  and  he  adhered  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  He  was  one  of  the  most  eminent  ministers  of  the  church  aud  for  many 
years  was  presiding  elder  of  this  district  conference.  He  held  very  prominent  positions 
in  various  places.  His  death  occurred  May  7,  1863.  The  mother  was  a niece  of  Gov. 
Newton  Cannon,  and  her  father  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  pioneers  of  this  county, 
and  gave  the  land  whereon  the  town  of  Shelbyville  was  built.  She  died  July  24,  1880. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  a good  early  education,  graduating  at  the  Centre  Col- 
lege, Kentucky,  in  1865.  He  then  read  law  in  Shelbyville  and  in  1867  graduated  in  the 
law  department  of  the  Cumberland  University  at  Lebanon,  Tenn.  He  was  then  admitted 
to  the  Bedford  County  bar  aud  has  been  justly  successful  in  the  profession,  ranking  among 
the  leading  criminal  lawyers  of  the  State,  lie  was  married  January  18,  1881,  to  Miss 
Sally  C.  AL  Cannon,  daughter  of  John  T.  Cannon,  whose  sketch  appears  in  this  work. 
Air.  Aloofly  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Air.  Aloody 
is  a Royal  Arch  Mason  and  Past  Grand  Master  of  the  Shelbyville  Lodge.  Politically  he  is 
a firm  Democrat,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  spirits  in  his  party. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1105 


JOHN  R.  MOON,  M.  D.,  is  the  eldest  of  seven  children  born  to  the  union  of  Pleasant 
B.  and  Mary  Ann  Moon.  Ilis  birth  occurred  November  12,  1853.  He  received  good  edu- 
cational advantages,  and  attended  the  Uniouville  Academy.  He  began  studying  medicine 
when  quite  young,  and  in  October,  1S7G,  entered  a medical  college,  from  which  he  gradu- 
ated in  March,  1878.  He  practiced  his  chosen  profession  about  three  years  with 
average  success,  and  in  May,  1882,  he  located  in  Poplin’s  Cross  Roads,  where  he  has  since 
lived  and  established  a good  practice.  William  U.,  born  November  2G,  1877;  Bertha  Erie, 
born  January  6,  1880;  James  P.,  born  November  1,  1881;  John  R.,  born  September  1,  1883, 
and  Mary  Myrtle,  born  May  29,  1885,  are  the  children  born  to  his  union  with  Mattie  M. 
Drydeu,  which  took  place  May  7,  187G.  Dr.  Moon  and  wife  are  members  in  good  standing 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  in  his  political  views  he  is  a Republican. 

Q.  E.  MORTON  was  born  September  25,  1835,  in  Bedford  County.  Tenn.,  and  is  the 
son  of  Jacob  and  Annie  (Fisher)  Morton.  The  father  was  born  February  17,  1787,  in 
North  Carolina,  immigrated  to  Tennessee  about  1814,  and  engaged  in  the  blacksmith 
trade.  He  was  the  first  alderman  of  Slielbyville.  The  mother  was  also  a native  of  North 
Carolina,  and  her  marriage  to  Jacob  Morton,  September  12,  1815.  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
fourteen  children.  Our  subject  grew’  to  manhood  on  the  farm,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty' 
began  farming  for  himself,  and  this  he  continued  very  successfully  up  to  the  time  of  the 
late  war.  In  the  spring  of  1S61  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  in  the  Twenty-third 
Tennessee  Infantry,  remaining  but  thirteen  months  in  the  regular  service,  when  he  was 
appointed  sutler  of  his  regiment.  He  was  soon  captured,  and  upon  being  released  re- 


turned. home  and  enquired  in  a 


gricultur; 


irsuits,  which  he  has  continued  up  to  the  p 


cut  time.  Previous  to  the  war,  in  1855,  he  wedded  Nancy  M.  Jackson,  of  this  county. 
To  them  were  born  seven  children:  John  J.;  Martha  E.,  wife  of  E.  C.  Barnes;  Mark  J., 
a practicing  physician  of  Center  Grove,  w’ho  was  born  Septembers,  1864,  and  graduated 
from  the  medical  department  of  the  State  University,  of  Nashville.  Prior  to  entering  the 
university  he  had  studied  medicine  for  three  years.  He  has  at  present  quite  a good  prac- 
tice, which  is  constantly  increasing.  The  fourth  child  of  our  subject  is  Q.  Emmet;  sixth. 
Rufus  H.,  seventh  Nannie  R.  and  eighth  James  L.  Mr.  Morton  is  a Republican,  and  he 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  He  was  elected  magistrate  in 
1882,  and  this  office  he  filled  in  a highly  satisfactory  manner. 

EDWARD  A.  MOSELEY,  Jit.,  farmer,  is  a son  of  Thomas  G.  and  Mary  T.  (Sikes) 
Moseleyq  and  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  February  17,  1850,  of  English  and 
Welsh  descent.  The  father  was  born  in  Limestone  County,  Ala.,  December  13,  1824,  and 
was  married  December  1G,  1846.  To  them  were  born  nine  children.  Thomas  G.  Moseley 
served  in  the  commissary  department  of  the  Confederate  Army  under  Maj.  James  F.  Cum- 
mings. He  served  one  tenn  in  the  Confederate  Legislature  of  Tennessee  as  a member  of 
the  House  of  Representatives.  He  was  a member  of  the  Senate  in  the  Thirty-ninth  Gen- 
eral Assembly  representing  Bedford  and  Rutherford  Counties.  He  was  a Henry  Clay 
Whig  prior  to  the  war  but  has  been  fully  identified  with  the  Democratic  party  since  that 
time.  Our  subject’s  early  days  w'ere  spent  on  a farm  and  in  attending  thecommon  schools, 
after  which  he  took  a business  and  commercial  course  in  Bryant  & Stratton’s  Commercial 
College  at  Nashville,  Tenn.  June  30.  i860,  be  wedded  Miss  Mattie  Thomas,  born  August 
12,  1852,  daughter  of  William  Thomsjs,  born  in  1807  and  died  in  1861 , and  Jane  (McCrary) 
Thomas,  born  in  181G  and  died  in  1882.  To  them  were  born  the  following  interesting 
family  : Jesse  T.  L.  P.,  Mary  S.,  Maggie  E.,  Janie  T.,  Carrie  Drue,  Mattie  Louise  and  Bes- 
sie. Mr.  Moseley' is  a Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity.  He  and  wife 
and  three  eldest  daughters  belong  to  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Moseley  is  the 
owner  of  200  acres  of  land,  and  the  most  of  his  attention  is  given  to  raising  Norman  and 
Clydesdale  horses,  of  which  he  lias  many  fine  specimens. 

GEORGE  P.  MUSE,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  January  29.  1844, 
and  is  the  son  of  Orville  and  Malindd  M.  (Ross)  Muse.  His  father  was  born  in  Virginia 
November  13,  1S0G,  ami  his  mother  was  born  in  South  Carolina  April  2G,  1809.  1 he  Muse 
family  are  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  State,  coming  here  when  Tennessee  was  but  a 

7* 


1166 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


wilderness.  Our  subject  lives  on  a farm  adjoining  the  one  his  grandfather  settled  on  af- 
ter immigrating  to  this  State.  Our  subject  is  the  sixth  in  a family  of  ten  children  born  to 
his  parents.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a fair  practical  education.  He  en- 
listed in  the  Second  Regiment  Tennessee  Infantry,  Confederate  States  Army,  under  Col. 
(uow  Gov.)  Bate,  at  the  youthful  age  of  sixteen,  and  served  throughout  the  entire  war. 
He  participated  in  the  battles  of  first  Manassas,  Shiloh  and  Richmond,  Ky.  He  was  se- 
verely wounded  in  the  latter  engagement,  captured  and  paroled  within  the  Federal  lines. 
After  recovering  sufficiently  he  was  taken  to  Camp  Douglas,  where  he  was  held  three 
months  and  then  exchanged.  .He  then  joined  his  regiment  in  Tennessee.  After  this  he 
was  clerk  in  Cleburne's  commissary  department,  aud  was  again  captured  while  retreating 
from  Dalton.  He  was  held  in  Rock  Island,  111.,  until  near  the  close  of  the  war.  Since 
the  war  our  subject  has  served  the  public  fourteen  years;  six  years  in  the  capacity  of  con- 
stable. four  years  as  sheriff  and  four  years  as  deputy-sheriff.  November  8,  1866,  he  wed- 
ded Miss  Mary  J.  Wright,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn..  and  the  daughter  of  Whitfield 
Wright.  Their  children  are  seven  in  number — four  sons  aad  three  daughters.  Mr.  Muse 
has  a fine  farm  of  110  acres,  and  he  is  a Democrat,  an  Odd  Fellow,  a Knight  of  Honor 
and  a Royal  Arcanum.  Mrs.  Muse  and  one  son  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South. 

WILL  J.  MUSE,  clerk  of  the  County  Court  of  Bedford  County,  was  born  December 
5,  1844,  near  Shelbvville.  The  Muse  family  originated  in  the  United  States  from  two 
brothers,  James  and  George  Muse,  who  came  from  England  to  North  Carolina.  George 
Went  to  Virginia  and  James  remained  in  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  is  a desoenuaui 
of  the  latter.  The  father  of  Will  J.  was  Jo  C.  Muse,  and  the  mother  was  Mary  A.  Muse, 
the  parents  being  cousins.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  mechanic,  and  was  identified 
with  the  public  interests  of  this  county.  The  maternal  grandfather,  John  T.  Muse,  was, 
when  quite  young,  among  the  first  settlers  of  this  State.  He  was  an  able  minister  of  the 
Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  founded  the  first  church  of  that  denomination  in  this 
county.  He  died  suddenly  while  in  the  preparation  of  a sermon,  having  eloquently 
preached  away  a lifetime.  Will  J.  was  reared  on  a farm  and  had  limited  educational 
advantages.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  Company  B,  of  Turney’s  First  Tennes- 
see and  served  throughout  the  war.  He  was  promoted  from  a private  to  the  captaincy  of 
his  company.  He  received  eleven  wounds,  three  of  which  were  very  serious.  Returning 
from  the  army  he  attended  school  three  years  and  taught  one  year.  For  three  years  he 
then  clerked  in  a store.  Subsequently  he  and  a brother  engaged  in  merchandising  till 
1883.  He  was  elected  to  his  office  in  August,  1S82:  and  has  tilled  it  with  general  satisfac- 


tion to  his  constituents.  He  was  married  in  1873  to  Nannie  Russell,  the  results  of  this 
union  being  two  children:  Henry  Kirk  White  and  Georgie  Avva.  Both  Mr.  Muse  and 
his  wife  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a member  of  the  I.  O. 
O.  F.  In  politics  lie  is  a firm  Democrat. 

THOMAS  NANCE  is  a son  of  Clements  Nance,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.  who 
was  born  in  1810  and  spent  his  boyhood  on  a farm.  He  received  a practical  education, 
and  wedded  Mary  Tune,  daughter  of  William  Tune,  of  Virginia,  and  to  them  were  born 
William  T.,  Thomas,  Mary,  Reuben  and  Clement.  Three  of  the  children  are  now  living. 
In  1836  Mr.  Nance  immigrated  to  Tennessee,  locating  near  Shclbyville,  where  he  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1833  Mr.  Nance  went  to  Missouri  and  died  in  Ray  County  in 
1841.  Thomas  Nance,  our  subject,  was  born  October  17,  1837,  in  Missouri.  He  came  to 
Tennessee  when  he  was  but  seven  years  of  age,  and  his  early  days  were  spent  in  laboring 
on  a farm  and  in  attending  the  common  schools  of  his  neighborhood.  He  began  black- 
smithing  and  followed  that  occupation  for  about  twenty  years.  In  1873  be  moved  to 
where  he  now  resides.  December  14,  1859,  lie  wedded  Miss  Sarah  B.  Coates,  daughter 
of  P.  H.  Coates,  and  six  children  have  been  born  to  their  union:  Thomas  II. , James 
E.,  Julia  E.,  Carrie  E.,  William  G.  and  Martha  E.,  all  of  whom  are  living.  In  1883  Mr. 
Nance  was  elected  magistrate  of  his  district  and  is  filling  the  duties  of  that  office  at  the 
present  time.  Mr.  Nance  is  a Mason,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Nance  are  members  of  the  Mission- 
ary Baptist  Church. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


HOT 


P.  W.  NORMAN  was  born  June  20,  ISIS,  and  spent  his  bo3Tliood  daj’S  on  a farm,  re- 
ceiving a common  school  education.  He  began  life  as  a farmer,  and  was  married  in  1S40 
to  Miss  T.  E.  Webb,  daughter  of  Isaac  Webb,  of  Rutherford  County,  and  six  children 
have  blessed  their  union:  Elizabeth  A.,  Catharine  J..  Sarah  G.,  Amanda  R.  and  James 
L.,  and  one  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Norman  died  in  1ST4,  and  Mr.  Norman  took  for 
his  second  wife  Mrs.  Fannie  E.  (Smith)  Webb.  Her  father.  Morgan  Smith,  died  at  his 
home  near  Shelbyville,  October  4,  1875.  He  was  a Democrat.  Mr.  Norman’s  last  mar- 
riage occurred  November  2,  1S84.  Ilis  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  His  father,  Henry  Norman,  was 
born  in  the  ‘ Palmetto  State,"  and  came  to  Tennessee  with  his  father  when  he  was  but 
nine  \'ears  of  age.  He  was  married  when  quite  y<  ung  to  Elizabeth  Aubcry,  and  by  her 
became  the  father  of  seven  children,  only  two  of  whom  are  now  living.  Mrs.  Norman 
died  in  1S50,  and  her  husband  took  for  his  second  wife  Mrs.  Sallie  White,  in  1851.  She 
died  in  1854,  and  he  then  married,  in  1857,  Mrs.  Becky  Caldwell.  Mr.  Normau  died  in  1867. 

W.  C.  ORR  and  family  reside  in  the  Eighth  Civil  District  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn., 
six  miles  north  of  Shelbyville,  their  home  being  located  on  the  Middletown  road.  The 
family  consists  of  the  father,  above  named,  born  February  14.  1829,  and  four  children: 
William  M.,  born  November  6,  1854;  David  F.,  born  June  6,  1859;  Mary  A.,  born  March 
18,  1862,  and  Minnie  J.,  born  August  3,  1866.  There  are  two  vacancies  in  the  family, 
caused  by  the  death  of  the  mother.  Temperance  Orr  ( nee  Miller),  born  in  August,  1830, 
and  died  May  14,  1876,  and  John  Faiu,  the  eldest  child,  who  died  in  infancy.  W.  C.  Orr 
is  of  Scotch- Irish  descent,  and  is  a sou  of  John  and  Penelope  (Morgan)  Orr,  who  were 
early  settlers  of  Bedford  County,  being  emigrants  from  tbe  Carolinas.  Mr.  Orr  is  a 
farmer,  and  served  as  magistrate  of  his  district  from  1870  to  1876.  His  wife  was  a daugh- 
ter of  Nathaniel  Miller,  of  Rutherford  County,  and  married  our  subject  in  1854.  She  was 
a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Orr  obtained  a fair  education  in  the 
common  branches,  and  became  an  adept  in  penmanship,  which  he  taught  a few  years. 
In  1878  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Drs.  Evans  & Fite,  of  Shelbyville,  and  the 
same  year  attended  lectures  in  the  medical  department  of  tbe  Vanderbilt  University,  of 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  and  read  and  practiced  at  home  until  the  fall  of  1881,  when  he  attended 
his  second  course  in  the  same  institution  and  took  his  degree  at  the  close  of  the  spring 
term  of  1882.  Returning  home  he  located  with  his  father,  where  he  has  since  practiced 
his  chosen  profession.  D.  F.  Orr,  son  of  W.  C.  Orr,  received  a common  school  educa- 
tion, and  attended  the  Shelbyville  Normal  and  High  School  for  three  years,  and  graduated 
in  1879.  He  afterward  taught  in  the  various  public  schools  of  Bedford  and  Rutherford  Coun- 
ties, and  in  the  fall  of  1884  attended  his  first  course  of  lectures  in  the  Vanderbilt  Univer- 
sity. He  returned  home  and  taught  school  eight  mouths,  and  then  returned  to  college  and 
graduated  at  the  close  of  the  session  in  1886.  Mary  A.  Orr  also  received  a good  education, 
having  attended  the  Shelbyville  Normal  and  High  School,  the  Soule  Female  College  at 
Murfreesboro  and  the  Winchester  Normal  College.  For  several  years  she  has  been  teach 
ing  in  Bedford  and  Rutherford  Counties.  Minnie  J.  Orr  attended  school  two  years  at  the 
Winchester  Normal,  and  is  now  teaching  her  first  school. 

ISAIAH  PARKER,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  June  5,  1830.  lie  is  the  son  of 
Joseph  aud  Fana  (Howard)  Parkpr.  The  father  was  a native  of  South  Carolina,  born  in 
1805.  In  1819  he  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Lincoln  County,  where  he  re- 
mained until  1828,  From  there  he  went  to  Bedford  County  and  bought  laud  in  the 
Twenty-second  District.  He  was  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  at  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  1885,  he  was  worth  a large  amount  of  property,  owning  a large  number  of 
slaves  before  tlie  war.  He  was  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  The  mother 
was  born  in  Virginia  August  12, 1812,  and  died  August  12,  1859.  The  family  is  of  Englisli- 
lrisb  descent.  Our  subject  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  received  a limited  education,  and 
was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Hazier,  a native  of  this  county.  To  them  were  born  eight 
children:  Charles  G.,  B.,  A.  F.,  Edward,  Joseph.  Lizzie,  Dora  and  Willie.  Mr.  Parker  is 
one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  the  county,  owning  about  1,200  acres  of  fine  land.  He 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


1168 

is  a firm  Democrat  and  a leading  citizen.  From  1S54  to  1859  he  was  postmaster  in  Lin- 
coln County.  He  was  also  colonel  of  the  militia  in  1858,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace 
about  the  same  time. 

GEORGE  W.  PARSONS  was  born  in  1801  in  the  State  of  Tennessee  His  father,  G. 
W.  Parsons,  was  born  in  Virginia  in  17SS  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1807,  and  here  mar- 
ried our  subject's  mother,  Margaret  Fisher,  in  1809.  They  became  the  parents  of  thirteen 
children — four  daughters  and  nine  sons.  The.  father  was  a farmer  and  millwright  by 
trade,  and  served  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  died  in  1842  and  the  mother  in  1854.  Our  sub- 
ject began  farming  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty  years,  and  in  1843  purchased  part  of 
his  present  farm,  which  he  has  increased  to  247  acres.  In  1857  lie  was  elected  justice  of 
the  peace  of  his  district  and  held  the  office  until  1870.  Iu  1882  he  was  again  elected,  and 
has  held  the  office  up  to  the  present  time.  He  has  been  a director  of  the  Shelby  ville  A 
Unionville  Pike  for  the  past  twelve  years,  and  is  a stockholder  in  the  same.  He  is  well 
known  throughout  the  county  and  has  been  a member  of  the  Lutheran  Church  since  1849. 
lie  belongs  to  the  Masonic  lodge.  No.  315,  and  in  politics  is  an  old  Whig-Democrat.  He 
was. married  in  1843  to  Elizabeth  Allison,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1825  and  is  the 
■ daughter  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (White)  Allison.  To  them  were  born  these  childreu: 
Mary  F.,  born  in  1844;  Anna  L..  born  in  1846;  Michael  F.,  born  iu  1850;  William  J.,  born 
in  18-18  and  died  in  1866;  Volncy  S.,  born  in  1852;  Sarah  E.,  born  in  1854;  Cynthia  Jt> 
horn  iu  1856;  John  C.,  born  in  1860;  Safrone  A.,  born  in  1862;  George  N.,  born  in  1865, 
and  13unie  C.,  born  in  1868. 

JOHN  W.  PARSONS  is  a son  of  George  W.  and  Margaret  (Fisher)  Parsons  (see  G. 
W.  Parsons  for  father’s  sketch),  and  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  January  3, 
1824,  and  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  life  on  a farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he 
left  home  and  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself,  and  by  his  energ}'  and  perseverance 
accumulated  considerable  property.  In  1846  he  located  on  his  present  farm  of  343  acres, 
and  erected  a neat  residence.  He  lost  considerable  property  in  the  late  war,  but  did  not 
participate  in  that  struggle.  October  6,  1S46,  he  married  Ruth  C.  Allison,  daughter  of 
Robert  and  Elizabeth  (White)  Allison.  She  was  born  August  12,  1818,  and  bore  her 
husband  the  following  children:  George  A.,  born  in  1848;  Robert,  born  in  1850;  William 

C..  born  in  1853;  SaralrJ.,  born  in  1854;  Mary  E.,  born  in  1856  and  died  in  1873;  Newton 
H.,  born  in  1858.  June  20,  1881,  Airs.  Parsons  died,  and  Air.  Parsons  then  led  to  Hymen’s 
altar  Catharine  Sanders,  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Jane  (Robinson)  Sanders,  who  were 
born  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  Airs.  Parsons  was  born  August  10,  1838, 
and  is  a member  of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Air.  Parsons  is  a stanch  sup- 
porter of  Democracy. 

GRANVILLE  C.  PEARSON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County.  Tenn.,  July 
20.  1831,  son  of  Iliram  and  Alatilda  B.  (Wilson)  Pearson,  and  of  English  descent.  The 
father  was  born  in  Pittsylvania  County,  Va.,  April  9,  1797,  and  in  the  year  1819  he 
wedded  Alatilda  Wilson,  who  was  born  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.,  Alay  12,  1802.  The 
father  died  November  29,  1876,  and  the  mother  February  14,  1877.  To  this  worthy  cou- 
ple were  born  ten  children,  our  subject  being  the  sixth.  The  Pearson  family  was  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Tennessee,  the  father  of  our  subject  having  settled  in  Rutherford 
County  in  1818.  Our  subject  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools,  and  at  the 
breaking  out  of  the  late  war  he  unlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cav- 
alry, under  Col.  Starnes.  He  took  an  active  part  in  the  battles  of  Chicknmauga,  Knox- 
ville, Resaca  and  other  actions.  He  was  with  Gen.  Forrest  when  he  captured  the  large 
Federal  forces  under  command  of  Gen.  Straight,  and  was  a member  of  Jefferson  Davis’ 
escort  from  Raleigh,  N.  C.,  to  Washington,  Ga.  He  has  now  in  his  possession  eighteen 
Mexican  silver  dollars  of  the  coinage  of  1861,  which  were  paid  to  him  by  the  order  of 
President  Davis  for  services  in  the  army.  These  he  prizes  very  highly  as  relics  of  that 
memorable  struggle.  Our  subject  has  a fine  farm  of  110  acres,  on  which  he  lives,  sur- 
rounded with  the  general  comforts  of  life.  He  devotes  the  principal  part  of  his  time  and 
attention  to  raising  fine  stock — horses,  cattle  and  mules.  The  father  of  our  subject  was 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1160 


among  the  most  enterprising  stock  raisers  of  his  locality,  owning  at  one  time  500  acres  of 
land,  but  lost  heavily  in  the  war. 

THOMAS  B.  PHILPOTT.  son  of  Charles  T.  and  Rebecca  (Hix)  Philpott,  was  born  in 
Bedford  County,  December  7,  1847.  His  father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  immigrating  to 
this  State  with  his  father  when  quite  young,  and  settled  in  Bedford  County.  He  was  a 
saddler  by  occupation,  and  worked  at  his  trade  forty-live  years  in  this  count}’.  He  is  now 
living  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and  is  the  father  of  teu  children:  William, 
John  H.,  Sarah  (deceased)  Joshua  A.  (deceased),  Dcmareus  (deceased),  Elisha  C. 
(deceased),  Nancy  A.,  Charles  N.  (deceased),  James  and  Thomas  B.  Our  subject  grew  to 
manhood  on  the  farm,  and  was  educated  in  the  common  schools.  In  1804  he  was  married 
•to  Miss  McFarland,  and  Dine  children  blessed  this  union:  Rebecca  E.f  Charles  X.,  Edward 
L.,  Nancy  A.  James,  Jacob,  Ernest,  Minnie  and  'William,  all  living.  Our  subject  has  ail 
his  life  followed  agricultural  pursuits  and  has  been  quite  successful.  He  now  owns  360 
acres  of  finely  improved  land  in  the  Twenty-third  District,  and  is  a leading  man  of  the 
county. 

M.  P.  PICKLE  was  born  August  24,  1838,  in  Farmington,  Marshall  Co.,  Tenu.  His 
father,  Maj.  Pickle,  a native  of  Bedford  County,  was  born  in  1813.  and  was  a successful 
farmer.  He  died  in  March,  1862,  in  this  county.  Our  subject’s  mother,  Catherine  Pickle, 
was  born  in  Williamson  County  in  1813,  and  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age  of  seventy- 
three.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  ou  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of 
age.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  for  himself.  In  1869  he  engaged  in  the  merchandise 
business  in  this  county,  which  he  continued  for  about  six  years.  He  then  moved  his  busi- 
ness to  Rich  Creek,  Marshall  County,  where  he  sold  goods  for  about  two  years,  after 
-which  he  sold  his  interest  and  again  returned  to  agricultural  pursuits,  together  with  stock 
raising.  Since  1884  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  lumber  business,  shipping  cedar  lumber 
-exclusively.  July  29,  1859,  he  was  married  to  Mary  Ann  Frances  Atkisson,  of  this  county, 
who  was  born  April  23,  1837.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  nine  children,  two  of 
whom,  Andrew  and  Murry  F..  are  dead.  The  names  of  the  seven  living  are,  respectively. 
Major  A.,  James  M.,  George  W.,  Sarah  E.,  Henry  J.,  Anuie  C.  and  Minerva  P.  Our 
subject’s  educational  advantages  were  not  of  the  best,  consequently  he  received  but  a 
district  school  education.  Owing  to  this  he  has  always  felt  a deep  interest  in  all  enter- 
prises pertaining  to  the  education  of  the  rising  generation.  lie  and  wife  are  members  of 
the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  was  ordained  deacon  about  1868.  lie  has  al- 
ways been  a peaceful,  quiet  man,  and  has  never  been  summoned  before  the  court  for  any 
misdemeanor  whatever.  He  is  a Republican  in  polities. 

M.  A.  PICKLE,  a native  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  April  11,  1859,  sou  of 
P.  Murry  and  Mary  Atm  Frances  (Atkisson)  Pickle.  (For  further  particulars  of  parents 
see  sketch  of  M.  P.  Pickle.)  Our  subject  worked  on  the  farm  with  his  father  and  received 
a rather  limited  education.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  high  school  at  Pal- 
metto, Tenn.,  and  continued  there  two  years.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  in  connection 
with  school-teaching,  working  on  the  farm  in  the  spring  and  teaching  in  the  fall.  This 
he  continued  for  about  four  years,  after  which  he  engaged  in  the  merchandise  business  at 
Bedford  with  very  flattering  prospects.  January  5,  1881,  he  wedded  Ella  Dryden,  of  this 
county,  and  to  this  uuion  was  born  one  child — William  Franklin.  Our  subject  is  a good 
citizen  and  an  honorable  man.  • He  is  a member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  and  Mrs. 
Pickle  a member  ef  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  North.  In  politics  he  is  a Repub- 
lican, but  strictly  speaking  he  is  not  a party  man. 

C.  B.  RANEY,  farmer,  of  Bedford  County,  was  born  June  18.  1838,  son  of  John  \Y. 
and  Catharine  (Rolinson)  Raney.  The  father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  born  in  1800,  and 
immigrated  to  this  county  at  an  early  day,  settling  in  Bedford  County.  He  was  the  father 
of  a family  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown.  John  W.  Raney  was  a 
farmer,  and  was  accidentally  killed  in  1841.  He  was  a worthy  member  of  the  Free-Will 
.Baptist  Church.  The  mother  is  still  living.  Our  subject  grew  to  maubood  on  the  farm, 
and  in  1805  began  working  for  himself.  Previous  to  this  he  had  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 


1170 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Armjr,  in  the  Forty-first  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  in  1861  was  elected  lieutenant  in  the 
company,  but  gave  up  his  position  to  make  harmony  in  the  ranks,  and  acted  as  orderly 
sergeant,  lie  was  again  elected  lieutenant,  and  was  soon  made  second  lieutenant  of  the 
company.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  Donelson  and  carried  to  Camp  Morton,  where  he  re- 
mained eight  months.  He  was  then  exchanged,  and  went  back  into  service,  and  was  in 
the  battles  of  Vicksburg,  Jackson,  Raymond,  Port  Hudson,  Corinth,  Cliickamauga  and 
numerous  other  important  battles,  as  his  regiment  was  never  in  any  important  engagement 
without  him.  In  1878  he  was  married  to  Miss  Victoria  Campbell,  and  to  this  union  two 
children  were  bora:  Eunice  aud  William.  In  politics  he  is  a stanch  Democrat. 

GEORGE  W.  READ  was  born  in  Dyer  County,  Tenn.,  November  29,  1S24.  and  is  a 
son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  (Gentry)  Read.  The  father  was  born  October  28.  1796.  in 
Virginia,  and  immigrated  to  Tennessee  about  1802.  He  remained  in  this  State  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  in  December,  1883.  The  mother  was  born  in  1802  and 
died  about  1841.  Our  subject’s  educational  advantages  were  rather  limited,  but,  notwit h- 
standiug,  he  is  considered  a man  of  sound  judgment  and  good  sense.  September  30.  1846. 
he  wedded  Ann  E.  Brooks,  of  Rutherford  County,  Tenn..  and  the  result  of  this  union  was 
the  birth  of  eleven  children:  Sarah  E.,  Robert  C.,Mary  J.,  Martha  W..  Ann  E..  James  C.. 
John  B.,  William  L , Lou  II..  Aldora  and  George  S.  The  five  eldest  died  within  ten  days 
of  each  other,  of  scarlet  fever.  The  tenth  died  in  early  childhood.  Mr.  Read  has  beeu 
very  successful  in  his  businesss  transactions.  He  is  scrupulously  honest  aud  honorable  in 
every  particular.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics. 

J.  C.  READ  was  born  February  3,  1859,  in  this  State.  He  is  the  son  of  G.  W.,  and 
Ann  Eliza  (Brooks)  Read.  (For  further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  G.  W. 
Read.)  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  assisted  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
two  years  of  age.  In  1882  aud  1883  he  was  sight  seeing,  traveling  over  Texas,  Arkansas, 
Missouri,  Mississippi,  Alabama  and  Kentucky.  Upon  returning  home  he  engaged  in  ag- 
ricultural pursuits  and  this  lie  continued  until  1885  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  the  mer- 
chandising business  at  Center  Grove,  in  partnership  with  his  brother,  W.  L.  Read. 
December  18,  18-82,  our  subject  wedded  Callie  J.  Bullock,  of  this  count}*,  and  to  them 
were  born  three  children:  Richard  L..  Robert  A.  and  George  W.  Mr.  Read  is  an  energetic 
and  active  young  business  man,  and  has  the  power  and  determination  to  make  his  mark 
in  the  world.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat. 

ROBERT  REAVES,  a farmer  and  stock  raiser,  of  the  Twenty-third  District  of  Bed- 
ford County,  was  born  November  14.  1833,  and  is  the  son  of  Isom  and  Rachel  (Morgan) 
Reaves.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina  and  when  a young  man  immigrated 
to  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  and  settled  in  the  Twenty-third  District.  He  was  a farmer  and 
stock  raiser,  and  was  successful  in  all  bis  undertakings.  He  was  worth  considerable  prop 
erty  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  January  1,  1871.  He  was  the  father  of  five 
children:  Benjamin.  John,  Robert.  Frances  M.  and  Jane.  Isom  Reaves  was  twice  mar- 
ried, bis  first  wife  being  a Miss  Chaney  Coggens;  three  children  were  born  t<>  them,  all 
dead  but  one,  named  William.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a limited 
education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1855  Miss  Martha  Morgan  became  his  wife,  and 
this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  children:  Bettie  F.,  Mary  J.,  Robert  A.,  Dulccnia 
and  Emmet.  Mary  J.  died  in  1809  and  Robert  A.  died  the  same  year.  When  the  war 
broke  out  our  subject  acted  as  escort  to  Gen.  Forrest.  He  was  under  Capt.  Little  aud  par 
ticipatcd  in  all  the  battles  in  which  his  command  was  engaged.  He  owns  a tine  tract  of 
land  and  is  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  the  county. 

WILLIAM  RU8SELL,  editor  of  the  Bedford  County  Times,  was  born  April  27.  1852, 
being  the. son  of  B.  L.  aud  Ermine  (Clark)  Russell,  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  father  is  a 
retired  citizen  of  Shelby ville.  Tenn.,  and  during  active  life  was  a merchant  tailor  by  avo- 
cation. Mr.  Russell  is  a practical  printer,  and  lias  held  positions  on  the  following  papers: 
The  American  Union.  American  JR  serve.  Commercial.  Gazette,  of  Shelbyville,  and  on  the 
Rural  Sun,  of  Nashville,  the  Clarksville  Tobacco  leaf,  Pulaski  Citizen,  Faycttville  Ex 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1171 


prt'ss  and  Chatanooga  Times.  The  Bedford  Times  was  established  in  February,  18S0.  and 
is  in  a flourishing  condition. 

ROBERT  COLUMBUS  RUSS,  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Shelby ville  (Teun.)  Com- 
mercial, was  born  in  Fayetteville.  X.  G\.  September  5,  1824,  being  one  of  twelve  children — 
six  boys  and  six  girls — born  to  James  and  Eunice  (Steeley)  Russ,  both  natives  of  Xortli 
Carolina;  the  former  being  born  June  20.  1700.  and  the  latter  October  17, 1791,  and  both  of 
whom  died  in  Shelbyville.  Tenn.  Our  subject's  paternal  grandparents  were  William  and 
Hannah  Russ,  the  former  being  a native  of  Russia,  and  the  latter  of  Scotland;  and  In',  ma- 
ternal grandparents  were  William  and  Lexy  Steeley.  Only  three  of  the  twelve  children 
born  to  our  subject’s  parents  are  living,  viz.;  Our  subject,  his  brother.  A.  J.  Russ,  and  his 
sister,  Mary  Jane  Fausett.  Our  subject  set  in  to  learn  the  “art  preservative”  in  1840 
•with  his  brother  James  and  William  L.  Berry,  in  Fayetteville,  and  began  editing  and  pub- 
lishing a paper  in  Shelbyville  in  18 — , and  has  continued  in  that  capacity  to  the  present, 
having  published  eight  papers  altogether.  Our  subject  was  married  to  Euphamie  M.. 
daughter  of  John  Crawford,  at  Cedar  Springs,  Marshall  Co..  Tenn..  December  14.  1848, 
and  to  them  have  been  born  twelve  children — six  boys  and  six  girls — all  of  whom  have  died 
except  four  boys  and  one  girl.  The  Commercial  is  the  oldest  newspaper  in  Shelbyville, 
is  Democratic,  and  wields  considerable  influence  as  a local  and  party  paper. 

L.  H.  RUSS  was  born  in  Lewisburg,  Tenn,,  March  3,  1843.  His  father,  James  Russ, 
was  a printer  and  publisher.  He  came  to  Bedford  County  in  1847  and  established  a 
newspaper  and  continued  to  publish  papers  until  his  death  in  1869.  The  mother  was 
Margaret  E.  Laird.  She  died  in  1857.  Our  subject  was  reared  in  Shelbyville  and  learned 
the  printer’s  trade.  In  1869  be,  with  a brother,  established  the  Shelbyville  Commercial  and 
published  that  paper  one  year.  He  then  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  a short  time. 
From  1870  to  1873,  he  was  not  settled  in  any  regular  business.  In  1S73  he  established  the 
wagon  and  buggy  manufactory  which  he  yet-  runs.  He  manfactures  the  Xew  South  wagons, 
buggies,  carriages,  etc.  He  has  a stock  of  about  86,000,  and  does  about  $12,000  annual  bus- 
iness. He  was  married  in  October.  1869.  to  Theodosia  H.  Hobbs,  daughter  of  George  W. 
and  Sarah  Hobbs,  residents  of  this  county.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  this  union, 
three  of  whom  are  now  living;  George  H.,  James  L.  and  Lucy  E.  Those  who  died  were 
Harry  L.  and  Thomas  B.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russ  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South,  and  Mr.  Russ  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason  and  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He 
was  one  of  the  “boys  in  gray,”  serving  in  Forrest’s  escort  from  1863  till  December,  1864, 
when  he  was  captured  and  held  a prisoner  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  fourth  corpo- 
ral of  the  escort. 

JOHN  AY.  RUTH,  the  clever  and  enterprising  jeweler  of  Shelbyville,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 27,  1839,  in  Shelbyville,  being  a son  of  George  AY.  Ruth.  The  father  was  horn  in 
-Granville  County,  X.  C-,  in  1799.  A short  time  before  George  AVashington  died,  when  on 
his  last  Southern  tour,  he  passed  by  the  house  where  George  AY.  Ruth  was  boru  only  a 
short  time  before.  He  stopped  and  lifted  the  infant  in  his  arms,  and  then  and  there  it 
was  named  George  AVashington  Ruth  in  remembrance  of  the  incident  and  of  the  great 
man.  The  father  came  to  this  county  in  1822.  He  married,  lived  and  died  here,  being  a 
jeweler  by  occupation.  He  was  a very  prominent  citizen  of  the  county,  and  for  many 
years  was  a magistrate.  He  was  mayor  of  Shelbyville  two  terms,  and  was  identified  with 
the  public  interests  all  his  life.  He  was  a leading  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church,  and  for  many  *years  was  a steward.  Politically  he  was  a Democrat. 
His  death  occurred  in  August,  1858.  His  father  was  a soldier  in  the  Revolution- 
ary war.  The  mother  of  John  AY.  was  horn  in  Baltimore  County,  Md.,  and  came  to 
Shelbyville  when  quite  young.  She  was  born  in  1804  and  died  in  1863.  The 
ancestry  of  John  AY.  were  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  predominating  in  Scotch  blood. 
The  immediate  subject  of  this  sketcli  was  reared  in  Shelbyville  and  learned  hi3 
father’s  trade,  which  has  been  his  life  time  business.  He  is  also  joined  by  his  son  in  the 
business  now,  the  name  of  the  firm  being  John  AY.  Ruth  A Son.  lie  was  elected  to  the 
•office  of  mayor  of  Shelbyville  in  1873,  and  served  till  1875.  In  1885  lie  was  re-elected  to 


■ 


1172 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


the  same  office,  and  is  now  the  incumbent.  He  was  married,  in  I860,  to  Miss  Fannie  E. 
Newton,  who  bore  him  three  children,  viz.:  Albert  H.,  Anne  C.  and  Weakley  I).  Mr. 
Ruth  and  his  two  oldest  children  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 
He  is  a Knight  Templar  Mason  and  a Knight  of  Honor.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat, 
but  conservative  in  his  views.  He  is  a popular,  genial  and  enterprising  citizen  of  Skelby- 
ville. 

JOHN  W.  RUTLEDGE.  Sr.,  one  of  Bedford  County’s  farmers,  was  born  January 
12, 1823,  in  Bedford  County,  being  a son  of  John  and  Sarah  Davenport  Rutledge,  natives  of 
South  Carolina.  The  parents  were  married  in  their  native  State  and  came  to  Bedford 
County  in  the  very  early  settlement  of  the  county.  John  W.  was  reared  on  a farm  and 
secured  but  a common  school  education,  the  schools  then  being  in  an  undeveloped  condi- 
tion. He  began  farming  for  himself  when  grown,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  mar- 
ried. He  continued  to  farm  and  deal  in  live-stock  extensively.  He  now  owns  108  acres  of 
laud,  with  seventy-five  acres  under  cultivation.  He  was  married  November  22,  1849.  to 
Eunice  M.  Warner,  daughter  of  John  and  Eunice  (Dixon)  Warner,  natives  of  North  Car- 
olina. They  came  to  Sumner  County.  Tenn.,  when  small,  and  thence  to  Bedford  County’, 
where  they  lived  and  died.  The  father  was  born  in  1783,  and  the  mother  in  1792;  they  were 
married  November  11,  1810.  The  father  was  a sheriff  of  Bedford  County  for  many  years; 
he  was  a farmer  by  occupation.  He  died  May  17,  1834,  and  the  mother  died  October  2, 
1852.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rutledge  are  parents  of  four  children,  viz. : John  G.,  who  died  young; 
Warner  G. ; Eunice  M.,  the  wife  of  Thomas  L.  Thompson,  and  John  W.  All  the  family 
are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  all  are  Democrats  in  politics.  War- 
ner G.  Rutledge  was  married  December  4,  1874,  to  Miss  Julia  L.  Phillips,  who  died  Janu- 
ary 10,  1870,  after  becoming  the  mother  of  a child,  Julia  L.,  who  also  died  July  16,  1876. 
He  is  store-keeper  and  gauger  in  the  revenue  service  in  the  Middle  and  West  Divisions  of 
Tennessee. 

RUTLEDGE  & THOMPSON,  dealers  in  a general  line  of  groceries  and  provisions 
in  Shelbyvillc,  do  a leading  business  in  the  town.  The  firm  is  composed  of  John  W. 
Rutledge,  Jr.,  and  Thomas  L.  Thompson.  John  W.  Rutledge,  Jr.,  was  born  July  20, 
1860,  being  a son  of  John  W.  Rutledge,  Sr.  He  wTas  married,  December  26,  18S4.  to  Katie 
Nease,  the  result  of  this  uuion  being  one  son,  John  II.  Mr.  Rutledge  is  captain  of  the 
Shelbyville  Hook  and  Ladder  Company  and  an  enterprising  young  business  man.  Thomas 
L.  Thompson  w'as  born  August  4,  1850,  to  the  marriage  of  Thomas  Thompson  and 
Tranquilla  Stephens.  Both  parents  were  natives  of  Bedford  County,  the  mother  being  of 
North  Carolina  ancestry.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  Thomas  L.  was  reared  on  a 
farm.  He  was  married,  February  25,  1875,  to  Miss  Eunice  51.  Rutledge,  daughter  of 
John  W.  Rutledge,  Sr.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  viz.:  Thomas  L., 
Mary  A.,  John  W.  and  Hiram  S.  The  firm  of  Rutledge  & Thompson  was  established 
October  24,  1878.  They  were  burned  out  October  22,  18S5,  and  are  now  preparing  to 
build  a commodious  brick  building.  They  also  deal  in  mules  and  fine  horses. 

ALBERT  P.  RYALL,  51.  D.,  son  of  Thomas  C.  and  Elizabeth  (Scudder)  Ryall,  was 
born  March  30,  1840.  His  father  was  a native  of  New  Jersey,  born  in  April,  1809.  Eight 
children  were  born  to  him.  viz.:  Johnston  S.,  Albert  P.,  Walter  S.,  Thomas,  Jleury  C., 
Elizabeth  R.  (deceased),  Juliet  S.  and  William  (deceased).  5Irs.  Elizabeth  Ryall  died  in 
August,  1856.  She  was  a worthy  member  of  the  Episcopal  Church.  Thomas  C.  Ryall, 
our  subject’s  father,  had  the  advantage  of  a good  education,  and  in  early  life  began  the 
study  of  law.  He  entered  the  law  school  at  Trenton,  N.  J.,  and  graduated  from  that  in- 
stitution. He  then  began  the  practice  of  law  at  Freeholm,  N.  J.,  but  remained  there  hut 
a short  time,  as  his  health  was  failing,  lie  then  traveled  extensively  in  South  America, 
and  is  now  living  in  Bedford  County,  and  is  one  of  its  most  highly  respected  citizens. 
Our  subject  had  the  advantage  of  a good  education  in  Shelbyville,  and  in  1860  began  the 
study  of  medicine.  The  war  coming  on  broke  into  his  studies,  as  he  enlisted  in  the  Con- 
federate Army  in  the  Twenty-sixth  Tennessee  Regiment,  and  was  assistant  surgeon  of 
that  regiment,  which  position  he  held  thirteen  months.*  He  was  then  assigned  surgeon  in 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1173 


the  hospital  at  Montgomery.  Ala.,  where  he  remained  ten  months.  From  there  he  went  to 
Columbus,  Ga.,  in  the  same  capacity.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  his  count}',  and  in 
18G5  entered  the  University  of  Pennsylvania,  at  Philadelphia,  graduating  with  honors 
from  that  institution  in  18G7.  He  then  went  to  Augustine,  Fla.,  and  began  the  practice 
of  medicine.  At  the  end  of  two  years  he  came  to  Bedford  County,  and  has  been  prac- 
ticing his  profession  here  ever  since.  He  has  an  extensive  practice,  and  is  one  of  the 
progressive  and  leading  men  of  the  county.  He  now  owns  a finely  improved  farm  of  400 
acres,  and  is  quite  successful  in  a financial  sense. 

THOMAS  C.  RYALL,  Sr.,  a prominent  retired  citizen  of  Bedford  County,  was  born 
April  19,  1809,  in  Trenton  N.  J..  his  parents  being  natives  of  New  Jersey,  and  of  English 
descent.  He  read  law  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  began  the  practice  of  that  profession, 
which  he  continued  in  New  Jersey  for  five  or  six  years.  He  then,  on  account  of  his 
health,  accepted  an  offer  from  Post  Capt.  David  Deacon,  United  States  Navy,  who  was 
ordered  to  command  of  the  United  States  Frigate  “Brandywine,”  to  accompany  him  on  a 
cruise  three  years  to  the  Pacific  Coast.  In  this  expedition  he  served  as  captain’s  clerk, 
judge  advocate  on  court  martial  and  officated  pro  Umpire  as  secretary  to  Com.  Wads- 
worth, the  commander  of  the  squadron.  On  his  return,  in  reward  for  his  services, 
he  was  presented  with  a written  request  signed  by  all  the  officers  of  the  squadron  to 
the  proper  authorities,  to  procure  a pursersliip  in  the  naval  service,  but  in  New  Jersey 
he  met  Miss  Elizabeth  Scudder,  of  Nashville,  and  granddaughter  of  Dr.  John  Scuddcr,  the 
famous  East  Indian  missionary.  He  soon  came  to  Nashville  and  married  her.  He  has 
ever  since  lived  in  Tennessee  and  followed  farming  until  about  1880,  when,  on  account  of 
his  age,  he  retired  from  active  business  life.  He  owns  about  800  acres  of  land  and  a very 
fine  fruit  orchard.  Mr.  Ryall’s  married  life  was  blessed  in  the  births  of  nine  children;  six 
of  whom  are  living,  viz.:  Johnston  S.,  a farmer  and  merchant  in  Alabama;  Dr.  A.  P. 
Ryall,  a physician,  of  this  county;  Walter,  growing  oranges  in  Florida;  Thomas  C.,  mer- 
chandise broker,  of  Shelby ville;  Henry  C.,  lumberman,  of  Shelbyville;  and  Juliet,  wife  of 
Brom  R.  Whitthorne,  cashier  of  the  National  Bank  of  Shelbyville.  Mrs.  Ryall  departed 
this  life  August  13, 1857.  Politically,  Mr.  Rydall  was  a Whig,  but  is  now  a Democrat. 
He  is  now  one  of  the  prominent  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  county. 

THOMAS  C.  RYALL,  Jr.,  son  of  Thomas  C.  Ryall,  Sr.,  was  born  October  5,  1843,  in 
Bedford  County;  He  was  reared  on  a farm.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  enlisted  in  the 
Forty-first  Tennessee  Regiment  in  the  late  war.  He  was  in  the  service  about  three  years, 
making  his  escape  from  Camp  Morton  prison,  Indianapolis,  Ind.  He  then  returned  home 
and  remained  for  three  or  four  years.  He  then  lived  in  Alabama  for  about  three  years, 
engaged  in  farming  and  merchandising.  He  then  returned  to  Shelbyville,  where  he  has 
been  engaged  in  merchandising  and  the  brokerage  business.  His  main  line  of  brokerage 
is  in  tobacco.  He  was  married,  January  11,  1881,  to  Miss  Mattie  Baldwin,  of  Canton. 
Miss.,  the  fruit  of  this  union  being  one  daughter — Ellie.  Politically  he  is  a Democrat, 
and,  as  are  the  other  members  of  the  family,  he  is  highly  respected  for  his  enterprise. 

REV.  G.  C.  SANDUSKY  was  born  January  25,  1834,  in  Wayne  County,  Ky.,  being 
one  of  a family  of  ten  children  born  to  the  union  of  Jacob  Sandusky  and  Elizabeth  Bur- 
nett, natives  of  Kentucky,  where  they  now  live.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm.  At 
the  age  of  tweuty-four  he  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  followed  farming  till  the  war. 
He  then  raised  Company  II  of  the  Third  Tennessee  Confederate  Cavalry,  aud  was  in  the 
service  nearly  throughout  the  war.  After  the  battle  of  Stone  River  he  was  promoted  to 
lieutenant-colonel  of  his  regiment.  Upon  returning  from  the  war  he  had  lost  his  property 
and  his  health.  He  then  began  the  study  of  dentistry,  and  has  practiced  that  profession 
ever  since.  In  1870  he  located  at  Shelbyville,  and  has  lived  here  ever  since,  and  does  a 
thriving  business  in  his  profession.  He  was  married,  September  7,  1856,  to  Miss  Ellen  T 
Rogers,  a native  of  Meigs  County,  Tenn.  Eight  children  have  blessed  this  union,  all  of 
whom  are  living:  John  A.,  a dentist  in  Southern.  France;  Mary  E.,  wife  of  W.  S.  Tipton, 
editor  of  the  Cleveland  Herald,  Cleveland,  Tetin.;  Annie,  wife  of  Walter  Craigmiles,  a 
hardware  merchant  of  Chattanooga;  Dick,  a clothing  merchant  of  Shelbyville;  Frederick 


1174 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


R.,  clerk  in  a dry  goods  store;  Fannie,  Cecil  and  Nellie.  Dr.  Sandusky  and  wife  are 
members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  and  he  has  pastoral  charge  of  a congregation 
near  Shelbyville.  He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason.  He  is  a member  of  the  Democratic  party, 
having  been  a Whig  before  the  war.  As  a citizen  he  is  enterprising,  and  commands  the 
respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 

REV.  WILLIAM  M.  SHAW,  one  of  Bedford  County’s  old  and  prominent  citizens, 
was  born  July  5.  1806,  in  Orange  County.  N.  C.,  and  immigrated  to  Bedford  County' 
Tenu.,  in  the  3’ear  1816.  He  was  the  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Scott)  Shaw,  natives, 
respectively,  of  South  Carolina  and  Maryland.  The  father  was  born  November  8,  1771, 
and  died  November  4, 1845.  The  mother  was  born  in  the  year  1778  and  died  February  26. 
1842.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm  and  engaged  in  the  farming  interest  till  the  year 
1853,  at  which  time  he  joined  the  Methodist  Conference  South,  but  was  licensed  to 
preach  as  a local  preacher  previous  to  this  in  the  year  1845.  In  1827  he  wedded  Mahala 
Wilson,  of  tills  county.  She  was  born  January  9,  1809.  This  marriage  resulted  in  the 
birth  cf  nine  children  only  six  of  whom  are  living:  John  W.,  William  S.,  Alexander  M., 
Ambrose  D.,  Ann  E.  and  Mary  L.  In  1849  Rev.  Shaw  was  ordained  deacon  at  Shelby- 
ville by  Bishop  Capers  and  retained  this  position  until  October,  1853.  at  which  time  he 
was  ordained  elder  at  Franklin.  Tenn..  by  the  same  bishop.  October,  1854,  he  joined  the 
conference  and  has  been  a traveling  minister  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  up 
to  the  present  date.  Mrs.  Shaw  died  July  31,  18S5;  she  was  a consistent  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Up  to  the  time  of  the  late  war  Rev.  Shaw  was  an 
old-line  Whig,  but  since  that  time  he  has  been  a Democrat. 

WILLIAM  S.  SHAW  is  a native  of  Bedford  County.  Tenn..  and  a son  of  William  M. 
and  Mahala  (Wilson)  Shaw,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  was  born  May  26, 
1834,  and  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  received  limited  educational  advantages.  At  the  age 
of  twenty-two  he  began  farming  for  himself,  continuing  until  1862,  when  lie  entered  the 
Confederate  Army,  Company  G,  Fort}'-fourth  Tennessee  Infantry,  but  served  only  a short 
time.  He  resumed  farming,  and  December  16,  1858,  v'as  married  to  Nancy  Clark,  who 
was  born  September  1.  1839.  and  who  died  March  27,  1864,  leaving  one  child — Martha  H. 
September  12,  1867,  our  subject  took  for  his  second  wife  Julia  Haskins.  Mrs.  Shaw  died 
October  7,  1871,  and  for  his  third  wife  Mr.  Shaw  took  Susan  O.  Steen,  December  1,  1872. 
She  was  born  March  26,  1852,  and  became  the  mother  of  three  children:  John  Rufus, 
William  Marvin  and  Edward  Driskill.  Mr.  Shaw  is  a Democrat,  and  prides  himself  on 
never  having  been  sued  or  in  a lawsuit. 

WILLIAM  J.  SHOFNER  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  May  3,  1819,  and  isa  son 
of  Christopher  and  Elizabeth  (Jeuning)  Shofner,  who  died  in  1826  and  in  1845,  respectively. 
To  them  were  born  four  daughters  and  four  sons,  three  of  whom  are  yet  living.  Our  sub- 
ject resided  with  his  widowed  mother  on  a farm  until  her  death,  and  about  four  years 
later  located  on  his  farm  of  480  acres.  He  lias  been  very  successful  in  his  business  vent- 
ures, and  has  given  his  five  married  sons  a good  farm  each.  In  1S46  he  married  Rhoda 
Boone,  who  was  born  May  19,  1828.  She  and  husband  became  the  parents  of  the  follow- 
ing family:  Jeptha  B.,  born  in  1847:  James  B.,  born  in  1849;  Christopher  H.,  born  in  1851; 
George  F.,  horn  in  1854;  William  IL,  born  in  1856;  Albert,  born  in  1859,  and  died  in  1861: 
Elizabeth  M.,  born  in  1861;  Daniel  W.,  born  in  1864.  and  Newton  M..  born  in  1868,  and 
died  in  1871.  Mrs.  Shofner's  parents  were  William  and  Sallie  (Howard) Boone.  The  father 
was  born  in  Kentucky,  and  is  a distant  relative  of  Daniel  Boone.  Her  mother  was 
born  m 1803  and  died  in  1843.  Her  father  then  married  Margaret  Moore.  He  died  in  1854 
and  the  stepmother  in  1873. 

MONROE  SHOFNER  was  born  in  Tennessee  September  16.  1833.  son  of  Austin  and 
Rebecca  (Cook)  Shofner,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  born  August  16,  1801.  and  April  21. 
1798,  respectively.  The  father  was  brought  to  Tennessee  in  1807,  and  in  1818  married  our 
subject’s  mother  and  became  the  father  of  eight  children:  Plummer  W.,  Mitchell  I),  (killed 
in  the  battle  of  Chickamauga),  Henderson,  Catherine  (deceased),  John  (deceased),  Martin 
(deceased),  Monroe,  Purline  and  Isom  (deceased).  Our  subject's  father  was  reared  on  a farm 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1175 


and  followed  farming  and  stock  trading,  accumulating  considerable  wealth.  He  operated 
a distillery  for  about  six  years,  and  was  well  known  throughout  the  county  as  a dealer  in 
fine  horses.  He  died  October  IS.  1S52.  and  his  wife  October  10.  1875.  Monroe  spent  the 
life  of  a farmer’s  boy  and  is  now  residing  on  the  farm  settled  by  his  grandfather,  Martin 
Shofner,  which  consists  of  200  acres.  In  1803  he  entered  the  Confederate  service,  and  re- 
roaiuid  one  year.  He  followed  pedagoging  sixteen  years,  but  discontinued  that  iu  1878. 
Mr.  Shofner  takes  much  interest  in  laudable  public  enterprises,  and  gives  them  his  sup 
port  and  patronage.  He  believes  in  Republican  principles  and  he  is  a devout  supporter  of 
temperance,  and  has  on  divers  occasions  delivered  temperance  lectures. 

BENJAMIN  FORSYTH  SMARTING  was  born  in  what  was  Bedford  County  but 
now  is  part  of  Marshall  County,  Tenu.,  November  24.  1825.  He  is  the  son  of  Samuel  and 
Elizabeth  (Bostic)  Smalling,  odc!  L of  German  lineage.  His  father  was  born  in  Sullivan 
County,  Tenn.,  about  1800,  and  his  mother  was  born  in  "Wilkes  County,  N.  C.  about  the 
same  year.  They  were  married  in  early  life  and  from  this  union  were  born  three  chil- 
dren. Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a practical  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  Farming  has  been  his  chief  occupation,  although  he  has  spent  some  time 
in  trading,  saw-milling,  etc.  During  the  civil  war  he  was  commissioned  enrolling  officer 
of  his  district  and  afterward  as  au  officer  of  the  commissary  department  in  the  Confed- 
erate Army,  where  he  remained  during  the  war.  "While  he  participated  in  no  battles  he  was 
often  exposed  to  the  daugers  incident  to  war.  October  5,  1S47,  he  was  married  to  Mi^s 
Ann  F.  Morton,  who  was  born  in  Hardeman  County,  Tenn..  January  13,  1830.  To  this 
union  were  born  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  living:  these  are  Forsyth,  James  M., 

Constantine  "W.,  Benjamin,  Mary  C.  and  Elizabeth  B.  Mr.  Smalling  has  a farm  of  100 
acres  of  fine  land  which  he  manages  in  a profitable  way.  He  is  a Democrat  and  he  and 
family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Our  subject's  grandfa- 
ther, Col.  Benjamin  Forsyth,  was  a commanding  officer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was  killed 
in  a skirmish  near  Lake  Champlain.  He  wore  a sword  at  the  time  of  his  death  which  he 
had  captured  from  a British  officer.  He  made  the  remark  when  putting  the  sword  on 
that  he  would  “ fight  them  with  their  own  weapons.”  He  was  killed  soon  after  this  oc- 
curence. The  sword  was  labeled  with  its  full  history  by  Gen.  Scott  and  seut  to  the  widow 
of  Col.  Forsyth  and  may  be  seen  at  this  time  at  the  home  of  James  M.  Smalling,  four 
miles  east  of  Nashville,  Tenn.,  on  the  Lebanon  Pike. 

GEORGE  SMITH  was  born  December  12, 1831,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn..  son  of  John 
E.  and  Nancy  (Mayfield)  Smith,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively. 
The  father  was  born  in  1801  or  1802  and  died  about  1840.  He  was  a successful  farmer. 
The  mother  was  born  about  1806.  Our  subject  was  the  second  of  five  children  born  to  his 
parents.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  remained  there  until  he  was  eighteen  years  of 
age.  He  then  attended  school  at  Chapel  Hill.  Tenn..  and  continued  there  about  fifteen 
months,  after  which  he  returned  horn?  and  engaged  in  farming  as  well  as  in  stock  and 
negro  trading  up  to  the  time  of  the  late  war.  He  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  in  1861 
in  Col.  Starnes  Cavalry  Company  B.  He  remained  with  this  company  about  two  years 
and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Forty-fourth  Tennessee  Infantry,  Company  G.  He  was 
wounded  at  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro  which  disabled  him  from  active  service  about  fif- 
teen months.  He  again  returned  to  service  and  remained  throughout  the  entire  war. 
Previous  to  the  war,  in  1852,  he  was  married  to  Martha  Rainey,  a native  of  this  county, 
born  August  29,  1832.  This  union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  eight  children:  Nancy 
A..  Emmet.  Andrew  J.,  John  M.,  Sallie  C’.,  Mattie  G , Robert  E.  and  Emma.  Our  subject 
has  been  quite  successful  and  has  accumulated  the  greater  part  of  his  property  since  the 
late  war.  He  and  wife  are  members  in  good  standing  in  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

JOHN  A.  SMITH,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  October  27,  1855, 
son  of  Jasper  N.  and  Sarah  E.  (Carrothers)  Smith,  and  of  English  extraction.  The  father 
was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  November  7,  1828.  and  the  mother  was  born  in  the 
same  county  December,  1839.  Our  subject  is  first  of  eleven  children  horn  to  this  worthy 
couple.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools 


1176 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


October  4,  1SS2,  Miss  Mattie  Chambers,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  became  his  wife.  She 
was  born  December  25,  1SG3,  and  by  this  union  with  Mr.  Smith  became  the  mother  of  two 
children:  Jasper  E.  and  Anna  31.  The  Smith  family  originally  came  from  North  Caro- 
lina, and  were  among  the  very  earliest  settlers  of  the  State  of  Tennessee.  Our  subject  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Smith  is  a member  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

W.  B.  SNELL  was  born  February  2,  1S50,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.  He  is  a son  of 
J.  C.  Snell,  who  was  born  in  1817,  and  is  a native  of  the  county.  The  mother’s  name  was 
Sarah  II.  Snell.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  worked  on  the  same  with  his 
father  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age,  at  which  time  he  began  farming  for  himself, 
and  has  continued  successfully  up  to  the  present  date.  He  was  married,  October  29,  1874, 
to  Virginia  C.  Carlyle,  of  Bedford  County,  and  daughter  of  James  and  Elizabeth  Carlyle. 
They  have  two  children:  Jasper  B.  and  Thomas  Kelly.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Suell 
favors  the  Democratic  party  and  gives  it  his  support  on  all  occasions.  He  takes  an  active 
interest  in  all  enterprises  pertaining  to  the  public  good,  and  is  a man  who  commands  the 
respect  of  all. 

W.  T.  SOLOMON  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  May  18,  1855.  His  father,  W. 
C.  Solomon,  was  born  in  1818,  in  North  Carolina,  and  came  to  Tennessee  when  quite 
small.  About  1853  he  wedded  Sallie  C.  Tarver,  born  in  Columbus,  Ga.,  in  1824.  The 
father  died  in  1880.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  our  subject  became  a clerk  in  the  merchandise 
business  for  J.  C.  Fisher,  of  Fayetteville.  Two  years  later  he  engaged  in  the  grain  and 
produce  business  at  the  same  place,  the  style  of  the  firm  being  Bryson  A Solomon.  Two 
years  later  Air  Solomon  began  work  for  Anderson,  Green  A Co.,  of  Nashville,  as  travel- 
ing salesmen,  and  has  successfully  continued  up  to  the  present  date.  Sue  B.  Thompson 
became  his  wife  October  23.  1879.  She  is  a daughter  of  Newcomb  Thompson,  and  the 
mother  of  two  children:  Alice  Cary  and  William  Tarver.  Our  subject  is  a man  of  influ- 
ence in  the  community  in  which  he  resides,  and  received  a good  education  in  his  boyhood 
days.  He  aud  wife  are  church  members,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  P.  and  the  Dem- 
ocratic party. 

RICHARD  HENRY  STEM,  Esq.,  was  bom  Feburary,  11,  1822  in  North  Carolina, 
Granville  County.  He  immigrated  to  the  State  of  Missouri  in  the  fall  of  1843,  where,  lie 
remained  about  fifteen  months.  He  then  came  to  Tennessee,  and  settled  a mile  and  a 
half  east  of  Unionville.  He  was  the  son  of  Jacob  and  Mary  (Primrose)  Stem.  The  fa- 
ther was  born  about  1763  and  died  about  1828.  He  was  a native  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
moved  to  North  Carolina  in  his  juvenile  days,  where  he  lived  until  the  time  of  his  death. 
The  mother  was  born  about  1788  and  died  about  1S65;  she  was  a native  of  North  Carolina. 
In  July,  1839,  our  subject  wedded  Sallie  Garrett,  of  North  Carolina,  who  was  born  Febru- 
ary, 1822.  On  his  ariival  in  Tennessee  Air.  Stem  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuit-  and 
about  teu  years  later  engaged  in  the  cattle  trading  business  in  connection  with  farming. 
He  was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Tenth  District  in  this  county  a number  of  years  ago, 
and  has  served  every  term  since.  He  was  elected  as  chairman  of  the  county  court  in 
1874  and  served  in  that  capacity  four  years,  and  was  also  associate  justice  two  years  prior 
to  this  election.  He  is  now  officiating  justice  of  peace.  He  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  professing  faith  about  1856.  Airs.  Stem  is  also  a member  of  the 
same  church.  Our  subject  is  a Alaster  Alason  and  is  also  a Chapter  member.  He  is  a 
Democrat  in  politics  and  since  his  childhood  days  lias  traveled  over  these  different  States: 
Tennessee,  Mississippi,  Alabama,  Georgia,  South  Carolina,  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  Ken- 
tucky, Illinois  and  Missouri. 

FELIX  TURRENTINE  is  a Tennesseean,  born  Alay  12.  1811,  son  of  James  Turrentine, 
who  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1773.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  in  1807.  His  wife,  Eleanor 
Neily,  was  born  in  North  Carolina.  Our  subject  lias  always  been  a farmer.  Alay  12,  1842. 
he  married  Alartha  Ann  Orr,  who  was  born  January  26,  1822.  To  them  were  born  seven 
children,  all  of  whom  arc  dead  except  David  A.  and  Eleanor  F.  Mrs.  Turrentine  died 
February  1,  1882.  Air.  Turrentine  was  an  old-line  Whig,  but  since  the  war  has  been  a 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1177 


Democrat.  His  son,  David  A.  Turrentine,  was  born  February  14,  1847.  Up  to  June.  1880. 
he  was  a farmer.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  merchandise  business  at 
Hall’s  Mills.  February  24,  1873.  he  married  Mollie  F.  Shearin,  who  was  born  October  21, 
1851.  To  them  were  born  four  children:  Alice  R..  Sallie'A.,  Lucy  J.  and  Felix.  Mr. 
Turrentine  has  been  prosperous  in  his  business  enterprises.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  constable  in  1878,  and  served  about  ten  months.  He  has  also  been 
a delegate  to  the  Democratic  Convention  from  his  State  several  times.  William  H. 
Stephens,  partner  in  the  merchandise  business  with  David  A.  Turrentine.  was  born  in 
Bedford  County,  Tcnu.,  February  24,  1840.  He  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  when  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  entered  the  Confederate  Army,  enlisting  in  Company  G.  Forty-fourth 
Tennessee  Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh.  Murfreesboro.  Chickamauga, 
and  others.  He  served  throughout  the  war  and  was  not  wounded.  After  his  return  he 
engaged  in  farming  and  has  followed  that  occupation  to  the  present  time.  In  connection 
with  this  he  has  been  in  the  merchandise  business  since  1880.  In  February.  1886,  he  was 
married  to  Martha  Ray,  born  February  S,  1838.  They  are  the  parents  of  Robert  IL,  Etta, 
Thomas  and  Pearlie  Lee.  Mr.  Stephens  and  Mr.  Turrentine  are  doing  a good  business  in 
the  mercantile  line.  Mr.  Stephens  is  a very  firm  Democrat  in  politics. 

HENRY  H.  STEPHENS  was  born  in  the  year  1818.  in  the  State  of  North  Carolina 
and  in  1836  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  this  county  on  the  farm  where  he  is 
now  living.  He  was  the  youngest  of  nine  children  born  to  the  union  of  Hardie  and  Mary 
Stephens.  He  is  a mechanic  by  trade  and  built  the  bridge  on  the  Chattanooga  Railroad 
when  the  road  was  first  laid  off.  After  this  he  followed  the  business  of  a millwright  for 
about  five  years.  lie  has  also  carried  on  farming  in  connection  with  his  other  occupa- 
tions. May  27,  1839,  he  was  married  to  Nancy  Mullens,  of  this  county,  who  was  born 
September  21,  1818.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  ten  children,  two  of  whom  are 
dead.  The  eight  remaining  are  living  in  this  count}*.  Our  subject  has  been  quite  success 
ful  and  has  accumulated  considerable  means.  In  politics  Mr.  Stephens  is  a Democrat  and 
he  and  wife  are  leading  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  His  health 
has  been  quite  poor  for  a number  of  years,  and  he  has  not  been  able  to  see  to  any  out-door 
business  for  about  six  years. 

J.  M.  L.  STEPHENS  is  a son  of  John  and  Martha  A.  (Gulley)  Stephens,  who  were  born 
in  North  Carolina  in  1776  and  1796,  and  died  in  1831  and  1879,  respectively.  The  father 
was  an  early  pioneer  farmer  of  Tennessee,  and  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  re- 
ceived land  grants  for  his  services.  Our  subject  was  born  February  28,  1831,  in  Bedford 
County,  and  worked  on  a farm  to  support  his  mother  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when 
he  began  farming  for  himself,  and  in  the  winter  season  taught  school  for  several  years. 
He  entered  the  Confederate  service  in  1862,  iu  Company  F.  Forty-first  Tennessee  Iufan 
try,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Chickamauga,  Raymond.  Jackson  and  others,  but  was  not 
wounded  or  captured  during  service.  After  his  return  home  he  resumed  farming,  and  in 
1866  was  elected  constable  and  served  two  years.  November  22,  1858,  he  wedded  Marga- 
ret F.  Robinson,  of  Bedford  County,  and  their  union  has  resulted  in  the  birth  of  six  chil- 
dren: Ransom,  Kate,  Joseph,  John,  Lizzie  and  Hiram.  Mr.  Stephens  is  a man  well  versed 
in  the  affairs  of  the  times,  and  he  and  family  are  church  members.  His  eldest  son  is  pre 
paring  for  the  ministry.  Mr.  Stephens  is  a Mason,  and  a Democrat  in  his  political  views 

WALTER  W.  SUMMERS  was  .born  January  5,  1819.  in  Fleming  County,  Ivy.  His 
father,  Lewis  Summers,  was  a native  of  Culpepper  County,  Ya.;  about  1796,  he  immigrated 
to  Kentucky,  where  be  married  Miss  Mary  Armstrong,  a native  also  of  Virginia.  He  was 
of  English  descent,  and  she  of  Scotch -Irish.  To  this  union  were  born  fourteen  children, 
our  subject  being  the  eleventh.  The  mother  died  in  1859,  and  the  father  died  iu  1863.  Our 
subject  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  county,  and  remained  with  his 
parents  on  the  farm  until  he  reached  his  majority.  He  then  followed  merchandising  for 
about  a year  and  a half,  and  then  devoted  his  attention  to  trading  in  stock,  which  he  fol- 
lowed about  thirty  years.  In  1847  he  married  Miss  Mary  Gore,  a native  of  Nelson  County. 
Ky.,  and  to  this  union  three  children — Lewis  (deceased),  Henry  and  Thomas— were  born. 


1178 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1S5S,  and  in  1861  our  subject  married  Miss  Hettie 
Armstrong,  a native  of  Bedford  Count}’,  Teim.,  and  to  this  union  two  children  have  been 
born,  both  of  whom  are  dead.  In  1877  our  subject  took  for  his  third  wife  Mis-  Kincan- 
non,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  Tcnn.,  and  to  them  were  born  two  children:  Otic  P. 
R.  and  Wattie  R.  M.,  both  living.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war,  Mr.  Summers  left 
Louisville  and  ran  a large  distillery  at  Chattanooga  until  it  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
Federal  authorities.  After  the  war  he  returned  to  Louisville,  and  in  1867  purchased  and 
moved  upon  the  farm  where  he  now  lives,  which  consists  of  380  acres.  In  1S76,  Centen- 
nial year,  he  exhibited  the  largest  steer  and  largest  mule  perhaps  ever  reared,  and  a three- 
legged  cow.  Mr.  Summers  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  and  Odd  Fellows  orders,  and  is 
independent  in  politics. 

WALTER  FINLEY  SUTTON,  a resident  of  the  Fourth  District,  Bedford  Co.,  Tenn., 
born  in  the  district  in  which  he  now  resides,  November  25.  1S40,  son  of  John  and  Eliza- 
beth A.  (Harris)  Sutton,  and  is  of  English-Scotch  descent.  His  father  was  born  in  Prince. 
William  County.  Ya.,  March  5,  1775,  and  died  August  5,  1855.  His  mother  was  born  in 
Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  in  1813,  and  died  in  the  same  county  in  1S79.  His  father  was  mar- 
ried twice,  the  second  time  to  the  mother  of  our  subject.  Miss  Elizabeth  Harris,  a relative 
of  Gov.  Harris,  of  Tennessee.  Our  subject  received  a common  school  education,  and  has 
followed  farming  as  his  chief  occupation.  He  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  service  in  the 
Twenty-third  Tennessee  Infantry  and  was  afterward  transferred  to  the  Fourth  Tennes- 
see Cavalry,  where  he  served  three  years.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Stone  River,  Chicka* 
mauga.  besides  various  cavalry  skirmishes  during  the  Georgia  campaign,  and  was  finally 
discharged  at  Atlanta  just  prior  to  the  general  surrender.  In  the  fall  of  1865  Mr.  Sutton 
was  elected  magistrate  of  his  district,  which  position  he  has  held  ever  since.  December 
27,  1858,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Bettie  Hicks,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  born  March  13, 
1842,  and  to  this  union  was  born  one  child,  William,  whose  birth  occurred  October  S, 
1868. 

WILLIAM  B.  SUTTON,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  Couuty,  Tenn.,  July  12,  1834, 
son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Harris)  Sutton,  and  of  English-Seotch  descent.  (For  further 
particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  Walter  Finley  Sutton.)  Our  subject  received  his 
preparatory  education  at  Triune,  Williamson  Co.,  Tenn.,  under  Prof.  E.  B.  Crocker,  and 
completed  at  the  Union  University,  Murfreesboro,  Teun.  For  several  years  prior  to  the 
war  he  was  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  as  salesman.  When  the  war  broke  out  he 
enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army  and  was  assigned  duty  uuder  Maj.  James  F.  Cummings, 
commissary  for  the  Confederate  Army,  with  headquarters  at  Atlanta,  Ga.  Here  he  re- 
mained until  the  close  of  the  war.  Our  subject  lias  been  married  twice;  the  first  marriage 
occurred  July  10,  1860.  to  Miss  Kate  Suttle,  daughter  of  Richard  Suttle.  To  this  union 
were  born  two  sons:  John  L.,  born  August  1,  1S65,  and  Ernest,  born  January  29.  1875. 
The  second  marriage  occurred  November  17.  1S85,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Alexander.  Mr.  Sut- 
ton is  a thorough  Democrat,  an  Odd  Fellow,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  Church  South.  He  has  665  acres  of  land,  400  of  which  are  in  a fine  state 
of  cultivation,  lie  gives  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  live-stock. 

C:  N.  TAYLOR,  a native  of  Bedford  County,  was  born  December  1,  1850.  and  is  the 
sou  of  James  P.  and  Margaret  A.  (Ransom)  Taylor.  The  father  was  born  about  October, 
1820,  and  died  January  9,  1880.*  The  mother  was  born  in  1820.  Our  subject’s  educational 
advantages  were  comparatively  good,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing on  his  own  responsibility.  December  19,  1877  he  wedded  Mary  O.  Wood,  of  this 
county.  She  was  born  April  18,  1800,  and  was  the  daughter  of  Johnson  W.  and  Louisa 
F.  (Jordon)  Wood;  the  former  born  in  1836  and  the  latter  in  1829,  and  died  in  1884.  To 
our  subject  and  wife  were  born  two  children;  their  names  are,  respectively,  Annie  R.,  born 
December  18,  1879,  and  John  W.,  born  October  8,  1882.  Mr.  Taylor  is  a man  of  good 
standing  in  his  community,  always  willing  to  aid  in  any  enterprise  pertaining  to  the  ad 
vancement  of  the  educational  or  moral  interests.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

JOHN  W.  THOMPSON,  chairman  of  the  county  court  of  Bedford  County,  is  a son 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1179 


of  Newcom  and  Amy  (Fisher)  Thompson,  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  parents  moved 
to  this  county  in  about  1809.  The  father  was  a carpenter  and  he  built  the  first  houses  of 
Shelbyvillc.  He  afterward  engaged  in  farming  two  and  one-half  miles  west  of  Shelby- 
ville  and  there  raised  his  family  and  became  wealthy,  but  the  war  involved  him.  He  died 
in  1879  at  the  age  of  seventy -five.  The  mother  died  at  eighty-one,  in  1886.  Our  subject 
was  born  January1  8,  1831,  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  He  remained  with  his  parents  till 
April,  1846,  when  he  engaged  at  clerking  in  a store.  After  several  years  he  opened  a 
family  grocery  trade  which  he  continued  until  the  war.  During  the  war  he  was  engaged 
in  the  Adams  Express  office  at  Nashville.  In  18-57  he  was  elected  recorder  of  Shelbyvillc 
and  held  the  office  till  1866.  In  that  year  he  was  elected  register  of  Bedford  Count}’.  In 
1868  he  was  appointed  deputy  circuit  court  clerk,  which  office  he  held  till  1882.  He  was 
elected  magistrate  in  1870,  and  in  1882  was  elected  chairman  of  the  court.  He  was  mayor 
of  Shelbyville  from  1872  to  1877,  having  been  an  alderman  for  five  years  previous.  He 
was  elected  recorder  of  Shelbyville,  in  1885,  without  his  knowledge  or  consent,  and  now 
holds  that  office.  He  was  united  in  marriage,  in  December,  1849,  to  Miss  M.  J.  Panned,  a 
native  of  this  county.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  four  of  whom  are 
now  living.  For  thirty  years  Mr.  Thompson  was  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  He  is  now 
a member  of  the  Iv.  of  H.  and  A.  O.  U.  W.  fraternities. 

GEORGE  W.  THOMPSON,  one  of  the  old  and  highly  respected  citizens  of  Bedford 
County,  was  the  oldest  son  and  second  child  of  Newcom  and  Amy  (Fisher)  Thompson. 
He  was  born  February  1,  1823,  near  Shelbyville,  and  was  reared  on  a farm,  his  father  be- 
ing a wealthy  farmer  and  manufacturer.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  engaged  in  the  tan- 
ner’s trade,  and  continued  till  he  was  married,  when  he  moved  to  Shelbyviile  and  served 
as  constable,  then  a lucrative  office,  for  two  years.  He  then  ran  a saw-mill  for  four  years 
and  also  bought  a large  tract  of  timber  land.  He  then  returned  to  Shelbyville  and 
served  as  constable  or  collecting  officer  again  for  four  years.  He  then  engaged  in  the  family 
grocery  business  till  1861.  During  the  war  he  was  a Union  man  and  was  not  engaged  in  any 
special  avenue  of  business.  In  1S66  he  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  and  attended  the 
regular  and  call  sessions  of  1866  and  of  1868.  During  this  time,  and  ever  since,  he  has 
been  a farmer.  He  was  married,  May  18,  1843,  to  Martha  M.  Cannon,  who  bore  him  five 
children,  three  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  Amy  F.,  the  widow  of  C.  A.  Warren,  Sr.; 
Letitia,  the  wife  of  C.  A.  Warren,  Jr.,  and  Mollie  G.  Mrs.  Thompson  departed  this  life 
July  14,  1874.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  I.  O.  O.  F. 
Politically  he  is  a firm  Republican,  and  he  is  and  always  has  been  an  enterprising  and  en- 
ergetic citizen  of  Bedford  County. 

W.  THOMPSON,  one  of  the  numerous  members  of  the  Thompson  family  of  Bedford 
County,  is  a farmer  living  about  four  miles  west  of  Shelbyville.  He  was  born  August  20, 
1842,  in  Bedford  County.  His  father,  John  F.  Thompson,  was  born  in  Bedford  County, 
being  a son  of  one  of  those  Thompsons  who  came  to  Bedford  County  from  North  Caro- 
lina in  the  very  early  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  State.  He  was  a farmer  all  his  life, 
his  death  occurring  August  23,  1883.  The  mother  is  now  living  five  miles  northwest  of 
Shelbyville.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  reared  on  a farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 
* he  married  and  continued  farming,  which  he  has  successfully  followed  ever  since,  now 
owning  300  acres  of  good  land  well  improved.  He  was  one  of  the  boys  in  gray,  serving 
from  July,  1861,  till  June,  1802,  in  Blanton’s  company  of  the  Twenty-third  Tennessee. 
At  the  battle  of  Shiloh  he  lost  a leg  and  in  June.  1862,  returned  home.  He  was  married 
in  18G4,  to  Hulda  B.  Wilhoite,  the  results  of  this  union  being  ten  children,  seven  of  whom 
are  now  living,  viz.:  Eunice,  Richard,  Lydia,  Warner,  Charles,  Purdey  and  an  infant. 
Mr.  Thompson  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  lie,  his  wife  and  eldest  daughter  are  members 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

THOMAS  C.  THOMPSON  was  born  February  8,  1843,  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  sou 
of  W.  F.  and  Harriet  P.  (Hall)  Thompson.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  born 
September  9,  1816,  and  of  English  descent.  The  mother  was  of  Irish  descent,  and  by  her 
union  with  W.  F.  Thompson  she  became  the  mother  of  four  children.  She  died  in  1850, 


1180 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


and  in  1857  the  father  married  Mrs.  Mary  Muse,  a native  of  this  county.  To  this  union 
were  born  four  children.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil.  He  died  in  1865  and  his 
widow  is  still  living.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  country  schools,  and  assisted  his 
father  on  his  farm  until  December,  1861,  when  he  enlisted  iu  the  Twenty-third  Regiment, 
Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  command  nineteen  months.  The 
principal  battles  in  which  he  was  engaged  were  Shiloh,  Perryville  and  Murfreesboro.  In 
I860  he  married  Miss  Achsali  King,  a native  of  this  county,  and  a daughter  of  C.  B.  and 
Mary  C.  King.  To  our  subject  and  wife  were  born  the  following  children:  Mary  B.,  Hattie 
V.,  Charles  F.,  James  B.,  Sarah  E.,  Robert  E.,  Thomas  E.  and  George  E..  all  now  living 
with  the  exception  of  Sarah  E.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  May  9,  1SS2,  and  in  1885 
Mr.  Thompson  married  Miss  Maggie  A.  Rankin,  a native  of  Ohio,  and  a daughter  of  Rev. 
Alexander  F.  and  Mary  Rankin.  Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and 
at  present  is  a magistrate  of  his  civil  district.  He  owns  a farm  of  over  200  acres,  all 
under  a good  state  of  cultivation.  Himself,  wife  and  four  eldest  children  are  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 

ZACH  THOMPSON  was  born  July  7,  1844,  at  Lebanon.  Wilson  Co.,  Tenn.  His 
father.  Col.  Robert  E.  Thompson,  is  a native  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  born  in  1822  and 
of  Irish  descent.  He  moved  to  Williamson  County  with  his  parents  when  a small  boy  and 
subsequently  was  educated  at  Lebanon.  Wilson  County,  and  began  the  practice  of  law  at 
that  place.  He  has  been  a member  of  the  Legislature  several  times  and  is  a prominent 
lawyer  of  Lebanou.  He  married  Miss  Mary  Tolliver,  a native  of  Lebanon,  and  to  this 
union  nine  children  were  born,  of  whom  the  subject  is  the  eldest.  Zacli  Thompson  was 
educated  at  Cumberland  University,  Lebanon,  and  upon  passing  sixteen  years  of  age 
he  enlisted  in  -the  Seventh  Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry.  He  served  in  that  regiment 
about  eighteen  mouths  and  was  then  transferred  to  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry  and 
with  that  command  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  read 
law  and  practiced  at  Lebanon  until  1873.  November  21,  1872.  Miss  Lettie  Cannon,  a 
native  of  Bedford  County,  became  his  wife.  To  this  Union  were  born  two  children: 
Robert  E,  and  Mary  L.,  both  living.  In  1873  they  moved  upon  the  place  where  they  now 
reside,  which  is  about  six  miles  northeast  of  Shelbyville.  The  farm  consists  of  320  acres, 
all  under  a good  state  of  cultivation.  In  connection  with  farming  Mr.  Thompson  has 
run  a distillery  for  the  last  three  years.  In  politics  he  is  a stanch  Democrat. 

W.  E.  A.  THOMPSON,  A.  B.,  a native  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  Nov.  28, 
1848.  His  father  was  a licensed  preacher  iu  the  Methodist  Church,  but  having  an  affection 
of  the  throat  was  obliged  to  give  up  his  ministerial  duties  and  engage  in  farming.  His 
mother  was  Ellen  C.  (Williams)  Thompson.  Our  subject  remained  with  his  parents  on  the 
farm  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  attending  school  when  he  could  be  conven- 
iently spared  from  the  farm.  In  the  fall  of  1869  lie  taught  school  at  Mount  Zion,  Bedford 
County,  and  in  1870  clerked  in  a dry  goods  house  at  Unionville.  The  spring  of  1871  he 
spent  in  school  at  Chapel  Hill  and  spent  the  fall  at  Unionville  in  the  same  manner.  Early 
in  1872  he  entered  the  Tennessee  University,  where  he  graduated  in  1874  with  the  degree 
-of  A.  B.  He  chose  teaching  as  his  profession  and  began  work  at  Unionville,  his  native 
village.  In  the  summer  of  1875  he  left  Unionville  aud  taught  five  months  at  Middleton, 
Rutherford  County.  Iu  the  spring  of  1876  he  accepted  the  principalship  of  the  Center 
Grove  High  School,  where  he  is  engaged  at  the  present  writing.  December  26,  1876,  he 
wedded  Nannie  Floyd,  of  this  county,  and  by  her  became  the  fatherof  four  children:  Ben- 
jamin IL,  Mary  G.,  Annie  E.  and  Ellen  F.  Our  subject  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  and  is  a man  of  good  social  standing  and  influence  in  this 
section. 

COL.  LEWIS  TILLMAN  (deceased)  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  August  18,  1816, 
being  a s«.n  of  John  and  Rachel  P.  (Martin)  Tillman,  natives  of  South  Carolina.  Both 
parents  immigrated  to  this  county  when  youug.  The  father  was  born  February  5,  1786, 
.and  tame  to  Bedford  County  about  1810.  lie  was  a farmer,  aud  was  one  of  the  promiuent 
early  citizens  of  Bedford  County.  He  was  a member  of  the  State  Legislature  of  Tennes- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1181 


■soe  in  1820,  but  would  never  accept  further  political  honor.  His  death  occurred  October 
*o,  1854.  The  mother  was  born  May  16,  1789,  and  attained  the  age  of  ninety-two,  dying 
in  1SS1.  Both  the  grandsires  of  our  subject  were  soldiers  of  the  Revolutionary  war. 
Col.  Lewis  Tillman  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  secured  but  a limited  early  education  be- 
-cause  of  the  rude  accommodations  of  the  schools  in  his  boyhood.  At  the  age  of  twenty - 
five  he  married,  and  settled  where  he  pursued  farming  till  his  death.  In  1836  he  served  in 
the  Florida  war  in  the  campaign  against  the  Creek  and  Seminole  Indians.  He  has  held 
the  commission  of  major,  lieutenant-colonel  and  colonel  in  the  Sixty-first  regiment  of 
State  Militia  of  Tennessee.  From  1852  to  1860  he  was  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Bed- 
ford County,  and  for  a few  years  immediately  following  the  war  he  was  clerk  and  master 
of  the  Chancery  Court  of  Bedford  County.  Throughout  the  war  he  was  a firm  Union 
man.  In  1868  he  was  elected  to  represent  the  Fifth  Congressional  District  of  Tennessee 
in  the  Forty-first  Congress  of  the  United  Stafes  of  America,  without  auy  solicitation  on 
his  part.  Since  then  he  never  would  accept  any  public  office.  He  was  married,  in  1840, 
to  Mary  Catharine  Davidson,  daughter  of  James  Davidson,  one  of  the  early  citizens  of 
the  count}".  Mrs.  Tillman’s  mother  is  still  living,  aged  eighty-two  years.  Mrs.  Tillman 
was  born  March  1,  1823.  Col.  Tillman’s  married  life  was  blessed  in  the  birth  of  eleven 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living,  viz.:  James  D.,  a prominent  attorney  at  Fayette- 
ville; Lewis,  a prominent  attorney  of  Knoxville;  Samuel  E.,  professor  of  chemistry,  min- 
eralogy and  geology  in  the  West  Point  Academy,  of  New  York;  George  N.,  United 
States  marshal  of  the  Middle  District  of  Tennessee;  Hattie  A.,  residing  with  her  mother; 
Edwin  H.,  in  the  United  States  Naval  service  on  the  coast  of  Japan,  and  Abram  M.,  a law 
student  and  clerk  in  the  Internal  Revenue  Department  at  Washington,  D.  C.  Col.  Lewis 
Tillman’s  private  and  public  career  was  one  of  unimpeached  integrity,  undismayed  en- 
ergy and  unsurpassed  hospitality.  The  poor,  especially,  received  bountifully  from  his 
hand,  and  no  charitable  institution  went  unaided  by  him. 

MICAGER  TROXLER  is  a native  Tennesseean,  bom  January  25, 1839,  and  is  residing 
in  the  home  of  his  birth,  where  he  owns  110  acres  of  good  land.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in 
the  Confederate  Army  under  Bushrod  Johnson  and  served  until  December,  1863,  when  he 
was  taken  sick  and  captured.  He  was  paroled  and  sent  home  but  never  returned  to 
service.  November  20,  1860,  he  married  Mary  A.  Shofner,  who  was  born  December  3, 
1842.  She  was  a daughter  of  Frederick  and  Mary  (McKaig)  Shofner,  and  died  April  11, 
1864.  Mr.  Troxler  then  wedded,  in  1865,  his  second  wife,  Mary  A.  Dean,  a daughter  of 
John  and  Sarah  (Shofner)  Troxler,  who  were  born  in  1791  and  1796  and  died  in  1871  and 
1869,  respectively.  Mrs.  Troxler  was  born  October  20,  1838.  Our  subject  is  a member  of 
the  K.  of  H.,  and  is  also  a member  of  Freemason  lodge  No.  308.  He  and  Mrs. 
Troxler  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  he  is  a stanch  sup- 
porter of  Democratic  principles.  His  parents,  Isaac  and  Elizabeth  (Payne)  Troxler, 
were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively,  in  1803.  The  father  was 
brought  to  Tennessee  by  his  parents  in  1810,  and  November  2,  1825,  be  wedded  our  sub- 
ject’s mother  and  became  the  father  of  ten  children.  His  death  occurred  March  15,  1866, 
and  the  mother’s  June  20,  184S. 

JOHN  C.  TROXLER  was  born  January  5,  1S40,  in  Tennessee.  His  parents,  Anthony 
and  Sarah  (Cortner)  Troxler,  were  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1802  and  1810,  respectively. 
The  father  came  to  Tennessee  about  1817,  and  died  in  1843.  The  mother’s  death  occurred 
in  1886.  Our  subject  has  followed  farming  from  early  boyhood.  In  1861  he  enlisted  in 
the  Confederate  service  and  remained  until  1863,  when  he  was  captured  while  making  a 
visit  home,  was  paroled,  and  never  returned  to  the  service.  He  was  constable  of  bis  dis- 
trict two  years,  and  served  as  deputy  sheriff  one  }*ear.  In  1866  Mr.  Troxler  was  married 
to  Mrs.  Margaret  A.,  widow  of  Gilbreth  Chambers.  She  was  born  in  Tennessee  in 
1848.  Nine  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Troxler,  named  George  R.,  born  in  1867; 
William  T.,  born  in  1870;  Nancy  D.,  born  in  1872;  Sarah,  horn  in  1874;  John  A.,  born  in 
187G;  Daniel  51.,  born  in  1878;  Edward,  bora  in  1880;  Polly,  born  in  1882,  and  Ambrose, 
born  in  1884.  In  March,  1876,  Mr.  Troxler  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  in  his  district, 


74 


1182 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


and  has  held  the  office  up  to  the  present  time  He  owns  1*26  acres  of  land,  and  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  K.  of  H.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  he  is  a Democrat  politically. 

WILLIAM  T.  TUNE  (deceased)  was  a son  of  John  Tune,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
Bedford  County,  Tenn.  He  was  born  in  181S.  in  Smith  County,  and  was  reared  on  a farm. 
He  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Miss  C.  E.  Morton,  and  thirteen  children  were  born  to  them: 
Mary  A.,  James  C.,  Mattie  J.,  Eliza  F.,  Sallie.,  Charles  W.,  Emma  S.,  John  M.,  Will  R., 
Thomas  C..  Louis  T.,  Horace  G.,  and  Bettie  E.  Mr.  Tune  was  a farmer  of  Bedford  County 
for  many  years.  He  died  March  5,  1871.  Mrs.  Tune  is  still  living  at  her  residence, 
“Cottage  Home,’ ’and  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  William 
R.  Tune,  fourth  son  of  William  T.  Tune,  was  born  October  12,  1860,  and  spent  his  boy- 
hood days  on  a farm.  He  finished  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Shelbyville.  and  then 
took  a traveling  tour  over  the  greater  part  of  the  United  States.  At  present  he  is  living 
with  his  mother,  and  he  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

KESTER  L.  TUNE,  farmer,  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  in  this  State  De- 
cember 6,  1829.  His  parents,  John  and  Mary  (Cooper)  Tune,  were  born  in  Virginia  and 
Tennessee  in  1791  and  1797,  respectively.  They  were  married  September  12.  1816.  and 
fifteen  children  were  born  to  their  union.  The  mother  died  in  August,  1853,  and  the  la- 
ther in  1881.  After  attaining  his  majority  our  subject  began  the  battle  of  life  on  his  own 
responsibility,  and  by  industry  and  economy  became  the  possessor  of  465  acres  of  well 
cultivated  and  fertile  land.  He  gives  considerable  attention  to  stock  trading  also.  Sep- 
tember 1,  1858.  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  M.  C.  Wells,  .born  May  S,  1838,  and  died 
January  13,  1862,  having  borne  two  children:  Joseph  E.,  born  April  27,  1S60,  and  died 
November  1,  1861,  and  Susan  E..  born  October  13,  1801.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Tune 
married  Eliza  J.  Landers,  born  October  19,  1835.  They  have  three  children:  Thomas  O.. 
born  December  29,  1865;  John  C.,  born  November  14.  1868;  and  William  S.,  born  March 
28,  1S72.  Mrs.  Tune’s  parents  were  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Thomas  ) Landers,  who  were 
born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  in  1812  and  1814.  respectively.  They  were  mar- 
ried December  20,  1834,  and  became  the  parents  of  twelve  children— eight  daughters  and 
four  sons.  The  father  died  May  5,  1879.  Mr.  Tune’s  first  wife  was  a member  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  His  present  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Pro- 
testant Church.  Mr.  Tune  was  a Whig  until  the  death  of  that  party;  and  since  that  time 
has  been  identified  with  the  Republican  party. 

JAMES  L.  TURNER  was  born  July  8,  1823,  in  Sussex  County,  Va.,  son  of  Little- 
bury  and  Mary  (Winn)  Turner.  The  father  was  born  April  28,  1788,  and  died  June  18. 
1869.  The  mother  was  born  September  28,  1787,  and  died  February  25,  1879.  Our  sub- 
ject’s educational  advantages  were  not  of  the  best,  but,  notwithstanding,  he  is  considered 
a fine  mathematician,  and  has  acquired  the  major  part  of  his  education  without  a teacher. 
At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  engaged  in  the  farming  interest  with  his  father,  and  so  con- 
tinued until  about  1851.  Previous  to  this,  in  1848,  he  w*as  elected  to  the  office  of  consta- 
ble, which  position  he  held  for  about  eleven  years.  In  1850  he  wedded  Margaret  N.  Mur- 
phy, who  was  born  August  12,  1830,  and  to  them  w*ere  born  nine  children:  Sarah  J.,  James 
W.,  William  F.,  Margaret  F.,  Elizabeth  A..  Nancy  F.,  Tennessee  M.  (deceased),  Joseph 
H.  and  Lavinia.  Mr.  Turner  was  elected  to  the  office  of  deputy  sheriff  in  1858,  and  held 
that  office  one  term,  and  again’in  1868  he  was  deputized  to  fill  the  same  office.  In  1876  he 
was  elected  magistrate  of  the  Eleventh  District,  and  has  held  that  office  up  to  the  present 
time.  lie  has  also  carried  on  his  farming  interest,  and  has  been  quite  successful  in  that 
occupation.  lie  is  a Republican  in  politics. 

JAMES  VANN  ATT  A was  born  February  9,  1811,  in  Williamson  Count}*,  Tenn.,  and 
was  reared  and  educated  in  the  country.  January  12,  1831,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Martha  Watson,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  three  children:  Samuel,  Hibernal) 
K.  and  John  S..  only  one  of  whom  is  living.  Mrs.  Vannatla  died  in  1839,  and  for  his  sec- 
ond wife  Mr.  Vannatta  took  Mrs.  Jerusha  (Clardy)  Nash,  and  to  them  were  horn  the  fol- 
lowing children:  Delphia  A.,  Joseph  H.,  George  W.,  Charity  A.,  Eliza  F.,  Christopher  C. 


- 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


11S3 


and  Xannie  D.  Iu  1850  Mr.  Yannatta  moved  to  Bedford  County,  where  he  engaged  in 
farming  and  stock  raising.  Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church  South.  Mr.  Yannatta's  parents  were  C.  C.  and  Xancy  (Louder)  Yannatta,  born 
in  Xorth  Carolina  and  Kentucky,  respectively.  The  father  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early 
day,  locating  in  Williamson  County, near  Triune.  To  him  and  wife  were  born  the  follow- 
ing children:  Maria,  James  and  Katie:  only  one,  James,  is  now  living.  The  father  was 
in  the  war  of  1812.  and  was  with  Jackson  at  New  Orleans.  He  died  on  his  way  home 
from  that  place.  His  widow  died  in  1839.  Both  were  earnest  workers  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South. 

WAR  REX  WAITE,  a prominent  farmer  of  District  Xo.  2,  was  born  June  9.  1827,  in 
Bedford  County,  near  Wartraee.  His  father,  George  Waite,  was  a native  of  Person 
Count}’,  X.  C.,  born  Xovember  18,  1790,  aud  was  of  English  lineage.  Our  subject’s  pa- 
ternal grandfather,  Robert  Waite,  emigrated  from  England  to  Xorth  Carolina  during 
colonial  times,  and  was  a surveyor  of  lands.  George  Waite,  when  a boy,  moved  with  his 
parents  to  Tennessee,  first  to  Williamson  County,  and  subsequently  to  Bedford  County, 
where  his  parents  died.  He  married  Miss  Xancy  B.  Warren,  a native  of  Xorth  Carolina, 
born  Xovember  30,  1790,  and  of  English-Irish  lineage.  To  this  union  six  children  were 
born.  The  mother  died  December  5,  1S3S,  and  the  father  December  21,  1857.  The  father 
was  a natural  mechanic  in  wood  and  iron  work,  and  was  also  a farmer.  Our  subject  re- 
ceived a practical  education  in  the  country  schools,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until 
he  reached  his  majority,  when  he  began  merchandising,  which  he  continued  about  twenty 
years;  also  carried  on  farming  at  the  same  time.  Tn  1853  he  married  Miss  Rutha  S.  Yell, 
a native  of  Coffee  County,  Team,  and  to  this  union  were  born  the  following  children: 
George  E.,  Xancy  A.,  Warren  S.  and  James  W.,  all  living.  Mr.  Waite  owns  a farm  of 
GOO  acres,  all  under  a good  state  of  cultivation.  He  was  formerly  a Whig,  but  is  now  a 
Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church. 

PROF.  SIMEOX  Y.  WALL  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  August  22,  1844, 
son  of  John  B.  and  Martha  E.  (Wilson)  Wall,  and  of  Scotch-Irish-  descent.  The  parents 
were  born  in  Xorth  Carolina  and  Tennessee  in  1799  and  1803  and  died  December  31,  1870, 
and  April  15,  1859,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  1819  and  were  the  parents  of  thir- 
teen children.  The  father  was  a soldier  in  the  Confederate  Army  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  he  was  over  age.  He  was  an  old-time  Whig,  although  an  intimate  friend  of 
James  I\.  Polk.  He  was  a soldier  in  the  Indian  war  of  1836.  His  father,  Clement  Wall, 
came  to  Williamson  County.  Tenn.,  in  1804.  Our  immediate  subject,  Simeon  Wall,  was  a 
student  in  Harpeth  Academy  before  the  war.  He  enlisted  in  the  Twentieth  Tennessee 
Regiment  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Chickamauga  and  Franklin  and  was 
in  many  of  the  battles  of  the  Georgia  campaign.  Of  bis  war  record  the  Review  and  Jour- 
nal of  Franklin,  Tenn.,  said:  “It  is  well  known  that  when  a mere  boy  he  left  this  county 
to  serve  in  the  Southern  Army  and  he  was  recognized  all  over  the  army  as  a brave  and 
gallant  soldier.”  After  the  war,  owing  to  the  financial  embarrassment  of  his  father,  he 
completed  his  education  through  his  own  exertions.  He  lias  been  professor  in  academies 
and  colleges  for  nearly  twenty  years  and  is  one  of  the  successful  educators  of  Tennessee. 
He  is  proprietor  of  the  Bedford  Academy  at  Bellbuckle,  Tenn.,  but  is  soon  to  sever  his 
connection  with  this  school  and  take  charge  of  the  C'ulleoka  Academy  as  co-principal. 
July  28,  18G8,  our  subject  married  Miss  Xannie  J.  Comer,  daughter  of  Rev.  J.  J.  Comer 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wall  are  the  parents  of  nine 
children — seven  sons  and  two  daughters.  Prof.  Wall  is  a Democrat  aud  a member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity  aud  he  aud  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
South. 

CAPT.  JAMES  A.  WARDER,  a leading  member  of  the  Bedford  County  bar,  was 
born  September  24,  1843,  at  May's  Lick,  Ky.  Ilis  father,  Walter  Warder,  was  a native 
of  Kentucky,  and  was  an  eminent  physician  of  that  State.  He  died  when  James  A.  was 
but  about  thirteen  years  of  age.  The  mother  now  lives  in  her  native  Slate,  Kentucky 


1184 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Capt.  Warder  was  reared  near  Maysville,  Ky..  and  received  his  education  at  Maysville 
and  at  Centre  College,  Kentucky.  When  eighteen  years  of  age.  in  1861,  he  enlisted  in 
Company  L,  Second  Kentucky  Cavalry,  as  a private.  He  was  subsequently  made  first 
lieutenant  of  the  company  and  afterward  was  made  captain  of  Company  C,  of  the  same 
regiment.  He  held  that  commission  till  the  close  of  the  war,  actively  serving  in  most  all 
the  important  battles  throughout  the  southwest.  Returning  from  the  war  he  read  law. 
and  in  October.  1866,  was  licensed  to  practice,  since  which  time  he  has  been  successfully 
engaged  in  that  profession,  ranking  among  the  ablest  lawyers  of  the  State.  In  1867  lie 
was  commissioned  attorney-general  of  a judicial  district,  but  declined  the  nomination. 
He  was  on  the  Hayes  electoral  ticket  in  1876,  and  under  the  administration  of  Hayes  held 
Ihe  office  of  United  States  district  attorney.  lie  was  nominated  by  his  party  for  the 
congressional  race  in  1884,  but  the  Democratic  party  being  largely  in  the  majority  he  was 
not  elected,  he  being  a Republican  and  one  of  the  leading  men  in  his  party  m this  part  of 
the  State.  He  was  married,  January  2,  1865,  to  Laura  D.  Gosling,  a daughter  of  William 
Gosling,  a manufacturer  in  Shelby ville.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  one 
of  whom,  Inda  Artus,  is  now  living.  Airs.  Warder  is  a member  of  the  Episcopal  Church. 
Capt.  Warder’s  name  has  frequently  been  connected  with  all  the  important  offices  of  the 
State.  A wide-spread  desire  existed  to  nominate  him  for  the  Republican  candidate  for 
governor,  but  owing  to  the  time  neccessarily  required  from  his  profession  to  make  the  race 
against  so  great  a Democratic  majority,  he  discouraged  the  movement.  Just  now  he  is 
being  instructed  for,  by  a number  of  counties,  for  one  of  the  supreme  judges  of  the  State. 

T HOAX  AS  W.  WARNER,  dealer  in  a general  line  of  groceries  and  provisions,  was 
born  October  26.  1838,  in  Shelby  Wilt*,  being  a *uu  of  AV ill ia in  I).  and  Alary  (Swift)  A \ aiiici, 
both  natives  of  Bedford  County.  The  father  was  killed  when  our  subject  was  but  one  year 
old,  and  the  mother  is  still  living,  having  been  married  three  times.  Thomas  W.  was 
raised  by  his  grandmother,  Swift,  on  a farm,  and  secured  but  a common  school  education. 
At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began  his  own  support.  He  has  been  engaged  as  a clerk  and 
merchant  for  about  twenty-five  years.  He  also  owns  143  acres  of  fine  land  and  carries  on 
farming,  his  residence  being  one  and  three-quarter  miles  west  of  Shclbyville.  on  the  Fish- 
ing Ford  Pike,  in  an  excellent  location.  He  was  married  Alay  20.  1866,  to  Emma  R.  Trail, 
a native  of  Franklin,  Ky.  Six  children  have  been  born  to  them,  viz.  : Hugh,  Frazer, 
William  F..  Thomas  W.,  Henry  W.  and  one  who  died.  Air.  Warner  and  wife  are  members 
of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He  is  a member  of  the  Democratic  party.  He  has  in 
his  possession  a Si  United  States  coin,  bearing  the  date  of  1798.  which  his  father 
and  grandfather  each  carried.  Air.  Warner  is  a member  of  the  I.  O.  O.  F.  and  K.  of  H. 

CHARLES  A.  WARREN  (deceased)  was  born  Alay  21,  1820,  iu  Blount  Count}*,  Tenn., 
His  father,  Thomas  S.  AVarren,  was  born  and 'partly  raised  in  A’irginia.  He  immigrated 
with  hi<  parents  to  East  Tennessee  when  young.  He  was  married  in  1809.  The  mother, 
Susan  Sevier  Snyder,  was  born  in  Nashville.  AVhen  she  was  quite  young  she  was  taken 
to  Clarksville,  where  her  parents  were  murdered  by  the  Indians  and  she  was  the  only  one 
of  the  family  who  escaped.  She  was  then  reared  by  her  graudfather,  Valentine  Sevier, 
and  also  lived  a great  part  of  her  time  with  Gov.  Sevier.  The  parents  of  our  subject 
moved  to  Bedford  County  in  about  1828.  The  father  died  in  1856,  having  been  horn  in  1782. 
The  mother  was  horn  in  1791,  and  died  in  1863.  There  is  now  but  one  of  the  family  of  ten 
children  raised  by  them  living:  Airs.  Jennie  Ivie,  the  widow  of  C.  D.  Ivie,  of  Rutherford 
County.  She  was  born  December  27,  1821.  Charles  A.  AVarren  was  reared  on  a farm.  He 
served  as  deputy  sheriff  of  Bedford  County  for  many  years  in  his  younger  days.  He  car- 
ried on  farming  all  his  life  aud  was  one  of  the  most  extensive  business  men  of  the  county. 
He  was  engaged  in  stock  dealing,  merchandising,  etc.  He  was  noted  for  his  public  spirit 
and  public  enterprise  and  charity  to  the  poor.  lie  was  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  was 
married  May  2,  1865,  to  Aliss  Amy  Thompson,  daughter  of  G.  AS’.  Thompson.  Airs.  AVar- 
ren died  October  29,  1883,  leaving  a family  of  three  children:  George,  Josephine  and  Stan- 
ley S.  Five  children  have  been  born  to  the  union  but  two,  Mattie  Lee  and  William  S., 
have  died. 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


11S5 


MADISON  II.  WEBB,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tcnn.,  February  5,  1830, 
and  Is  the  son  of  Benjamin  and  Elizabeth  W.  (Reeves)  Webb.  The  father  was  born  in 
Sevier  County,  Tenn..  June  16,  1792,  and  died  in  Bedford  County,  June  IS,  1SS4.  The 
mother  was  born  July  IS,  1793,  in  Orange  County,  N.  C.,  and  was  married  to  Benjamin 
Webb  September  16,  1821.  To  this  union  were  born  six  sons,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
youngest.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm,  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  assisted  his 
parents  on  the  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age.  lie  was  a lieutenant  in  the  Confeder- 
ate Army,  enFsting  in  the  Eighteenth  Tennessee  Infantry,  but  was  afterward  transferred 
to  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  under  Col.  Starnes.  He  participated  in  the  battles  of 
Fort  Donelson.  Murfreesboro.  Chickamauga.  and  some  actions  in  the  Georgia  campaign. 
He  was  captured  at  Fort  Donelson  and  held  a prisoner  at  Lincoln  Barracks,  Springfield, 
III.,  for  the  snace  of  one  month,  when  he  escaped.  December  11,  1867,  he  wedded  Miss 
Elnora  Elam,  daughter  of  James  A.  Elam.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  five  children — 
three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Our  subject  lias  a fine  farm  of  600  acres.  He  is  a Demo- 
crat; a Mason  (Knight  Templar),  aud  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church. 

JOHN  W.  WELLS  was  born  May  15,  1843,  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.  His. father, 
Thomas  P.  Wells,  was  a native  of  Virginia,  born  in  September,  1811.  When  a young  man 
he  moved  to  Williamson  County,  where  he  married  Miss  Susan  Smith,  a native  of  this 
State.  To  this  union  six  children  were  born,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the  fourth.  The 
mother  of  these  children  died  when  our  subject  was  about  nine  years  old,  and  the  father 
afterward  married  Miss  Frances  Tune,  and  by  her  he  became  tlie  father  of  two  children — 
a son  and  daughter.  Thomas  P.  Wells  moved  io  Illinois  in  1860,  where  lie  now  resides; 
he  is  a minister  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  also  a farmer.  Mrs.  Fran- 
ces (Tune)  Wells  is  now  dead.  Our  subject  came  to  this  county  with  his  parents  when 
but  eight  years  of  age,  and  here  he  was  educated  at  the  Flat  Creek  Academy.  Iu  Octo- 
ber, 1861,  he  enlisted  in  the  Forty -first  Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry  and  served  in  that 
command  about  two  years.  He  was  then  left  at  Jackson.  La.,  on  account  of  illness,  and 
was  there  captured  and  paroled  by  the  Federal  Army.  He  had  been  captured  with  his 
regiment  at  Fort  Donelson  and  held  as  a prisoner  of  war  until  September,  1SG2.  when  be 
was  exchanged.  In  September,  1866,  he  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Shoffner,  a native  of  this 


county  and  a daughter  of  Col.  L.  Shoffner.  To  thi3  union  were  born  two  sous,  Othuiel 
D.  and  Willie  S..  both  living.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  September  4,  1873,  and 
in  187'4  tlieir  father  married  Miss  Margaret  C.  Jenkins,  a native  of  this  county  aud  a 
daughter  of  Rev.  William  Jenkins.  To  this  union  the  following  children  were  born: 
Susan  M.,  Thomas  E.,  Edgar  J.,  Ethel  and  Herbert,  all  living.  Our  subject  owns  a farm 
of  235  acres  on  Duck  River,  all  rich  bottom  land.  He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fra- 
ternity and  belougs  to  Shelbyville  Benevolent  Lodge,  No.  122,  and  he  takes  an  active  in- 
terest in  educational  matters.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church. 

WILLIAM  D.  WHEELER  is  a son  of  W.  W.  Wheeler,  who  was  born  in  Tcnnesse  in 
1809,  and  died  in  April,  1855.  His  mother  wa.s  a Mrs.  White;  she  was  born  in  1811  and 
died  November  7, 1857.  William  D.  was  the  eldest  of  their  seven  children.  He  was  born  in 
Rutherford  Count)’  March  12,  1830,  and  assisted  his  father  on  his  farm  until  twenty-one 
years  of  age.  He  followed  fanning  up  to  the  date  of  the  late  war.  He  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany G,  Forty  fourth  Tennessee  Infantry  in  1861,  but  owing  to  ill  health  only  remained  in 
the  service  three  months.  After  his  return  home  he  engaged  in  farming,  and  has  been  a 
fairly  prosperous  “ tiller  of  the  soil.”  Martha  L.  Maxwell  became  his  wife  January  22, 
180L.  She  was  born  August  21,  1840,  and  is  the  mother  of  the  following  family:  Mary 
Ann,  Etta  Valonie,  Malissa  Alice  and  John  Watson.  Our  subject  received  a common 
school  education  and  is  a supporter  of  Democratic  principles. 

ROBERSON  A.  WHITAKER,  farmer,  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber ft.  1859,  son  of  Dr.  Philander  and  Rebecca  M.  (Moseley)  Whitaker,  and  supposed  to  be 
of  English  descent.  The  father  was  born  in  Lincoln  County.  Tenn.,  October  19,  1826,  and 


. 


HSf 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


November  12.  1850,  he  wedded  Rebecca  Moseley,  who  was  born  November  12.  1833.  To 
this  union  were  born  six  children — four  sons  and  two  daughters.  The  father  died  July  3, 
1880,  and  the  mother  July  3,  1885.  The  Whitaker  family  were  among  the  early  settlers 
of  the  State.  Our  subject  was  a farmer  boy,  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  began  working  for  himself.  February  3.  1880,  Miss  Bettie  S.  Thomas, 
daughter  of  William  Thomas,  became  his  wife,  and  by  her  he  became  the  father  of  two 
children:  William  T.  and  Mattie  M.  Mrs.  Whitaker  was  born  in  the  house  where  she  now 
resides  September  9,  1857.  Her  father,  William  Thomas.  Sr.,  was  born  January  31,  1807, 
and  died  March  29,  1861.  Her  mother,  Mrs.  Jane  (McCrory)  Thomas,  was  born  in  Bedford 
County,  Tenn.,  May  28,  1816,  and  died  December  1. 1882.  The  ancestors  of  Mrs.  Whitaker 
on  her  mother’s  side  were  formerly  from  Ireland,  and  in  an  ancient  Bible,  whose  leaves 
arc  yellow  with  age,  was  found  the  following  statement:  Hugh  McCrory  (the  great-great- 
grandfather of  Mrs.  Whitaker)  was  born  in  May,  1759,  in  the  county  of  Antrim,  Ireland. 
He  sailed  to  America  in  April,  1775.  He  joined  the  regular  army,  and  served  as  colonel 
under  Gen.  Washington,  and  was  killed  at  Alexandria  in  October,  1777.  Our  subject  is  a 
Democrat,  and  he  aud  wife  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 

THOMAS  A.  WHITE,  farmer,  was  born  May  15,  1819,  and  is  one  of  seven  children 
born  to  the  union  of  Thomas  and  Margaret  (McGarrah)  White.  The  father  was  born  in  Jef- 
ferson County,  Ya..  iu  1780,  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Maury  County.  He  re- 
mained there  until  1825  when  he  moved  to  Shelbyville  and  followed  the  hatter  trade.  He 
also  kept  hotel  in  Shelbyville  several  years.  Iu  1801  he  was  married  and  became  the 
father  of  these  children:  James  R..  Joseph,  Elizabeth,  Nancy,  John,  Susan  and  Thomas  A. 
Thomas  White,  Sr.,  and  wife  were  worthy  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South.  The  former  died  in  1816  and  the  latter  in  1850.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
born  in  Columbia.  Tenn.,  and  is  of  Scotcli-Irisk  descent.  He  received  a limited  educa- 
tion in  the  Bedford  Count}-  Schools,  and  in  1841  was  married  to  Miss  Ary  A.  Williams,  a 
native  of  this  county.  Five  children  blessed  this  union:  Mary,  Robert,  Isaac ,H.,  Margaret 
and  Julia.  Three  of  these  have  died:  Robert,  Margaret  and  Julia.  Mrs.  White  died  in 
1853,  and  in  the  same  year  Mr.  White  married  Margaret  Dryden,  of  Bedford  County, 
and  to  this  union  were  born  nine  children:  Ary  (deceased),  Julia,  Lula,  Thomas  C., 
William  D.,  James  L.,  Anna,  Walter  C.  and  Susan.  Mr.  White  was  a tailor  for  twenty 
years  of  his  life  but  in  1853  turned  his  attention  exclusively  to  farming.  He  owns  200 
acres  of  land,  aud  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South. 

DR.  WILLIAM  H.  WHITTEMORE,  of  Haley,  was  born  Oc  tober  6.  1853.  in  David- 
son County,  Tenn.  His  father,  William  B.  Whittemore,  was  a native  of  the  same  county 
and  is  of  Scotch-lrish  descent.  He  is  a prominent  farmer  of  that  county,  aud  married 
Nancy  E.  Hays,  a native  of  Davidson  County  and  daughter  of  John  Hays.  To  this  union 
were  born  ten  children,  our  subject  being  the  eldest.  The  father  and  mother  are  both 
living.  The  Doctor  was  educated  at  Franklin  College,  near  Nashville,  where  he  gradu- 
ated in  1869.  He  received  his  medical  education  in  the  medical  department  of  the  Uni- 
versity of  Tennessee,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1878,  and  then  commenced 
the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Antioch,  Davidson  Co.,  Tenn.  Here  he  remained  two 
years  and  then  moved  to  Nashville,  and  was  elected  as  county  health  officer,  and  held 
this  position  three  years.  He  then  moved  to  Haley.  Bedford  Co.,  Tenn.,  where  he  con- 
tinues the  practice  of  medicine  and  has  already  established  an  extensive  practice.  No- 
vember 8,  18S2,  he  married  Mi*s  Georgia  M.  Tolmie,  a native  of  the  city  of  Nashville  and 
daughter  of  Alexander  McD.  Tolmie,  a prominent  citizen  and  machinist  of  that  city,  who 
ran  the  first  engine  that  was  run  on  the  Nashville  <fc  Chattanooga  Railroad,  and  was  for  a 
long  time  master  mechanic  of  that  road.  To  Dr.  W.  H.  Whittemore  and  wife  was  born 
one  child.  Maggie  T.  The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  K.  of  II.  and  the  Iron  Hall.  He  is 
a Democrat  aud  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Whittemore  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  W.  WIGGINS,  a successful  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  December  26. 
1812,  iu  North  Carolina.  He  is  the  son  of  Havre!  and  Sallie  (Royster)  Wiggins.  Tne  father 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


11S7 


was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1788,  and  when  quite  young  immigrated  to  Indiana,  where 
he  remained  but  a few  months.  He  then  went  to  Kentucky,  aud  from  there  to  Coffee 
County,  Teun.,  where  he  remained  until  1S30,  when  he  immigrated  to  Bedford  County, 
and  settled  in  the  Twentieth  District.  He  reared  a family  of  seven  children,  three  of  whom 
are  living  at  the  present  time:  John  W.,  David  and  Harbert.  Harrel  Wiggins  was  a 
member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church  and  died  in  1851.  Mrs.  Wiggins  died  in  1873. 
Our  subject  was  giveu  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  In  1835  he  was  married  to 
Miss  Mary  Greer,  a native  of  North  Carolina.  To  this  union  seven  children  were  born, 
only  two  of  whom  are  living:  Mary  A.  and  Hundley.  Mrs.  Wiggins  was  a consistent 
member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  died  September  15, 18S5.  Mr.  Wig- 
gins lias  always  been  a tiller  of  the  soil,  has  been  rather  successful  and  owns  450  acres  of 
good  land. 

J.  GREER  WIGGINS,  a farmer  of  Bedford  County,  was  born  December  20.  1842. 
He  is  the  son  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Jane  H.  (Greer)  Wiggins.  The  father  was  born  in 
North  Carolina,  and  in  the  early  part  of  his  life  immigrated  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in 
Bedford  County.  He  left  and  went  to  Mississippi,  but  in  a short  time  returned  to  Bedford 
County.  He  was  a farmer,  and  reared  a family  of  eight  children:  J.  Greer,  John  S.,  Sarah 
E.,  Mary  J.,  William  J.,  Benjamin  F.,  Thomas  H.  and  Fannie  E.  Sarah  E.  and  Mary  J. 
are  both  dead.  Benjamin  F.  died  in  1883.  Mrs.  Wiggins  died  about  18S0.  Our  subject 
was  a country  boy,  and  received  a good  practical  education  in  the  common  schools.  In 
1S71  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emil}'  V.  Evans,  daughter  of  Hampton  Evans. 
To  thisuuion  were  born  four  children:  Bessie  F.,  A.  F..  Edward  II.  and  Hampton  Evans. 
Mr.  Wiggins  has  always  been  a farmer,  and  is  also  a carpenter  by  trade  He  owns  149 
acres  of  land,  and  is  one  of  the  leading  farmers  of  the  Twenty-second  District.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

DAVID  WILLIAMS  is  a native  of  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  born  in  May,  1815.  His 
father,  Joseph  Williams,  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1777,  and  came  to  Tennessee  at 
a very  early  period.  He  was  n farmer,  and  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  participating  in 
the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  In  1813  he  wedded  our  subject’s  mother,  Charity  Turrentine, 
who  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1791.  The  father  died  in  1876.  and  the  mother  two 
years  later.  David  Williams  and  Sarah  T.  Harris  were  united  in  marriage  in  1836.  Mrs. 
Williams  was  born  in  1816,  and  her  parents,  James  Harris  and  Nancy  (Thompson)  Harris, 
were  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  South  Carolina,  respectively.  The  children  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Williams  are  Almeda,  born  in  1837;  Lou,  in  1839;  Elvira,  in  1841;  James  II. , in 
1845;  Lafayette,  in,  1854;  Mollie  J.,  in  1859,  aud  Samuel  K.,  in  1S61.  Our  subject  was 
reared  on  a farm  and  has  followed  farming  from  earl}'  boyhood.  He  was  postmaster  of 
Hickory  Hill  for  several  years*  before  and  after  the  war,  and  in  1869  located  on  his  present 
farm  of  230  acres.  He  has  a neat  frame  residence,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 

THOMAS  W.  WOOD,  M.  D.,  of  Shelbyville,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  James  and  Eliza 
(Oberall)  Wood,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  The  father  was 
horn  February  10.  1798,  and  the  mother  May  13,  1806.  The}'  were  married  September  17, 
1829.  Ten  children  blessed  their  union:  John  A.,  William  J.,  Melissa  J.,  Thomas  YN 
Sarah  A.,  Horace  O.,  Nancy  P.,  Martha  H.,  Eliza  T.  and  James  G.  Mr.  YYrood  came  to 
Tennessee  about  1810,  and  located  in  what  is  now  Cannon  County,  where  he  remained 
about  two  years,  and  then  moved  to  near  Woodbury,  where  he  died  November  16.  1865. 
He  had  been  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  for  nearly  forty  years. 
The  mother  died  September  11.  1874.  Thomas  YV.  YY'ood  was  born  in  Cannon  County, 
where  he  received  a good  common  school  education,  and  attended  the  Lawrence  Academy 
at  YVoodbury  Station.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  joined  the  Eighteenth  Tennes- 
see Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh  and  numerous  skirmishes,  and  was 
selected  as  the  one  to  receive  the  banner  for  his  company,  presented  by  the  young  ladies 
of  Woodbury.  Owing  to  ill  health  lie  was  soon  compelled  to  abandon  active  service,  hut 
was  given  a position  in  the  commissary  department  and  served  as  commissary  sergeant 


. 

' 


1188 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  paroled  at  Macon.  Ga.,  and  after  his  return  home 
engaged  in  farming  and  school  teaching.  He  began  his  medical  studies  in  1807,  and 
attended  his  first  course  of  lectures  in  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Nash- 
ville in  186S,  1869  and  1870,  graduating  the  latter  year.  He  has  since  practiced  in  Bedford 
County,  and  has  built  up  an  extensive  practice.  Dr.  Wood  was  appointed  by  the  county 
commissioner  as  physician  for  the  poor  asylum,  and  has  held  that  position  ten  years.  He 
was  twice  appointed  deputy  county  clerk  of  Cannon  County,  and  at  one  time  lacked  only 
a few  votes  of  being  the  nominee  of  the  Democratic  party  for  representative  of  Bedford 
County.  He  was  at  one  time  salesman  in  a wholesale  hat  house  in  Philadelphia. 

J.  P.  WOOD.  William  Wood  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1802,  and  was  married 
to  Elena  Meris,  also  of  that  State,  and  our  subject  was  born  to  them  September  20, 1838,  in 
Orange  County,  N.  C.  He  has  always  followed  the  life  of  a farmer,  and  at  the  breaking 
out  of  the  late  war  he  entered  the  Confederate  Army,  in  the  fall  of  1862,  enlisting  in 
Company  G.  Thirty-second  Tennessee  Infantry.  At  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  he  was 
wounded  in  the  left  thigh  and  was  compelled  to  abandon  service.  August  15,  1861,  he  led 
to  Hymen's  altar  Miss  Martha  C.  Woodward,  who  bore  him  nine  children,  only  five  now 
living:  Mary  L.,  Nora  W.,  William  W.,  Joseph  O.,  Winnie  L.  Mr.  Wood  is  a self-made 
man,  and  has  been  fairly  successful  in  his  business  undertakings.  He  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  and  his  wife  of  the  • Christian  Church.  Mr.  Wood  is  a 
Democrat. 

MOSES  WOODFIN,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  Couuty,  Tenn.,  March?,  1829,  and 
of  English-Irish  lineage.  His  father,  Samuel  Woodfin,  was  born  in  Buncomb  County, 
North  Carolina,  in  1791,  and  about  1815  married  Maria  Barnhill,  a native  of  South  Caro- 
lina, boiti  December  9,  1798,  and  to  them  were  born  fifteen  children.  The  father  died 
April  29,  1863,  and  the  mother  in  the  same  county  March  8,  1863.  Our  subject  received  a 
good  practical  education  and  has  followed  farming  as  his  chief  occupation.  He  learned 
the  trade  of  wheelwright  which  he  followed  in  a regular  way  for  over  fifteen  years.  At 
the  breaking  out  of  the  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Confederate  Army,  Forty -fifth  Tennessee 
Infantry,  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Murfreesboro,  Chickamauga  and  Missionary 
Ridge.  At  Chickamauga  he  was  wounded  and  at  Missionar}'  Ridge  he  was  wounded 
again,  captured,  and  taken  to  Rock  Island,  111.,  where  he  remained  a prisoner  until  the 
end  of  the  war.  September  11,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Rachel  A.  Clark,  daughter 
of  William  Clark,  and  the  fruits  of  this  union  were  eight  children — three  sons  and  five 
daughters;  the  sons  are  William  J.,  Samuel  N.  and  James  M.  P. ; the  daughters:  Mollie 
E.,  Emma  L.,  Alice,  Ida  and  MaggieL.  Mr.  Woodfin  is  a Democrat,  a Mason,  and  he  and 
wife  and  five  children  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Mrs.  Wood- 
fin,  our  subject’s  wife,  was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  August  9,  1835.  Her 
father  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  in  1807,  and  her  mother  in  1817.  Her  father  died  Oc- 
tober 20,  1881,  and  was  of  Irish  lineage.  Our  subject’s  grandfather,  Nicholas  Woodfin. 
was  a soldier  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  was  distinguished  for  his  gallantry  and 
bravery  on  many  occasions.  Our  subject’s  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans. 

JAMES  C.  YELL,  a native  of  Coffee  Count}'.  Tenn.,  was  born  December  31,  1842, 
sou  of  Francis  M.  and  Judia  (Short)  Yell,  both  natives  of  Teunessee.  The  father  was  born 
near  Wartrace,  and  is  of  English  extraction.  He  has  been  a merchant,  but  at  present  is 
engaged  iu  agricultural  pursuits  on  a farm  of  nearly  200  acres.  During  the  late  war  he 
was  a guide  for  the  Federal  Army  between  Nashville  and  Chattanooga,  from  1862  to  the 
latter  part  of  18G3,  and  was  a stanch  Union  man.  The  mother  is  also  living.  Our  sub- 
ject received  a practical  education  iu  the  country  schools  and  at  Tullahoma.  In  August, 
1862,  he  enlisted  in  the  Fifth  Tennessee  Federal  Cavalry,  and  served  in  that  command 
until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro.  His  regiment  was 
mostly  engaged  in  contending  with  guerrillas  and  Confederate  cavalry.  When  the  war 
closed  he  returned  home  and  sold  goods  at  Normandy  for  about  a year.  He  then  moved 
to  the  farm  where  he  now  resides,  and  engaged  in  tillingthc  soil.  He  owns  a farm  adjoin- 


' 


BEDFORD  COUNTY. 


1189 


ing  that  of  his  father,  consisting  of  nearly  200  acres,  and  another  a mile  distant  of  114 
acres.  December,  1879,  he  married  Miss  Ada  Waite,  a native  of  Coffee  County,  and  this 
union  was  blessed  by  these  children:  Gordentia  W.,  Warren  S.  and  Frances  M.,  all  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Yell  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  and  also 
K.  of  H.  He  and  wife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

BENJAMIN  B.  YELL,  farmer,  was  born  in  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  July  25.  1829, 
son  of  James  and  Jerusha  (Barton)  Yell,  and  of  English  descent.  The  father  was  born 
in  1791,  and  he  and  his  brother  Archibald  Yell  were  volunteer  soldiers  in  the  war  of  1812, 
and  participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  Archibald  Yell  was  at  one  time  governor 
of  the  State  of  Arkansas,  and.  on  a monument,  erected  to  his  memory  at  Fayetteville,  may 
be  seen  the  following:  “Born  in  North  Carolina,  August,  1797:  A volunteer  in  the  battle 

of  New  Orleans;  District  Judge  of  Arkansas  Territory  in  1832;  First  member  of  Congress 
from  the  State;  Governor,  1810;  Again  elected  to  Congress  in  1844;  Resigned  and  accepted 
a Colonelcy  of  Arkansas  for  the  Mexican  war,  in  184(3;  Killed  at  Buena  Vista,  February 
22,  18-17;  \ gallant,  soldier,  an  upright  Judge,  a fearless  champion  of  popular  rights, 
a sincere  friend,  and  an  honest  man.”  The  father  of  our  subject  died  at  his  residence  in 
Coffee  County,  Tenn.,  November  20,  1839.  The  mother  was  born  in  Georgia,  in  1797.  and 
was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Church  South.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  and 
educated  in  common  schools,  Jauuary  12,  1848.  to  Miss  Ann  B.  Waite,  and  the  result  of 
this  union  was  four  children:  George  C.,  Abner  W..  Bettie  A.,  and  Edith  N.  Mr.  Yell 
is  a Democrat,  a Mason,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Separate  Baptist  Church. 
He  has  a farm  of  280  acres  of  fine  laud,  which  he  devotes  to  the  cultivation  of  cereals  and 
the  raising  of  stock. 

JOSHUA  YELL  is  a son  of  James  Yell,  who  was  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  came 
to  Tennessee  with  his  father  when  young,  locating  in  Rutherford  County.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Jerusha  Barton,  daughter  of  William  Barton,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of 
twelve  children,  only  seven  of  whom  lived  to  maturity.  Archibald  Yell,  brother  of  James 
Yell,  was  governor  of  Arkansas  two  terms  previous  to  the  Mexican  war,  and  was  killed  in 
that  war  while  commanding  the  Arkansas  troops.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
September  15,  1832,  and  spent  his  boyhood  days  on  a farm  and  in  attending  the  common 
schools.  He  was  married  October  2,  1852,  to  Miss  Rebecca  A.  Waite,  and  ten  children 
were  born  to  them:  Nancy  B.  (deceased),  A.  I).,  James  A.,  Annie,  Benjamin,  G.  E.,  Bettie, 
Joshua,  Adah  and  Charley.  In  1879  Mr.  Yell  removed  to  his  present  farm  of  200  acres. 
He  is  a member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  he  and  wife  are  church  members. 

PROF.  JOHN  S.  YOES  is  a son  of  Thomas  Yoes,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  in  1819. 
He  was  a farmer,  and  married  Sallie  Perryman,  who  was  born  in  Tennessee  about  1825,  and 
by  her  became  the  father  of  fourteen  children.  Our  subject  was  their  sixth  child,  born 
October  9,  1849,  and  began  doing  for  himself  at  the  age  of  twenty.  He  chose  school-teach- 
ing as  his  profession,  and  has  continued  with  good  success  up  to  the  present  time.  Mar- 
garet E.  Hopkins  became  his  wife  March  14,  1871.  She  was  born  May  29,  1847,  and  has 
borne  him  six  children:  Marzie  S.,  William  T.,  Margaret  E.,  Joseph  W.,  Rebecca  A.  and 
JohnS.  Prof.  Yoes  has  been  a teacher  in  Turret]  tine’s  Academy  since  January,  18S0.  1 1 is 
early  educational  advantages  were  limited,  but  by  much  desultory  stud}r  and  reading  has 
acquired  an  excellent  education.  He  has  mastered  several  of  the  sciences  without  a tu- 
tor, and  in  every  particular  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune.  He  belongs  to  the 
Democratic  party. 


1100 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


MARSHALL  COTJHTY. 

ROBERT  L.  ADAMS,  clerk  and  master  of  the  Chancery  Court  of  Marshall  County, 
was  born  June  15,  1833,  in  that  part  of  Bedford  Count}'  now  included  in  Marshall  County, 
lie  was  reared  on  the  farm  but  on  account  of  physical  disability  did  not  engage  in  hard 
manual  labor.  He  received  a good  practical  education  in  the  country  schools  and  at  the 
age  of  nineteen  commenced  teaching  in  the  schools  of  this  county,  where  he  continued  for 
ten  years.  In  1862  he  was  elected  county  court  clerk  and  held  that  office  for  a period  of  twelve 
years.  In  1876  he  was  appointed  clerk  and  master  of  the  Chancery  Court  and  is  still  holding 
that  position.  When  the  Bank  of  Lewisburg  was  re-established  in  1885,  Mr.  Adams  was  elect- 
ed as  its  president, besides  he  is  one  of  the  directors  of  the  same  institution.  Previous  to  this, 
in  1S00,  he  wedded  Jane  E.  Bell,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  seven  children,  six  of 
whom  are  living.  Politically  Mr.  Adams  is  a firm  supporter  of  Democratic  principles. 
For  fifty  years  he  has  been  a citizen  of  Marshall  County  and  for  twenty-two  years  of  that 
time  he  lias  held  positions  of  trust  and  honor.  This  fact  alone  speaks  louder  for  his  ability 
and  popularity  than  mere  words.  His  parents  were  Alexander  D.  and  Elizabeth  (LaRue) 
Adams,  both  natives  of  Virginia  and  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The 
father  was  a stanch  Democrat,  although  all  his  brothers  were  Whigs  previous  to  the  war. 
He  died  in  18G6,  and  the  mother  passed  away  in  1875. 

T.  RIGGS  ADAMS  is  one  of  ten  children  of  Joseph  and  Eveline  W.  (Garrett)  Ad- 
ams, who  were  born  in  Bedford  and  Lincoln  Counties,  Tenn.,  respective!}'.  They  were 
married  in  Bedford  County,  and  there  lived  until  1853,  when  they  came  to  Marshall 
County,  and  there  the  father  followed  farming  and  stock  raising.  He  was  a Whig  in 
former  days,  but  now  supports  the  Democratic  party.  The  mother  died  in  1885,  and  the 
following  year  Mr.  Adams  wedded  Mrs.  Rachel  McLean.  T.  Riggs’  ancestors  ou  his 
father's  side  were  Irish,  and  on  his  mother’s  German.  He  was  born  in  Bedford  County, 
on  the  11th  of  January,  1840,  and  received  the  rearing  and  education  of  the  average  farm- 
er’s hoy.  In  1862  he  volunteered  in  Company  C,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  dur- 
ing nearly  three  years’  service  was  never  wounded  and  only  once  taken  prisoner,  and  then 
held  but  a few  days.  He  has  given  his  time  and  attention  to  farming,  and  owns  165 
acres  of  land.  He  is  unmarried,  and  a Democrat  in  politics. 

( WILLIAM  V.  ANDREWS,  son  of  Jones  and  Lucy  (Lanier)  Andrews,  who  were  born 
in  Virginia  in  1791  and  1803,  respectively.  They  both  came  to  Tennessee  when  young, 
and  were  married  in  Williamson  County.  To  them  were  born  eleven  children,  only  three 
of  whom  are  living  at  the  present  time.  The  father  was  an  agriculturist,  and  one  of  the 
most  successful  of  his  day.  He  served  in  the  war  of  1812,  aud  was  a Whig  in  politics;  he 
died  in  18-13.  His  widow  and  children  lived  on  the  old  homestead  until  1861,  when  the 
mother’s  death  occurred.  William  V.  was  born  November  1,  1824,  and  spent  his  early 
days  on  a farm.  His  father,  though  wealthy,  believed  in  teaching  children  to  work,  and 
he  was  sent  to  the  field  with'the  servants  and  earned  his  living  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  took  charge  of  the  farm  of  500  acres,  which  he  managed  until 
his  marriage,  in  1849,  to  Tcnuessee  Tucker.  To  them  were  born  seven  children,  four  of 
whom  are  living.  Mr.  Andrews  was  a Whig  previous  to  the  war,  but  now  votes  the  Dem- 
ocratic ticket.  He  owned  342  acres  of  land,  but  gave  largely  to  his  children.  He  has 
given  his  children  good  educational  advantages,  and  contributes  largely  to  the  support  of 
laudable  enterprises. 

CLINTON  A.  ARMSTRONG,  junior  member  of  the  firm  of  Smithson  & Armstrong,  is 
a son  of  George  aud  Margaret  (On)  Armstrong,  natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  and  Ten- 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1101 


nessee.  After  marriage  they  settled  in  that  part  of  this  county,  formerly  included  in  Bed- 
ford County.  Their  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living.  The 
father  followed  the  occupation  of  a tiller  of  the  soil  and  was  also  engaged  in  stock  trad- 
ing. He  did  not  aspire  to  public  places,  but  rather  chose  to  perform  the  duties  of  a quiet 
citizen.  The  mother  was  a member  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  and 
is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy-six.  Our  subject  was 
born  in  Marshall  County,  was  reared  on  the  farm  aud  educated  in  the  common  schools. 
He  subsequently  attended  Lewisburg  Academy.  In  1S68  he  commenced  reading  law  with 
Col.  'NY.  X.  Cowden,  and  the  following  year  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1869  he  led  to 
the  altar  Maggie  Kercheval,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  one  of  whom  is  living.  For 
seven  years  he  was  a partner  of  Col.  Cowden.  but  afterward  went  into  partnership 
with  Smithson,  which  continues  to  the  present.  Mrs.  Armstrong  was  a member  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  ; she  died  April  20,  18S6.  Mr.  Armstrong  is  a Democrat,  and  has 
been  practicing  his  profession  for  seventeen  years  in  Lewisburg,  aud  has  received  his 
share  of  the  business  of  the  county. 

REA'.  P.  L.  ATKISSON  is  a son  of  Pleasant  and  Sophronia  (Holmes)  Atkisson.  The 
father  was  born  in  Virginia,  and  when  young  came  to  Tennessee,  where  he  married,  and 
after  a short  residence  in  Giles  County  moved  to  Alabama,  and  a few'  years  later  went  to 
West  Tennessee.  He  was  a shoe-maker  by  trade,  and  also  farmed.  To  him  and  wife  were 
born  two  sons.  In  1835  the  mother  died,  and  later  he  wedded  Emily'  Woods,  who  bore 
him  one  sou.  He  was  an  1812  soldier  and  a Jacksonian  Democrat.  Our  subject  was  born 
in  Mooresville,  Ala.,  October  7,  1825,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  West  Tennessee.  He- 
received  an  academic  education,  and  after  studying  medicine  for  some  time  took  a course 
of  lectures  at  Memphis  and  practiced  that  profession  a number  of  years.  At  the  age  of 
twenty'- five  he  commenced  his  ministerial  work,  in  which  he  has  been  engaged  ever  since. 
His  marriage  with  Mary  O.  Ellison  was  solemnized  iD  1850,  and  to  them  were  born  eight 
children,  seven  of  whom  are  living-.  Mrs.  Atkisson  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Pres- 
byterian Church,  in  which  her  husband  is  a minister.  Ilq  is  a Democrat,  and  in  addition 
to  his  ministerial  work  runs  a large  farm  of  500  acres. 

ANDREW  J.  BARTLETT.  Cyrus  Bartlett  was  probably  born  in  the  Old  Dominion, 
and  when  a young  man  came  to  Tennessee  and  married  Elizabeth  Bedford,  probably  a 
native  of  the  State,  by  whom  lie  had  twelve  children.  He  was  a house  carpenter  by'  trade, 
and  many  houses  are  now  standing  which  bear  the  evidence  of  his  skillful  workmanship. 
He  was  a Whig  in  politics,  but  always  cast  his  vote  for  Gen.  Jackson,  because  his  father 
fell  while  serving  under  him,  and  the  General  took  upon  himself  the  education  of  Cyrus. 
In  1870  he  died,  being  nearly'  seventy'  years  of  age.  The  mother  is  yret  living.  Andrew  J. 
Bartlett,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  November 
2,  1831,  and  while  young  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  Having  learned 
the  carpenter's  trade,  he  worked  at  it  until  the  breaking  out  of  the  war,  when  he  volun- 
teered in  Company  D,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served  for  three  and  a half  years, 
being  sergeant-major  the  greater  part  of  the  time.  In  1865  he  wedded  Martha  E.  Turner, 
by'  whom  he  has  had  one  child — Alma.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bartlett  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  since  1869  has  followed  agricultural  pur- 
suits, owning  at  the  present  time  150  acres  of  good  land  in  the  garden  of  Tennessee. 

HARTWELL  G.  BAKER  was  born  September  25,  1804.  in  Davidson  County',  Tenn., 
where  he  was  reared  on  a farm  tfml  educated  in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  twen- 
ty-four he  left  home  and  began  clerking  in  a store,  and  at  the  end  of  five  years  bought 
out  his  employer’s  stock,  valued  at  $9,000.  on  credit,  arid  by  close  attention  to  business 
succeeded  in  paying  his  debt.  He  sold  goods  for  about  twelve  years  and  made  a snug 
little  fortune,  but  the  war  breaking  out  about  this  time,  swept  away  about  $25,000  worth 
of  property'.  He  has  redeemed  his  fortunes  somewhat  and  owns  225  acres  of  excellent 
farming  land.  In  1837  he  was  married  to  Xarcissa  J.  Haynes,  born  October  9.  1817.  in 
Cornersville,  and  eight  children  have  been  born  to  them,  six  of  whom  arc  living.  Mr. 
Baker  was  a Whig,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  About  1845  he  quit  the  mercantile  business 


. 


1102 


BIOGKA r HIC A L A PPE NDIX . 


and  turned  his  attention  to  farming.  He  has  been  a resident  of  the  county  forty-ihree 
years  and  belongs  to  the  Masonic  fraternity.  His  parents,  Humphrey  and  Sallie  (Hyde) 
Baker,  were  born  in  Virginia  and  North  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  moved  to 
Kentucky  when  a boy  and  finally  located  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  where  lie  was  mar- 
ried. He  was  a blacksmith  by  trade  and  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  became  the  father 
of  ten  children.  The  mother  died  in  1834,  and  the  father  afterward  wedded  Mrs.  Furr, 
by  whom  he  had  two  children.  Shortly  after  their  marriage  they  moved  to  Kentucky, 
where  the  father  died  during  the  war. 

THOMAS  H.  BELL,  farmer,  was  born  February  27,  1820,  in  Wilson  County,  and  had 
a limited  advantage  for  schooling  though  he  has  supplied  the  deficiency  by  private  study, 
At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  was  joined  in  marriage  to  Martha  A.  O'Neal,  who  was  born 
in  1824.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  six  children.  At  the  end  of  ten  years  the 
mother  died  and  in  1854  our  subject  wedded  Elizabeth  J.  Bruce,  who  was  born  April  27, 
1834.  This  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  twelve  children.  Mr.  Bell  is  a supporter  of 
Democratic  principles,  and  he  and  wife  are  active  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyter- 
ian Church.  He  has  held  the  office  of  constable,  deputy  sheriff  and  magistrate,  respect- 
ively. He  was  a strong  Union  man  and  is  a solid  prohibitionist.  He  has  one  of  the  best 
farms  of  130  acres  in  the  county  though  he  has  devoted  considerable  time  to  house  car- 
pentering, running  engines  and  superintending  mills.  He  is  a son  of  Fielding  and  Eliza- 
beth (Jenkins)  Bell.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  and  came  to  Tennessee  in  1802.  The 
mother  was  a native  of  Teunesee  and  was  a daughter  of  Col.  Jenkins  of  Revolutionary 
fame.  After  marriage  they  moved  to  Wilson  and  finally  to  Bedford  County  in  1820  where 
they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  In  1851  the  father  died  and  in  IS 73  the  mother, 
too,  passed  away. 

DR.  G.  W.  BILLS,  a retired  physician  of  Marshall  County,  was  born  November  24, 
1819,  in  this  couuty  and  received  a rather  limited  education.  He  is  the  son  of  Daniel  G. 
and  Rachel  (Summers)  Bills,  natives  of  North  Carolina,  where  they  were  married  ami 
lived  until  1810  after  which  they- came  to  this  State  and  located  in  what  is  now  Marshall 
County.  The  father  was  a doctor  and  farmer,  and  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the 
Christian  Church.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics  and  his  death  occurred  in  1S02.  The 
mother  followed  in  1883  in  her  ninetieth  year.  The  subject’s  ancestors  on  both  sides  were 
of  Euglish-Irish  descent.  After  reaching  manhood  he  taught  school  for  a short  time.  In 
1843  he  wedded  A.  E.  A.  Richardson,  a native  of  Marshall  County,  born  April  10,  1823. 
To  this  union  were  born  five  children.  In  politics  lie  is  conservative,  having  voted  the 
national  ticket  but  once  since  the  war.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Christaiu  Church. 
About  1847  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  and  after  practicing  for  nearly  six  years, 
took  a course  of  lectures  at  Macon,  Ga.  He  then  returned  to  this  county  and  practiced 
his  profession  until  1867,  when  he  turned  his  attentiou  more  exclusively  to  farming.  lie 
has  a farm  of  325  acres,  and  for  twenty -two  years  has  practiced  his  profession  in  this 
county.  He  has  lived  to  see  all  his  children,  except  the  youngest,  become  members  of  the 
Christian  Church,  and  marry  companions  who  belong  to  the  same.  His  eldest  daughter, 
Rebecca  C.  (deceased),  was  the  wife  of  Thomas  .1,  Allen,  a wide-awake  young  fanner; 
the  second  child  is  C.  1'.,  who  married  Elizabeth  Blackwell,  and  is  farming  successfully:, 
the  third,  Daniel  'VV.,  married  Josie  Cowden,  and  is  accounted  a good  farmer;  Mollie  G. 
is  the  wife  J.  T.  Welland,  who  is  also  a tiller  of  the  soil. 

REUBEN  BILLINGTON,  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Walker)  Biliington,  was  born 
March  23,  1823,  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County,  and  while  receiving  a common  school 
education,  worked  on  a farm.  Like  a dutiful  son,  he  remained  on  the  farm  until  twenty- 
one  years  of  age.  and  a year  later  began  the  duties  of  a farmer, and  has  followed  that  call- 
ing up  to  the  present  time.  It  1845  he  married  Matilda  Wallace,  who  was  born  February 
2,  1825,  and  four  children  were  the  result  of  their  union:  Malissa  (wife  of  Charles  Jones), 
William  K.,  Amanda  M.  (wife  of  C.  J.  Farris),  and  Thomas  J.  Mr.  Biliington  is  a stanch 
Democrat,  and  after  a year’s  faithful  service  in  the  late  war  in  Col.  Haynes’  company  . he 
was  discharged  ou  account  of  failing  health.  He  owns  a farm  of  190  acres,  and  gives  con- 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1193 


siclerable  attention  to  breeding  stock.  His  parents  were  born  in  North  Carolina;  the 
father  in  1792  and  the  mother  in  1793.  They  came  to  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  when 
young,  and  after  their  marriage  always  followed  agricultural  pursuits.  Of  their  nine 
children  seven  lived  to  be  grown,  and  five  are  still  living.  James  Billington  served  for 
some  time  in  the  war  of  1812;  was  magistrate  and  a Democrat.  Mrs.  Billington  died  in 
1S62,  and  he  two  years  later.  Both  our  subject’s  grandfathers  were  Revolutionary  soldiers. 

THOMAS  C.  BLACK,  a leading  druggist  of  Lewisburg,  and  a native  of  Rutherford 
County,  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  He  is  the  son  of 
Thomas  C.  and  Catherine  W.  (Morton)  Black.  The  parents  were  natives  of  Rutherford 
County.  Tenn.;  the  father  born  in  1808  and  the  mother  1816.  They  were  married  in  their 
native  county  and  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  eleven  of  whom  are  still  living. 
The  father  was  a physician  and  farmer.  He  died  in  1876,  and  the  mother  still  lives  on  the 
old  homestead.  Grandfather  Black,  a Scotch-Irishman,  came  in  an  earl}'  day  from  Scot- 
land and  taught  one  of  the  first  schools  of  Murfreesboro.  Our  subject,  after  reaching 
manhood,  began  the  mercantile  business  as  salesman  for  Miles  & McKinley,  in  Murfrees- 
boro. After  conducting  business  in  that  county  on  his  own  responsibility  for  a short  time 
he  came  to  Marshall  County  in  1875  and  engaged  in  the  lumber  business.  Five  years  later 
he  opened  a drug  store  with  Dr.  S.  D.  Ewing,  in  Lewisburg.  After  dissolving  partner- 
ship Mr.  Black  opened  the  store  where  he  now  does  an  active  business.  For  twelve  mouths 
he  served  as  a soldier  in  Col.  W.  S.  McLemore’s  company.  In  politics  he  is  a Democrat 
and  is  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

JOHN  T.  BLAKE,  a leading  merchant  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  and  a son  of 
John  . and  Mary  A.  (Morgan)  Biakc,  was  born  on  the  3d  of  January,  1834,  iu  Lincoln 
County, Tenn.,  and  received  the  education  and  rearing  of  the  average  farmer’s  boy.  After 
attaining  man’s  estate  he  attended  and  taught  school  a short  time  and  then  turned  his  at- 
tention to  his  trade  and  farming.  He  had  access  to  the  tools  in  his  father’s  shop,  and  in 
time  became  proficient  as  a worker  in  wood  and  iron.  Five  children  were  the  result  of 
his  marriage,  in  1857,  to  Martha  Phillips.  Their  son,  John  M.,  is  a traveling  salesman  for 
Gravfall  «fc  Co.,  of  Nashville,  Tenn.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Blake  are  members  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  votes  the  Democratic  ticket.  Since  1857 
he  has  resided  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  a general  work  shop  and  as  a 
business  man  has  been  fairly  successful.  His  father  and  mother  were  born  in  North  Car- 
olina and  Virginia,  respectively.  After  marriage  they  settled  in  Lincoln  County.  Tenn., 
where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days  as  tillers  of  the  soil.  Their  family  consisted 
of  fourteen  children,  only  five  of  whom  are  living.  The  father  was  an  old-line  Whig,  and 
after  a long  and  active  life  died  in  1862.  The  mother,  who  was  a member  of  the  Cumber- 
land Presbyterian  Church,  outlived  him  several  years. 

THOMAS  A.  BOYD,  farmer,  was  born  July  25.  1844,  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn. 
He  had  the  advantages  of  a common  school  education,  but  the  war  cut  short  all  thoughts 
of  continuing  his  studies.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  Company  C,  Eleventh  Tennessee 
Cavalry,  Confederate  Army.  While  scouting  in  East  Tennessee  he  was  captured,  and  af- 
ter a short  imprisonment  at  Camp  Chase  lie  was  taken  to  Fort  Delaware,  where  he  re- 
mained until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  went  to  work  on  the 
farm.  In  1866  he  wedded  Mattie  S.  Wilson,  who  was  born  December  2,  1849,  in  Marshall 
County.  This  union  has  been#blessed  by  the  birth  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Boyd  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  has  a good  farm  of  250  acres  furnished  with  good  buildings.  He  is  a 
son  of  Joseph  B.  and  Susan  W.  (Camden)  Boyd.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
in  1810,  and  the  mother  in  Virginia  in  1809.  They  were  married  in  1831  and  .soon  after 
settled  in  this  county.  At  the  end  of  six  years  they  moved  to  Williamson  County  and  en- 
gaged in  merchandising.  In  1846  he  quit  the  mercantile  business  to  engage  in  farming. 
Both  parents  were  active  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he 
has  been  an  elder  for  about  forty  years.  Iu  1885  his  faithful  companion  was  taken  from 
his  side  by  the  hand  of  death.  The  father  is  living  with  his  son  Thomas. 


1194 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


THOMAS  WESLEY  BRENTS.  D.  D.  aud  M.  D.  Thomas  Brents,  Sr.,  was  born  in 
the  “Blue-grass  State,”  and  there  married  Jane  McWhorter.  They  resided  in  the  State 
until  1S00,  aud  then  came  to  Marshall  County,  Tenn..  aud  spent  the  remainder  of  their 
lives  in  agricultural  pursuits.  The  father,  although  not  an  educated  man,  was  a man  of 
remarkable  intellectual  powers,  superior  to  many  of  his  associates  in  that  particular.  He 
and  wife  were  not  professed  Christians,  but  they’  inclined  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
faith.  He  was  an  old-line  Democrat  and  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-two.  The  mother 
lived  to  be  fifty-six  years  old.  Thomas  Wesley,  our  subject,  was  born  in  Marshall  Coun- 
ty. February  10.  1323.  Ilis  early  days  were  spent  on  a farm  and  in  seeking  an  education 
in  the  old  dirt-floor  sclioolhousc  of  early  days,  where  the  three  “R's”  were  supposed  to  be 
sufficient  for  an  education.  Before  attaining  his  twenty-first  birthday  he  had  never  seen 
a grammar,  but  notwithstanding  the  many  disadvantages  under  which  he  labored,  he  con- 
ceived the  idea  of  gaining  a better  education,  and  began  a course  of  private  study,  often 
burning  the  midnight  oil  in  furtherance  of  his  plans,  lie  followed  pedagoging  about 
four  years  and  became  a disciple  of  JE?culapius  and  attended  the  Eclectic  Medical  College, 
of  Memphis.  Tenn.,  the  Medical  School  of  Nashville,  and  finally  graduated,  in  1855,  from 
the  Reform  Medical  College  of  Georgia,  and  was  chosen  demonstrator  of  anatomy,  and  later 
became  professor  of  anatomy  and  surgery  and  held  that  position  until  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war.  Owing  to  ill  health  he  gave  up  his  practice  and  moved  to  the  country  and 
devoted  much  of  his  time  to  the  ministry,  having  started  in  that  calling  in  1850.  He 
had  acquired  a thorough  knowledge  of  Latin  and  his  ministerial  labors  called  for  a 
knowledge  of  the  Greek  language,  which  he  immediately  began  mastering.  In  1SH  he 
wedded  Angeline  Scott,  who  died  in  1857,  leaving  five  small  children.  Late  in  the  same 
year  he  married  Mrs.  Elizabeth  (Taylor)  Brown,  who  bore  him  four  children,  two  of 
whom  are  professional  men:  T.  E.,  a physician,  and  John,  a lawyer.  Dr.  Brents  moved 
to  Burritt  in  1874  to  educate  his  children  in  Burritt  College,  where  three  of  them  graduated. 
In  1882  he  organized  the  present  Bank  of  Lewisburg  and  acted  a;  cashier  for  three  years. 
In  politics  he  is  conservative,  not  having  voted  since  1856.  For  fifty-five  years  he  has 
been  a citizen  of  Marshall  County,  aud  whether  as  a physician,  a professor  or  a minister  of 
the  gospel  he  has  few  equals  and  fewer  superiors. 

ALEXANDER  BRYANT,  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  John  F.  and  Sarah 
(Amis)  Bryant,  aud  was  born  inGrauville  County,  N.  C..  December  14.  1818.  His  parents 
were  also  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  were  married  in  that  State,  and  became  the  parents 
of  ten  children.  The  father  was  a well-to-do  farmer,  and  lived  in  his  native  State  until 
1837,  and  then  moved  to  Tennessee,  and  located  in  Marshall  County,  and  there  died  in 
1857.  He  was  a Democrat  and  for  several  years  held  the  position  of  magistrate.  The 
mother  died  in  1870.  Alexander’s  early  school  advantages  were  very  limited,  never  having 
attended  school  more  than  twelvemonths.  After  attaining  manhood  he  began  farming 
and  has  followed  that  calling  through  life.  In  1812  he  wedded  Maria  Wilkes,  by  whom 
he  had  eleven  children.  Both  he  and  Mrs.  Wilkes  are  members  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Bryant  is  a Democrat  and  as  a farmer  has  met  with  well  de- 
served success.  lie  has  been  a resident  of  Marshall  Comity  for  twenty-seven  years,  aud 
ha9  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 

JOHN  A.  BRYANT,  farmer,  is  a son  of  John  F.  and  Sarah  W.  (Amis)  Bryant,  both 
nativesof  North  Carolina; thefatlier born  inl790andthe  mother  in  1794.  After  marriage, in 
1837, they  removed  from  their  native  State  and  came  to  Marshall  County,  where  they  spent 
the  remainder  of  their  days.  This  family  consisted  of  ten  children,  six  of  whom  are  living. 
The  father  was  an  industrious  tiller  of  the  soil,  owning  nearly  800  acres  of  land.  He  was 
a Democrat  and  a man  of  fair  education  and  good  business  qualities.  His  death  occurred 
in  1857.  After  his  death  the  mother  lived  a widow  on  the  old  homestead  until  1870,  when 
she.  too,  was  called  away.  Our  subject  was  born  in  North  Carolina  June  28,  1828,  and  his 
ancestors  on  both  sides  were  of  Irish  extraction.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm, and  owing  to 
the  demand  for  his  services  at  home,  received  a very  limited  education.  He  worked  for 
his  father  till  twenty-one  years  of  age,  aud  then  began  his  career  as  an  independent 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1195 


farmer.  Iu  1S60  he  wedded  Sallie  C.  Fry,  a native  of  Marshall  County,  born  May  9, 1835, 
and  to  them  were  born  four  children.  In  1862.  Mr.  Bryant  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
Eleventh  Tennessee  Confederate  Cavalry  and  after  twelve  months’  service  was  appointed 
brigade  forage  master,  and  a year  later  held  a position  in  the  ordnance  department. 
During  three  years  of  faithful  service  he  was  never  wounded  nor  taken  prisoner.  After 
peace  had  been  declared  he  returned  to  the  more  peaceful  pursuits  of  farming.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Presbyteriau  Church,  and  for  eight  years  held  the  position  of  magistrate 
He  is  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  owns  over  500  acres  of  land,  and  for  fortj’-nine  years 
has  been  a resident  of  Marshall  County. 

JOIIX  E.  BRYANT,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  was  born  February  17,  1849.  in  Mar- 
shall County.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a common  English  education. 
At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  took  charge  of  his  father’s  farm  and  worked  out  the  indebted 
ness  of  the  estate.  In  1870  he  wedded  Ada  S.  Pickens,  a native  of  this  count}',  born 
August  7,  1849.  They  are  both  active  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
In  politics  he  is  a Democrat.  Mr.  Bryant  has  a good  farm  of  173  acres,  nearly  all  of 
which  he  has  made  by  industry  and  close  attention  to  business.  Mr.  Bryaui  has  lived  in 
Marshall  County  all  his  life,  and  is  a good  farmer  and  an  honest,  upright  citizen.  He  is 
the  son  of  William  T.  and  Mary  E.  (Hill)  Bryant.  The  father  was  born  about  182*2  in 
North  Carolina,  and  about  1837  came  with  his  parents  to  this  county.  The  mother  was 
born  in  Maury  County  in  1824,  where  they  were  married.  They  soon  settled  in  this 
county  and  made  it  their  permanent  home.  They  have  a family  of  four  children — three 
boys  and  one  girl.  Two  of  the  boys  are  farmers  of  the  neighborhood,  and  the  third  is  a 
cotton  trader  in  Texas.  The  father  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  followed  the  calling  of 
a farmer  and  stock  raiser. 

JOHN  A.  BURROW  is  a son  of  John  aud  Catherine  (Barron)  Burrow,  born,  re- 
spectively, in  Maury  County  aud  Giles  County,  in  1S10  and  1811,  and  died  in  1882  and  1881. 
They  married  and  located  in  Alabama,  residing  there  until  1879,  when  they  returned  to 
Tennessee  and  settled  near  the  mother’s  birth-place,  in  Giles  County.  Both  parents  be- 
longed to  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  father  was  a Democrat.  John  A. 
was  born  in  Lauderdale  County,  Ala.,  .March  5,  1844.  Owing  to  the  breaking  out  of  the 
war  his  educational  advantages  were  retarded.  He  volunteered  in  Company  E,  Seventh 
Alabama  Cavalry,  and  served  two  and  a half  years.  He  was  iu  about  twenty  battles  but 
did  not  receive  a wound.  After  his  return  from  the  war  he  began  tilling  the  soil  and  in 
187*2  be  opened  a store  in  Lawrence  County,  but  at  the  end  of  one  year  was  burned  out, 
and  soon  after  returned  to  the  farm  where  he  owns  641  acres  of  land.  Three  sons  were 
born  to  his  marriage  with  Ann  E.  Allen,  whom  he  married  in  1869.  Mrs.  Burrow  died  in 
1876  and  five  years  later  he  wedded  Nannie  Davis,  who  has  borne  him  two  children.  He 
was  one  of  the  prime  movers  in  building  the  Lynnville  & Cornersville  Turnpike  and  his 
efforts  have  been  appreciated  by  those  who  know  the  advantage  it  has  been  to  the  county. 

WILLIAM  G.  CLAYTON  is  a son  of  Stephen  and  Nancy  (Hill)  Clayton,  who  were 
natives  of  Tennessee  and  farmers  b}'  occupation.  .The  former  died  in  1837  and  the  latter 
in  1826.  William  G.  was  born  in  Lincoln  County,  November  6,  1817,  and  received  a com 
mon  school  education.  Iu  1837  lie  wedded  Jane  S.  Bachman,  and  to  them  were  born  eight 
children.  William  has  followed  in  his  father’s  footsteps  and  is  a farmer.  He  started  in 
life  with  little  or  no  capital;  bflthis  hands  and  feet,  step  by  step,  climbed  the  ladder  of  success 
until  he  became  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Marshall  County,  and  commands  the  re- 
spect aud  esteem  of  all.  His  son,  Dr.  A.  C.  Clayton,  was  born  in  Marshall  County.  Feb- 
ruary 26,  1842,  and  spent  his  juvenile  days  on  his  father’s  farm.  lie  attended  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  in  1862  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Fifth  Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry. 
He  was  wounded  so  severely  at  the  battle  of  Murfreesboro,  that  lie  was  compelled  t«*  give 
up  all  ideas  of  further  service.  Toward  the  latter  part  of  the  war  he  spent  some  time  iu 
Texas,  and  after  his  return  took  a course  of  instruction  in  Richland  Academy,  and  after- 
ward taught  school  about  seven  terms.  In  1876  be  entered  the  medical  department  of 
Vanderbilt  University,  and  graduated  the  following  year.  He  has  since  practiced  in  Mar- 


1190 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


shall  County,  and  besides  this  has  dealt  in  stock,  lumber,  and  lias  been  engaged  iu  the 
milling  business.  He  has  a tan-yard  in  Lawrence  County,  a small  farm  in  this  county  aud 
a large  one  in  Gibson  County.  In  1S83  he  wedded  Mary  E.  Carter,  who  lived  only  about 
two  years.  The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and  a Dem- 
ocrat. He  has  been  a resident  of  the  county  about  fort}*  years,  and  has  the  respect  and 
esteem  of  all. 

DANIEL  B.  CLAYTON,  farmer,  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  William  G. 
and  Jane  S.  (Bachman)  Clayton,  and  was  bom  in  the  county  where  he  now  resides  May 
11,  1855.  After  attending  the  common  schools  he  completed  his  education  at  Lewisburg, 
and  then  began  the  battle  of  life  for  himself.  He  taught  one  term  of  school  and,  in  1878, 
went  to  Texas  and  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business.  After  selling  agricultural  imple- 
ments for  a short  time  he  opened  a grocery  store,  which  he  managed  two  years  with  good 
results.  He  sold  out  and  returned  to  Marshall  County  iu  1881,  and  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Cora  McCord,  by  whom  he  has  one  child.  Mary  Lucile.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clay- 
ton are  active  workers  iu  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  They  ownJ325  acres  of 
land  in  the  most  fertile  portion  of  Marshall  County,  it  being  considered  one  of  the  fiuest 
stock  farms  in  the  county.  lie  takes  great  interest  in  raising  fine  stock,  and  is  a stanch 
Democrat  in  his  political  views. 

WILLIAM  M.  CLARK,  son  of  Thomas  and  Betsey  (Robiuson)  Clark,  is  a well-to-do 
farmer  of  Marshall  Couuty,  Tenn..  and  was  born  in  Giles  County  June  22,  1S?2.  He  was 
allowed  to  follow  his  own  inclination  in  regard  to  schooling,  consequently  his  education 
is  very  limited  indeed.  After  working  one  year  for  wages  he  purchased  seventy-five 
acres  of  land,  largely  on  credit,  and  by  the  sweat  of  his  brow  has  increased  his  farm  to 
375  acres.  Two  sons  and  one  daughter  are  the  results  of  his  marriage  with  Mary  Jones, 
which  took  place  in  1S49.  After  her  death  he  married  Betsey  White,  and  two  children 
have  blessed  their,  union.  Mr.  Clark  and  his  first  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South;  his  present  wife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  In  former  days  our  subject  was  a Whig,  but  is  now  a Democrat.  His  parents 
were  North  Carolinians  by  birth,  and  shortly  after  their  marriage  came  to  Giles  Couuty, 
Tenn.,  and  followed  farming  for  a livelihood.  The  father  vras  twice  married,  his  second 
wife  being  Nancy  McCandless.  Nine  children  were  born  to  his  first  union  and  three  to  his 
last.  The  father  was  a.  Whig  and  died  when  about  forty-five  years  old. 

JOHN  COW  DEN.  M.  D..  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Marshall  Couuty,  is  a son 
of  William  and  Rlioda  (Davis)  Cowdeu,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Ten- 
nessee. The  father  was  born  in  1806  and  the  mother  in  1811.  The  father  was  a black- 
smith and  wagon-maker.  The}"  were  married  in  1828  aud  their  family  consisted  of  six 
children— three  of  whom  died  within  two  weeks  of  scarlet  fever.  Of  the  living,  two  are 
boys  and  one  is  a girl.  One  of  the  boys.  William  N.,  is  a leading  criminal  lawyer  of  Lew- 
isburg and  the  other  appears  at  the  head  of  this  sketch.  Both  parents  were  united  with 
the  Cbristain  Church  and  have  ever  lived  in  accordance  with  their  profession.  The  father 
during  his  shortlife  was  au  industrious,  energetic  worker,  and  was  cut  oil  in  the  bloom  of 
manhood  by  the  frosts  of  death.  His  death  occurred  in  7 839.  The  mother  was  married 
again  but  after  the  death  of  her  second  husband  has  made  her  home  with  the  Doctor.  Dr. 
John  Cowden  was  born  October  C,  1834,  in  Marshall  County,  and  received  the  rudiments  of 
his  education  in  the  old-time  subscription  schools.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  spent  a year 
at  an  academy  and  then  began  the  study  of  medicine  with  Dr.  T.  W.  Brents.  After  study- 
ing about  a year  he  took  a course  of  lectures  at  Memphis  and  completed  his  medical  edu- 
cational Macon,  Ga.,  graduating  from  that  institution  in  1854.  lie  then  began  practicing 
and  in  1856  he  wedded  Mary  H.  Leonard,  a native  of  this  county  born  January  23,  1837. 
To  this  uDion  were  born  twelve  children,  ten  of  whom  are  living.  The  eldest  son,  Charles 
N.,  is  a graduate  of  Vanderbilt  University  and  is  a practicing  physician.  Mr.  aud  Mrs. 
Cowden  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  aud  he  is  a Democrat  iu  politics.  He  has 
the  honor  of  being  president  of  the  Duck  River  Valley  Railroad,  besides  being  a director  of 
the  road  since  its  completion.  He  has  a farm  of  200  acres  and  has  followed  his  profession 
for  thirty-one  years. 


■ 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


hot 


THOMAS  COLLINS,  farmer,  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  and  son  of  Willis  and 
Phcebe  (Martin)  Collins,  is  one  of  nine  children  and  was  born  iu  the  State  of  Georgia 
July  27,  1818.  He  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  his  early  education  wa<  wholly  and  needlessly 
neglected.  He  was  married  at  an  early  age,  being  only  nineteen  when  he  aud  Sarah 
•Childs  were  united  iu  marriage.  Of  the  six  children  born  to  them  only  two  are  living: 
W.  P.  and  Fannie.  Since  his  marriage  he  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits,  aud  at  one 
time  was  the  owner  of  nearly  800  acres  of  land,  the  greater  part  of  which  he  has  given  to 
his  children.  In  18S4  his  wife  died,  and,  after  living  with  his  children  a year,  he  was 
married  to  Mrs.  Nancy  E.  (Clark)  Judia.  Previous  to  the  war  Mr.  Collins  was  a Whig; 
since  that  time  he  has  not  cast  a party  vote.  He  has  been  a resident  of  Marshall  County 
some  thirty  years,  and  has  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  Our  sub- 
ject’s father  and  mother  were  born  iu  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  respectively,  and  were 
married  in  Georgia.  The  father  was  an  overseer  iu  the  latter  State,  and  came  to  Tennes- 
see in  182G,  where  he  became  the  possessor  of  nearty  1,000  acres  of  land.  He  was  a sol- 
dier under  Jackson,  and  in  politics  was  an  old -line  Whig.  He  died  in  1854.  The  mother 
lived  to  be  about  eighty-four  years  of  age. 

WILLIS  P.  COLLINS  is  the  son  of  Thomas  Collins  (above  written)  and  was  raised 
on  a farm  in  Giles  County.  Tenn.,  where  he  was  born  November  11,  1845.  He  received  a 
•common  school  education  and  like  his  father  choose  the  free  and  independent  life  of  a farmer. 
In  i860  he  married  Margaret  Smith,  who  died  in  1874,  leaving  four  children.  In  1875  he 
married  Hannah  G.  Beard  and  to  them  were  born  five  children.  Mr.  Collins  and  his  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  His  first  wife  belonged  to  the 
Christian  Church.  After  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Collins  resided  on  a farm  given  mm  by 
his  father  until  1871  when  he  located  on  the  farm  of  257  acres  where  he  now  resides.  He 
is  considered  one  of  the  skillful  farmers  of  the  county  and  is  a man  who  commands  the 
respect  of  all. 

DAVID  COLLINS  is  a son  of  Jones  Collins,  who  was  born  in  1791  in  North  Carolina. 
The  mother,  Sophia  (Wright)  Collins,  was  born  in  1798,  in  Georgia.  The  father  partici- 
pated in  the  war  of  1812,  and  in  1832  came  to  Marshall  County,  Tenn.  He  is  a Jacksonian 
Democrat,  and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  late  war  led  some  fourteen  of  his  children  and 
grandchildren  to  the  front.  He  has  always  followed  farming,  and  at  one  time  was  one  of 
the  most  extensive  land  owners  in  the  county.  In  1875  the  mother  died.  The  father  is  now 
<188G)  ninety-four  years  old  and  enjoys  good  health.  The  Collins  family  were  among  the 
earliest  settlers  of  the  county  and  are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  David  Collins  was  born 
March  1G,  1827,  in  Georgia.  He  bad  good  educational  advantages  but  did  not  improve 
them,  which  fact  he  has  always  regretted.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  lie  enlisted  to  serve  in 
the  Mexican  war,  aud  after  a short  service  had  his  leg  shattered  by  an  ounce  hall  at  Mon- 
terey, disabling  him  for  further  service.  After  he  returned  home  he  clerked,  farmed,  and 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two  began  operating  the  Allen  Leper  Mills.  In  1853  he  wedded 
Margaret  Glenn,  and  to  them  were  born  five  sons.  Mr.  Collins  is  a Democrat  and  the 
owner  of  175  acres  of  land.  His  son,  John  C.  Collins,  was  born  September  15,  1858,  in 
Marshall  County.  His  rudimentary  education  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools, 
and  later  he  finished  his  education  at  Culleoka.  After  his  return  he  kept  several  fine 
horses  for  about  three  years.  In  1883  he  came  to  Gill’s  Chapel  and  opened  a grocery  store 
in  an  old  log  house,  his  capital  being  $300.  By  good  management  he  has  built  a new 
store-room,  a nice  frame  residence  and  has  increased  his  stock  of  goods  many  fold.  He  is 
a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and  is  a Republican  in  politics. 

JAMES  W.  COLLINS  is  of  Irish-Scotch  descent  and  is  a son  of  Elisha  and  Betsey 
{McGregor)  Collins,  who  were  horn  in  North  Carolina  and  Virginia  in  1807.  They  came 
to  Tennessee  when  young  and  here  were  married.  Of  their  ten  children  seven  arc  living. 
The  father  was  a farmer  and  Democrat  and  died  in  1872.  The  mother  is  yet  living  at  the 
age  of  seventy-nine.  February  15,  1832,  is  the  date  of  our  subject’s  birth  which  occurred 
in  Marshall  County.  Being  the  eldest  son  he  was  obliged  to  assist  his  father  on  the  farm, 
consequently  his  educational  advantages  were  limited.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began 


75 


1198 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


farming  for  himself  and  in  1861  volunteered  in  Company  I.  Second  Mississippi  Infantry. 
He*  was  captured  at  Maryville,  Tenn.,  but  succeeded  in  making  his  escape.  After  the  war 
he  resumed  farming  and,  in  1866,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nancy  McKnight,  daughter  of 
Ezekiel  M.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Collins  have  no  children.  They  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Collins  is  a Democrat.  He  owns  a farm  of 
1S5  acres,  the  fruits  of  his  own  labor. 

HENRY  L.  COLLINS,  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.. 
was  born  September  28,  1S45.  His  early  education  was  wholly  neglected,  but  he  has 
overcome  this  deficiency  by  study  during  his  leisure  moments,  and  now  has  a fair  general 
education.  In  1863  he  volunteered  in  Forrest's  command  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry 
and  after  serving  two  years  and  receiving  a slight  wound  he  returned  home  and  resumed 
farming.  In  1866  he  wedded  Fannie  Collins,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children,  eight  of 
whom  are  living.  He  is  a Democrat  and  owns  a 330-acre  farm,  one  of  the  best  in  the 
count}’.  He  takes  great  pride  in  raising  fine  Holstieu  cattle,  and  some  of  his  animals  are 
the  best  in  the  county.  His  parents,  Henry  and  Nancy  E.  (Cunningham)  Collins,  had 
both  been  married  previous  to  their-union.  The  father  was  married  to  Fannie  Martin,  by 
whom  he  had  nine  children,  and  the  mother's  first  husband  was  O.  P.  Sheppard,  by  whom 
she  had  one  child.  Our  subject,  Henry  Collins,  is  the  only  child  born  to  their  union.  The 
father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  moved  from  there  to  Georgia,  thence  to  Ten- 
nessee in  1826.  He  was  a Democrat  and  farmer  and  died  in  1861,  followed  by  bis  widow 
a year  later. 

SAMUEL  A-  CRUTCHER,  farmer,  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  L.  (Childress) 
Crutcher,  both  parents  boru  and  reared  in  Virginia.  The  father  was  born  in  1TS8  and  the 
mother  in  1800.  They  were  united  in  marriage  in  lSlo,  and  lived  in  Virginia  till  1823, 
when  they  came  to  Tennessee  and  settled  in  Williamson  County,  where  they  passed  the 
remainder  of  their  days.  They  reared  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living  at  the 
present  time.  The  mother  died  in  1861  and  the  father  in  1866.  Our  subject  was  born 
October  14,  1818.  in  Amherst  County,  Va.,  and  when  five  years  old  came  with  his  parents 
to  Williamson  County.  He  received  a rather  limited  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one  began  the  free  life  of  a farmer.  In  1843  he  married  Catherine  P.  Blackwell,  a native  of 
Kentucky,  born  February  22,  1822,  and  the  fruits  of  this  union  were  an  interesting  family 
of  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  are  living.  Having  saved  his  earnings  Mr.  Crutcher  bought 
a sixty-acre  tract  of  land,  which  he  afterward  sold,  and  bought  the  farm  of  282  acres  where 
he  now  lives,  going  in  debt  for  nearly  all  of  it.  By  hard  work  and  good  management  he 
paid  for  it  in  three  years.  Mr.  Crutcher  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  church  mem- 
bers, he  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  and  she  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church. 
For  twenty-six  years  he  has  been  a citizen  of  Marshall  County,  and  enjoys  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 

ROBERT  P.  CRUTCHER,  farmer  and  miller  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn  , is  a son  of 
Robert  and  Nancy  L.  (Childress)  Crutcher,  and  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn., 
February  3,  1828.  He  made  his  home  with  his  parents  until  twenty-seven  years  of  age, 
and  acquired  a common  school  education,  after  which  he  began  doing  for  himself.  In 
he  married  Mary  E.  Thompson,  who  bore  him  three  children:  Hugh  M.,  Mary  A.  and 
William  B (deceased).  Hugh  wedded  Jennie  Wallace,  and  is  a farmer  and  miller;  Mary 
is  the  wife  of  Whit  Rone,  also  a farmer  and  miller.  Mrs.  Crutcher  was  born  September 
8,  1831,  in  Williamson  County,  and  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South.  Soon  after  his  marriage  Mr.  Crutcher  located  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives. 
He  also  worked  at  the  shoe-maker’s  trade,  and  had  a good  custom  until  18o9.  when  he 
opened  a tan-yard  where  his  mill  now  stands.  Shortly  after  the  close  of  the  war  he 
erected  a small  grist  and  saw-mill,  which  he  ran  with  a ten-horse  thresher  engine,  but 
soon  tore  this  building  down  and  erected  a fine  mill.  lie  owned  a farm  of  400  acres,  part 
of  which  lie  has  given  to  his  children,  and  now  owns  about  212  acres,  lie  is  a stirring 
business  man,  and  upright  in  all  his  dealings  with  his  fellow-men. 

W.  M.  CRUTCHER,  dentist,  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Nancy  L.  (Childress)  Crutcher 


. 


. 


■ 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1190 


(for  further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  Samuel  A.  Crutcher),  ami  was  born 
November  16,  1833,  in  Williamson  County.  During  his  youth  he  had  good  advantages  for 
receiving  an  education,  but  did  not  make  the  best  use  of  them,  a fact  he  has  regretted 
all  his  life.  In  1S61  he  enlisted  in  Company  D,  First  Tennessee  Infantry,  Confederate 
Army,  and  during  the  four  years  of  service  was  never  taken  prisoner.  At  the  battle  of 
Chickamauga  he  was  struck  by  a minie-ball.  inflicting  an  ugly  flesh  wound.  Having 
returned  and  farmed  a year  he  turned  his  attention  to  the  profession  of  dentistry.  In 
1SG6  he  married  May  L.  Hays,  who  was  born  in  Maury  County,  June  9,  1846.  This  union 
was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  nine  children.  Mr.  Crutcher  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife 
and  three  of  the  boys  are  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Our  subject  has 
now*  practiced  his  profession  in  this  country  about  nineteen  years  and  has  received  a 
liberal  patronage  from  the  people. 

WILLIAM  A.  DYSART,  farmer,  was  born  in  Marshall  Count}*  in  1831.  He  was 
reared  on  the  farm,  attended  the  district  school  in  the  winter  seasons  and  received  a good 
practical  education.  January  31,  18G0,  he  married  Elizabeth  E.  Bivins,  and  the  union 
was  blessed  by  three  children:  Clarence  M.,  Anna  L.  and  William  E.  Both  parents  are 
consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Novembers,  1862,  Mr.  Dysart  volun- 
teered in  Company  D,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry  and  was  engaged  in  all  the.  battles  in 
which  his  company  took  part.  His  regiment  was  detailed  through  North  Carolina  as  a 
body-guard  for  Jefferson  Davis.  Mr.  Dysart  remained  with  his  command  until  it  returned 
to  Chattanooga,  when  his  regiment  was  disbanded  and  he  returned  home.  He  is  a Demo- 
crat and  has  voted  that  ticket  since  the  Rebellion.  He  is  one  of  Marshall  County  's  most 
enterprising  and  energetic  farmers,  has  a fine  tract  of  land  aud  His  residence  is  beautifully 
located.  Mrs.  Dysart  is  a very  intelligent  and  accomplished  lady.  Our  subject’s  parents 
were  Andrew’  and  Jane  (Ewing)  Dysart.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  about 
1782,  immigrated  with  his  parents  to  Kentucky  when  quite  young;  then  to  Williamson 
Count}’,  and  in  about  1800  came  to  Marshall  County.  Here,  in  about  1815,  he  was  married 
and  became  the  father  of  thirteen  children,  eight  of  w hom  are  living.  He  and  wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church.  The  mother  died  in  1867,  and 
the  father  in  1868.  Our  subject’s  ancestors  were  of  Scotcli-Irish  lineage.  His  grandfather 
was  one  of  the  brave  men  who  fought  in  the  Revolutionary  wTar. 

CHARLES  A.  DABNEY  was  born  November  8, 1819,  and  received  a common  English 
education.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world.  In  1865 
the  nuptials  of  his  marriage  With  Miss  Sallie  Cox  were  celebrated.  She  is  a daughter  of 
Robert  Cox,  of  North  Carolina.  In  early  life  Mr.  Dabney  was  a Whig  in  politics,  but  is 
now  a strong  supporter  of  Democratic  principles.  He  is  a wealthy  farmer,  and  owns  741 
acres  of  good  land,  the  greater  part  of  which  he  has  made  by  his  own  industry.  He  has 
been  a resident  of  Marshall  County  for  over  fifty  years,  and  is  one  of  the  thrifty  farmers 
and  honest  citizens  of  the  county.  His  parents,  John  and  Nancy  (Cox)  Dabney,  were 
born,  reared  and  married  in  North  Carolina.  They  came  to  Tennessee  in  1806,  and  located 
in  what  is  now  Marshall  County  when  it  was  almost  an  uubroken  canebrake.  The  father 
served  as  magistrate  a number  of  years,  and  in  politics  was  an  old-line  Whig.  He  died  in 
1857  and  the  mother  in  1831. 

. ISAAC  V.  DARK,  farmer,  was  born  July  14,  1818,  in  Wilson  County,  Tenn..  son  of 
James  and  Martha  (Gates)  Dark,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  They  were  married  in 
Wilson  County,  and  afterward  moved  to  this  county,  where  the  mother  died.  The 
father  then  married  Sarah  Fisher,  went  to  Illinois,  but  finally  settled  in  West  Tennessee, 
where  he  died.  lie  was  a farmer  and  millwright  by  occupation.  He  was  a soldier  in  the 
war  of  1812,  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  Our  subject  grew  to  man- 
hood on  the  farm  and  received  a common  school  education.  In  1839  his  man  Lice  to 
Lydia  C.  Green  was  solemnized  and  the  results  of  this  union  were  the  birth  ot  eight 
children — three  boys  and  five  girls.  Two  of  the  boys,  James  and  Harris,  were  soldiers 
in  the  late  war.  At  Chickamauga  the  former  received  a wound  in  the  foot  from  the 
effects  of  which  he  died.  The  second  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  1876  out  sub- 


1200 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


jcct’s  first  wife  died  and  about  five  months  later  he  married  Martha  Steward,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children — three  boys  and  two  girls.  Mr.  Dark  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  For  twelve  years  he  served  as  magistrate,  filling  that  office  in  an 
able  and  satisfactory  manner.  For  about  twenty-six  years  he  worked  at  the  shoe-making 
trade,  being  a first -class  workman.  At  the  present  he  is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
and  has  a good  farm  of  16S  acres.  He  has  been  a resident  of  Marshall  County  for  sixtv- 
one  years  and  is  accounted  a good  farmer  and  au  excellent  citizen.  He  is  a Democrat  in 
politics. 

GEORGE  W.  DAVIS,  one  of  the  leading  liverymen  of  Lewisburg,  was  born  on  a 
farm  in  Marshall  County,  in  1855,  and  received  a common  school  education.  He  is  a son 
of  Martin  and  Lizzie  (Talley)  Davis.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  a stanch  Democrat. 
He  died  in  1866.  The  mother  was  a member  of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  died  while  she 
was  yet  comparatively  young.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  after 
tending  bar  some  time,  opened  a saloon  in  Lewisburg,  in  1877,  and  about  five  years  later 
engaged  in  the  livery  business.  He  has  been  quite  successful  and  is  engaged  in  that  busi- 
ness at  the  present  time.  In  18S0  be  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mollie  E.  Richie,  and  to 
this  union  was  born  one  child,  Mabel  C.  In  18S5  our  subject’s  first  stable  was  burned, 
and  the  same  year  lie  built  the  large  brick  that  he  now  has.  In  politics  Mr.  Davis  is,  like 
bis  father,  an  ardent  Democrat.  For  niue  years  he  has  been  in  business  in  Lewisburg  and 
has  succeeded  well.  He  has  a good  stable  well  stocked. 

WILLIAM  M.  DAVIS  and  WILLIAM  R.  JAMES  are  members  of  the  firm  of  Clay- 
ton, Davis  A Co.,  millers,  of  Cornersville,  Tenn.  The  former  is  a son  of  Nathan  C.  and 
Mary  (Woods)  Davis,  who  were  born  in  the  State  and  became  the  parents  of  seven  chil- 
dren. The  father,  was  an  agriculturist  and  a Democrat,  and  died  iu  188?.  After  his 
wife’s  death,  in  I860,  he  married  Mrs.  Sallie  Johnson,  by  whom  he  had  five  children. 
William  31.  was  born  August  23,  1851,  and  secured  the  rearing  and  education  of  the  aver- 
age farmer’s  boy.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  began  farming  for  himself,  and  in  187C 
married  Ella  M.  McMahon,  by  whom  he  had  two  children:  Minnie  K.  and  Sallie  J.  In 
1883  Mr.  Davis  engaged  in  his  present  business  of  grist  and  saw-milling,  and  is  now  mak- 
ing preparations  to  put  in  the  patent  rollers.  Mr.  Davis  is  a Democrat,  and  a man  who 
attends  closely  to  business,  consequently  he  has  prospered  in  his  undertakings.  William 
R.  James,  one  of  the  above  named  firm,  is  a son  of  Pleasant  L.  and  Emily  (Freeland) 
James,  who  were  born  and  passed  their  lives  in  Tennessee.  Their  family  consisted  of  four 
children,  our  subject  and  one  other  son  being  the  only  living  members.  The  father  was  a 
Democrat,  and  died  in  1853.  The  mother’s  death  occurred  in  1862.  William  R.  was  born 
in  Giles  County,  October  16,  1845,  and  was  reared  on  a farm  in  Marshall  County.  In  1861 
he  volunteered  in  Company  H,  Third  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  was  one  of  the  defenders  of 
Fort  Donelson.  He  was  captured  and  imprisoned  at  Chicago,  and,  after  being  exchanged 
at  Vicksburg,  returned  to  the  army,  but  was  soon  discharged,  being  too  young  for  the 
service.  He  then  returned  home  and  resumed  farming.  In  1869  he  and  Amanda  K.  Fer- 
guson were  united  in  marriage.  She  died  in  1878,  leaving  four  children.  He  then  wedded 
Jennie  McMahon,  who  died  in  1884,  having  become  the  mother  of  two  children.  The  fol 
lowing  year  Mr.  James  married  Nannie  McMahon,  si&ter  of  his  second  wife.  In  1884  he 
moved  to  Cornersville  and  in  1886  engaged  in  the  milling  business. 

.WILLIAM  M.  DOZIER,  farmer,  is  a son  of  Zachariah  and  Cynthia  A.  (Johnson) 
Dozier,  natives  , respectively,  of  Missouri  and  Tennessee.  The  former  was  horn  in  1800  and 
the  latter  in  1809.  The  father  moved,  when  young,  to  Kentucky,  and  finally  to  Rutherford 
County,  where  he  was  married,  lie  was  a farmer  and  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist 
Church,  as  was  also  his  wife.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics.  His  death  occurred  in 
1870.  The  mother  died  in  1885.  William  M.  Dozier  was  born  December  15,  1834,  and, 
like  the  average  country  boy,  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  he  went  into  the  mercantile  business  as  salesman,  where  he  remained  for  eight 
years.  In  1861  he  enlisted  inCapt.  Webb’s  company  of  Eighteenth  Tennessee  Infantry  as 
second  lieutenant,  and  after  nearly  two  years  of  faithful  service  he  returned  to  his  mer- 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1201 


car. tile  business.  In  1868  he  wedded  Calidonia  Talley,  by  whom  he  has  two  children: 
Ada  M.  and  William  Z.  Mr.  Dozier  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Christian  Church.  For  ten  years  he  has  successively  and  successfully  held  the 
office  of  constable.  lie  has  been  a resident  of  Marshall  County  for  over  twenty-one  years, 
and  is  considered  one  of  the  county's  best  citizens. 

ALLAN  L.  EWING  is  a son  of  Lyle  A.  and  Rebecca  A.  (Leeper)  Ewing,  born,  re- 
spectively, in  Georgia  and  Tennessee,  in  1808.  They  became  the  parents  of  nine  children, 
eight  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown.  The  father  began  life  a poor  boy  and  afterward  opened 
a store  in  Farmington  and  became  a wealthy  man.  He  was  magistrate  of  his  district  six- 
teen years  and  was  an  old-line  Whig  in  politics.  He  died  in  1853  and  the  mother  in  1878. 
Our  subject’s  ancestors  on  both  sides  were  Scotch-Irish.  He  was  born  April  28,  1833.  in 
Marshall  County.  His  early  school  advantages  were  very  good;  besides  this  he  attended 
Lewisburg  Academy,  Maryville  College,  and  completed  his  education  at  Shelby ville  Uni- 
versity. After  teaching  about  four  years  he  turned  his  attention  to  farming,  and  in  1801 
volunteered  in  Company  II,  Forty-first  Tennessee  Infantry.  In  1863  he  was  captured  at 
Farmington.  Miss.,  and  after  an  imprisonment  of  four  months  at  Alton,  111,  he  was  ex- 
changed at  Vicksburg.  After  returning  to  service  he  was  made  sergeant.  In  1804  he  was 
agaiu  taken  prisoner  and  would  have  been  shot  had  it  uot  been  for  a Union  lad  of  seven- 
teen. A drunken  Federal  soldier  had  leveled  his  gun  to  shoot  him  when  the  lad  knocked 
aside  the  gun.  the  ball  barely  missing  Mr.  Ewing.  He  returned  to  farming  after  the  sur- 
render and  in  1868  wedded  Marian  V.  Palmer  They  are  both  church  members,  and  in 
politics  he  is  a conservative  Democrat.  He  owns  353  acres  of  land  besides  a house  and  lot 

~rk*  ’"5U 

NEWTON  P*.  EWING  is  a son  of  James  Ewing,  who  was  born  in  the  “Keystone 
State  ” in  1782.  After  residing  in  Georgia  for  some  time  he  came  to  Tennessee,  and,  soon 
after  his  marriage  with  Mary  Neill,  settled  in  Marshall  County,  where  he  reared  a family 
of  eight  children.  He  was  a Whig  and  acted  as  magistrate  for  many  years.  After  the 
mother’s  death,  in  182S.  he  wedded  Mrs.  Sarah  How,  and  died  in  1800.  Our  subject  was 
born  in  Bedford  Count}-,  Term.,  November  2,  1826,  and  inherits  Scotch  Irish  blood  from 
his  father.  He  received  the  education  aud  rearing  of  the  average  farmer’s  boy.  and  at 
the  age  of  nineteen  began  to  battle  his  own  way  in  the  world  by  farming  and  trading.  He 
owns  223  acres  of  land  and  is  quite  a successful  farmer.  In  1853  he  married  Florella  J. 
Ewing,  wh<5  was  born  May  2,  1835.  They  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
During  the  war  he  served  some  time  in  Company  H,  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Infantry, 
although  his  health  was  very  poor.  Previous  to  the  war  he  was  a Whig,  but  is  now  a 
Democrat.  He  has  lived  within  the  limits  of  Marshall  County  all  his  life,  and  he  and  wife 
have  passed  thirty-three  years  of  happy  wedlock,  and  are  surrounded  by  many  warm 
friends  and  relatives. 

DR.  J.C.  C.  EWING,  one  of  the  good  farmersof  Marshall  County,  is  a son  of  James  V. 
and  Elizabeth  (Ewing)  Ewing.  The  father  was  born  in  Wythe  County,  Ya  , in  18J5  aud 
was  one  of  the  most  extensive  farmers  in  this  county.  He  was  for  many  years  magistrate, 
and  held  for  several  terms  the  position  of  chairman  of  the  county  court,  lie  died  in  1S78. 
The  mother  was  born  near  Athens,  Ga.,  in  1813,  and  since  the  death  of  her  husband  has 
been  living  on  the  old  homestead,  and  is  now  seventy-three  years  of  age.  Our  subject 
was  born  November  12,  1839,  iu  Marshall  County,  and  his  ancestors  on  both  ."ides  were 
of  Scotch-Irish  extraction.  lie  was  reared  on  the  farm  and  had  a fair  opportunity  for 
schooling,  completing  his  education  at  Shelby  ville.  In  1800  he  began  the  study  of  med- 
icine under  McClure  A Johnson,  of  Lewisburg,  aud  the  same  year  took  a course  of  lectures 
at  the  University  of  Nashville.  The  stirring  events  of  the  war  cut  short  his  medical  pur 
suits.  In  1801  he  volunteered  iu  Company  II.  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Infantry.  During  the 
four  years  of  the  war  lie  never  received  a scratch  nor  was  he  ever  taken  prisoner.  After 
returning  home  he  practiced  liis  profession  four  years  at  Lewisburg,  aud  then  completed 
his  course  at  the  Bellevue  Medical  College,  and  graduated  from  that  ins: nation  in  1870. 
He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  and  has  Continued  that  oc- 


. 


' 


■ 


1202 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


cupation  up  to  the  present  time.  Mr.  Ewiug  has  a farm  of  500  acres,  and  is  accounted  a 
good  farmer  and  an  enterprising  citizen.  In  politics  he  is  conservative,  voting  for  the  man 
rather  than  the  party. 

GEORGE  WYTHE  EWING  and  WILLIAM  Tv.  KERCHEYAL,  editors  and  proprie- 
tors of  Marshall  Gazette,  were  born  and  reared  in  this  county,  and.  while  growing  up, 
received  their  education  in  the  common  schools.  The  former  (Mr.  Ewing)  took  quite  an 
extensive  course  under  William  Stoddert.  D.  I).,  embracing  nearly  the  entire  course  of  the 
University  of  Virginia.  After  completing  his  school  days,  lie  taught  mathematics  and 
language  in  Lewisburg  Institute  for  two  terms,  and  the  same  at  Farmington  Academy  and 
some  minor  schools.  Mil  Kercheval  finished  his  education  at  Fayetteville,  Tenn.  In  1ST1 
the  Marshall  Gazttte  was  established,  and,  two  years  later.  Mr.  Ewing  and  two  partners  pur- 
chased the  paper  and  office,  and  soon  after  Mr.  Kercheval  joined  him;  thus  Air.  Ewing  and 
lie  became  sole  proprietors,  going  in  debt  for  the  greater  portion  of  it..  Both  were  wholly 
unacquainted  with  the  business,  but  notwithstanding  they  have  made  it  a success  and 
their  crisp,  newsy,  eight-column  paper  has  a circulation  of  about  1,100.  George  Wythe 
Ewing  is  a son  of  James  S.  Ewing,  who  was  born  July  5,  1S24,  in  Maury  County,  and  at 
the  age  of  twenty  began  his  career  as  a farmer,  following  that  occupation  for  a period  of 
fourteen  years.  In  1845  he  wedded  Eliza  J.  Rivens,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  only 
one  of  whom  (our  subject)  is  living.  In  1S59  the  father  came  to  Lewisburg  and  engaged 
in  merchandising,  following  that  business  almost  ever  since.  Both  he  and  "wife  are 
worthy  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  has  been  an  eider  for  about 
thirty-two  years.  For  some  time  during  the  war  he  served  as  conscript  officer  in  the  Con- 
federaev.  He  served  as  trustee  of  this  count**,  and  also  a?  magistrate.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics  and  the  son  of  William  D.  and  Rebecca  (Ewing)  Ewing,  the  former  born  in 
178G,  and  died  in  1872.  and  the  latter  born  in  1791  and  died  in  1847. 

J.  BRITT  EZELL,  farmer,  was  born  July  14.  1838,  in  Marshall  County,  and  at  the 
age  of  thirteen,  with  theconsentof  his  parents,  went  to  live  with  J.  Britt  Fulton,  an  uncle, 
who  had  no  children  of  his  own.  While  with  him  he  received  a good  academic  education. 
About  the  same  time  his  uncle  took  a little  girl,  by  the  name  of  Sarah  J.  Reynolds,  to 
raise.  She  and  Britt  grew  up  together,  weut  to  school  together,  and  as  time  passed  on 
childish  affection  gave  place  to  the  stronger  affections  of  man  and  womanhood,  and.  in 
18G0,  they  were  united  in  matrimony.  To  them  seven  children  were  born,  five  of  whom 
are  living.  Tie  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  1861  Air.  Ezell  volunteered  in  Company  A,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cav- 
alry, Confederate  Army.  After  about  fifteen  months’  service  as  quartermaster  and  com- 
missary, lie  was  transferred  to  the  purchasing  commissary  department,  where  he  continued 
till  the  close  of  the  war.  During  the  whole  time  he  was  in  the  war  he  was  neither  wound- 
ed nor  taken  prisoner.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  extensively  engaged  in  farming  and 
trading.  When  his  uncle  died  he  left  a farm  of  236  acres  to  our  subject  and  wife,  to 
which  lias  been  added  sufficient  to  make  it  G70  acres.  Our  subject  has  lived  in  this  county 
all  his  life,  and  is  considered  a good  farmer  and  an  enterprising  citizen.  He  is  a son  of 
Joseph  I).  and  Mary  C.  (Fulton)  Ezell,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  the  father  born  in 
1810  and  the  mother  in  1817.  The  father  was  a fanner,  besides  being  engaged  largely  in 
trading  and  stock  raising.  For  several  years  he  held  the  position  of  magistrate,  but  was 
not  a man  who  .aspired  to  places  of  public  trust.  He  died  in  18S0,  leaving  his  widow  and 
children  well  provided  for.  Since  his  death  the  mother  has  lived  with  her  children. 

REV.  THOMAS  B.  FISHER  was  born  February  5,  1S44,  in  Marshall  County,  and  was 
of  German  descent  from  his  paternal  ancestors  and  Irish  from  his  maternal.  He  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a common  school  education.  In  1862  he  enlisted  in 
Cnpt.  Miller’s  Company,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  Confederate  Army,  where  he  re- 
mained till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  and  four  brothers  served  iu  that  contest:  one  of 
them  received  a wound,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died  several  years  after  the  war. 
Having  returned  home,  our  subject  attended  school  in  his  own  county  and  took  a course 
at  Union  University,  graduating  from  the  literary  department  in  18G9.  He  then  joined 


* 


■ 

. 

■ 


MARSHALL  COUNTY, 


1203 


the  Tennessee  Conference,  and  has  been  engaged  in  preaching  the  word  of  God  ever 
since.  In  1872  he  married  Sallie  H.  Roberts,  who  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  August 
531,  1847.  This  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  four  children:  Wilson  P.,  Fannie  B.  (de- 
ceased). John  R.  and  Mary.  Mrs.  Fisher  and  her  son  Wilson  are  also  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  In  1883  Mr.  Fisher  moved  to  the  farm  and  has  re- 
mained there  ever  since,  but  he  still  carries  on  his  ministerial  work.  For  seventeen 
years  he  lias  been  actively  engaged  in  the  good  cause,  and  his  ability  as  a preacher  is  too 
well  known  to  require  comment.  He  is  a son  of  John  and  Mildred  (Stratton)  Fisher. 
The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1806,  and  was  the  eldest  of  twenty-one  chil- 
dren. The  mother  was  born  in  November,  1810,  in  Maury  County,  and  was  the  second 
wife  of  John  Fisher.  This  uuion  resulted  in  the  birth  of  three  children,  all  boys,  two  of 
whom  are  liviug.  The  father  was  a blacksmith  and  wagon-maker  by  trade  until  after  he 
had  passed  the  meridian  of  life,  when  he  turned  his  attention  exclusively  to  farming. 
He  died  in  1882  and  his  wife  followed  about  three  months  later. 

JOHN  L.  FITZPATRICK,  a leading  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  was  born  December 
29,  1847,  in  Maury  County.  His  youthful  days  were  passed  on  the  farm  and  in  securing 
an  education  at  the  Mooresville  school.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five  he  left  home  and  went 
to  Texas  on  a grand  buffalo  hunt,  and  for  five  years  was  engaged  in  this  pursuit.  He 
killed  some  3,000  buffalo  and  hundreds  of  deer,  antelope  and  wolves.  Having  returned 
home  he,  in  18S0,  married  Rebecca  B.  Grant,  a native  of  West  Virginia,  born  May  9,  1850. 
This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children:  Samuel  W.  (deceased),  and  John  P.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fitzpatrick  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a Democrat 
in  politics  and  owns  465  acres  of  the  best  land  in  his  district.  He  is  a son  of  Col.  S.  W. 
and  Mary  D.  (Love)  Fitzpatrick.  The  father  was  born  in  1312  in  Giles  County  and  the 
mother  in  1814  in  Maury  County,  where  they  were  married  in  1832.  They  lived  in  this 
county  until  1859  and  then  moved  to  Marshall  County.  In  1873  they  returned  to  Maury 
County  and  there  passed  the  remainder  of  their  days.  The  father,  three  years  previous  to 
his  death,  joined  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  mother  was  a member  of  the 
Primitive  Baptist  Church  from  girlhood.  During  the  days  of  militia  he  held  the  position 
of  colonel.  He  was  a farmer  by  occupation,  owning  some  3,000  acres  of  land  and  150 
negroes,  besides  abundance  of  stock,  but  the  war  swept  away  many  thousands  for  him. 
When  Grandfather  Fitzpatrick  came  to  this  county  he  brought  his  wife  and  household 
goods  on  a pony,  himself  walking,  accompanied  by  six  bear  dogs  and  his  rifle.  At  the  age 
of  thirty-six  he  determined  to  go  to  work,  and  as  a result,  when  he  died  at  seventy-two 
years  of  age  he  was  worth  §325,000.  January,  1880,  the  mother  died,  and  in  December  of 
the  same  year  he  too  passed  away. 

ROBERT  M.  FOLLIS,  a prosperous  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  was  born  iu 
Giles  County,  Tenn,  November  18,  1830.  His  early  education  was  almost  wholly  neg- 
lected, and  while  growing  up  he  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  with  his  father.  After 
becoming  grown  he  attended  school  until  he  had  learned  the  three  “R’s”  and  then  re 
sumed  working  at  his  trade.  In  1851  he  wedded  Sarah  Compton,  by  whom  he  had  six 
children,  all  sons.  She  died  in  1872,  and  the  following  year  he  married  Mary  Jones.  To 
them  were  born  three  children.  In  1862  he  volunteered  in  Capt.  Gordon's  company, 
Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served  for  nearly  three  years.  He  resumed  his  trade, 
and  in  1882  abandoned  work,  owing  to  bis  right  arm  giving  out.  He  has  farmed  since 
that  time,  and  owns  320  acres -of  land,  the  most  of  which  he  has  made  by  hard  work. 
His  parents,  John  and  Elizabeth  (Martin)  Follis,  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Ken 
lucky,  respectively.  The  father  moved  to  Kentucky  when  young,  and  there  married, 
and  soon  removed  to  Giles  County,  where  lie  lived  until  his  death.  They  were  the  par- 
ents of  eleven  children,  and  were  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  He  was  an 
old-line  Whig  in  politics,  and  died  in  1845.  After  his  death  the  mother  moved  to  Illi- 
nois, and  there  died  in  1882. 

A.  S.  FOSTER,  farmer,  was  horn  May  9,  1816,  in  Lincoln  County.  While  growing  he 
strongly  desired  an  education,  but  the  opportunities  were  not  afforded.  In  1836  he 


' 


. 


1204 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


wedded  Martha  M.  Cunningham.  and  nine  children  blessed  this  union.  In  1883  his  wife 
died,  and  the  same  year  he  wedded  Fannie  L.  J.  Foster.  Our  subject  is  a Democrat  and' 
a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  He  has  been  magistrate  and  deputy  sheriff, 
and  is  an  example  of  what  a young  man  of  industry  and  determination  can  do,  having 
started  to  keeping  house  with  less  than  $100  worth  of  property,  he  arose  by  hard  work 
and  close  attention  to  business  to  one  of  the  heaviest  tax  payers  of  his  community.  For 
about  thirty-two  years  he  has  lived  in  this  couuty,  and  is  accounted  a good  farmer  and  an 
enterprising  citizen.  He  is  a son  of  Frederick  and  Sallie  (Broadaway)  Foster.  The  father 
was  born  in  1703  in  Kentucky,  and  the  mother  in  1797  in  North  Carolina.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  1313,  and  located  in  Lincoln  County,  but  soon  moved  to  Illinois,  where  they  re- 
mained seven  years.  They  then  returned  to  Lincoln  County,  where  they  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives  tilling  the  soil.  The  father  was  a soldier  iu  the  Creek  war.  and  a 
Democrat  in  politics.  He  died  in  1833,  and  the  mother  followed  in  1857. 

JAMES  E.  FOWLER  is  a son  of  Alanthas  L.  and  Tennessee  A.  (Fowler)  Fowler. 
The  father  was  born  in  Virginia  in  1822.  and  the  mother  in  Tennessee  in  1831.  Alanthas 

Fowler  came  to  Tennessee  in  1829.  and  married  our  subject’s  mother  in  1848.  To  them, 

were  born  four  children,  James  E.  being  the  only  one  living.  The  father  served  in  the 
late  war  in  Capt.  McCure’s  company.  Forty-first,  Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry,  and  was 
one  of  the  defenders  of  Fort  Donclson.  After  his  capture  and  imprisonment  at  Camp 
Morton,  some  seven  months,  he  was  exchanged  at  Vicksburg,  and  served  no  more,  owing 
to  ill  health.  He  has  lived  the  quiet,  independent  life  of  a farmer,  and  casts  his  vote  with 
the  Democratic  party.  The  mother  died  in  1800.  lie  is  now  sixty-three  years  old.  and 
has  fhc  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him.  James,  Lis  only  child,  was  born 
August  25,  1851,  iu  Marshall  County.  He  was  reared  on  a farm,  and  received  a common 
school  education.  After  taking  a trip  West  for  his  health,  he  returned  to  the  farm  given 
to  him,  and  in  connection  with  his  father  is  farming  and  raising  stock.  Anna  M.  Willis 
became  his  wife  in  1882.  and  to  them  two  children  were  born.  Both  husband  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  James  is  a Democrat. 

DR.  F.  FERGUSON,  one  of  the  leading  practitioners  of  Marshall  County,  was  born 
February  18,  1848,  in  that  county,  reared  on  the  farm  and  had  all  the  advantages  that  the 
common  schools  of  those  days  afforded.  He  is  a son  of  John  F.  and  Amelia  L.  (Brittain) 
Ferguson.  The  father  was  a native  of  South  Carolina  and  the  mother  of  North  Carolina- 
In  early  life  they  both  came  to  what  is  now  Marshall  County,  being  among  the  early  com' 
erstothat  part  of  the  State.  For  many  years  the  father  was  a magistrate  but  his  chosen  pro* 
fession  was  that  of  a farmer,  being  one  of  the  most  extensive  in  the  community.  After 
the  death  of  the  mother  the  father  married  Mar}-  Brittain  whose  maiden  name  was  Will- 
iams. In  1870  the  father  also  passed  away.  In  1809  our  subject  begau  the  study  of  med- 
icine under  Dr.  J.  B.  Stephens  of  Nashville  and  late  in  the  same  year  entered  the  medical 
department  of  the  University  of  Nashville  and  graduated  from  that  institution  iu  1871- 
He  then  opened  an  office  in  District  No.  7,  and  has  followed  his  profession  there  ever  since- 
Besides  what  his  practice  brings  him  he  has  a good  farm  of  280  acres.  In  1873  he  wed 
ded  Sallie  J.  Robinson,  who  was  born  in  this  county  August  21,  1855.  To  this  union 
were  born  three  children:  John  T..  Maggie  R.  and  James  F.  Mr.  Ferguson  is  a Demo- 
crat in  politics  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  The 
patronage  Mr.  Ferguson  has  received  and  the  financial  advancement  he  has  made  render 
comments  on  his  ability  both  as*a  farmer  and  a physician  unnecessary. 

GEORGE  W.  GARRETT.  Levi  Garrett,  father  of  George  W.,  was  born  iu  the 
“Palmetto  State*’  iu  1790,  and  when  a small  lad  was  taken  to  Virginia  where  he  lived  lobe 
grown.  lie  then  came  to  Tennessee,  having  in  his  possession  at  the  time  of  his  arrival  only 
a horse  and  50  cents,  lie  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  and  became  the  owner  of 
1.000  acres  of  land.  lie  remained  single  until  nearly  fifty  years  of  age,  and  then  wedded 
Miss  Davis,  who  was  bom  in  Tennessee  in  1818,  and  to  them  were  born  eight  children.  The 
father  was  an  1812  soldier  and  in  politics  was  an  old  line  Democrat.  He  died  in  1807  and 
the  mother  nine  years  later.  Jesse  J.  Garrett,  son  of  Le\i  Garrett,  was  born  In  Marshall 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1205 


County,  October  1,  1S46.  His  school  days  were  limited  and  at  the  age  of  eighteen  lie  en- 
listed in  Company  E.  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  being  an  escort  of  Gen.  Hood  for  a 
time  and  was  with  Forrest  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  has  been  a farmer  and  owns  240 
acres  of  excellent  land.  In  1868  he  married  Mary  Ferguson,  by  whom  he  has  had  four 
daughters.  She  died  in  1880  and  since  that  time  he  and  his  children  have  kept  house.  Mr. 
Garrett  is  a Democrat.  George  W.  Garrett,  our  immediate  subject  and  son  of  Levi  Gar- 
rett, was  born  October  27,  1852,  in  Marshall  Count}'.  Like  his  brother  he  received  a lim- 
ited education  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  became  an  independent  farmer  on  the  place 
where  he  now  lives.  In  1873  he  wedded  S.  L.  Neren,  daughter  of  Isaiah  and  Amanda 
(Hall)  Neren,  and  to  them  were  born  live  children.  Mr.  Garrett  owns  196  acres  of  fertile 
land  and  is  a stanch  Democrat  in  his  political  views.  He  and  Mrs.  Garrett  are  members 
of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

THOMAS  E.  GARRETT,  dealer  in  stoves  and  tin'ware,  is  a son  of  Jacob  and  Mary 
A.  (Morris)  Garrett,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Mar}-land.  The  father 
died  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  sixty-five.  The  father  was 
a farmer,  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 
Our  subject  was  born  September  23,  1842,  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.;  he  passed  his  early 
days  on  the  farm  and  attended  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  lie  began 
learning  the  tinner’s  trade  with  McClure,  Buck  & Co.,  of  Nashville.  After  learning  this 
trade,  in  1877,  he  opened  a store  of  his  own  in  Lewisburg,  and  has  been  doing  a good  busi- 
ness since.  In  1879  he  wedded  Elizabeth  M.  Brandon,  and  to  this  union  were  horn  two 
children.  During  the  war  he  enlisted  in  Company  F,  Fifteenth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and 
served  nearly  two  years.  He  then  returned  home  and  resumed  his  trade.  Mr.  Garret i 
is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr. 
Garrett  has  been  a resident  of  Lewisburg  for  nine  years,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
wide-awake  business  men  of  the  town. 

ANDREW  J.  GRIFFIS,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Griffis  A Bro.,  of  Robertson 
Fork,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  T.  M.  and  Nancy  E.  (Carner)  Griffis,  natives  of  Tennessee,  where 
they  grew  to  manhood  and  womanhood  and  were  married.  They  spent  the  greater  part 
of  their  lives  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County,  and  here  raised  their  family  of  ten  children. 
They  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  the  father 
was  a Democrat.  He  served  a short  time  during  the  late  war  and  is  now’  a prosperous 
farmer.  The  mother  died  in  1879.  Andrew  is  of  Irish-French  descent  and  was  born  in 
Marshall  County,  July  22,  1847.  He  received  a very  limited  education  in  his  youth,  but 
on  reaching  manhood  he  attended  Cumberland  University  and  afterward  taught  school  a 
short  time.  He  then  began  the  mercantile  business  with  A.  D.  Wallace.  Since  1872  lie 
and  his  brother  have  been  in  business  together,  and  in  connection  with  their  store  operate 
a large  farm.  Six  children  were  born  to  his  marriage  with  Betlie  E.  Tucker,  which  oc- 
curred in  1873.  They  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he  is 
a Democrat  politically. 

SAMUEL  T.  HARDISON,  M.  I).,  one  of  the  leading  practitioners  of  Lewisburg,  was 
born  in  Maury  County,  Tenn.,  February  13, 1841.  He  was  reared  on  a farm  and  educated 
in  country  schools.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  his 
father  and  in  I860  he  entered  the  Reform  Medical  College,  at  Macon,  Ga.,  where  he  took 
one  course  and  then,  in  1801, # enlisted  in  Company  G,  Twenty-fourth  Tennessee  Infantry, 
Confederate  States  Army.  Earl)-  in  18C2  he  was  promoted  to  a position  in  the  medical  de- 
partment of.  the  army,  serving  in  all  four  years.  In  1865  Dr.  Hardison  began  the  practice 
of  medicine  at  Lewisburg  and  has  ever  since  continued  in  that  profession,  graduating  in 
1877  from  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Nashville.  He  has  also  been 
interested  in  the  drug  business,  hardware  trade,  house  building,  livery  business,  planing- 
mill,  and  at  present  is  a director  of  the  Bank  of  Lewisburg.  lie  has  once  been  president 
of  Marshall  County  Medical  Society,  having  been  a member  of  that  society  since  its 
organization.  He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  vice-president  of  the  Medical  Association  of 
Tennessee.  Dr.  Hardison  was  married  in  1868  to  Georgia  Davidson,  daughter  of  Dr.  1.  S. 


■ 


1206 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Davidson,  of  Bedford  County.  Tenn.,  the  fruits  of  this  uuiou  being  seven  children.  Both 
he  and  Mrs.  Hardison  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  Our  subject  is  a relative  of 
the  American  Gen.  Howe,  of  Revolutionary  fame.  His  parents,  Dr.  Joel  and  Jane  (Long) 
Hardison,  were  natives  of  North  Carolina:  they  were  married  in  1820,  and  eleven  children, 
four  of  whom  are  living,  blessed  their  union.  The  father  was  a Jacksonian  Democrat; 
he  died  in  1873.  The  mother  died  in  1884. 

HIRAM  HARRIS,  an  old  and  prominent  farmer,  was  born  October  20, 1806,  in  North 
Carolina,  and  is  a son  of  James  and  Nancy  (Thompson)  Harris,  both  natives  of  North 
Carolina.  They  were  married  in  this  State,  and  in  1808  came  to  Tennessee  and  located  in 
Bedford  County,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  days.  The  father  followed  agri 
cultural  pursuits,  aud  during  Indian  troubles  he  was  captain  of  a company  under  Jack- 
son.  In  1863  he  died,  and  about  seven  years  later  his  widow  too  passed  away,  both  liv- 
ing to  a ripe  old  age.  Our  subject  was  educated  in  the  old-time  schools,  aud  at  the  age 
of  twenty-one  bought  a farm  of  his  own  and  began  his  career  as  a free  and  independ- 
ent farmer.  In  1837  he  came  to  Marshall  County,  and  has  made  this  his  home  ever  since. 
In  1828  he  wedded  JaneP.  Johnson,  who  was  born  in  Davidson  County,  Tenn.,  July  3, 
1807.  and  to  them  were  born  eleven  children.  Mr.  Harris  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife 
are  members  of  the  Methodist  Protestant  Church.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  over  200  acres. 
He  has  been  a resident  of  this  county  for  nearly  thirty  years  and  is  a highly  respected 
citizen.  He  and  wife  are  enjoying  good  health  and  fifty-eight  years  of  wedded  life. 

ROBERT  C.  HARRIS,  merchant  at  Silver  Creek,  was  born  September  24.  1856,  in 
Marshall  County,  reared  on  a farm  and  educated  in  the  common  schools.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  began  working  at  the  mechanic/ s trade  and  followed  this  exclusively  for 
five  years.  In  1878  he  opened  a store  of  general  merchandise  at  Silver  Creek,  where  he 
has  been  successfully  engaged  ever  since.  In  18S0  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  A. 
Perry,  a native  of  Marshall  County,  born  December  20,  1857.  The  fruits  of  this  union 
were  two  children:  Lula  M.  aud  Homer  T.  For  eight  years  Mr.  Harris  has  held  the 
position  of  postmaster  at  Silver  Creek.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  the  son  of 
James  G.  and  Susan  I.  (Hill)  Harris.  The  father  was  born  in  Wilson  County  in  1811, 
and  the  mother  in  Maury  County  in  1818.  They  were  married  in  the  latter  count}*  and 
after  a short  residence  there  moved  to  Marshall  County  to  make  this  their  permanent 
home.  Their  family  consisted  of  seven  children — five  boys  and  two  girls.  Only  the  boys 
are  living.  Two  are  merchants,  one  is  a teacher,  and  two  are  farmers.  The  father  was 
twice  married,  before  he  wedded  Miss  Hill.  He  was  a farmer,  but  worked  at  mercantile 
arts  of  nearly  all  kinds.  He  was  a Democrat  and  for  several  years  was  a member  of  the 
County  Court  of  Maury  County.  In  1882  he  was  called  from  the  toils  of  earth  Since 
the  death  of  her  husband  the  mother  has  lived  on  the  old  homestead  with  her  son. 

VALENTINE  O.  HAYES,  dry  goods  merchant,  of  Lewisburg,  was  one  of  seven 
children  born  to  Hiram  and  Sallie  (Webb)  Hayes.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina 
and  when  young  came  to  this  State,  and  after  marriage  settled  in  this  county.  About 
1856  he  moved  to  Missouri,  where  the  mother  died.  He  was  a blacksmith  and  a wood 
workman  by  trade.  Our  subject  was  born  June  20,  1854,  in  Marshall  County.  After  the 
death  of  his  father,  at  the  age  of  eight,  he  was  bound  out  to  a farmer,  who  gave  him  but 
little  schooling  though  he  furnished  him  abundance  of  work.  On  reaching  manhood  he 
worked  for  wages  on  the  farm  and  spent  the  money  in  schooling  himself.  In  1877.  he 
came  to  Lewisburg  and  entered  the  store  of  Montgomery  Bro.  as  saleman.  At  the  end  of 
four  years  he  opened  a store  of  general  mcrcandise.  In  1874  be  built  the  commodious 
brick  building  where  he  now  conducts  his  business.  For  a short  time  he  ran  a hardware 
and  a dry  good>  store,  but  having  sold  the  former  he  made  a specialty  of  the  latter.  In 
1881  he  wedded  Zadie  Loudon,  by  whom  he  has  two  children.  Mr.  Hayes  is  a Republican 
in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He 
is  accounted  one  of  Lewisburg’s  most  enterprising  citizens,  and  lias  erected  three  of  the 
best  buildings  iii  the  town.  11  is  building,  where  he  i*  engaged  in  business,  was  the  first 
business  brick  building  erected  in  Lewisburg. 


1 y-rr? yqry-.y^', ^ .■•gy  tiw 


1207 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


E.  P.  C.  HAYWOOD,  M.  D.,  a resident  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn..  is  a son  of  George 
W.  and  Sarah  B.  (Dabr.ey)  Haywood,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee  in 
1798  and  1SC9,  respectively.  The  father  was  a physician  and  a highly  educated  man,  hav- 
ing graduated  from  both  a literary  and  a medical  college.  lie  was  a skillful  practitioner 
and  in  politics  was  a Whig.  He  died  when  about  forty-nine  years  of  age.  His  paternal 
ancestors  were  of  English  descent.  The  mother  is  of  Scotch  lineage  and  is  yet  living. 
Our  subject  was  born  in  Marshall  County  September  5,  1S45,  and  was  reared  on  a farm 
and  received  an  academic  education  preparatory  to  entering  college,  but  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  changed  his  plans,  and  instead  of  attending  school  he,  in  1864,  enlisted  in  Gor- 
don’s Company,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He 
returned  home  and  farmed  until  I860,  when  he  began  studying  medicine  under  Dr.  Alfred 
White,  and  in  1870  entered  the  University  of  Nashville  and  graduated  two  years  later.  He 
practiced  four  years  in  Cornersville  and  then  engaged  in  farming.  Six  children  were  born 
to  his  union  with  Isabelle  Marsh,  which  took  place  in  1874.  Both  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South  and  in  politics  he  is  a Democrat.  He  owns  a farm  of 
1,000  acres,  and  a one-half  interest  in  a grist  and  flour-mill. 

WILLIAM  L.  HILL,  farmer,  is  a son  of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Arnold)  Hill,  natives 
of  Virginia.  After  marriage  they  came  to  Tennessee  and  located  in  the  Maury  fraction 
of  Marshall  County,  where  they  lived  about  thirty  years.  They  then  moved  to  West  Ten- 
nessee, where  they  both  died.  The  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  six  of  whom  lived 
to  be  grown.  Our  subject  was  born  February  14,  1822,  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm, 
and  received  a very  limited  education  in  the  common  schools  of  those  early  days.  At  the 
age  of  twenty-one  he  began  farming,  and  has  followed  that  occupation  up  to  the  present 
time.  In  1851  he  wedded  Leanna  Manire.  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  five  chil- 
dren, ihree  of  whom  are  living:  Amaca  W.,  Lemuel  R.  and  John  R.  The  first  is  married 
to  Catherine  Wilson,  by  whom  he  has  three  children:  Esther  B..  Eula  R.  and  Maud.  The 
other  sons  arc  living  at  home  in  single  blessedness.  Mr.  Hill  is  a Democrat,  and  his  wife, 
is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  24S  acres,  well 
stocked  and  furnished  with  abundance  of  running  water.  In  fact  there  are  few  farms  in 
the  count}r  superior  to  his.  Mary  A.  IL  Hill,  deceased,  was  the  wife  of  John  F.  Hill,  by 
whom  she  had  three  children:  Ida  L.,  Rucker  B.  and  Mary  A.  R.,  all  living. 

JOHN  T.  IIILL.  farmer,  is  a son  of  John  R.  and  Elizabeth  H.  (Kennedy)  Hill.  The 
father  was  a native  of  Virginia,  born  in  1802,  and  when  seventeen  years  old  came  with  his 
parents  to  the  Maury  fraction  of  Marshall  County.  The  mother  was  horn  in  Keutuck}  in 
1807.  and  when  young  also  came  to  this  county.  They  were  married  in  1S29,  and  lived  all 
their  lives  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County.  They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children.  The 
father  was  a member  of  the  Pleasant  Hill  Missionary  Baptist  Church,  being  named  in 
honor  of  him.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  four  years  was  deputy  sheriff  in  Maury 
County  and  six  years  sheriff  in  Marshall  County,  being  the  first  sheriff  ever  elected  in  that 
county.  He  was  an  energetic,  industrious  farmer,  and  was  worth  some  $200,000  previous 
to  the  war.  In  1878  the  mother  died  and  two  years  later  the  father  passed  away.  Our 
subject’s  ancestors  on  his  father’s  side  were  of  English-French  descent,  and  on  his  mother's 
of  English.  The  father  was  a second  cousin  of  Gen.  D.  II.  Hill,  of  Virginia,  and  a cousin 
of  Ben  Hill,  of  Georgia.  “Uncle  Tom’s  Cabin”  was  based  on  the  run  away  of  one  of 
our  subject’s  great-grandfather’s  (Kennedy)  slaves.  Our  subject  was  horn  September  6, 
1846,  in  this  county,  passed  his  early  days  on  the  farm  and  received  a good  English  educa- 
tion. In  1884  he  wedded  Missie  McLean,  a native  of  Rutherford  County,  born  June  3. 
1851.  Mrs.  Hill  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Mr.  Hill  is  a Democrat 
ami  a thrifty  farmer,  owning  240  acres  of  good  land.  For  forty  years  he  has  been  a resi- 
dent'of  Marshall  County,  and  is  considered  one  Of  the  county’s  best  citizens. 

PERSIS  D.  HOUSTON,  dentist,  is  a son  of  Benjamin  F.  and  and  Necie  B.  (Uscry) 
Houston,  both  natives  of  North  Carolina,  the  father  born  in  1805,  and  the  mother  in  1814. 
They  were  married  in  Marshall  County  in.  1834,  and  t<*  them  were  born  ten  children,  seven 
of  whom  are  living.  Both  parents  were  active  members  in  the  Christian  Church.  Until 


1208 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


forty-five  years  of  age  he  was  an  infidel,  but  after  his  reformation  he  became  zealous  in 
the  cause  of  Christianity.  He  had  been  a school-teacher  in  his  early  days,  but  of  late  years 
was  a successful  farmer.  For  many  years  he  filled  the  office  of  magistrate,  and  during 
his  entire  life  he  was  an  industrious,  energetic  worker.  In  politics  he  was  a Democrat. 
He  died  in  1861,  and  the  mother  in  1878.  The  father  was  a relative  of  Gov.  Samuel 
Houston.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  January  8,  1843,  in  Marshall  County,  was 
reared  on  the  farm  and  received  an  academic  education.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he 
began  teaching  in  order  to  raise  sufficient  means  for  taking  a course  in  college.  But  these 
plans  were  frustrated  by  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  Capt. 
R.  C.  Williams’  company,  and  four  years  was  engaged  in  the  war’s  bloody  struggles. 
After  returning  home  he  engaged  iu  the  mercantile  business  and  later  farmed  for  five 
years.  Having  studied  and  practiced  the  dental  profession  for  a number  of  years  he 
graduated  from  the  dental  department  of  Tennessee  University  in  1881.  Previous  to  this, 
in  1868,  he  wedded  Medora  A.  Pickens,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  five  of  whom  are 
living.  Mr.  Houston  and  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  lias  been 
alderman  of  Lewisburg  for  three  terms.  For  twelve  years  Mr.  Houston  has  successfully 
practiced  his  profession  in  his  town. 

JOHN  W.  HUTTON,  a leading  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  is  a son  of  John  and  Su- 
san (Watkins)  Hutton,  natives,  respectively,  of  Kentucky  and  Virginia.  The  father  was  a 
Presbyterian  and  the  mother  a Methodist.  In  the  bloody  strife  with  the  Indians  in  Ken- 
tucky the  father  took  an  active  part.  In  1809  they  came  to  Tennessee  when  the  woods- 
vvere  a mat  of  vines,  and  wild  animals  found  their  homes  in  the  dense  canebrake.  The 


father  died  at  the  age  of  thirty,  and 


— : ..  -i 


ter  followed  him.  Our  subject  was 


born  August  6,  1809,  in  Franklin  County,  Ky.,  and  spent  the  principal  part  of  his  time  on 
the  farm,  and  until  eleven  years  of  age  had  very  good  opportunities  for  schooling.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  began  to  battle  his  own  way  in  the  world.  After  “overseeing”  for 
four  years,  he  purchased  a tract  of  fifty  acres  in  Rutherford  County,  and  by  hard  work 
and  good  management  is  now  one  of  the  heaviest  tax  payers  in  the  county.  In  1883  lie 
married  Frances  Moore,  a native  of  Williamson  County,  born  October  13,  1810.  Fifty- 
three  years  of  happy  wedded  life  and  ten  children  have  blessed  this  worthy  couple.  Six 
of  the  children  are  living;  all  save  one  are  married  and  pleasantly  situated  in  life.  Mr. 
Hutton  had  the  honor  of  furnishing  three  brave  boys  for  the  war;  Thomas,  William  and 
Polk.  William  sacrificed  his  life  for  home  and  State.  Mr.  Hutton  is  a stanch  Democrat; 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  For  thirty-six 
years  lie  has  held  the  office  of  magistrate.  Mr.  Hutton  has  lived  in  this  county  for  thirty 
five  years,  and  has  gained  a reputation  beyond  reproach. 

THOMAS  C.  HUTTON,  a leading  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  and  a son  of  J.  W. 
and  Frauces  (Moore)  Hutton  (for  further  particulars  of  parents  see  sketch  of  Johu  W. 
Hutton),  was  born  iu  Rutherford  County  November  19,  1835,  on  the  field  where  the  battle 
of  Murfreesboro  was  fought.  He  received  a good  practical  education,  and  when  only  fif- 
teen .years  old  superintended  the  moving  from  Rutherford  County  to  this.  A t the  age  of 
twenty-one  he  began  “overseeing”  for  his  father,  and  this  he  continued  until  the  breaking 
out  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  Company  F,  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Infantry, 
Confederate  Army,  and  served  for  three  years  in  that  company.  He  then  joined  a com- 
pany of  cavalry,  and  continued  with  this  until  the  close  of  the  war.  During  four  years 
of  faithful  service  he  was  in  eight  lmrd-fought  battles  and  many  skirmishes.  He  had 
three  horses  shot  from  under  him,  and  was  never  captured  or  wounded.  The  third  day 
after  his  return  home  found  him  at  work  tilling  the  soil.  In  1865  he  wedded  Margaret  E. 
Robinson,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  only  one  of  whom,  Sallie,  is  living.  Iu  1881 
his  wife  died,  and  the  following  year  lie  wedded  Mary.  C.  Crowel,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Gordon.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church. 
Mrs.  Hutton  is  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Hutton  lias  a fine,  large 
farm,  well  stocked,  and  lie  is  a man  who  takes  an  active  part  in  all  the  enterprises  of  his- 
community. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1209 


WILLIS  M.  HOPWOOI)  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  February  1. 
1813.  His  parents.  Willis  and  Penelope  (Moore)  Hopwood,  were  born  in  the  “Old  Domin- 
ion,” and  in  1810  came  to  Tennessee,  locating  iu  Marshall  County.  The  father  was  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  and  was  among  the  first  to  accept  the  new  doctrine  that  the  Bible 
alone  is  the  standard  by  which  to  measure  Christian  character.  His  labors  were  fully  re 
warded  in  this  world  by  seeiug  many  souls  converted.  He  died  in  1850,  after  a long  and 
useful  life.  The  mother  died  in  1868.  Willis  M.  inherits  Scotch-Irish  blood  from  his  an- 
cestors. He  received  a good  rudimentary  education,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  began 
earning  his  own  living.  He  clerked  in  a store  for  two  years,  and  for  four  years  followed 
.merchandising  in  Lewisburg.  and  has  followed  that  and  farming  off  and  on  ever  since. 
He  has  filled  the  offices  of  constable,  deputy  sheriff  aud  sheriff,  serving  in  all  about  six- 
teen years,  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  people.  Julia  A.  Bills  became  liis  wife  in 
1846.  Nine  children  were  born  to  their  union,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  Hopwood 
has  been  a Republican  since  the  war;  previous  to  that  time  he  was  a Whig.  He  is  now 
seventy-three  years  old,  and  has  never  lived  outside  the  county,  nor  more  than  seven 
miles  from  the  place  of  bis  birth.  Mrs.  Hopwood  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church. 

JAMES  X.  HUNTER,  a leading  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  is  a sou  of  Ephraim  and 
Mary  (Elliott)  Hunter.  The  father  was  a native  of  North  Carolina,  and  when  a boy  came 
with  his  parents  to  Tennessee.  About  1808  they  removed  to  this  county,  and  here  Eph- 
raim was  married.  His  family  consisted  of  eleven  children,  only  one  of  whom  is  living. 
The  father  was  a Democrat  and  served  many  years  as  magistrate.  He  followed  farming 
and  merchandising,  besides  running  a carding  machine  and  cotton  spinner.  The  father 
died  in  1857,  and  the  mother  in  18(54.  She  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  November  15,  1815,  in  Marshall  Count}*  and 
while  growing  up  worked  in  the  factory  and  had  very  poor  opportunities  for  schooling, 
attending  the  old  subscription  schools.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  he  began  clerking  in 
his  father’s  store,  where  he  remained  for  ten  years.  He  then  engaged  in  farming  and  this 
he  has  continued  to  the  preseut  time.  In  1848  he  wedded  Cynthia  Hays,  by  whom  he  had 
nine  children.  The  eldest  son.  R.  H.,  is  a rising  young  physician  of  Texas.  In  politics 
Mr.  Hunter  is  a Democrat  and  he  and  family  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church.  In  the  days  of  militia,  he  held  the  position  of  colonel. 

WILLIAM  P.  IRVINE,  grocery  and  grain  dealer,  was  born  August  1,  1845,  iu  Elk- 
ton,  Giles  County,  where  he  grew  up  and  received  a common  English  education.  His 
parents  were  Nathaniel  and  Narcissa  (Davis)  Irvine.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Car- 
olina, and  the  mother  in  Lincoln  County.  Tenn.  After  marriage  they  settled  in  Giles 
County,  where  they  remained  until  1852.  They  then  moved  to  Georgia,  where  the  father 
died.  After  his  death  the  mother  returned  to  Lincoln  County,  Tenn.,  and  married  H.  X. 
Cowden.  They  located  in  this  county,  where  they  have  lived  ever  since.  The  mother  was 
a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  In  1861  our  subject  volunteered  in 
Company  I,  Thirty-second  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  remained  in  that  company  till  1864. 
He  then  joined  Gen.  Forrest’s  command,  and  served  till  the  surrender  at  Gainesville,  Ala., 
a period  of  over  three  and  one-half  years.  He  was  imprisoned  seven  months  at  Camp 
Morton  and  Lafayette,  Ind..  and  was  exchanged  at  Vicksburg.  He  then  returned  and 
engaged  in  farming.  In  1865  he  wedded  Eliza  Garrett,  and  to  them  were  born  two  chil- 
dren: Roy  and  Mamie.  He  is  a stanch  Democrat  in  politics,  and  is  commissioner  of  this 
taxing  district,  and  also  one  of  the  directors  of  the  Bank  of  Lewisburg.  In  1883  Mr.  Irvine 
came  to  Lewisburg  and  opened  the  business  in  which  he  is  now  engaged.  He  is  a good 
business  man  and  has  met  with  good  success. 

WILLOUGHBY  A.  JACKSON,  a leading  business  man  of  Marshall  County,  was 
born  October  7,  1834,  in  Wilsou  County,  Tenn.  He  was  a farmer  boy  and  received  a lim- 
ited education,  never  having  attended  school  more  than  nine  months  altogether.  At  the 
age  of  eighteen  he  left  home,  and  after  spending  a year  at  Charleston,  S.  G\,  came  to 
Marshall  County  and  worked  a short  time  in  a livery  stable.  He  then  learned  the  saddler's 


1210 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


trade  and  bought  out  the  man  for  whom  he  worked,  but  at  last  he  turned  his  attention  to 
farming.  In  1857  lie  married  Margaret  Pkiper.  b}’  whom  lie  had  nine  children,  live  of 
whom  are  living.  He  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  she  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  In  politics  he  votes  for  the  man  rather  than  the  party,  though  he 
holds  to  Republican  principles.  At  present  he  is  the  owner  of  700  acres  of  land,  three 
stores  aud  two  saw-mills,  besides  he  is  engaged  in  stock-trading.  He  is  a resident  of  Mar- 
shall County,  and  is  accounted  one  of  the  most  stirring,  energetic,  successful  business 
men  of  the  county.  He  is  a son  of  James  and  Martha  (Evans)  Jackson,  both  of  whom 
were  reared  and  married  in  North  Carolina.  In  1830  they  came  to  Wilson  County,  and 
after  living  there  fourteen  years  returned  to  Xorth  Carolina.  In  1869  they  returned  to 
Tenuessee,  and  after  several  moves  they  went  to  West  Tennessee,  where  they  passed  the 
last  years  of  their  lives.  They  were  both  Baptists.  The  father  served  iD  the  Seminole 
war  and  four  years  in  the  late  war.  In  the  first  he  held  the  position  of  orderly  sergeaut 
and  captain,  aud  in  the  last  held  the  position  of  captain  and  colonel.  The  mother  died  in 
1871,  and  two  years  later  the  father  followed. 

RICHARD  T.  JOHNSON.  William  Johnson,  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in 
Maury  County,  Tenn.,  in  1814,  and  "was  married  to  Eliza  J.  Mourton,  who  was  born  in 
Bedford  County  in  1819.  They  resided  for  a short  time  in  Lawrence  County,  and  then 
took  up  their  abode  in  Giles  County,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The 
father  was  an  extensive  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  and  for  many  years  filled  the  office  of 
magistrate.  He  was  married  twice,  and  died  in  1883.  The  mother’s  death  occurred  in 
1867.  Richard  inherits  English  blood  from  both  parents.  He  was  born  in  Lawrence 
County,  September  20,  1840,  and  his  early  schooling  was  limited  to  a few  terms.  In  1861  he 
enlisted  in  Company  B,  Second  Tennessee  Confederate  Infantry.  At  the  battle  of  Perry- 
ville,  Ky.,  he  received  six  wounds  from  one  volley  of  the  enemy,  and  although  seriously 
wounded  escaped  with  his  life.  He  was  in  eighteen  of  the  bloodiest  battles  of  the  war, 
aud  after  serving  two  years  was  promoted  to  second  lieutenant.  In  1865  he  wedded  Laura 
A.  Cochran,  by  whom  lie  has  bad  six  children.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  are  Methodists,  and 
he,  like  his  father,  is  a stanch  Democrat.  He  owns  a fine  farm  in  Marshall  County,  and 
has  been  a resident  of  the  county  twenty-one  years. 

HOX.  A.  JOXES.  M.  D.,  one  of  the  leading  physicians  of  Coruersville,  Tenn.,  and 
son  of  John  R.  and  Martha  A.  (Lane)  Jones,  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  May  15,  1839. 
His  boyhood  days  were  spent  on  a farm  and  in  attending  the  common  schools;  later  he 
attended  the  school  of  Pascal,  at  Xashville,  and  for  some  time  studied  medicine  under  Dr. 
Thomas  Lipscomb.  He  graduated  from  the  University  of  Tennessee  in  1858,  and  later 
took  a course  of  lectures  at  New  Orleans,  and  auother  at  Belle  view  Medical  College  at 
New  York.  In  1859  lie  opened  an  office  in  Coruersville,  where  he  has  since  resided,  with 
the  exception  of  four  years  during  the  war.  He  served  in  Company  H,  Third  Tennessee 
Infantry,  as  lieutenant,  and  after  a short  service  was  made  surgeon  of  the  Seventeenth 
Regiment.  In  1862  he  wedded  Maxie  Harris,  by  whom  he  had  four  children,  three  of 
whom  are  living.  The  Doctor  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and 
his  wife  is  a Presbyterian.  In  1871  he  represented  Marshall  County  in  the  State  Legisla- 
ture, and  filled  the  position  ably  for  one  term.  He  is  a Democrat,  and  owns  and  operates 
a farm  of  235  acres.  His  parents  were  born  in  North  Carolina,  and  were  married  in  Ten- 
nessee. The  father  was  a physician,  but  not  liking  that  profession  he  took  up  farming, 
and  eventually  became  one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  in  the  county.  He  was  a Demo- 
crat. and  died  of  the  c holera  in  1865.  The  mother  died  in  1885.  She  was  of  Welsh  de- 
scent and  the  father  of  English. 

JAMES  F.  KENNEDY,  merchant  of  Cornersville,  was  born  in  Green  County,  Tenn., 
October  4,  1830,  son  of  Daniel  and  Margaret  (Kennedy)  Kennedy,  who  were  also  horn  iu 
Green  County.  They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children  and  were  members  of  the  Pres- 
byterian Church.  The  father  was  a tanner  and  merchant,  and  quite  an  extensive  fanner. 
He  was  magistrate  a number  of  years  and  was  a Whig  in  politics.  He  died  in  1861  and 
the  mother  in  1877  Our  subject  assisted  his  father  in  the  tan-yard,  store  and  farm,  and 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1211 


at  the  age  of  twentv-one  began  earning  his  own  living.  He  worked  for  about  ten  years 
for  wages,  and  in  18G1  opened  a store  in  his  native  county,  but  was  compelled  to  abandon 
it,  owing  to  the  war.  In  1SG6  he  opened  a store  in  Cornersville,  Marshall  County,  Tenu., 
where  he  has  carried  on  the  business  successfully  ever  since.  His  marriage  with  Hannah 
C.  McGaughey  was  celebrated  in  1852.  They  have  had  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. Mr.  Kennedy  owns  a farm  of  200  acres,  and  as  a business  man  has  met  with  good 
success.  He  is  a stanch  Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

M.  D.  KELLEY,  M.  D.,  is  a son  of  Cary  T.  and  Nancy  (Wilkins)  Kelley,  who  were 
married  in  Giles  County,  and  soon  after  settled  on  a farm,  where  they  spent  the  remain- 
der of  their  lives.  They  were  Methodists  and  the  father  was  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812. 
He  became  a very  prosperous  farmer  and  was  one  of  the  first  to  introduce  Berkshire  hogs 
and  Durham  cattle  into  Marshall  County.  He  was  an  old-line  Whig  and  died  in  1854. 
The  mother  lived  until  18S5.  M.  D.  Kelley,  our  subject,  was  born  September  G.  1S32,  in 
Giles  County.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  entered  the  Cumberland  University  and  gradu- 
ated in  1853.  He  then  took  a course  in  medicine  at  the  University  of  Nashville  and  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  M.  D.  in  1857.  He  spent  some  time  in  the  State  hospital  and  after 
three  years’  practice  at  Spring  place  in  Marshall  County,  came  to  Cornersville  in  1801, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  In  185G  Margaret  J.  Gordon  was  united  to  him  in  marriage. 
To  them  were  born  three  children— two  sons  and  one  daughter.  The  eldest  son  is  a farmer 
and  the  other  is  studying  for  the  ministry.  The  Doctor  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  He  is  conservative  in  politics,  and  is  a successful 
physician  of  the  county.  He  belongs  to  the  Masonic,  T.  O.  O.  F.,  K.  of  H.,  K.  of  G.  R.. 
and  Good  Templar  fraternities,  and  People’s  Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company. 

JOHN  T.  KERC1IEYAL,  a leading  groceryman  of  Lewisburg,  was  born  April  24. 
1850,  in  Lewisburg,  where  he  grew  up  and  was  educated.  He  is  the  son  of  Peter  and 
Susan  C.  (Ewing)  Kercheval,  natives  of  Tennessee.  The}’  w’ere  married  in  this  county 
and  to  them  were  born  nine  children.  The  father  was  a lawyer,  being  one  of  the  ablest 
attorneys  in  his  county.  For  many  years  he  was  clerk  and  master  of  the  chancery  court. 
He  died  in  18G7  and  the  mother  in  1883.  The  Kerchevals  are  of  French  descent.  The 
name  was  formerly  Cheval — a French  word,  meaning  horse — and  in  some  unknown  way 
the  Ker  became  prefixed.  Dr.  J.  M.  and  Mayor  Kercheval,  of  Nashville,  are  descendants 
of  that  name.  Having  prepared  himself  for  Yale  College,  our  subject  bad  his  plans  frus- 
trated by  the  death  of  his  father.  He  then  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business,  as  a sales- 
man, where  be  remained  for  seven  years.  He  then  opened  a grocery  store  in  1883,  in 
which  he  has  done  a thriving  business  ever  since.  Having  studied  law  under  his  father, 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1871  and  practiced  three  years.  He  was  a promising  young 
lawyer  and  had  a good  practice,  but  had  not  learned  the  art  of  economizing,  conscquent- 
ly,  at  the  end  of  three  years,  he  fouud  himself  considerably  in  debt.  He  then  began  to  re- 
trieve his  fallen  fortunes  and  concluded  to  try  merchandising.  For  ten  }’ears  he  has  been 
engaged  in  that  business  at  Lewisville,  and  has  been  quite  successful. 

WILLIAM  M.  KILLGORE  is  a son  of  Thomas  Killgore,  who  was  a native  of  Cocke 
County,  Tenn.,  and  there  married  Jane  Cooper,  who  was  born  in  the  same  place,  and 
became  the  mother  of  five  children.  The  father  was  a farmer  until  late  in  life,  and  then 
kept  hotel  for  some  time.  About  184G  the  mother  died,  and  he  afterward  married  Julia 
Smith,  who  bore  him  five  children.  Her  death  occurred  in  1883.  Previous  to  the  war 
Mr.  Killgore  was  a Whig.  He  is  now  a Republican,  and  is  seventy-eight  years  of  age 
William  M.  Killgore  was  born  in  Cocke  County,  December  10,  1839,  and  was  pursuing  hi> 
studies  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  Company  C.  Thirty- 
first  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  during  four  years  of  service  was  in  many  hard-fought  bat- 
tles, but  received  only  one  slight  wound.  After  the  siege  of  Knoxville  his  regiment  wa> 
mounted.  In  18G5  lie  came  to  Marshall  County,  where  he  has  .since  resided  and  fanned. 
Penelope  J.  Blackburn  became  his  wife  in  1867  and  died  in  1874,  leaving  two  suns.  In 
1877  he  married  Woodly  Fain,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs 
Killgore  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  he  is  a Democrat. 


■ 


. 


1212 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


ALFRED  J.  LANE,  farmer,  was  born  February  8,  1S4S.  on  the  farm  where  he  now 
lives.  While  growing  up  he  received  a fair  practical  education  in  the  common  schools, 
and,  like  a dutiful  son,  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
when  he  went  to  Pulaski  to  clerk  in  a cotton  factory.  Two  years  later  he  returned  to  the 
farm,  and  in  1873  he  was  married  to  Mary  A.  Overton,  a native  of  Texas,  born  February 
19,  1853.  Of  this  marriage  three  children  was  the  result  : JohnF.,  Mary  D.  and  William  J. 
Mr.  Lane  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  wife  and  eldest  child  are  members  of  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church.  He  has  an  excellent  farm  of  308  acres,  well  stocked.  He  has  been  a resi- 
dent of  this  county  for  twenty-one  years,  and  is  accounted  a good  farmer  and  an  enter- 
prising citizen.  He  is  a son  of  Joel  and  Susan  II.  (Carter)  Lane,  both  natives  of  Tennes- 
see. They  were  married  in  Maury  County,  and  settled  on  the  farm  where  Alfred  now 
lives.  Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  The  father’s  chief 
occupation  was  farming,  though  he  worked  at  blacksmithing,  shoe-making,  carpentering 
or  whatever  his  inclinations  suggested.  Mechanical  ingenuity  runs  through  the  Lane 
family.  He  died  in  1854.  The  mother  is  still  living,  the  wife  of  M.  E.  C.  Overton,  by 
whom  she  had  ten  children. 

COL.  JAMES  HENRY  LEWIS,  attorney,  of  Lewisburg,  was  born  September  17,  1837, 
in  Maury  County,  Tenn.  His  grandfather,  John  C.  Lewis,  was  a native  of  Virginia,  and 
moved  from  that  State  to  North  Carolina,  where  he  married  a daughter  of  Nathan  For- 
rest, near  Orange  Court  House,  at  which  place  Fielding  Lewis,  father  of  the  subject  of  this 
sketch,  was  born.  Subsequently  John  C.  Lewis,  with  his  family,  immigrated  to  Middle 
Tennessee.  Fielding  Lewis  married  Lydia  Preston,  in  Sumner  County,  Tenn.  Her  father 
was  a captain  of  Tennessee  Volunteers,  under  Jackson,  at  New  Orleans  in  l8lo,  and  died 
soon  after  his  return  home  from  this  campaign  of  disease  contracted  in  the  service.  He 
was  a member  of  the  Preston  family  of  Virginia  and  Kentucky.  The  grandmother,  Lewis, 
was  a member  of  the  same  family  of  which  Gen.  N.  B.  Forrest  was  a descendant,  all  at 
one  time  residents  of  Bedford  and  Marshall  Counties.  Lydia  Lewis  died  in  I860,  and 
Fielding  Lewis  in  1876.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  The  husband  was  a farmer  and  mechanic,  and  was  a relative  of  Gen.  Meriwether 
Lewis,  of  the  “Lewis  and  Clark  Expedition”  fame.  Col.  J.  II.  Lewis  worked  on  a farm 
and*  in  the  shop  until  attaining  liis  majority.  His  opportunities  at  school  were  limited,  so 
that  his  education  is  almost  entirely  the  result  of  his  own  efforts.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one 
be  began  the  study  of  law,  and  in  October,  1859,  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1861  he  mar- 
ried Victoria  J.  Sims,  who  lost  her  father  in  the  Mexican  war.  Her  grandfather  was 
John  O.  Cook,  of  Maury  County,  of  whose  family  she  was  a member,  being  an  orphan 
girl.  Her  other  grandfather  was  Gen.  Winn,  of  South  Carolina.  The  result  of  this  union 
is  four  children,  three  of  whom  are  liviug.  Both  husband  and  w ife  are  members  of  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Politically  he  is  a firm  Democrat.  A short  time  be- 
fore his  marriage  he  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Second  Battalion  Tennessee  Cavalry,  Volun- 
teers, as  a private,  and  within  a year  was  made  captain  of  the  company.  After  the  con- 
solidation of  the  Second  and  Eleventh  Battalions  the  command  was  known  as  the  First 
Regiment  Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  served  as  lieutenant-colonel  of  the  regiment,  and  com- 
manded the  regiment  for  more  than  a year  of  the  war.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  war  he  com- 
manded a brigade,  including  the  command  at  the  battles  of  Averysboro  and  Bentonville.  N. 
C.  After  four  years’  service  he.returned  home,  located  in  Lewisburg  and  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  law.  and  served  in  the  Legislature  of  the  State — session  1871-72 — as  joint  repre- 
sentative from  Marshall,  Giles  and  Lincoln  Counties.  Col.  Lewis  was  largely  instrumental 
in  building  the  Duck  River  Valley  Railroad,  and  served  as  president  of  the  company  two 
years  prior  to  its  lease  to  the  Nashville,  Chattanooga  & St.  Louis  Railroad,  having  been 
a director  before,  and  has  been  connected  with  the  road  ever  since  its  building.  He  threw 
all  of  his  energy  and  influence  into  the  building  of  the  road,  and  succeeded  wherein  most 
men  would  have  failed.  For  twenty  years  he  has  practiced  his  profession,  with  cx-Gov. 
John  C.  Brown  as  his  partner  a portion  of  the  time,  and  later  with  his  brother,  and  now 
by  himself.  He  is  now  the  attorney  for  the  Nashville  & Chattanooga  Railroad  in  Maury, 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1213 


Marshall  and  Lincoln  Counties.  His  ability  as  a lawyer  is  too  well  known  to  need  com- 
ment, and  he  is  a public-spirited  citizen  of  the  county,  having  done  much  for  the  schools, 
churches,  and  all  other  benevolent  organizations  of  the  county  and  State.  The  firm  name, 
Lewis  Bros.,  was  dissolved  in  18S5,  and  Capt.  Thomas  F.  Lewis,  the  junior  member  of 
the  firm,  is  now  a member  of  the  bar  at  Jackson,  Term. 

BENTLEY  A.  LONDON,  a prosperous  young  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  is  a 
son  of  N.  B.  and  Cynthia  A.  (McConnell)  London,  both  born  in  what  is  now  Marshall 
County  in  1825  and  1832.  Soon  after  marriage  they  began  farming,  in  which  they  were 
very  prosperous.  The  father  was  a stanch  Democrat,  and  died  in  1869.  The  mother  af- 
terward married  P.  Fox  and  is  still  living.  Bentley  A.  inherits  English  blood  from  his 
father  and  Irish  blood  from  his  mother.  He  was  born  October  4,  1855,  in  Marshall  County. 
His  early  educational  advantages  being  limited,  when  nineteen  years  of  age  he  began  his 
career  as  a farmer,  and  before  reaching  a legal  age  made  several  land  trades.  At  the  age 
of  twenty  he  married  Mattie  A.  Fox,  by  whom  he  has  two  children — Bettie  M.and  Bentley 
D.  Mrs.  London  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  Mr.  London  is  a stanch  Democrat, 
and  is  the  owner  of  140  acres  of  fertile  land.  In  February,  1886,  he  and  W.  I).  Fox  pur- 
chased N.  S.  ITopwood’s  general  merchandise  store,  and  have  been  doing  a good  business 
ever  since. 

WILLIAM  A.  LONDON,  a leading  livery  man  of  Lewisburg,  Marshall  Co.,  Tenn., 
is  a son  of  Nathan  B.  and  Cynthia  A.  (McConnell)  London,  who  were  born,  reared  and 
married  in  Marshall  County.  The  father  was  a successful  farmer,  and  served  a short  time 
~ in  the  late  war,  under  Forrest.  ITe  was  a Democrat,  and  died  in  1869.  His  widow  married 
Pervines  Fox,  Jr.,  by  whom  she  has  two  children.  Our  subject  was  one  of  nine  children, 
and  was  born  November  23,  1857,  in  Marshall  County,  lie  was  educated  in  the  common 
schools,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  began  to  do  for  himself.  Since  1878  he  has  been  en- 
gaged in  the  livery  business  in  Lewisburg  iu  partnership  with  different  men,  blit  since  1885 
he  and  S.  D.  Davis  have  done  business  together,  and  are  securing  comfortable  compe- 
tencies. He  also,  in  connection  with  McAdams  & Sons,  has  done  an  extensive  business  in 
buying  and  selling  horses  and  mules.  In  1878  he  wedded  Mary  E.  Braly,  by  whom  he  has 
two  daughters.  Botli  Mr.  and  Mrs.  London  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  In 
politics  our  subject  is  a Democrat. 

/WILSON  G.  LOYD,  clerk  of  the  Circuit  Court  of  Marshall  County,  is  a sou  of  Alex- 
ander M.  and  Louisa  (Blackwell)  Loyd.  The  father  was  a merchant,  having  sold  goods  in 
Bedford  County  for  some  time.  In  1838  he  removed  to  Texas  for  the  purpose  of  surveying 
public  lands.  He  was  called  from  this  world  of  toil  at  the  early  age  of  twenty -nine.  Our 
subject  was  born  April  26,  1838,  in  Lewisburg,  but,  bis  mother  having  died  when  lie  was 
but  an  infant,  he  was  left  to  the  care  of  an  aunt  at  Shelby ville  till  nine  years  of  age,  after 
which  he  went  to  live  with  an  uncle  in  Louisiana.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  returned 
to  this  State  and  attended  school  three  years,  completing  his  education  at  Franklin  Col- 
lege in  1859.  He  then  went  back  to  Louisiana  and  engaged  as  salesman  in  Alexandria  til) 
1861, when  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Second  Louisiana  Infantry  in  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia.  At  the  battle  of  Gettysburg  he  received  a slight  wound,  and  it  was  the  only  one 
he  received  during  the  entire  four  years  he  was  in  service.  In  1865  he  wedded  Victoria 
C.  Meadows,  and  by  this  union  became  the  father  of  eleven  children,  all  living.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loyd  arc  earnest  workers  iu  the  Christian  Church.  Iu  politics  Mr.  Loyd 
is  a Democrat.  In  1878  he  was  Mectod  circuit  court  clerk,  and  has  filled  that  position  in 
a satisfactory  manner.  In  1885  he  became  book-keeper  of  the  Bank  of  Lewisburg. 

JOHN  B.  LUNA  is  a son  of  James  G.  and  RhodaC.  (Stevens)  Luna,  native  Tennes- 
seeans. They  were  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  The  father  was  a Demo- 
crat, and  died  in  1840,  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine.  The  mother  lived  until  1880.  John  IL’s 
birth  occurred  in  Marshall  County  August  29,  1844.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  lie  began  earn 
ing  his  own  living,  receiving  a common  school  education.  For  about  eleven  months  he 
served  in  Company  I,  Eighth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  then  returned  home  and  resumed 
farming.  In  1861  he  -wedded  Mattie  Yowcll,  who  died  the  following  year.  In  1870 


76 


. 


1214 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Maggie  Vaughn  became  his  wife  and  seven  children  blessed  their  union.  Both  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Luna  are  members  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church,  and,  like  his  father,  Mr.  Luna  is 
a Democrat.  The}'  possess  235  acres  of  land,  and  he  is  considered  one  of  the  best  farmers 
of  Marshall  County.  He  gives  much  attention  to  raising  fine  stock  and  owns  the  two 
horses,  Tom  Hall  and  Chieftain,  the  latter  of  Black  Satin  stock.  For  forty-two  years  he 
has  been  a resident  of  Marshall  County,  and  no  man  has  been  more  intimate^  connected 
with  the  progress  of  the  county  than  he. 

SHELBY  B.  MARSH  is  a son  of  Simeon  and  Elizabeth  (Shelby)  Marsh,  who  were 
born  in  North  and  South  Carolina,  respectively.  In  18:2  they  came  to  Tennessee  and  lo- 
cated in  Marshall  County,  where  the  father  became  an  extensive  farmer  and  land  specu- 
lator. The  father  was  a Democrat, and  died  when  about  seventy  years  old.  His  ancestors 
were  Revolutionary  soldiers  from  the  “Nutmeg  State.”  The  mother  was  related  to  Shel- 
by, the  second  in  command  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans,  and  governor  of  Kentucky. 
Shelby  B.  Marsh  was  born  in  North  Carolina.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he  began  clerking  in 
a store,  and  after  following  that  occupation  for  a few  jrears  he  began  trading  in  negroes, 
making  some  £10,000  thereat.  Seven  children  were  born  to  his  marriage  with  Elizabeth 
Jones,  which  took  place  in  1837.  Two  of  the  children  died  in  infancy  and  Robert  J.  and 
Simeon  were  killed  in  the  late  war.  Mr.  Marsh  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  has  been  re- 
markably successful  in  his  business  career.  His  wife  is  a member  of  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church. 

WILLIAM  T.  MARSH  is  a son  of  Shelby  and  Elizabeth  J.  (Jones)  Marsh,  and  was 
born  June  24,  1843,  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  reared  by  a father  who,  though  very 
wealthy,  was  a believer  in  honest  toil,  and  taught  bis  sons  to  work.  He  acquired  a good 
rudimentary  education,  and  later  attended  Cumberland  University.  He  then  returned 
home,  and  has  followed  the  free  and  independent  life  of  a farmer  up  to  the  present  time. 
He  owns  930  acres  of  very  fertile  land,  and  is  extensively  engaged  in  stock  raising.  In 
1871  Amelia  Jackson  became  his  wife.  She  is  a daughter  of  Thomas  R.  and  Elizabeth 
S.  (Madry)  Jackson,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Missouri,  respectively.  They 
both  came  to  Tennessee  when  young,  and  became  the  parents  of  ten  children.  The 
father  was  a Democrat,  and  died  in  1883.  His  widow  still  lives,  and  has  atiained  the  age 
of  seventy-two  years.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marsh  were  born  three  children — two  sons  and 
one  daughter.  Our  subject  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church 
South,  and  he  is  a stanch  Democrat. 

JOHN  L.  MARSHALL,  of  the  firm  of  Cowden  A Marshall,  of  Lewisburg,  is  a son  of 
James  G.  and  Margaret  J.  (Bullock)  Marshall,  both  natives  of  Tennessee.  In  early  life 
the  father  was  a teacher,  hut  later  engaged  in  the  occupation  of  a farmer.  Both  parents 
were  church  members,  the  father  being  an  elder  for  many  years  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  the  mother  an  active  member  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  Sbe  died 
in  1863  and  the  father  followed  in  1871.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics.  Our  subject  was 
born  January  30,  1850,  in  Marshall  County,  and  inherited  Scotch-Irish  blood  from  his 
father  and  English  blood  from  his  mother.  He  passed  his  youthful  days  on  the  farm  and 
received  an  academic  education.  In  1869  he  entered  Cumberland  University,  where  he 
completed  his  education.  Having  taught  two  terms  he  commenced  the  study  of  law  and 
w'as  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1875.  lie  then  became  a partner  of  P.  C.  Smithson,  and  two 
years  later  dissolved  partnership,  practicing  alone  till  1883.  lie  then  became  one  of  the 
firm  to  which  he  now  belongs.  • In  1876  he  wedded  Mrs.  M.  L.  (Swanson)  Lyle,  who  died 
in  1881.  Five  years,  later  lie  married  Martha  Steele.  Mr.  Marshall  is  an  elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  his  wife  belongs  to  the  same  church.  lie  is  a conservative 
Democrat,  and  is  considered  by  all  as  an  able  and  successful  young  lawyer. 

JAMES  M.  MARTIN  is  a son  of  Henry  and  Maria  (Tankersley)  Martin.  Henry 
Martin  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1802,  and  when  young  came  to  Tennessee  and  lo- 
cated in  Bedford  County,  where  he  married  Miss  Tankersley,  born  in  1808.  They  were 
the  parents  of  eighteen  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  The  mother  was  a member 
of  the  Christian  Church,  as  was  also  the  father  until  the  last  few  years  of  his  life, when  he 


* 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1215 


became  a Universal ist.  He  held  the  position  of  constable  six  years  and  that  of  deputy 
sheriff  two  years.  During  the  late  war  he  supported  the  Confederacy  although  too  old 
to  take  an  active  part.  The  mother  died  in  1842  and  two  years  later  Mr.  Martin  married 
Mrs.  Delilah  Lamb,  by  whom  he  had  six  children.  His  death  occurred  in  1864.  James 
M.  was  born  September  C.  182*2,  in  Williamson  County,  and  secured  a practical  education. 
At  the  age  of  twenty  he  began  working  by  the  month  and  in  1S45  married  Nancy  McGee, 
who  was  born  February  21,  1826,  in  North  Carolina,  and  died  in  1856,  having  borne  one 
child  who  died.  In  1857  Mr.  Martin  took  for  his  second  wife  Mary  Stanfield,  and 
seven  children  blessed  their  union.  Husband  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church  South,  and  he  is  a stanch  Democrat  in  politics  and  for  some  eight  years 
has  held  the  position  of  magistrate  and  has  been  constable  nearly  four  years.  He  owns 
260  acres  of  land  and  is  known  to  be  a thrifty  farmer  and  an  honest  mau. 

HARDIN  MAYBERRY  is  a son  of  Gabriel  Mayberry,  who  was  a Virginian  by  birth 
and  married  Rosanna  Hardin,  of  South  Carolina,  by  whom  he  had  four  children.  They 
came  to  Tennessee  when  quite  young  and  when  Nashville  was  a small  collection  of  cabins. 
The  father  was  a Democrat  and  a prosperous  farmer  and  lived  to  be  seventy-five  years  of 
age.  His  widow  outlived  him  but  a few  years.  Grandfather  Mayberry  was  a Revolution- 
ary soldier  at  the  age  of  seventeen,  and  was  intimately  associated  with  Gen.  George  Wash- 
ington. Hardin,  our  subject,  was  born  in  Hickman  County  July  14,  1826,  and  was  reared 
on  a farm,  receiving  a common  school  education.  Since  attaining  his  twenty-first  birth- 
day he  has  farmed,  and  now  owns  a well  stocked  farm  of  1,000  acres.  In  1847  he  married 
Cornelia  E.  Galloway,  who  died  in  1856,  leaving  four  children:  Mary  M.,  Harriet  C.  and 
two  infants,  deceased.  Mr.  Mayberry’s  second  wife  was  Mrs.  A.  P.  Blair,  who  bore  him 
six  children:  Lawreston  II.,  Emma  P.,  Lula  L.,  Harvey,  Cora  and  Gabriella.  Mr.  May- 
berry was  a soldier  in  the  late  war,  serving  in  Company  A,  Forty-eighth  Tennessee  Infantry, 
and  was  one  of  the  defenders  of  Fort  Donelson.  After  a two  months’  imprisonment  at  Camp 
Chase  and  five  months’  imprisonment  at  Johnson’s  Island  he  was  exchanged  at  Vicks- 
burg, and  failing  health  caused  him  to  be  released.  He  served  as  first  lieutenant  about 
one  year. 

JOSEPH  McBRIDE,  clerk  of  the  county  court,  was  born  December  27,  1827.  in  Lin- 
coln (now  Marshall)  County.  Term.,  and  is  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  He  is  a son  of  G.  W. 
and  Mary  H.  (Cook)  McBride,  natives,  respectively,  of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia. 
The  father  was  a farmer,  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  occupied  the  office  of  magistrate  the 
greater  part  of  Ids  life.  He  died  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  and  the  mother  at  the  age  of  sixty. 
Our  subject  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm  and  received  a practical  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  In  1853  he  wedded  Mary  A.  V.  Palmer,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children, 
seven  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  McBride,  like  his  father  before  him,  is  a stanch  Democrat, 
and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  For  nearly  twelve 
years  he  has  served  as  magistrate,  and  was  also  chairman  of  the  count}"  court  a term.  Iu 
1882  lie  was  elected  to  the  position  he  is  now  occupying,  and  has  filled  that  office  in  a 
highly  satisfactory  manner. 

COL.  W.  L.  MCCLELLAND  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1815,  and  when  a boy 
came  with  his  parents  to  what  is  now  Marshall  County,  Tenn.  On  reaching  manhood  he 
married  Mary  Chambliss,  by  whom  he  had  three  children.  His  wife  died  in  1854,  and  he 
wedded  Sarah  Chambliss,  a sister  of  his  first  wife,  by  whom  he  had  two  children.  He  and 
both  his  wives  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  In  early  life  be 
was  a merchant,  and  later  he  took  himself  to  farming,  in  which  he  was  more  than  ordina 
rily  successful.  He  twice  represented  his  county  iu  the  State  Legislature,  and  was  chosen 
delegate  to  the  Charleston  and  Baltimore  Convention  in  I860.  During  his  life  he  was  one 
of  the  most  enterprising  and  energetic  business  men  in  his  section.  lie  died  iu  1883,  leav 
ing  a widow  and  live  children  to  mourn  their  loss.  John  R.  is  a lawyer  of  Nashville, 
Fernando,  a farmer  of  Marshall  County;  Mattie,  the  wife  of  Capt.  A.  E.  Read,  of  Louisi- 
ana: Ada  lives  at  home,  and  Zana  L the  wife  of  NY.  NY.  Ogilvic,  who  has  an  interest  in  and 
charge  of  the  old  McClelland  homestead.  He  was  born  in  Maury  County  May  15,  1856, 


% 


V 


1210 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


and  attended  Webb’s  school  at  Culleoka,  and  later  the  Tennessee  University,  completing 
the  freshman  year.  He  first  opened  a hardware  store  in  Lewisburg,  and  in  connection 
'handled  grain.  Ilis  marriage  with  Miss  McClelland  was  consummated  in  1SSI.  Mr. 
Ogilvie  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  in  politics  is  a Democrat. 
In  18S5  he  moved  to  the  farm,  and  is  uow  extensively  engaged  in  stock  raising. 

FERDINAND  S.  McCLELLAXD  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of  the  prosperous  farm- 
ers of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.  He  is  a son  of  Col.  W.  L.  and  Alary  (Chambliss)  McClel- 
land, aud  was  born  February  7,  1841.  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County.  His  educational 
advantages  were  above  the  average,  and  he  had  reached  his  senior  year  in  Cumberland 
University  wheu  the  war  broke  out  and  he  volunteered  in  Capt.  Walker’s  company,  Third 
Tennessee  Infantry.  He  served  four  years  and  the  last  year  and  a half  was  lieutenant 
in  the  ordnance  department.  In  1806  he  wedded  Mary  T.  Plattenburg,  a native  of  Ala- 
bama, and  to  them  were  born  seven  children.  At  the  close  of  the  war  he  located  in  Ala- 
bama, where  lie  was  engaged  in  the  culture  of  cotton  four  years.  lu  1870  he  returned  to 
Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  where  he  owns  150  acres  of  fine  and  well  improved  land.  He  is 
a conservative  Democ  rat  in  politics  and  is  a man  of  recognized  ability.  During  the  agita- 
tion of  the  State  debt  question  he  made  many  public  addresses  in  favor  of  its  payment  in 
full.  For  thirty-seven  years  he  lias  been  a resident  of  Marshall  County,  and  by  his  up- 
might  conduct  and  geniality  lias  won  the  respect  and  esteem  of  all. 

FREDERICK  B.  McCLURE,  farmer  of  Marshall  County  and  son  of  John  and  Sarah 
/(Cooper)  McClure.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  and  there  married  Miss  Jame- 
-son,  who  bore  him  five  children.  They  came  to  Tennessee  about  1811  and  located  in 
Rutherford  County.  His  wife  died  and  lie  then  wedded  Airs.  Cooper.  To  them  were 
horn  four  children.  Both  husband  aud  wife  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presby- 
terian Church.  The  father  was  a tanner  by  trade  and  worked  thereat  in  early  life.  Later 
he  betook  himself  to  farming.  The  mother  died  in  1845  and  the  father  in  1848.  Our  sub- 
ject. was  born  in  Rutherford  County,  August  15,  1827,  but  attended  school  very  little  in 
boyhood,  owing  to  poor  health.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he  began  farming  and  later  pur- 
chased a farm  in  Marshall  County.  In  1862  he  volunteered  to  serve  in  the  commissary 
•department,  continuing  until  the  close  of  the  war.  In  I860,  after  his  return,  he  wedded 
:a  Miss  McAfee,  daughter  of  Green  and  Elizabeth  (Scales)  McAfee,  and  to  their  union 
•were  born  five  children,  three  now  living.  Mr.  McClure  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  is  the 
• owner  of  163  acres  of  land  in  the  garden  spot  of  Marshall  County. 

HENRY  G.  MeCORD  was  born  August  12,  1817,  in  Williamson  County,  and  is  of 
Scotch-Irish  descent,  lie  received  the  rudiments  of  His  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  subsequently  attended  Cumberland  University,  and  graduated  from  the  literary  de- 
partment in  1873.  He  taught  school  for  about  three  years,  and  then  turned  his  attention 
•to  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1877  he  married  Lillie  V.  Ogilvie,  who  was  born  May  13.  1856. 
"The  fruits  of  this  union  were  five  children:  Marks  5\  .,  Harris  O.,  Man  el  la  M.,  Joseph  C. 
.and  Ch ami  11a  S.  In  1864  Mr.  McCord  went  out  in  Company  C,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cav- 
alry. Confederate  Army,  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  has  a good  farm  of 
:2C*9  acres,  well  watered  and  furnished  with  good  buildings,  and  is  considered  a first-class 
farmer.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  tue  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a son  of  Cowden  and  Sallie  A.  (Williams)  McCord.  The 
•father  was  horn  in  Williamsoiv  County  in  1809,  aud  the  mother  was  born  on  the  farm 
•where  Henry  now  lives  in  1826.  They  were  married  in  Marshall  County  in  1844,  and  to 
them  were  born  eight  children,  seven  of  whom  lived  to  he  grown,  aud  six  are  living  now. 
The  father  was  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  for  one  term  served  as  magistrate.  He  was 
also  a farmer  aud  an  extensive  one  at  that.  The  mother  died  in  1863,  and  in  1879  the 
.father  died  also. 

ROBERT  A.  MeCORD,  Ju.,  member  of  the  hardware  firm  of  Woods  & McCord,  was 
i bom  March  10,  1859,  in  Marshall  County,  son  of  Cowden  and  Sarah  (Williams)  McCord. 
((See  sketch  of  Henry  McCord  for  further  particulars  of  parents.)  Oursubject  was  reared 
*on  the  farm,  and  received  a good  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1217 


lie  began  to  battle  liis  own  way  in  life.  In  1682  he  came  to  Lewisburg,  and  in  connection 
w ith  Coffey  & Woods  engaged  in  the  grain  and  agricultural  business.  In  two  years  he 
transferred  his  line  of  business  to  hardware,  in  which  he  has  succeeded  remarkably  well. 
In  1881  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Bettie  Whittsitt,  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth 
of  three  children.  In  politics  Mr.  McCord  is  conservative,  voting  the  Democratic  ticket 
when  good  men  are  presented.  He  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  He  has,  in  the  short  space  of  four  years,  won  a place  among  the  first  business 
men  of  the  city. 

HON.  DILLISTON  S.  McCULLOUGH  is  a son  of  Richard  and  Nancy  (Posey)  Mc- 
Cullough, natives  of  Virginia  and  South  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father  was  born  in 
1803  and  the  mother  in  1S0T.  They  were  married  in  Rutherford  County.  Tenn.,  and  were 
the  parents  of  ten  children,  five  of. whom  are  now  living.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the 
soil  and  was  quite  successful  in  that  occupation.  In  politics  he  was,  respectively,  a Whig. 
Know-nothing  and  Democrat.  In  1878  the  mother  died  and  four  years  later  the  father 
died,  too.  Our  subject  was  born  May  11,  1838,  in  Rutherford  County,  and  is  of  Scotcn- 
Irish  descent.  He  passed  his  youthful  days  on  the  farm  aud  received  his  education  in  the 
district  schools:  later  he  took  an  academic  course  at  Union  Hill,  and  finished  at  Union 
University,  where  he  graduated  in  18G0,  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  After  teaching  a term 
he  volunteered,  in  1861,  to  lead  Company  D,  Eighth  Battalion  Tennessee  Cavalry,  which 
afterward  became  Starnes’  regiment.  Having  served  about  twelve  months  he  resigned 
his  commission  and  joined  the  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavaliy.  After  the  war  he  taught 
two  terms,  but  not  liking  the  nomadic  life  of  a teacher,  he  turned  his  attention  to  agricult- 
ural pursuits,  in  which  he  is  still  engaged.  In  1805  he  married  Martha  J.  Jordon,  and  to 
them  were  born  three  children:  Ruben  J..  William  R.  and  Dilliston.  Mr.  McCullough  is 
a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  not  escaped  public  notice.  In  1880  he  wras  elected  senator 
of  the  Thirteenth  District,  representing  Marshall,  Lincoln,  Moore  and  Franklin  Counties, 
and  in  1883  he  was  elected  to  the  same  position  by  the  Sixteenth  Senatorial  District,  com- 
posed of  Marshall  and  Williamson  Counties.  Mr.  McCullough  has  been  a resident  of 
Marshall  County  for  seventeen  years,  has  a good  farm  of  180  acres,  and  is  one  of  the  coun- 
ty’s best  men. 

COLEMAN  R.  McCULLOUGH,  an  enterprising  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  and  a 
son  of  Richard  D.  and  Nancy  (Posey)  McCullough,  was  born  February  25,  1842,  in 
Rutherford  County.  He  received  a good  practical  education  in  the  common  schools,  and 
in  1862  volunteered  in  Company  C,  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry,  Confederate  Army. 
During  nearly  three  year.--  of  faithful  service  he  w as  engaged  in  eight  hard-fought  bat- 
i ties,  but  was  never  wounded  or  taken  prisoner.  After  the  war  he  engaged  in  farming, 
and  in  1808  was  united  in  marriage  to  Margaret  R.  McLean,  a native  of  Marshall  County, 
born  October  21,  1844.  This  union  was  blessed  by  the  birth  of  six  children — two  boys 
and  four  girls.  Mr.  McCullough  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  a member  of  the  Mission- 
ary Baptist  Church.  His  w'ife  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  For 
four  years  our  subject  has  filled  the  position  of  constable  in  a capable  and  satisfactory 
manner.  He  has  a good  farm  of  300  acres,  well  stocked,  and  has  been  a resident  of  the 
county  for  twenty-eight  years. 

COL.  CHRISTOPHER  C.  McKINNEY  was  born  December  10,  1825  in  Lincoln 
County,  Tenn.  He  was  reared  xm  the  farm  and  attended  the  old-time  subscription 
schools.  His  parents  were  James  and  Temperance  (Rowe)  McKinney, natives,  respectively, 
of  Virginia  and  South  Carolina.  When  young  they  came  to  this  State,  the  father  in  1808 
and  the  mother  two  years  later.  After  marriage  they  settled  in  Lincoln  County  where 
they  passed  the  remainder  of  their  days.  The  father  was  a member  of  the  MethodLt 
Church  and  the  mother  a member  of  the  Primitive  Baptist  Church.  Their  family  con- 
sisted of  seven  children,  six  of  whom  arc  living.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  carpenter 
and  a soldier  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  father  died  in  1662  and  the  mother  in  1880.  Our 
subject  after  reaching  tweutj'-one  years  of  age  began  working  for  himself  at  $5 
per  mouth.  After  farming  and  milling  for  several  years  he  opened  a grocery  store  in 


ms 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Petersburg  in  1854.  He  then  changed  to  the  dry  goods  business  and  this  he  continued 
till  .the  war.  In  1849  he  wedded  Alar}*  Luna,  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  seven 
children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  In  1861  Mr.  McKinney  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Eighth 
Tennessee  Infantry,  sharpshooters,  as  first  lieutenant  and  from  that  arose  to  lieutenant- 
colonel  of  his  regiment.  At  the  end  of  four  years’  faithful  service  he  returned  and  engaged 
in  merchandising  as  salesman  and  book-keeper  at  Richmond,  Tenn.  In  1884  he  opened  a 
grocery  store  in  this  place  where  he  has  had  a lucrative  practice  ever  since.  Mr.  and  Airs. 
McKinney  are  active  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  of  which  he  has 
been  an  elder  for  twenty-nine  years.  He  is  a Democrat,  a good  business  man  and  a 
highly  respected  citizen. 

G.  A.  AIcLAXE,  one  of  the  firm  of  AlcLane  & Co.,  proprietors  of  a saw  and  planing- 
mill,  is  a son  of  Jesse  and  Flora  (Patterson)  AlcLane,  natives,  respectively,  of  Xortli  Car- 
olina and  Virginia.  They  came  to  Tennessee  at  an  early  day,  and  were  married  in  Alar- 
shall  County,  and  there  reared  their  family  of  seven  children.  Previous  to  this  union  the 
father  had  been  married  to  Xancy  Paton,  by  whom  he  had  nine  children.  He  was  a 
Whig  in  politics.  His  ancestors  were  of  Irish  descent  and  his  wife  was  of  Scotch  line- 
age. G.  A.  AlcLane  was  born  August  14,  1836,  in  Marshall  County.  He  only  attended 
school  about  six  months  during  his  life,  and  when  of  age  could  scarcely  write  his  own 
name,  but  by  energy  and  ambition  he  overcame  his  deficiencies,  and  was  a school-teacher 
for  about  three  years,  following  farming  at  the  same  time.  During  the  war  he  followed 
merchandising  with  Alfred  AIcGahey  at  Shelbyville,  but  about  three  years  later  returned 
to  the  farm.  In  1874  he  engaged  in  his  present  business,  and  in  1885  moved  to  Lewisburg 
and  became  one  of  the  above  named  firm.  EiiZa  Whitsett  became  his  wile  in  1S70.  To 
them  were  born  five  children,  only  four  of  whom  are  living.  Air.  AlcLane  was  a strong 
Union  man  during  the  war,  and  was  strongly  opposed  to  slavery.  He  was  one  of  the 
men  in  his  district  to  vote  for  the  Union.  In  politics  he  is  a stanch  Republican.  Air.  Alc- 
Lane has  prospered  in  worldly  goods,  and  owns  a good  farm,  besides  a saw  and  planing- 
mill. 

JOSEPH  A.  AIcRADY,  a native  of  Maury  County,  was  born  January  18.  1827,  and  is 
a son  of  Ephraim  AIcRady.  The  father  was  born  in  Kentucky  in  1800,  and  as  his  parents 
died  while  he  was  yet  quite  young,  he  was  reared  by  an  uncle.  After  reaching  man’s  es- 
tate he  wedded  Sarah  Wingfield,  a native  of  Alaury  County,  Tenn.,  born  in  1806,  and  by 
this  union  became  the  father  of  two  children:  Joseph  A.,  our  subject,  and  Susan.  Both 
parents  were  leading  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  father  was  a house  carpen- 
ter by  trade,  but  spent  the  latterpart  of  his  life  in  farming.  In  politics  he  was  a stanch 
Democrat.  In  1838  the  mother  died,  and  the  father  then  married  Alargaret  White,  who  was 
also  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  The  father  died  in  1871.  Our  subject,  dur- 
ing his  youth,  had  the  best  of  opportunities  for  an  education.  After  finishing  the  com- 
mon school  course  he  entered  Jackson  College,  Alaury  County,  and  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  1846.  After  teaching  a year  he  began  to  read  law  under  Judge  Dillahunty, 
and,  in  184",  opened  an  office  in  partnership  with  Robert  Payne,  at  Lewisburg.  Here  he 
continued  five  years.  In  1852  he  married  Alargaret  E.  Ewing,  who  was  born  February  14, 
1833.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  nine  children,  seven  of  whom  are  living.  The 
second  son,  Flarins  S.,  is  a rising  young  physician  of  Petersburg,  Giles  County.  Our  sub- 
ject and  wife  are  members  of  the  JPresbyterian  Church,  and  he  is  a Democrat  in  politics. 
In  1861  he  volunteered  in  Capt.  Holden’s  company  of  the  Fifty-third  Tennessee  Infantry, 
Confederate  Army,  lie  was  soon  appointed  to  the  commissary  department,  and  served 
in  that  capacity  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  Donelson  and  soon 
removed  to  Johnson's  Island.  Being  sick  when  the  roll  for  exchange  of  prisoners  was 
called,  a bushwhacker  answered  to  Air.  AIcRady’s  name,  and  thus  escaped.  Our  subject 
remained  in  prison  twelve  months.  Since  the  war  he  has  followed  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  has  a large  farm  of  430  acres,  and  has  had  reasonable  success. 

XEWTOX  AIcQUlDDY,  farmer,  born  September  26,  1819,  in  Woodford  County,  Ky.. 
was  of  Scolch-Iiish  descent  on  his  father’s  side  and  English  on  his  mother’s.  His- 


' 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1219 


parents  were  John  and  Achsah  (Dale)  McQuiddj',  both  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  father 
was  born  in  1790  and  the  mother  in  1793.  They  had  nine  children,  six  of  whom  lived  to 
be  crown;  three  are  living  at  the  present  time.  The  father  was  a farmer,  though  for  sev- 
eral years,  both  in  Kentucky  and  Tennessee,  he  ran  a rope  and  bagging  factory.  lie  was 
a Whig,  and  a man  who  made  the  most  of  everything  he  undertook.  At  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  in  1863,  he  had  over  1.500  acres  of  land.  The  mother  died  in  1 88 1 . 
Our  subject  grew  up  on  the  farm,  and  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  those  early  days.  At 
the  age  of  twelve  he  went  to  work  in  his  father’s  factory,  where  he  remained  for  about 
twelve  years.  In  1843  he  married  Nancy  A.  Shofner,  a native  of  Lincoln  County,  born 
January  0,  1S23.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  eleven  children,  nine  of  whom  are  living. 
Two  of  the  boys,  W.  B.  and  J.  C.,  are  promising  young  ministers  in  the  Christian  Church. 
Mr.  McQuiddy  is  a member  of  that  church,  and  his  wife  a member  of  the  Missionary  Bap- 
tist Church.  Mr.  McQuiddy  was  a strong  Union  man  during  the  war,  and  now  votes  with 
the  Republican  party.  He  has  a farm  of  1,200  acres,  and  is  widely  known  and  highly 
respected. 

ROBERT  MONTGOMERY,  Sr.,  usually  called  “ Uncle  Robin,”  a retired  farmer  of 
Marshall  Count}’,  was  born  September  5.  1810,  in  South  Carolina.  He  passed  his  youth- 
ful days  on  the  farm  iu  the  summer  months,  and  attended  the  common  schools  in  the 
winter  season.  He  was  the  sou  of  Robert  and  Esther  (Spence)  Montgomery.  The  father 
was  born  in  Ireland  in  1784,  and  was  of  Scotch-lrish  descent.  He  came  to  this  country 
with  his  parents  when  but  a lad  and  settled  in  South  Carolina.  After  reaching  the  years 
of  maturity  he  was  married,  and  was  living  in  South  Carolina  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
which  occurred  in  1825.  In  1830  the  mother  and  her  children  came  to  Tennessee.  Here 
the  mother,  after  living  a long  and  useful  life,  died  in  1859.  Our  subject  w’as  married, 
June  5,  1855,  to  Margaret  P.  Ormand,  of  Alabama.  The  fruits  of  ibis  union  were  three 
children:  Mary  E.,  now  Mrs.  Mount;  John  O.  and  Jane  S.,  now  Mrs.  Wiggs,  all  living. 
Mr.  Montgomery  is  a Republican  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  L'nited 
Presbyterian  Church.  His  son-in-law,  I.  T.  Wiggs,  was  bom  October  21,  1846,  in  Mar- 
shall County,  and  received  a fair  education  in  the  common  schools.  By  his  marriage  to 
Jane  L.  Montgomery  he  became  the  father  of  one  child,  yet  unnamed.  He  is  a carpenter 
by  trade,  but  has  also  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer  to  some  extent.  Politically  he 
is  rather  conservative,  but  inclines  toward  the  Democratic  party.  He  is  the  son  of  Need- 
ham B.  and  Elizabeth  G.  (Radford)  Wiggs.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  in 
1812  and  the  mother  in  Tennessee  in  1815.  The  former  died  in  1876  and  the  latter  in 
1850. 

JAMES  J.  MORGAN’S  birth  occurred  iu  Maury  County,  Tenn..  July  28,  184S.  son  of 
William  B.  and  Martha  L.  (Huggins)  Morgan.  Tennesseeans  by  birth  and  residents  of 
Maury  County,  after  their  marriage.  Their  children  are  James  J.,  Lizzie  C.,  David  E. 
and  Ella  P.  The  father  was  a soldier  iu  the  late  war  in  Capt.  Holman’s  company,  Fifty- 
third  Tennesee  Cavalry,  and  served  nearly  two  years.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  Donolson 
and  imprisoned  at  Camp  Morton  about  seven  months,  but  lived  only  a few  weeks  after  be- 
ing exchanged..  After  his  death  the  mother  lived  with  her  children  until  1877,  when  she. 
too,  died.  The  father’s  people  were  Scotch-lrish,  the  mother's  French  Huguenots,  who 
came,  to  America  at  an  early  day.  James  J.  Morgan’s  early  education  was  limited,  owing 
to  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  He  resided  with  his  mother  ami  cared  for  her  until  her 
death.  In  1879  he  married  Belle  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Marshall  County,  July  29,  1854, 
aud  four  children  have  blessed  their  union:  Mary  E.  (deceased),  William  C..  Scott  1).  (de- 
ceased), and  Alice.  Mr.  Morgan  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  his  wife  to  the 
Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He  is  a Democrat  and  owns  a one-third  interest  iu  a 
well  stocked  farm  of  260  acres. 

ELISHA  G.  MORRIS,  a leading  miller  and  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  and  a sou  of 
Allen  and  Margaret  E.  (Sawson)  Morris,  was  born  February  14,  1843.  in  Marshall  County, 
and  is  of  English  descent.  Ilis  parents  were  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  South  Caro- 
lina, respectively.  The  father  was  a farmer,  andiu  connection  with  this  run  a still-house. 


1220 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Later  be  followed  the  trade  of  blacksmithing  and  milling.  He  died  in  1862,  and  in  1SS6 
tlie  mother,  too,  passed  away.  Our  subject  received  a good  practical  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  subsequently  attended  Chapel  Hill  Academy,  but  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war  cut  short  all  his  plans.  In  18G1  he  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-fifth  Tennessee  In- 
fantry. Confederate  Arm}',  and  at  the  battle  of  Shiloh  received  a severe  wound.  At  Peters- 
burg be  was  captured,  and  after  remaining  in  prison  eight  months  was  paroled  and 
entered  the  service  no  more.  In  1867  he  wedded  Clilora  A.  Hopkins,  and  this  union  was 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  ten  children,  seven  now  living.  The  eldest  son,  William  A.,  is  a 
student  at  Goodman’s  Business  College,  the  rest  being  at  home  Both  Air.  and  Airs.  Alor- 
ris  are  members  of  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and 
has  made  this  county  his  home  all  his  life. 

JAAIES  J.  MURRAY,  one  of  the  oldest  attorneys  of  Lewisburg.  Tenn.,  is  a son  of 
Henry  and  Alatilda  < Denney)  Alurray,  born  in  North  Carolina  and  Ireland,  respectively. 
The}’  bath  came  to  Williamson  County,  Tenn.,  "when  young,  and  were  there  "married. 
This  family  consisted  of  eight  children.  The  father  was  a farmer  and  Democrat,  and 
died  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  The  mother  lived  to  the  ripe  old  age  of  ninety-four  James’ 
ancestors  on  his  father’s  side  were  of  English-Irish  descent,  and  on  his  mother’s  Scotch - 
Irish.  He  was  born  in  Williamson  County  June  *20, 1830,  and  received  a common  English 
education.  He  was  salesman  in  the  mercantile  business  several  years,  and  became  a 
student  of  Blackstone  under  R.  K.  Kercheval.  In  1857  he  entered  the  Lebanon  Law 
School  and  the  same  year  -was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  opened  an  office  in  Lewisburg, 
where  be  has  since  successfully  practiced.  In  1865  he  wedded  Alary  A.  Carothers,  by  whom 
he  has  five  children.  Air.  and  Airs.  Alurray  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church.  In  1801 
Mr.  Alurray  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Fifty-third  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  rose  to  the  rank 
of  first  lieutenant.  He  was  slightly  wounded  at  Atlanta  and  severely  at  Franklin.  After 
his  return  he  followed  his  profession  and  farmed  on  a limited  scale.  He  made  a specialty 
of  raising  fine  jacks  and  also  kept  a fine  horse  of  No.  1 pedigree.  Air.  Alurray  is  a taleuted 
lawyer  and  a Democrat  in  politics. 

S;  J.  AIURRELL  is  one  of  the  twelve  children  of  Richard  and  Sarah  (Hale)  Alurrell, 
who  were  born  in  Sullivan  and  Washington  Counties  respectively.  After  their  marriage 
they  settled  in  Sullivan  Comity,  where  they  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The 
father  held  the  office  of  magistrate  for  many  years,  and  died  at  the  age  of  forty-five.  The 
mother  lived  to  be  about  fifty-five  years  of  age.  Our  subject  was  born  and  reared  on  a 
farm  in  Sullivan  County.  He  was  born  Alarch  9,  18*20,  and  after  attending  the  common, 
schools  completed  his  education  in  Holston  College  and  W ashiugton  college,  Tennessee. 
Caroline  F.  George  became  his  wife  in  1843,  and  to  them  were  born  six  children,  two  of 
whom  are  dead.  In  186*2  he  joined  the  Sputhern  Army,  serving  in  Trivet’s  company,  and 
was  out  twenty-six  mouths,  twenty-two  months  of  that  time  being  spent  as  a prisoner  at 
Johnson’s  Island.  He  served  as  second  lieutenant.  In  1865  he  came  to  Alarshall  County, 
and  is  now  one  of  the  heaviest  tax-payers  of  the  county.  He  is  a Democrat.  Airs.  Alur- 
rell’s  dentil  occurred  in  1879.  She  was  a second  cousin  of  Lewis  Cass,  and  also  of  Caleb 
Cushing.  Since  her  death  All*.  Alurrell  and  his  daughter  Josephine  have  lived  on  the  old 
home  farm. 

LAAIBERT  C.  NEIL,  horse  trainer,  of  Alarshall  County,  was  born  Alarch  2S,  1839,  in 
this  county.  He  was  reared  by  his  grandmother  and  received  a limited  education.  At  tin? 
age  of  fifteen  he  went  to  Texas  and  engaged  as  an  overseer  of  a cotton  plantation.  In  1859 
he  went  to  California,  and,  after  residing  there  three  years,  returned  with  a single  com- 
panion on  pack-horses.  In  1862  he  went  out  as  an  independent  soldier  in  Capt.  Carter’s 
company,  and  later  acted  under  Forrest.  While  transmitting  an  order  from  one  fort  to 
another  he  was  captured  and  taken  to  Nashville,  then  to  Louisville,  and  while  being  trans- 
ported in  a box  car  to  Camp  Chase,  he  cut  out  two  planks  and  made  his  escape.  In  1867 
he  married  Letitia  Talley,  and  to  this  union  was  boin  one  child,  Edgar.  Air.  Neil  is  a 
Democrat  and  his  wife  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  has  a good  farm  of  121 
acres,  and  his  principal  business  since  the  war  has  been  training  horses  for  the  turf.  He 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1221 


owns  some  well  bred  racers  and  trains  for  others  on  a tine  half-mile  track  on  his  farm.  He 
has  trained  of  his  own  a pacing  stallion,  “ Bay  Tom  ” that  makes  his  mile  in  2:23  ; sold 
him  for  $1,500.  Air.  Neil  has  also  a trotting  gelding  “ Blue  Jay  ” that  makes  the  distance 
in  2:29±;  sold  for  $1,450.  “ Sumieks,”  trial  in  2:32.  a bay  gelding,  “ Fred.  Neil  ” makes  the 
milein2:29F  Our  subject  has  also  trained  for  others  a bay  stallion,  “ Nettie  Keyman,” 
that  makes  the  mile  in  2:261,  trial  2:21 ; sold  for  $1,500.  Mr.  Neil  has  a wide  reputation  as  a 
horse  trainer. 

DAVID  NIX  is  one  of  fourteen  children  born  to  the  marriage  of  Robin  and  Fannie- 
(Arnold)  Nix.  The  father  was  born  in  Georgia,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Arnold  in  Mar- 
shall County.  He  was  a Democrat  and  farmer,  and  after  his  wife’s  death  he  married' 
Vicey  Clieak.  He  died  in  1880,  lacking  sixteen  days  of  being  one  hundred  years  old. 
David  inherits  English  blood  from  both  parents.  He  was  bom  in  what  is  now  Marshall' 
Count}*,  April  20,  ISIS.  He  was  allowed  to  have  his  own  way  in  regard  to  attending 
school,  and  not  knowing  the  value  of  an  education  he  preferred  working  in  the  cotton- 
fields  to  attending  school,  consequently,  his  education  is  none  of  the  best.  He  began 
earning  his  own  living  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  and  after  working  as  a farm  laborer  five 
years  he  purchased  100  acres  of  land  largely  on  credit,  which  he  paid  for  and  increased" 
to  500  acres.  In  1843  he  wedded  Fannie  Glenn,  by  whom  he  had  ten  children.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Nix  are  members  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  in  polities  he  is  a Democrat. 

HON.  J.  L.  ORR  is  the  son  of  John  and  Emily  (Bagley)  Orr,  both  natives  of  Mar- 
shall County  (then  called  Bedford  and  Lincoln  Counties);  the  former  was  born  in  1811 
and  the  latter  in  1813.  They  were  married  in  1830  and  were  the  parents  of  three  children 
— two  girls  and  one  boy.  The  father  followed  the  occupation  of  a farmer  and  served  as 
colonel  in  the  State  militia.  He  was  a Democrat  in  politics.  His  death  occurred  April, 
1849.  The  mother  died  January,  1886.  Our  subject  was  born  November  9.  1836.  in  Mar- 
shall County,  and  passed  his  early  life  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  public 
school.  lie  completed  his  education  in  Erskin  College,  graduating  from  that  institution  in 
August,  1860.  January  29,  1874,  he  wedded  Sally  S.  Williams,  and  this  union  resulted  in 
the  birth  of  four  children:  Julia.  Daisy,  Sallie  and  Robert  Williams.  In  1861  Mr.  Orr  en- 
ILted  in  Company  A,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  commanded  by  Col.  Baxter  Smith,  and 
was  all  through  the  war.  He  surrendered  at  Charlotte,  N.  C.,  May  4,  1865,  and  returned 
home.  He  held  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant  and  was  wounded  slightly.  He  was  in  all  the 
principal  engagements  of  the  southwestern  army  (except  Shiloh).  He  served  two  terms  in 
the  State  Legislature  and  is  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  a self-made  man,  and  at  one 
time  taught  in  the  common  schools  and  worked  for  his  father-in-law  ten  years.  He  is 
now  doing  business  for  himself  as  merchant  and  grain  dealer,  stock  raiser,  grain  farmer, 
and  is  doing  a successful  business. 

THOMAS  A.  ORR,  farmer,  was  born  February  9, 1827,  in  Williamson  County.  Tenn.,. 
and  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Mary  A.  (Cummins)  Orr,  natives  of  Williamson  County.  Tenn. 
In  1835  they  moved  to  Giles  County  and  five  years  later  to  Marshall,  and  here  spent  the 
remainder  of  their  days.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian 
Church.  Our  subject  was  reared  on  the  farm  aud  received  a practical  education  in  the 
common  schools.  Like  a dutiful  son  he  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twenty  two  years 
of  age.  In  1848  he  led  to  the  hymeneal  altar  Minerva  Vincent,  a native  of  Marshall 
County,  born  July  17, 1830.  The  fruits  of  this  union  were  twelve  children,  eight  *>f  whom 
are  living.  The  eldest  son,  Joseph  C.  is  a stock  trader.  The  second,  Robert  A.,  is  a ris- 
ing young  physician  of  Mooresville;  William  R.,  is  a practicing  physician  at  home.  The 
rest  of  the  boys  are  at  home  farming.  Our  subject  has  a tine  farm  of  500  acres  and  has 
been  a resident  of  this  county  for  a period  of  forty-seven  years.  Mr.  Orr  is  a Democrat 
in  polities  and  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 

ROBERT  J.  ORR  is  a son  of  Robert  and  Leah  (Polk)  Orr.  The  father  was  born 

in  Maryland,  May.  1765,  was  married  in  1 700  and  immigrated  to  Williamson  County, 
Tenn.,  1800.  In  1808  he  moved  to  Marshall  County,  then  known  as  B ••Iford  County. 
The  mother  was  of  Euglish  descent  and  was  born  in  1768  aud  died  in  1830.  The  father 


1222 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


died  January  5,  1855.  and  was  of  Irish  lineage.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born 
February  11.  1813.  at  the  old  homestead.  He  worked  on  the  farm  until  the  death  of  his 
father,  after  which  he  worked  for  himself.  He  received  a rather  limited  education  in  the 
district  schools,  and  September  25.  1849.  he  was  married  to  Sarah  E.  Laws.  This  union 
has  been  blessed  by  the  birth  of  eight  children:  David  L.,  Leah  C.,  John  M.  (deceased). 
Martha  M.,  Catherine  O . Alfred  D..  Nellie  M.  and  Robert  J.  Mr.  Orr  served  as  captain 
and  colonel  in  the  Tennessee  militia  until  the  Rebellion,  but  did  not  take  an  active  part 
in  the  war.  He  held  the  office  of  magistrate  for  eighteen  years  to  the  entire  satisfaction 
of  the  people.  He  is  a Republican  and  a member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  is  a 
strong  advocate  of  the  cause  of  temperance.  Mrs.  Orr  is  a member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Church.  Her  father  advocated  the  cause  of  the  South,  serving  in  the  State 
Legislature  before  and  after  the  war. 

WILLIAM  H.  OGILYIE.  Richard  Ogilvie,  father  of  William  H..  was  born  in  North 
Carolina,  and  came  to  Tennessee  about  1796,  locating  in  Williamson  Count}’,  where  he 
farmed  and  eventually  became  the  owner  of  500  acres  of  land.  He  married  Cyn- 
thia M.  Wilson,  a native  of  Georgia,  and  became  the  father  of  seven  children.  William- 
son County  was  almost  an  unbroken  canebrake  at  the  time  of  his  settlement,  so  that  he 
had  great  difficulty  in  clearing  his  farm.  He  died  in  1822  and  the  mother  resided  with  her 
youngest  son  on  the  old  homestead  until  her  death.  William  H.  Ogilvie  was  horn  in 
Williamson  County  December  17,  1818.  and  in  his  youth  attended  the  old-time  subscrip- 
tion schools,  his  studies  extending  to  geography  and  grammar.  At  the  age  of  twenty  he 
married  Elizabeth  N.  Demumbrane.  born  in  Williamson  County  December  29,  1820.  To 


them  were  born  eight  children,  onlv  two  of  whom  are  livii 


Ogilvie  died. 


and  the  following  year  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mary  R.  Gentry,  also  a native  of  Will- 
iamson County,  born  December  1C,  1825.  They  are  the  parents  of  three  daughters.  Mr. 
Ogilvie  was  a Whig  until  the  war.  Since  that  time  has  been  a supporter  of  Democratic 
principles.  He  is  a Royal  Arch  Mason  and  owns  700  acres  of  land. 

MOSES  PARK,  an  early  settler  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  is  a son  of  Moses  and 
Mary  (Wier)  Park,  who  were  born  in  North  Carolina,  the  father  in  1780  and  the  mother 
inl779.  They  came  to  Tennessee  in  1804  and  located  in  "Williamson  County  first  and 
Marshall  County  about  1812.  They  were  the  parents  of  eight  children  and  members  of 
the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  The  father  was  an  old-line  Democrat  and  a hat- 
ter by  trade,  but  the  greater  part  of  his  time  was  spent  in  agricultural  pursuits.  The 
mother  died  in  1859  and  he  in  1864.  Moses,  our  subject,  inherits  Irish  blood  from  his 
mother;  he  was  born  iu  the  county  March  10,  1818,  and  his  days  have  been  passed  as  a 
tiller  of  the  soil.  He  attended  the  common  schools,  and  while  in  his  “teens”  learned  the 
cabinet-maker’s  trade.  He  worked  in  Missouri  for  some  time,  and  then  returned  and 
worked  at  his  trade  until  his  shop  was  consumed  by  fire,  and  then  engaged  in  farming. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  his  marriage  with  Mary  A.  Davis,  which  occurred  in  1842. 
His  son,  Jerome,  died  from  exposure  at  Fort  Donelson.  Mr.  Park  is  a Democrat,  and  by 
hard  work  and  good  management  has  become  the  owner  of  800  acres  of  good  farming 
laud.  He  has  also  been  quite  extensively  engaged  in  raising  fine  stock. 

GEORGE  M.  PARK  is  one  of  six  children  and  was  born  February  9,  1844,  in  Marshall 
County,  Tenn.  His  parents,  Hill  and  Nancy  (Hayes)  Park,  were  born  in  Tennessee  and 
after  marriage  settled  on  a farm  in  Marshall  County,  where  they  are  spending  their  de- 
clining years.  Hill  Park  is  a Democrat.  George  M.  was  educated  in  the  common  schools, 
and  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  war  between  the  North  and  South  he  enlisted  with  tin* 
Southern  cause  in  Company  II.  Forty-first  Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  captured  at  the 
fall  of  Fort  Donelson  and  was  imprisoned  at  Camp  Morton.  Ind.,  and  Chicago,  and  was 
exchanged  at  Vicksburg  and  immediately  re-enlisted  in  the  service,  but  was  again  taken 
prisoner,  at  Jonesboro,  Ga.,  and  held  until  the  close  of  the  war.  During  his  four  years' 
service  he  was  only  twice  wounded,  once  at  Cliickamauga  and  once  at  Jonesboro.  By  his 
energy  and  good  management  he  has  become  the  owner  of  150  acres  of  land,  where  he 
now  lives.  He  was  married,  in  1807,  to  Mary  J.  Alexander,  by  whom  He  is  the  father  of 
eight  children — six  sons  and  two  daughters. 


. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1223 


DR.  THOMAS  J.  PATTERSON'S  birtli  occurred  June  13,  ISOS,  in  Marshall  County, 
'Tenu.,  ou  the  farm  where  he  now  resides.  He  followed  the  plow  in  his  youthful  days, 
and  received  an  academical  education.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  M.  II. 
Scales  after  attaining  his  twenty-first  birthday,  and  after  reading  about  two  years  entered 
the  medical  department  of  the  University  of  Louisville,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1851. 
He  eutered  upon  his  practice  in  Maury  County,  and  after  two  years  moved  to  Marshall 
County,  where  he  has  since  lived.  In  1856  he  married  Louisa  II.  Hardin,  born  December 
29,  1832,  in  Maury  County,  and  educated  at  Columbia,  and  eight  children  blessed  their 
oinion.  He  acted  as  assistant  surgeon  for  about  eighteen  months  during  the  late  war,  and 
since  that  time  has  been  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  is  also  a Mason,  and  the  owner  of 
418  acres  of  land,  well  stocked.  lie  devotes  the  most  of  his  time  to  farming,  but  still  prac- 
tices among  his  old  patrons.  His  parents,  John  and  Sarah  (Wilson)  Patterson,  were  born 
in  the  “ Palmetto  State.”  The  father  moved  to  Kentucky  when  young,  and  finally  to 
Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  in  1820.  where  he  was  married  about  five  years  later.  The  mother 
died  in  1830,  leaving  two  children,  and  the  father  wedded  Sarah  Lavender,  who  bore  him 
four  children,  two  daughters  living.  The  father  was  an  extensive  farmer  of  his  day,  and 
is  now  in  his  eighty-fourth  year.  Our  subject’s  wife  is  a daughter  of  Pleasant  and  Tabitha 
(Gentry)  Hardin,  bom  and  married  in  North  Carolina.  They  moved  to  Maury  County, 
Tenu.  at  an  early  day.  and  became  the  parents  of  six  childien.  all  girls.  The  father  died 
while  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  after  his  death  the  mother  and  her  daughters  managed  the 
farm.  She  died  in  1873. 

HON.  JAMES  M.  PATTERSON,  M.  D.,  a leading  physician  of  Marshall  County,  is 
•n  son  of  .Tames  and  Man*  (Reed)  Patterson,  born  in  South  and  North  Carolina  in  1794  and 
1791,  respectively.  They  were  brought  to  this  State  when  children,  and  after  reaching 
years  of  maturity  were  married  in  ISIS,  and  became  the  parents  of  nine  children.  They 
resided  in  Maury  County  until  1833,  and  then  came  to  Marshall  County,  where  the  father 
carried  on  farming  and  stock  raising  on  a rather  extensive  plan.  The  father  was  a Whig, 
and  served  as  magistrate  many  years.  He  died  in  1875,  and  his  wife  the  year  previous. 
•James  M.  Patterson  was  born  in  Maury  Count}',  January  S,  1829.  and  secured  a good  early 
education.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four  he  began  the  study  of  medicine  under  Dr.  S.  J. 
Rice,  and  about  two  years  later  entered  the  medical  department  of  the  University  of 
Nashville,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1858.  among  the  first  in  his  class.  lie  began  prac- 
ticing in  Maury  County,  and  during  the  war  was  part  of  the  time  engaged  as  physician 
and  surgeon.  In  1860  he  married  Margaret  S.  Hardison,  who  was  born  November  10. 
1836,  and  ten  children  were  born  to  their  union.  Dr.  Patterson  is  a member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South,  and  his  wife  of  the  Christian  Church.  He  was  a 
Whig  previous  to  the  war,  but  has  since  been  a Democrat.  In  1S70  he  represented  Bed- 
ford and  Marshall  Counties  in  the  State  Senate,  and  filled  that  position  very  ably.  He 
•came  to  Marshall  County  in  1864,  where  he  has  followed  his  profession,  and  also  farmed 
for  twenty-two  years. 

DAVID  B.  PHILLIPS  is  a native  of  Lincoln  County,  Tenu.,  horn  February  11,  1S42, 
and  after  having  passed  his  youth  on  his  father’s  farm,  obtaining  a commou  school  educa- 
tion, he,  in  1861,  enlisted  in  Capt.  Walker’s  company  of  Third  Teuncssec  Infantry.  Dur- 
ing four  years’  service  he  was  in  over  fifty  battles  and  skirmishes,  but  was  not  wounded 
•during  his  entire  service.-  lie  was  one  of  the  defenders  of  Fort  Donelson,  and  after  being 
•captured  there  was  imprisoned  at  Chicago.  Having  bribed  a guard  with  $5,  he  made  bis 
•escape  and  rejoined  his  command  at  Granada,  Miss.  After  the  close  of  the  war  he  en- 
gaged in  farming,  and  in  1866  was  united  in  marriage  to  Nane}’  V.  Gordon,  by  whom  he 
had  two  children,  only  Hallic  now  living.  Mr.  Phillips  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland 
Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  is  conservative,  although  ou  most  occasions  he  sup- 
ports the  Democratic  party.  He  owns  ninety-four  acreo  of  laud  in  the  most  fertile  por- 
tion of  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  and  is  considered  one  of  its  prosperous  fanners.  Ilis 
'parents  John  II.  and  Elizabeth  II.  (Parham)  Phillips,  were  born  in  Montgomery  County. 
Tenn.,  in  1804,  and  Virginia  in  1806,  respectively.  They  were  married  in  Lincolu  County 


1224 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


in  1828,  and  there  resided  until  1852,  when  they  came  to  Marshall  County.  Thc}r  became 
the  parents  of  three  children  and  were  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  father  was  a Whig,  but  later  became  a Democrat.  He  followed  blacksmithing  and 
farming  and  continued  the  latter  occupation  until  his  death  in  1876.  The  mother  has  since- 
resided with  her  children. 

DAVID  B.  PICKENS,  farmer,  is  a son  of  William  H.  and  Hannah  (Moore)  Pickens. 
The  father  was  born  in  South  Carolina,  in  1792,  and  when  young  came  with  his  parents 
\and  settled  on  the  farm  where  David  now  lives.  The  mother  was  a native  of  Kentucky, 
born  in  1795.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  he 
was  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  died  in  1872  and  after  his  death  the  mother  lived  on  the 
old  homestead  until  1882,  when  she  too  passed  from  life.  She  had  been  blind  for  nearly 
twenty  years.  Our  subject  was  born  August  9,  1816,  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives; 
while  growing  up  he  received  a very  limited  education,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- three  he 
began  working  for  himself.  In  1842  he  led  to  the  altar  Mary  A.  Meador,  a native  of 
Williamson  County,  born  August  14,  1824,  and  nine  children  blessed  this  union;  all  with 
the  exception  of  two  are  married  and  settled  in  visitiug  distance  of  home.  Mrs.  Pickens 
is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Mr.  Pickens  is  a Democrat  and 
one  of  the  most  successful  farmers  of  this  county.  For  seventy  years  he  has  been  a re- 
spected and  honored  resident  of  what  is  now,  Marshall  Connty. 

THOMAS  M.  PORTER  is  a farmer  and  native  of  Marshall  County,  Tenn..  born 
December  8.  1845.  He  attended  school  and  assisted  his  parents  on  the  farm,  and  in  the 
latter  part  of  the  war,  although  only  eighteen  years  of  age,  volunteered  in  Company  A, 
Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  although  in  many  severe  engagements,  was  not  wounded 
or  captured.  Since  the  war  he  has  made  agriculture  his  chief  business  and  is  the  owner 
of  a well  stocked  farm  of  225  acres.  He  is  a son  of  Thomas  N.  and  Mary  F.  (Hardin) 
Porter,  who  were  born  in  Rutherford  and  Williamson  Counties,  Tenn.,  in  1820  and  1827, 
respectively.  They  were  married  in  Maury  County,  but  the  greater  part  of  their  days 
were  spent  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County.  They  became  the  parents  of  two  sons — our 
subject  and  John  N.  The  father  was  a Whig  and  died  in  the  prime  of  life.  His  widow 
returned  to  Maury  County  and  married  E.  H.  McLean,  by  whom  she  had  seven  children.. 
After  his  death  she  married  William  Reagen,  who  also  died.  She  is  a member  of  the- 
Presbyterian  Church  and  is  fifty-nine  years  of  age. 

JOHN  N.  PORTER,  the  youngest  son  of  Thomas  N.  and  Mary  F.  (Hardin)  Porter 
was  born  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County,  Tenn.,  September  24,  1847.  While  a youth, 
his  opportunities  for  obtaining  a schooling  were  exceedingly  limited,  owing  to  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  war.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  volunteered  in  Company  C,  Ninth  Battalion 
of  Cavalry,  and  was  perhaps  the  youngest  soldier  that  went  out  from  Maury  County. 
During  eight  months’  service  he  was  neither  wounded  nor  captured.  After  the  war  he 
rented  land  about  four  years  and  then  purchased  a farm  of  his  own,  which  now  consists- 
of  454  acres.  Mary  R.  Rucker  became  his  wife  in  1868.  She  was  born  June  13.  1851.  in 
Hickman  County.  Their  children’s  names  are  as  follows:  M.  Frances,  Melville  E.,  James 
R.,  Emma  P.,  Lucy  A.,  Thomas  II.,  John  A.,  Hardin  Q.  and  Tabitha  G.  Both  hu>band 
and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  in  politics  Mr.  Porter 
is  a Democrat. 

WILLIAM  N.  PYLAND,  farmer,  is  a son  of  Hardin  and  Nancy  (O'Neal)  Pyland. 
The  father  was  born  tu  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  in  1813,  and  the  mother  in  Marshall 
County,  Tenn.,  about  182(1.  The  father  was  a blacksmith  by  trade  till  the  breaking  out 
of  the  war,  after  which  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Both  are  members  of  the 
Missionary  Baptist  Church  and  both  are  still  living.  Our  subject  was  born  March  15. 
18-12,  and  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  lie  inherited  English  blood  from 
liis  father  and  Irish  from  his  mother.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  volunteered  in  Company 
D.  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  remained  in  service  nearly  four  years.  He  returned 
home  and  engaged  in  the  free  and  independent  life  of  a farmer.  In  1807  he  wedded  Eliza- 
beth Bills,  a native  of  Marshall  County,  born  August  29,  1848,  and  the  fruits  of  this  union 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1-25 


were  an  interesting  family  of  five  children.  Mr.  Pyland  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  he  and 
w ife  arc  members  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mr.  Pyland  has  been  quite  - •->- 
ful  in  agricultural  pursuits,  owning  at  the  present  time  233  acres  of  good  land.  For  ihir 
ty-four  years  he  has  been  a resident  of  this  county  and  enjoys  the  respect  and  «>n  cm  of 
all  who  know’  him, 

DR.  THOMAS  E.  REED,  a leading  physician  of  Lewisburg,  is  a son  of  Andrew  .1  and 
Virginia  E.  (Nelson)  Reed,  both  natives  of  Tennessee,  where  they  grew  to  years  of  ma 
turity  and  were  married.  Shortly  after  the  latter  event  they  moved  to  Giles  County. 
The  father  w’as  a farmer  and  in  addition  carried  on  merchandising  for  some  time,  lie 
was  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and  the  mother  a member  of  the  Pr*  •>- 
byterian  Church.  The  mother  died  in  18G0  and  afterward  the  father  married  Mary  E. 
Scott,  who  became  the  mother  of  four  children,  two  of  whom  are  living.  Our  subject 
was  born  July  15,  1860,  in  Giles  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  reared  on  a farm.  In  boyhood 
he  attended  the  country  schools  and  afterward  Giles  College  and  Fayetteville  Academy. 
In  1S74  he  took  a course  of  lectures  in  the  University  of  Virginia  and  in  the  spring  of 
187C  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  Vanderbilt  University.  In  the  same  year 
he  commenced  practicing  his  profession  in  Lewisburg.  Dr.  Reed  married  Virginia  J. 
McRady  and  this  union  resulted  in  the  birth  of  two  children.  For  ten  years  Dr.  Ihed  has 
practiced  his  profession  in  Lewisburg  and  the  extensive  patronage  he  has  received  says 
more  for  his  ability  and  popularity  as  a physician  than  mere  w’ords  can  do.  Dr.  Reed, 
like  his  father,  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and  Mrs.  Reed  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church. 

JOHN  G.  REYNOLDS  was  born  July  21,  1858,  in  Marshall  County,  True.,  and 
received  a good  common  school  education;  son  of  John  G.  and  Victoria  (Liggctte ) Rey- 
nolds, both  natives  of  Tennessee,  he  of  Williamson  County  and  she  of  Marshall  Comity. 
After  marriage  they  settled  in  Williamson  County,  where  the  father  died.  To  them  was 
horn  one  child,  our  subject.  The  father  was  a Whig  in  politics,  and  his  chief  business  was 
trading,  being  shrewd  and  successful  at  that.  Besides  he  ow  ned  a good  farm.  In  1*5* 
the  mother  removed  to  this  county  and  wedded  Capt.  J.  C.  Cundiff,  by  whom  she  had 
seven  children.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  our  subject  began  working  on  a farm  of  his  own. 
In  1880  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Ada  W.  Wilson,  a native  of  Williamson  County,  born 
February  5,  1860.  By  this  marriage  two  children  wrere  born:  John  T.  and  Clarence  13 
Mr.  Reynolds  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  w'ife  are  worthy  members  of  the  Cum- 
berland Presbyterian  Church.  He  has  a good  farm  of  125  acres,  and  as  a farmer  has  met 
with  very  fair  success.  He  is  very  fond  of  bird  hunting,  and  is  a sure  shot. 

JOHN  D.  ROBERTS  (deceased)  was  born  March  27.  1824.  in  North  Carolina,  and  w as 
the  son  of  Bright  and  Mary  (Silar)  Roberts.  When  but  an  infant  our  subject  was 
brought  to  Tennessee  by  his  parents  and  grew  up  on  the  farm.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  common’district  schools,  and,  his  father  dying  when  our  subject  was  but  three  years 
old,  he  was  left  an  orphan  at  thirteen  b}’  the  death  of  his  mother.  He  then  went  to  learn 
the  tailor’s  trade  of  his  brother-in-law,  William  B.  Holden.  After  working  a short  time 
he  gave  it  up  and  turned  his  attention,  to  the  free  and  independent  life  of  a farmer,  in 
1842  he  wedded  Susannah  M.  Wilson,  who  wras  horn  January  4,  1824,  and  who  i>  a daugh- 
ter of  Aaron  J.  and  Hannah  (Martin)  Wilson.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roberts  were  horn  el  •ven 
children,  seven  of  w hom  are  living.  The  eldest  son  is  a rising  physician  of  Tcxa-  Dur 
ing  the  late  war  our  subject  went  out  to  serve  his  country,  but  failing  health  prevented 
his  carrying  a musket.  lie  worked  at  his  trade  in  the  hospital  when  able,  lu  1*00  he 
moved  to  Arkansas,  where  he  owned  nearly  1,000  acres, but  in  1873  returned  to  this  county. 
In  1884,  after  an  active,  useful  life,  he  was  summoned  to  lay  down  his  burden  and  pass  to 
that  realm  where  toil,  sorrow  and  death  are  not  known.  He  wms  a Democrat  in  politics. 
Mrs.  Roberts  is  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  and  is  living  on  her 
large  farm  of  450  acres,  which  is  being  conducted  very  successfully  by  her  son.  Sidney  J.. 
who  is  a stirring  young  business  man,  and  promises  to  make  one  of  the  leading  farmers  ol 
his  community. 


1226 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


CAPT.  W.  M.  ROBIXSOX.  farmer,  is  a son  of  James  and  Maria  (Mayfield)  Robin- 
son, who  was  born  in  Williamson  County,  Tenn..  in  1805.  and  Bedford  County,  Tenn.,  in 
1814, -respectively.  They  were  farmers  and  the  parents  of  four  children.  The  mother 
died  in  1838.  and  the  following  year  the  father  moved  from  Bedford  County  to  Marshall 
County,  and  in  1844  married  Airs.  Anna  A.  Wilhoite.  whose  maiden  name  was  Warner. 
The  father  was  a man  of  fine  intellect  and  was  a teacher  for  many  years.  He  was  a wide- 
awake and  successful  business  man.  and  died  when  only  forty-one  years  of  age.  Our  sub- 
ject is  of  Irisli-Englisli  descent,  and  was  born  August  30,  1831.  After  receiving  an  aca- 
demical education,  he,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  began  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  world  by 
merchandising  and  lumbering,  continuing  almost  continuously  until  the  present  time. 
Mary  C.  Orr  became  his  wife  August  26,  1841,  and  eight  children  were  born  to  their  union 
seven  of  whom  are  now  living.  In  the  late  war  he  served  in  Company  D.  Fourth  Tennes- 
see Cavalry,  and  arose  to  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  and  was  afterward  commissioned 
captain  of  his  company,  being  on  staff  duty  the  most  of  the  time.  He  owns  a fine  farm  of 
550  acres,  a saw-mill  in  Alabama,  and  an  interest  in  a store  at  Farmington.  He  is  a Dem- 
ocrat and  a man  who  has  made  life  a success  financially. 

C.  J.  SHEFFIELD,  a leading  farmer  of  Marshall  County  and  a son  of  J.  B.  and  Mar- 
tha M.  (Falwell)  Sheffield,  was  born  January  27,  1832,  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living. 
He  attended  the  common  schools,  and  afterward  completed  his  education  at  Chapel  Hill. 
At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  began  farming,  but  soon  turned  his  attention  to  school  teaching, 
which  lie  followed  for  several  terms.  In  1859  he  began  the  mercantile  business  as  sales- 
man for  King,  Powell  & Co.  and  before  the  close  of  the  year  had  bought  out  Powell,  and 
seen  after  he  and  Col.  T.  C.  II.  Miller  purchased  King's  interest.  In  1861  he  volunteered 
in  the  Confederate  Army,  in  Col.  Haynes’  company  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  was 
wounded  three  times,  but  never  captured  during  four  years  of  service.  About*  eighteen 
months  after  enlisting  he  was  appointed  sergeaut,  and  soon  after  arose  to  second  lieutenant, 
holding  that  position  till  the  close  of  the  war.  He  then  returned  home  and  engaged  in 
farming,  which  occupation  he  has  followed  ever  since.  In  1874  he  wedded  Laura  Dobson, 
a native  of  Williamson  County,  born  Xovember  23,  1850.  This  union  resulted  in  the  birth 
of  three  children:  Samuel,  Henry  and  Ephraim.  Air.  Sheffield  is  a Democrat,  and  he  and 
wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  He  has  a good  farm  of  430 
acres,  the  greater  part  of  which  he  has  made  by  stock  raising  and  close  attention  to  busi- 


ness. 

XEWTOX  J.  SAI1LEY,  trustee  of  Alarshall  Count}’,  is  a son  of  H.  B.  and  Sarah 
(Lowry)  Smiley,  Datives  of  Kentucky  and  South  Carolina,  respectively.  The  father's 
chief  occupation  was  farming,  though  in  early  life  he  worked  at  the  carpenter’s  trade. 
He  was  a soldier  under  Jackson  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  having  lived  to  see  the  return  of 
seventy-five  winters  wras  called  from  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  earth.  The  mother  was 
in  her  ninety-third  year  when  she  died.  Our  subject  was  born  August  9,  1833,  in  the  Bed- 
ford fraction  of  Alarshall  County,  and  was  of  Irish-Scotch  descent.  He  was  educated  in 
the  country  schools,  and  having  farmed  until  1861,  he  volunteered  in  Company  G,  Thirty- 
second  Tennessee  Infantry  as  a private,  and  was  one  of  the  brave  boys  . who  defended 
Fort  Donclson.  After  his  capture  aud  imprisonment  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  he  was  ex- 
changed at  Vicksburg  and  re-entering  the  service  was  promoted  to  first  lieutenant.  After 
nearly  four  years  of  faithf  ul  service  he  returned  home  and  soon  after  engaged  in  the  mer- 
cantile business  iu  which  he  was  successful,.  though  twice  burned  out.  Previous  to  the 
war,  in  1857,  he  wedded  Catherine  E.  Hall,  by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  all  living. 
Both  he  and  wife  are  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Like  his  father 
before  him  lie  is  a warm  Democrat.  In  1884  he  was  elected  to  the  responsible  position 
that  he  is  now  occupying.  In  connection  with  his  office  he  is  engaged  in  tilling  t lie  soil. 

THOMAS  AI.  SMITH,  farmer,  is  a son  of  Thomas  S.  and  Lucinda  ( Blackwell)  Smith, 
natives,  respectively,  of  Virginia  aud  Kentucky.  They  were  married  in  Williamson 
County,  Tenn.,  whither  they  immigrated  when  children.  The  father  had  been  married 
previous  to  his  union  with  Aliss  Blackwell,  and  by  that  union  had  one  child,  Alerritt.  By 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1227 


the  second  marriage  he  became  the  father  of  four  children:  Thomas  M.,  Emeline  F.  (de- 
ceased), Susan  A.  and  Sarah  C.  The  father  was  a tiller  of  the  soil,  and  quite  a successful 
one  at  that.  He  died  in  1*43  and  the  mother  followed  in  1880.  Our  subject  was  born  No- 
vember 24,  1835,  in  Davidson  County.  Tenn..  where  his  father  had  moved  for  a few  years, 
to  superintend  a farm.  His  education  was  rather  limited,  but  not  enough  to  prevent  him 
from  having  sufficient  knowledge  for  all  practical  purposes.  He  farmed  for  his  mother 
till  1879,  when  they  bought  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  In  1861  he.  enlisted  in  Capt. 
Alexander’s  independent  company,  and  after  a year’s  service  joined  the  Fourth  Tennessee 
Cavalry,  Confederate  Army.  He  served  all  through  the  war  without  receiving  a wound 
or  being  taken  prisoner.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits, 
and  at  the  present  has  a farm  of  235  acres.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics  and  has  been  a 
resident  of  this  county  for  thirty-two  years,  and  is  considered  an  honest,  upright  citizen. 

A.  LAFAYETTE  SMITH  is  a son  of  George  W.  Smith,  who  was  born  in  1822  in  Mc- 
Nairy  County,  Tenn.,  and  was  married  to  Mrs.  Martha  (Fowler)  Wilson  (widow  of  Mark 
II.  Wilson  and  the  mother  of  five  children).  Mrs.  Smith  was  born  in  1818  and  to  her  union 
with  Mr.  Smith  were  born  five  children.  They  were  members  of  the  Christian  Church 
and  the  father  was  a well-to-do  farmer  and  a Democrat.  They  came  to  Marshall  County 
about  1853.  After  the  mother’s  death  Mr.  Smith  married  Mrs.  McDowery,  to  whom  two 
children  were  born.  The.  father  died  in  1884.  Lafayette  Smith  was  born  December  25, 
1846,  and  his  educational  advantages  were  such  as  could  be  obtained  in  the  common 
schools.  He  began  earning  his  own  living  at  the  age  of  nineteen,  and  in  1870  wedded  Sa- 
rah T.  Collins,  and  their  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children.  His  wife  died  in  1885  and 
the  following  year  he  married. Margaret  E.  Goouium.  Mr.  Smith  is  a Democrat  and  owns 
a fine  tract  of  350  acres  of  land. 

PEYTON  C.  SMITHSON,  one  of  the  prominent  attorneys  of  Lewisburg,  is  a sou  of 
John  G.  and  Ann  (Ladd)  Smithson,  both  natives  of  Virginia,  the  former  born  in  1820  and 
the  latter  in  1818.  They  were  married  in  Williamson  County,  this  State,  and  became  the 
parents  of  fifteen  children,  all  of  whom  lived  to  be  grown.  Five  of  the  boys  are  lawyers. 
Both  parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  the  father  being  a local 
minister  there,  though  his  chief  occupation  is  farming.  He  is  a Republican  in  politics. 
Our  subject  was  born  in  1851,  in  Williamson  County,  and  was  of  English  descent  on  his 
father’s  side  and  Irish  on  his  mother's.  He  assisted  his  father  on  the  farm,  and  acquired 
sufficient  education  in  the  common  schools  to  enable  him  to  teach.  After  following  this 
occupation  for  some  time  he  entered  Giles  College  and  there  completed  his  education.  In 
1874  he  commenced  reading  law  in  his  brother’s  office,  and  the  following  year  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar.  He  subsequently  opened  an  office  in  Lewisburg,  where  he  has  had 
a good  practice  ever  since.  In  1878  he  wedded  Ellen  McClure,  and  to  this  union  were 
born  four  children.  Mrs.  Smithson  belongs  to  the  Presbyterian  Church.  For  two  years 
51  r.  Smithson  held  the  office  of  mayor  of  Lewisburg.  He  is  a Republican,  though  cou- 
servative  in  his  views.  For  eleven  years  he  has  followed  his  profession  in  Lewisburg.  and 
is  one  of  that  city’s  best  attorneys. 

JAMES  C.  SNELL,  farmer,  is  a son  of  John  A.  and  Mahala  (Bills)  Snell,  who  were 
natives  ol  North  Carolina.  The  father  was  born  in  1809  and  his  wife  in  1814.  They 
were  brought  to  Tennessee  when  young,  and  were  married  in  Marshall  County.  Of  their 
ten  childre  n eight  arc  living..  They  were  well-to-do  farmers,  and  in  former  days  raised 
cotton  or.  the  gronnd  where  the  court. house  of  Lewisburg  stands.  The  father  was  con- 
stable four  years,  and  was  a Democrat  in  politics.  He  died  in  1809,  and  his  widow  has 
since  resided  with  her  children.  James  C.  was  born  J uly  22,  1833,  in  Marshall  County, 
and  received  such  education  as  could  be  obtained  in  his  da}'.  He  began  renting  land  at 
the  age  of  twenty-one,  but  at  the  end  of  .twelve  years  purchased  137  acres  of  land  where 
he  now  lives.  In  1857  he  married  Fannie  Elliott,  horn  in  Marshall  County  in  1832.  and 
died  in  1377.  In  1878  Mr.  Snell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Melissa  Ewing,  who  was  born 
May  6,  1851,  in  Marshall  County.  Our  subject  has  no  children  by  either  marriage. 

JOHN  STAMMER  is  a son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Wad ley)  Stammer.  The  father 


i n 


‘ 


122S 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


was  born  in  Alabama  in  1S05,  and  the  mother  in  Rutherford  County,  Tenn.,  where  they 
were  married  by  Squire  Nash.  Both  parents  were  professors  of  religion.  The  father 
was  a farmer  and  died  in  1837,  leaving  a wife  and  four  small  children.  The  mother  would 
go  to  the  field  with  her  children  to  hoe  corn,  pick  cotton,  or  whatever  else,  she  could  do 
toward  making  an  honest  living.  While  she  succeeded  in  that  she  did  vastly  more — she 
sanctified  honest  toil  with  the  sweat  of  a mother’s  brow,  and  taught  her  little  ones  the 
lesson  of  self-reliance.  After  three  years  she  married  J.  R.  llaskins,  and  is  still  living  at 
the  ripe  age  of  seventy-seven.  Our  subject  was  born  January  27,  1827,  in  Rutherford 
County,  Tenn.,  and  had  very  meager  chances  for  schooling.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he 
wedded  Margaret  A.  Bigger,  and  to  them  were  born  three  children,  only  one  of  whom  is 
living.  Three  years  later  his  wife  died,  and  in  1851  he  was  married  to  Letitia  Bigger,  sis- 
ter of  his  first  wife,  by  whom  she  had  seven  children.  In  1874  his  second  wife  died,  and 
in  the  same  year  he  wedded  Mrs.  Lucinda  Joyce,  widow  of  D.  F.  Joyce,  and  this  union 
resulted  in  the  birth  of  four  children.  Mr.  Stammer  is  a Democrat,  and  in  1SG2  enlisted 
in  Company  F,  Twenty-third  Tennessee  Infantry,  Confederate  Army.  He  was  captured 
and  confined  for  nearly  a year,  but  was  at  last  released.  He  acted  for  some  time  as  quar- 
termaster-sergeant. Since  the  war  he  has  farmed,  and  has  265  acres  of  good  land.  He 
is  a Mason,  and  treasurer  and  superintendent  of  Eagleville  <k  Chapel  Hill  Turnpike. 

ALBERT  B.  STILL WELL,  proprietor  of  the  “Stillwell  House,”  of  Lewisburg,  is  a 
son  of  Osburn  B.  and  Deborah  L.  (McCord)  Stillwell,  both  natives  of  this  State,  where 
they  grew  up  and  were  married.  Their  family  consisted  of  three  children,  only  one  of 
whom,  our  subject,  is  living.  One  child  died  in  infancy,  and  the  other  enlisted  in  the  war 
nr-.d  was  captured  at  Fort  DonelsoiE  After  lying  in  prison  but  a few  days  at  Lafayette, 
Ind.,  he  died  from  a relapse  of  the  measels  caused  by  exposure.  The  father  was  a tiller  of 
the  soil,  and  died  while  in  the  full  strength  of  manhood.  The  mother  then  married  John 

J.  Elliott,  by  whom  she  had  three  children.  She  died  in  1883.  Our  subject  was  born 
October  81,  1842,  in  Marshall  County.  His  ancestors  on  his  mother's  side  were  Scotcli- 
Irisli,  and  on  his  father’s  probably  Irish.  He  passed  his  boyhood  days  in  assisting  on  the 
farm,  and  received  a limited  education,  owing  to  the  financial  circumstances  in  which  the 
family  were  left  at  the  death  of  the  father.  In  1866  our  subject  began  the  mercantile 
business  at  Verona,  and  this  he  continued  until  1878.  Two  years  later  he  was  elected 
trustee,  and  for  four  years  filled  that,  office  in  an  able  manner.  In  1S68  he  wedded  Mary 

K.  Collins.  Mr.  Stillwell  is  a member  of  the  Christian  Church,  and  Mrs.  Stillwell  of  the 
Methodist  Church.  In  1882  our  subject  purchased  the  hotel  that  he  is  now  conducting. 

CORNELIUS  T.  SWANSON,  attorney,  was  born  December  8,  1832,  in  Williamson 
County.  His  youthful  days  were  passed  in  assisting  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the 
common  schools.  His  education  was  completed  in  an  academy.  In  1858  he  began  read- 
ing law  with  John  Marshall,  of  Franklin,  and  the  following  year  was  admitted  to  the 
bar.  He  then  began  the  practice  of  his  profession  at  Troy,  Tenn.  In  1801  he  volunteered 
in  Company  H,  Ninth  Tennessee  Infantry,  as  first  lieutenant,  and  served  a shorr  time  in 
the  war  when  he  was  disabled  by  sickness  for  several  months.  After  the  reorganization 
of  the  army  he  joined  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  and  remained  with  that  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  After  returning  home  he  located  in  Franklin,  and  in  1808  wedded 
Emily  C.  Orr,  and  by  her  became  the  father  of  one  child,  Annie  B.  Two  } ears  after 
locating  in  Franklin  he  went  to  Mississippi  to  take  charge  of  a cotton  plantation,  where 
he  continued  about  six  years.  Finding  that  this  was  not  a very  lucrative,  business  he  re- 
turned to  Tennessee  and  opened  a law  office  in  Lewisburg  in  1877.  where  he  has  received 
his  full  share  of  patronage.  In  1875  Mr3.  Swanson  died.  Mr.  Swanson  is  a Democrat  in 
politics  and  has  practiced  his  profession  for  nine  years  in  Lewisburg.  He  is  one  of  the 
first  attorneys  of  Marshall  County.  He  is  a son  of  James  and  Anno  M.  S.  (Zollicofferj 
Swanson.  The  mother  is  a sister  of  Gen.  Zollicoffcr.  Both  parents  are  natives  of  this 
State.  The  father  was  born  in  1802,  and  the  mother  in  1808.  The  father  was  a farmer 
and  died  in  1869,  the  mother  died  fourteen  years  previous  to  his  death.  The  Swansons 
are  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and  the  Zollicoffers  of  Swiss. 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1220 


WILLIAM  P.  THOMAS  may  be  mentioned  as  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Mar. 
shall  County,  Tenn.  His  parents,  T.W.  and  Lucy  (Pierson)  Thomas,  were  born  in  Virginia, 
and  were  there  married,  and  soon  after  came  to  Tennessee  and  located  in  Rutherford 
County,  where  they  lived  until  the  death  of  the  father,  and  then  the  mother  and  her  live 
•children  located  in  Bedford  Count}’,  and  about  1850  came  to  Marshall  Comity.  The  father 
was  a stock  trader  and  while  on  a tour  in  Alabama  sickened  and  died  William  P.  was 
born  in  Rutherford  County,  September  7,  1832,  and  as  be  was  obliged  to  assist  in  support- 
ing the  family  his  school  days  were  limited.  He  has  acquired  a practical  business  educa- 
tion. however,  and  is  well  to  do  in  worldly. goods,  being  the  owner  of  400  acres  of  land, 
which  he  has  acquired  by  hard  work.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  Col.  Haynes’  company  of 
cavalry  and  after  a short  service  was  discharged  ou  account  of  rheumatic  trouble.  In 
politics  he  is  a stanch  Democrat,  and  is  a Master  Mason  of  Chapel  Hill  Lodge.  He  is  a 
bachelor. 

JOSEPH  PERCIVAL  THOMPSON  is  a sou  of  John  and  Mary  (Snell)  Thompson, 
who  were  born  in  North  Carolina.  The  father  came  to  Ten  nessee  with  his  parents  when 
Nashville  was  a mere  village.  He  spent  the  greater  share  of  his  life  in  Bedford  County, 
where  he  farmed  and  practiced  medicine.  He  served  as  surveyor  and  magistrate  and 
represented  his  county  one  term  in  the  State  Legislature.  He  was  a Democrat  up  to  1835 
and  then  became  a Whig.  He  died  in  1857  and  the  mother  in  1861.  Joseph  P.  was  born 
in  Bedford  County  January  16,  1812.  At  the  age  of  sixteen  he  began  working  as  sales 
man,  and  in  1833  wedded  Prudence  Allison,  by  whom  he  had  five  children.  She  died  in 
18-14  and  the  following  year  he  married  Myra  Wallis.  To  them  were  born  four  children, 
two  of  whom  iived  to  be  grown.  In  1850  his  second  wife  died  and  two  years  later  Marga- 
ret E.  Fowler  became  his  third  wife.  Since  his  first  marriage  Air.  Thompson  has  farmed. 
He  is  conservative  in  politics.  Robert  C.  Thompson,  his  son,  was  born  to  his  first 
marriage.  lie  was  born  June  30,  1836,  in  Bedford  County,  and  there  lived  until  sixteen 
years  of  age  and  then  came  to  Marshall  County.  He  taught  school  for  some  time,  al- 
though farming  hr.®  been  his  chief  calling  through  life.  In  1858  he  wedded  Frances  S. 
Wilson,  by  whom  he  had  three  children:  Flora  A.,  Thomas  L.  (who  graduated  with  the 
class  of  1886  from  Vanderbilt  University),  and  Minnie  B.  In  1861  Robert  C.  volunteered 
in  Company  H,  Forty-first  Tennessee  Infantry.  He  was  captured  at  Fort  DoneUon  and 
imprisoned  at  Camp  Morton,  but  re-entered  service  after  being  exchanged,  but  was  so  se- 
verely wounded  at  Atlanta  that  he  was  disabled  from  further  service.  He  attained  the 
rank  of  secoud  lieutenant.  Since  the  war  he  has  farmed.  He  is  a Democrat  in  politics, 
and  is  a man  who  takes  deep  interest  in  enterprises  for  the  public  weal. 

JAMES  A.  WOODS,  senior  member  of  the  firm  of  Woods  <fc  McCord,  of  Lewisburg. 
is  a son  of  Francis  B.  and  Margarets.  (Morrison)  Woods,  both  natives  of  this  State. 
After  marriage  they  settled  in  this  county,  on  the  farm  where  they  are  still  living.  Their 
family  consisted  of  eight  children,  six  of  whom  are  living.  Both  parents  are  members  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church.  For  a number  of  years  the  father  served  as  constable,  though 
he  was  not  an  aspirant  to  places  of  public  trust.  He  is  uow  seventy  seven  years  old.  and 
his  wife  is  seventy-five.  They  have  lived  together  fifty-four  years.  Our  subject  was  born 
August  4,  1848.  in  Marshall  County,  and  received  his  education  in  the  country  schools. 
Having  prepared  himself  at  Union  Academy,  of  this  county,  in  1869  he  entered  Auu  Ar 
bor  University  and  graduated  in  the  classical  course  of  the  literary  department  in  1872. 
He  then  taught  school  one  year,  and  began  reading  law  under  Walter  8.  Bearden,  of 
Shelby ville,  but  failing  health  drove  him  from  the  profession  of  law.  and  after  clerking 
for  a short  time  lie  engaged  in  business  at  Lewisburg.  Iu  1880  he  wedded  Nannie  J.  Mc- 
Cord, by  whom  he  has  two  children:  James  W.  and  Bedford  M.  Air.  Woods  is  a Demo- 
crat, and  he  and  wife  arc  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  Air.  Woods  has  been  al- 
derman and  commissioner  of  this  taxing  district  for  six  years,  besides  he  has  been  presi- 
dent of  the  Marshall  County  Temperance  Alliance  since  its  organization.  He  also  holds 
a large  interest  in  the  firm  of  Coffey.  Woods  Co. 

WILLIAM  II.  WOOD,  undertaker  and  dealer  in  furniture,  is  a son  of  William  and 


. 


1230 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


Amy  (Smith)  Wood.  They  were  married  in  Massachusetts  and  came  to  Maury  County, 
this  State,  between  1834  and  1840,  to  take  charge  of  a large  cotton  factory.  By  trade  the 
father  was  a machinist,  being  a first-class  man  in  the  business.  For  the  last  twenty-five 
years  he  has  operated  a chair  factory.  He  has  been  magistrate  for  fourteen  3*ears,  and 
since  the  war  has  been  a Democrat.  He  is  still  living  at  the  age  of  seventy-two.  His 
wife  is  sixty-eight.  Our  subject  was  born  September  50,  1S41,  in  Maury  County,  was 
reared  in’  town,  and  received  a good  practical  education.  While  growing  up  he  had 
learned  the  cabinet-maker’s  trade  in  his  father’s  shop,  and  after  reaching  manhood  he 
entered  a book  store  as  salesman,  and  two  years  later,  in  connection  with  R.  D.  Blum, 
opened  a dry  goods  and  clothing  store  in  Columbia.  Having  bought  out  his  partner,  he 
sold  the  whole  stock  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  chairs  with  his  father  and 
brother.  He  then  sold  out  and  worked  in  the  cabinet  shop  of  Lamb  A Boyd,  and  later 
became  superintendent  of  the  water-works  of  Columbia.  In  1866  he  wedded  Alary  L. 
Bynum,  and  to  this  union  were  born  six  children — three  of  whom  are  living.  Both  Air. 
and  Airs.  Wood  ore  active  members  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  Twice  Mr. 
AVood  has  been  elected  alderman,  audis  now  president  of  the  corporation.  In  politics  he 
is  conservative,  supporting  the  Democracy.  For  nine  years  he  has  been  in  business  in 
Lewisburg,  and  the  trade  he  has  succeeded  in  getting  speaks  well  for  his  ability  as* a bus- 
iness man. 

JAMES  AI.  WELBORN,  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  is  a son  of  Johnson  and  Elatia 
(Knight)  Welborn.  The  father  was  born  in  Bedford  County  in  1*14,  and  the  mother  in 
Rutherford  County  about  1822.  After  marriage  they  settled  in  Henderson  County,  and 
aft«*r  a short  residence  came  to  this  county  in  184S.  About  twenty  years  later  lie  moved 
to  Texas,  where  they  both  died,  the  father  in  1870  and  the  mother  in  1880.  The  father 
was  a Democrat,  and  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  a 
farmer  and  stock  raiser  and  owned  about  600  acres  of  land.  Our  subject,  James  AI. 
Welborn,  was  born  Feburary  12,  1841,  in  Henderson  County,  passed  his  youthful  days  in 
aiding  his  father  on  the  farm  and  in  attending  the  common  schools,  where  he  received  a 
good  English  education.  He  was  preparing  for  a course  in  the  higher  schools  v*  hen  the  stir- 
ring events  of  the  war  broke  into  his  plans.  In  1861  he  volunteered  in  the  Confederate 
Army,  Company  F,  Seventeenth  Tennessee  Infantry,  and  after  eighteen  months’  service 
was  transferred  to  Company  A,  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry.  He  received  but  one  slight 
wound  and  was  never  captured  during  the  four  years  he  was  in  service.  In  1865  he  mar- 
ried Rosa  L.  Hutton,  who  was  born  August,  31,  1813,  and  five  children  blessed  this  union. 
Mr. Welborn  is  a Democrat  in  politics,  and  he  and  wife  are  zealous  workers  in  the  Mission- 
ary Baptist  Church.  He  has  a fine  farm  of  100  acres  lying  on  the  pike.  In  the  line  of 
line  stock,  he  keeps  a fine  horse  of  Traveler  *fc  Brooks  stock,  and  two  first  class  jacks. 

JAMES  W.  WHITMAN,  farmer,  is  a son  of  Rev.  R.  AI.  AVhitman.  a native  of  Boston. 

; Mass.,  born  in  1804.  When  a mere  boy  R.  AI.  AVhitman  went  with  his  parents  to  Vir- 
| ginia.  where  he  lived  quite  a number  of  years.  They  then  immigrated  to  Bedford  County, 
and  here  he  married  Almedia  Sanders  (the  subject's  mother),  and  a native  of  Bedford 
j County,  born  in  1815.  To  them  were  born  nine  children.  After  her  dealh  the  father  was 
married  twice;  first  to  Mrs.  Jane  Reed,  who  died  in  1857,  and  then  to  Airs.  Ann  Edwards, 

; who  still  lives.  The  father  died  in  Texas  in  1873.  He  was  an  extensive  farmer  and 
stoc  k trader,  and  in  early  life  practiced, medicine.  He  was  also  a preacher  of  the  gospel. 
Our  subject  was  born  November  28,  1838,  in  the  Aloorc  fraction  of  Lincoln  County,  fie 
was  reared  on  the  farm  and  received  a poor  education,  owing  to. the  demand  for  his  labor 
at  home.  In  1S61  he  volunteered  in  Company  K,  Eighth  Tennessee  Infantry,  Confederate 
Army,  and  went  through  four  years  of  service  without  being  wounded,  and  was  only  capt- 
ured once,  when  lie  succeeded  in  making  his  escape  in  a few  days.  He  served  twelve 
months  as  captain  of  Company  A,  Twenty-eighth  Tennessee  Cavalry.  After  the  war  he 
went  to  Texas  to  engage  in  the  mercantile  business,  where  he  remained  ten  years.  In  1874 
he  returned  to  Tennessee  and  engaged  in  farming.  In  1877  he  married  Ann  E.  Hutton,  a 
native  of  Rutherford  County,  born  August  14,  1841.  In  1882  she  died,  and  the  following 


4 


MARSHALL  COUNTY. 


1231 


year  he  married  Jennie  P.  Grigsby,  of  Giles  County.  This  uuion  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
one  child,  Robert  G.  Mr.  Whitman  is  a stanch  Democrat  and  a member  of  the  Missionary 
Baptist  Church.  His  present  wife  is  a member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He 
has  a good  farm  of  -19?  acres,  and  as  a farmer  and  stock  raiser  has  been  quite  successful. 

JOHN  B.  WILHOITE,  farmer  and  stock  dealer,  is  a son  of  William  and  Anna  A. 
(Warner)  Wilkoite,  natives  of  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee,  respectively.  The  father 
was  a miller,  running  successfully  an  old-style  mill  during  his  life.  He  was  a Democrat, 
an. attendant  and  his  wife  a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  He  died  at  the 
age  of  thirty.  In  1835  the  mother  came  to  this  county, and  soon  afterward  married  James 
Robinson,  father  of  Capt.  Robinsou.  Her  second  husband  died  three  years  later.  She 
died  in  1S76.  Our  subject  was  born  December  23,  1830,  in  Bedford  County,  and  did  not 
have  the  best  advantages  for  an  education,  but  made  the  most  of  what  he  did  have.  After 
leaving  the  common  schools  he  completed  his  education  in  Chapel  ITill  Academy.  At  the 
age  of  fifteen  he  took  charge  of  the  home  farm,  aud  a year  later  planned  and  superintended 
the  construction  of  the  grist  aud  saw-mill  at  Fishing  Ford,  which  he  has  run  ever  since. 
He  is  also  the  constructor  of  the  dam  furnishing  water  to  the  mills.  Iu  1862  he  volun- 
teered in  the  Confederate  Army  in  Capt.  Miller’s  company  of  Eleventh  Tennessee  Cavalry, 
and  after  three  years  of  faithful  service  returned  home.  In  1869  he  wedded  Lizzie  T. 
Bullock,  of  Williamson  County,  born  in  1846;  the  fruits  of  this  union  were  three  children, 
all  living — Jacob,  Mary  and  Addie.  Mr.  Wilkoite  is  a Democrat,  a Royal  Arch  Mason  and 
a member  of  the  Missionary  Baptist  Church.  Mrs.  Wilkoite  is  a member  of  the  Method- 
ist Church.  Our  subject  has  considerable  of  this  world’s  goods,  and  has  lived  in  Marshall 
County  tor  forty-six  years. 

WILLIAM  E.  WILKINSON,  a prosperous  young  farmer  of  Marshall  County,  Team, 
is  a son  of  Mack  and  Jane  (Palmer)  Wilkinson.  The  father  was  born  in  Giles  County, 
Tenn.,  in  1816,  and  the  mother  in  Yirgiuia  in  1819.  To  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Wilkinson 
were  horn  six  children.  Mack  Wilkinson  was  a. soldier  in  the  Seminole  war,  aud  for  two 
terms  filled  the  office  of  constable.  He  was  a Democrat,  and  died  in  1881.  The  mother  is 
still  alive  and  is  sixty-seven  years  of  age.  Our  subject  is  of  Scoteh-Irish  and  German  de- 
scent, and  was  born  in  what  is  now  Marshall  County  March  14,  1856.  He  was  reared  on  a 
farm,  and  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  began  teaching  in  Arkansas,  but  failing  health 
caused  him  to  return  to  Tennessee.  He  was  elected  and  served  two  terms  as  constable. 
In  1880  he  wedded  Mollie  Cooper,  by  whom  he  had  three  children,  all  girls.  Mrs.  Wil- 
kinson belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  South.  Since  18S3  Mr.  Wilkinson  has 
resided  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives.  He  gives  his  support  to  the  Democratic  party, 
and  is  a prosperous  farmer  of  the  county. 

HON.  EWING  A.  WILSON  was  a prominent  citizen  and  native  of  Marshall  County, 
Tenn.  He  was  born  in  1818  and  always  resided  in  the  county,  and  was  prominently  con- 
nected witli  its  growth  and  prosperity.  His  early  education  was  somewhat  limited,  but  lie 
acquired  a good  education  through  self-application  and  contact  with  business  life. 
He  held  the  positions  of  captain,  major  and  brigadier-general  of  militia,  and  during  the 
late  war  major  of  the  Fourth  Tennessee  Cavalry,  but  failing  health  caused  him  to  give  up 
his  army  career.  He  represented  his  county  three  terms  iu  the  lower  house  of. the  State 
Legislature  and  was  senator  two  terms.  He  was  very  public-spirited  and  assisted  in 
ever}-  enterprise  for  the  good  of  the  county.  He  was  president  of  the  Marshall  County 
Fair  Association,  and  in  the  da}rs  of  the  Grange  movement  he  was  on  the  side  of  holiest 
toil.  As  a financier  he  has  been  almost  without  a peer,  and  by  good  management  became 
the  owner  of  about  2,000  acres  of  land,  which  he  distributed  liberally  among  his  sisters' 
children.  For  forty  years  he  was  a member  of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  lie 
died  iu  1883,  beloved  and  respected  by  all.  As  a Christian  he  was  faithful,  kind-hearted 
and  true,  wise  as  a legislator,  and  as  a citizen  had  few  equals.  His  parents  were  Aaron 
J.  and  Hannah  (Martin)  Wilson.  The  father  was  born  iu  North  Carolina  and  when 
young  came  to  Rutherford  County,  where  he  married  and  became  the  father  of  seven 
children.  The  mother  died  in  1827  aud  he  iu  1831.  They  were  members  of  tiie  Cumber 
laud  Presbyterian  Church. 


. 


. 


1232 


BIOGRAPHICAL  APPENDIX. 


JASPER  A.  YARBROUGH,  register  of  Marshall  County,  is  a son  of  George  and 
Nancy  E.  (Gibbons)  Yarbrough.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina  aud  the  mother 
in  Tennessee.  They  were  married  in  Tennessee,  and  their  family  consisted  of  ten  children. 
Jasper’s  maternal  grandparents  had  twenty-six  children  and  his  paternal  had  fourteen. 
Both  our  subject's  parents  were  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  The  father 
was  a well-to-do  farmer  aud  had  the  honor  of  furnishing  three  brave  boys  for  the  war, 
one  of  whom  was  killed.  The  father  lived  to  be  about  seventy-six  and  the  mother  about 
seventy-four.  Our  subject,  who  was  born  November  7,  1839,  in  Marshall  County,  is  a 
man  three  feet  and  nine  aud  a half  inches  in  height.  He  was  reared  on  the  farm  aud  re- 
ceived a practical  education  in  the  common  schools.  Having  picked  up  the  shoe-maker’s 
trade  he  worked  at  it  for  about  eight  years,  besides  teaching  school.  He  was  always  a very 
handy  workman  aud  could  make  a suit  of  clothes,  knit  a pair  of  socks,  or  almost  anything 
he  turned  his  hand  to.  In  1874  he  was  elected  register,  and  has  held  that  position  ever 
since  with  ability  and  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  people.  In  1881  he  wedded  Lizzie  McKee. 
The  fruits  of  this  union  were  three  children,  two  of  whom  are  living.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Yar- 
brough are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  He  has  been  a citizen  of  Mar- 
shall County  for  forty-six  years.  In  politics  he  is  a warm  Democrat.